If you are ready for clearer vision but have been told LASIK may not be the best fit, EVO ICL™ may offer another path to visual freedom. This advanced implantable lens technology can correct nearsightedness and astigmatism without reshaping the cornea, making it an appealing procedure option for many patients with thin corneas, dry eye, or higher prescriptions.

At Will Vision and Laser Centers, Dr. Brian Will offers EVO Implantable Collamer Lens technology from STAAR Surgical® as part of a complete range of advanced vision correction options. With locations in Vancouver, WA, and Salem, OR, the practice serves patients throughout the greater Portland area, Clark County, the Willamette Valley, and communities across Washington and Oregon.

What Is EVO ICL?

EVO ICL is an implantable lens designed to correct myopia, or nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. Unlike a contact lens that sits on the eye’s surface, EVO ICL is placed inside the eye, where it works with your natural lens to sharpen your vision.

The lens is invisible once implanted and is designed to remain in place long-term. Because it does not remove corneal tissue or permanently change the structure of the cornea, EVO ICL is also removable if your vision needs change in the future.

Implantable Contact Lens Technology

EVO ICL is sometimes described as an implantable contact lens, but it does not require the daily maintenance of traditional contacts. You do not remove it at night, clean it, replace it, or worry about dry contact lenses during the day.

The lens is made from Collamer®, a biocompatible material designed to work comfortably inside the eye. EVO ICL also includes built-in ultraviolet light protection to help shield the eye’s inner structures from UV exposure.

EVO ICL Compared With LASIK and RLE

EVO ICL can be an excellent complement to LASIK and Refractive Lens Exchange, or RLE. Each procedure works differently, and the right option depends on your eyes, prescription, age, lifestyle, and long-term vision goals.

LASIK reshapes the cornea to correct vision. RLE replaces the eye’s natural lens with an artificial lens. EVO ICL adds a corrective lens inside the eye while preserving the natural lens and corneal structure.

EVO ICL may be especially helpful for patients who:

Are not ideal LASIK candidates
Have thin corneas
Have pre-existing dry eye
Have higher degrees of nearsightedness
Have astigmatism
Want a reversible vision correction option
Want freedom from external contact lens maintenance

Benefits of EVO ICL

EVO ICL can provide crisp, high-definition vision while reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Because the procedure does not alter the cornea, it offers unique advantages for patients who may not qualify for corneal laser vision correction.

Potential benefits include:

Clear vision day and night
Correction of nearsightedness and astigmatism
No corneal tissue removal
Removable lens technology
Strong option for thin corneas
Strong option for patients with dry eye
Useful for higher prescriptions
No daily contact lens cleaning or replacement
Built-in UV protection
Rapid visual improvement for many patients

For some patients with high myopia, EVO ICL may provide superior visual quality compared with LASIK.

Good Candidates for EVO ICL

A comprehensive eye exam is required to determine whether EVO ICL is right for you. Dr. Will will evaluate your prescription, corneal thickness, eye anatomy, retinal health, lifestyle, and vision goals before recommending treatment.

You may be a candidate if you want to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts but have been told LASIK is not ideal for your eyes. EVO ICL may also be appropriate if your profession, hobbies, or prescription requires a lens-based solution that preserves corneal tissue.

Preparing for EVO ICL Surgery

Before surgery, Dr. Will will discuss your visual needs, expectations, occupation, hobbies, and daily lifestyle. This conversation helps guide the treatment plan and ensures that the procedure supports your real-world vision goals.

Your evaluation may include:

Standard vision testing
Slit lamp examination
Dilation
Anterior segment tomography
Wavefront aberrometry
Axial length measurement
Optical coherence tomography, or OCT, of the anterior segment and retina

These measurements help determine whether EVO ICL is appropriate and what lens parameters are needed for your eyes.

The EVO ICL Procedure

EVO ICL surgery is typically quick, comfortable, and minimally invasive. The procedure usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes, with numbing eye drops and an oral sedative for comfort.

During the procedure, a small opening is made at the side of the cornea, away from the visual axis. The EVO ICL is folded and inserted into the eye, where it unfolds naturally. Dr. Will then carefully positions and aligns the lens behind the iris and in front of the eye’s natural crystalline lens.

Once the lens is in place, vision is corrected immediately, although clarity continues to improve as the eye heals.

EVO ICL Recovery

Many patients notice clearer vision within minutes or hours after EVO ICL surgery. It is common for vision to continue improving over the first day or two as the eye settles and heals.

Follow-up care is important. After surgery, Dr. Will will monitor your vision, eye pressure, and lens position. One key part of early recovery is checking intraocular pressure, since pressure may temporarily rise after surgery in some patients. If needed, this is usually managed with medication.

Dr. Will will also confirm that the implanted lens is the correct size for your eye. In rare cases, if the lens is too large or too small, it may need to be exchanged for a different size.

Why Choose Will Vision and Laser Centers for EVO ICL

Will Vision and Laser Centers offer a premium, personalized approach to advanced vision correction. Dr. Brian Will provides EVO ICL as part of a broader range of options, including LASIK, PRK, and RLE with advanced lens technology. This allows patients to receive recommendations based on what is best for their eyes, not a one-size-fits-all procedure.

Patients choose Will Vision and Laser Centers for:

Advanced EVO ICL technology from STAAR Surgical®
Personalized consultations with Dr. Brian Will
Detailed diagnostic testing and surgical planning
Experience with laser and lens-based vision correction
Options for patients who may not qualify for LASIK
Clear education about benefits, risks, and alternatives
Convenient care for patients in Vancouver, Portland, Salem, and surrounding communities

The goal is simple: to help you understand your options and choose the vision correction plan that offers the best opportunity for clear, comfortable, long-lasting vision.

See Clearly With EVO ICL in Portland, OR

EVO ICL can help qualified patients enjoy crisp vision with less dependence on glasses and contact lenses. To learn more about EVO ICL and find out whether you are a candidate, call 360-885-1327 to schedule a personalized consultation.