How to Get Rid of Glasses Permanently

LASIK vs Smile vs ICL: Which Vision Correction Surgery Is Right for You?

Many people dream of waking up with clear vision without needing glasses or contact lenses.

Modern vision correction procedures can achieve this safely and effectively. The most common procedures include LASIK laser surgery and implantable contact lenses (ICL).

Each procedure works differently and may be suitable for different types of eyes.

At The Eye Clinic by Dr Cheryl Lee, Dr Cheryl Lee helps patients understand their options so they can choose the safest and most suitable procedure.

Watch the video to find out about the different options you could have

Lasik versus PRK versus ICL versus Smile

Find out about ICL

ICL versus Lasik/Smile/PRK ?

Compare before you decide

What Is LASIK?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia.

During LASIK:

  • a thin flap is created in the cornea

  • a laser reshapes the cornea

  • the flap is repositioned

The new shape allows light to focus more accurately on the retina.

LASIK can provide excellent vision for many patients with mild to moderate myopia or astigmatism.

However, because LASIK removes corneal tissue, the changes are permanent and cannot be reversed.

What Is an Implantable Contact Lens (ICL)?

Swiss EvoImplantable contact lens (ICL)is a small, biocompatible lens placed inside the eye behind the iris and in front of the natural lens.

Instead of reshaping the cornea, the lens works with your natural eye to focus light correctly.

One important difference is that ICL does not remove corneal tissue.

The lens can also be removed or replaced if needed, making the procedure reversible.

LASIK vs ICL: Key Differences

How the procedures work

LASIK

  • reshapes the cornea using laser

ICL

  • places a lens inside the eye

Reversibility

LASIK permanently changes the shape of the cornea.

ICL is reversible because the lens can be removed or replaced if necessary.

This flexibility may be important later in life when vision changes occur.

Dry Eye Risk

LASIK can affect corneal nerves that help regulate tear production.

This is why dry eyes can occur after LASIK.

Because ICL does not remove corneal tissue, it does not cause dry-eye problems.

Suitability for High Myopia

LASIK is usually best suited for mild to moderate prescriptions.

ICL can correct much higher levels of myopia and astigmatism.

This makes ICL an important option for patients who:

  • have high myopia

  • have thin corneas

  • are not suitable for laser surgery

Reason why patients have “myopia that returns” after Lasik is because the thinning of the cornea after Lasik leaves the cornea weaker and the shape of the cornea reverts back to where it was before the surgery.. It is not because of “growing older” or excessive screen use.

Long-Term Flexibility

Because LASIK permanently alters the cornea, it may limit some future options.

ICL preserves the natural structure of the eye. You have preserved the originality of your eye

This can make future treatments such as cataract surgery or presbyopia correction much easier.

Which Vision Correction Procedure Is Best?

There is no single procedure that is best for everyone.

Factors that influence the decision include:

  • degree of myopia or astigmatism

  • corneal thickness

  • eye health

  • lifestyle needs

  • long-term vision goals

A detailed eye examination is necessary to determine which option is safest.

Why Many Patients Choose ICL

Many patients today are increasingly interested in ICL because it:

  • preserves the natural cornea

  • corrects higher prescriptions

  • avoids many dry-eye issues

  • offers long-term flexibility

For suitable patients, it can be a very precise and long-lasting form of vision correction.

Learn More About Implantable Contact Lens Surgery

If you would like to understand more about the ICL procedure, recovery, and whether you are suitable, visit our detailed guide on implantable contact lens surgery and Dr Cheryl Lee’s ICL experience.

  • Close-up of a colorful bird with red, blue, and black feathers, looking directly at the camera, against a white background.

    My cornea is too thin.

    What do I choose?

    I am thin?
  • Gray kitten standing on its hind legs with front paws raised, looking up, on a wooden floor.

    I am a scaredy cat.

    Which one is less painful?

    Scaredy cat
  • Donkey with colorful beads around its head, standing on a stone street in front of a textured wall, carrying a load of blue cloth, ropes, and a wooden board, in a Mediterranean village.

    I need minimal downtime.

    Gotta go back to work

    Work horse
  • Close-up of a red-eyed tree frog sitting on a moss-covered branch against a dark background.

    What do I choose if I want

    to get rid of my dry eyes?

    Hate dry eyes
  • A black pug dog wearing large round glasses and a patterned sweater.

    What if I don’t want to wear reading glasses when I am older?

    Thinking ahead
Hear from ICL pateints
ICL screening price

  • Why no Dry Eyes with ICL ?

    Because no cornea is destroyed. This is a huge advantage over laser surgeries. If you already have dry eyes, you know how uncomfortable dry eyes is.

    Comfort=ICL

  • Diagram of a camera attached to a fish eye lens, showing different views and angles.

    Which one is Reversible ? Why is reversibilty important?

    Icl. Because nothing that belongs to you is removed. Unlike other laser surgeries, the ICL procedure does not remove corneal tissue. This means when you grow older and want to get rid of reading glasses or should your prescription change or when you need cataract surgery, it is super easy to address your needs.

    Reversible =No regrets

  • Diagram illustrating the relationship between light, the eye, and perception, featuring a stylized eye and a sun emitting rays.

    UV Protection with ICL

    Another reason why adding an ICL is better than removing corneal tissue with laser procedures.

    ICL adds: Laser removes

  • A white diagram of an analog volume control dial with blue and gray markings, indicating volume levels from -20 to 20, with labels in Turkish for soft, low, and loud, and a pointer at the 0 level.

    ICL corrects wider range of astigmatism and prescription

    ICL corrects myopia up to 2000 degrees and astigmatism up to 600 degrees. If your power cannot be adequately corrected with laser, please do not short change yourself.

    ICL=Full correction

  • Diagram of an eye with focus on the cornea and retina, featuring a clock indicating rotation, with lines illustrating the eye's structure.

    Which one do you recover quicker from?

    It takes Dr Lee 10min to perform the ICL procedure for both eyes .Patients will tell you she makes you at ease by chatting with you and it is over before you know it .

    Straight after the ICL procedure, no eyepatches, just sunglasses,you are texting and going home independently.

    ICL=smaller wound than Laser surgery=super fast recovery

  • A digital illustration of a white medical cross with a light blue outline, on a black background.

    Immedicate and Long term safety

    The first ICL was implanted in 1993. The long term safety data is impressive .” I like to prevent problems.,not deal with them after it happens. To ensure risks of pressure (glaucoma) or cataracts do not happen, my gold standard is an ultrasound to measure the size of ICL your eye should have and customise it to suit you. I liken it to measuring your feet size to buy shoes and not to measure your shoe size to buy the next pair of shoes”, Dr Cheryl lee

cataracts
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IMPLANTABLE CONTACT LENS
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I just had a thought. Maybe you’re not ready for surgery!

Then we have another solution for you!

“This is a non-surgical alternative for those who want to remove the need for daytime contact lenses and glasses.”

What is the GoodNIght lens?
Dr Cheryl Lee at The Eye clinic in Singapore is best doctor for cataract surgery. Using modern laser to remove cataract , also to not wear reading glasses anymore. Safe cataract surgery with precise equipment to get good results after eye surgery.

But if you have reading vision problems already, you might benefit from this instead

Presbyopia
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Eye Drops for Lao hua /Presbyopia
Dry Eye Treatments