LASIK vs ICL for High Myopia
LASIK reshapes the cornea with a laser; an ICL is a lens implanted inside the eye, often considered for high myopia or corneas too thin for laser.
LASIK corrects vision by reshaping the cornea with a laser; an ICL (implantable contact lens) corrects it with a thin lens placed inside the eye, in front of the natural lens. ICL is often considered for high short-sight or corneas too thin for laser treatment. It does not reshape the cornea and can be removed, but it is intraocular surgery with its own risks.
Finland Eye Center offers both at its Muscat, Sohar and Salalah clinics as part of comprehensive eye care. The same ophthalmologists treat cataract, glaucoma, retina, keratoconus and other cornea conditions, which matters for ICL patients because follow-up includes eye pressure and lens checks.
Last updated: 26 October 2026
How is an ICL implanted?
- 1Detailed measurements of the eye, including the space inside it, to choose the lens
- 2On the day, numbing drops are applied and the pupil is dilated
- 3A small incision is made at the edge of the cornea
- 4The folded lens is inserted and unfolds behind the iris
- 5Eye pressure is checked after surgery and at follow-up visits
LASIK vs ICL side by side
| Criteria | LASIK | ICL |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Reshapes the cornea with an excimer laser | A lens is implanted inside the eye |
| Cornea | Permanently reshaped; some tissue removed | Not reshaped; a small incision at its edge |
| Can it be undone? | No; further laser may be possible | Lens can be removed or exchanged in a further operation |
| Prescription range | Low to moderate; limited by corneal thickness | Can treat higher prescriptions; depends on the lens and eye |
| Corneal thickness | Needs adequate thickness | Less dependent on thickness |
| Eye anatomy | Needs a healthy, regular cornea | Needs enough space inside the eye (front chamber depth) |
| Recovery | Usually a day or two | Usually a few days |
| Main risks | Dry eye, night glare, flap problems, rarely ectasia | Raised eye pressure, cataract, endothelial cell loss, rarely infection |
| Cost | Usually lower | Usually higher (lens + intraocular surgery) |
When might ICL be suggested instead of LASIK?
High short-sight
Laser correction removes more tissue as the prescription rises; a lens avoids that.
Thin corneas
When there is not enough corneal thickness for safe laser treatment.
Some stable keratoconus
Once the cornea has been stabilised, an ICL may correct remaining short-sight. Laser reshaping is usually avoided.
Significant dry eye
Laser surgery can worsen dry eye for a time; ICL affects the corneal surface less.
ICL is not suitable when the space inside the front of the eye is too shallow, or with some other eye conditions. Over about 45 to 50, lens-based options related to cataract surgery may be discussed instead.
Removable, but not risk-free
An ICL can be taken out or exchanged if needed, for example if the prescription changes. That is a second operation inside the eye, and it does not always return the eye exactly to its previous state. If cataract surgery is needed later in life, the ICL is usually removed as part of that operation.
Risks and recovery
- •Raised eye pressure, sometimes soon after surgery
- •Earlier development of cataract
- •Gradual loss of corneal endothelial cells, checked at follow-up
- •Glare or halos, inflammation and, rarely, infection
- •For LASIK: dry eye, night glare, flap problems and, rarely, corneal weakening
Results vary and no outcome can be promised. Your surgeon explains your personal risk at the assessment.
LASIK vs ICL: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LASIK and ICL?
LASIK reshapes the cornea with a laser and removes a small amount of corneal tissue. An ICL (implantable contact lens) is a thin lens placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens, through a small incision. It does not reshape the cornea, and it is an operation inside the eye with its own risks.
Is ICL better than LASIK for high myopia?
Neither is better for everyone. For high short-sight, or when the cornea is too thin for laser treatment, ICL is often the option surgeons consider, because laser correction removes more tissue as the prescription rises. Which is safer for you depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and the space inside your eye, measured at the assessment.
Can an ICL be removed?
Yes, an ICL can be removed or exchanged, but this needs a second operation inside the eye, with its own risks. Removal does not always return the eye exactly to how it was before. It is better to think of ICL as removable rather than "reversible".
How much does ICL cost compared to LASIK?
ICL usually costs more than laser treatment because it includes a lens chosen for your eye and an operation inside the eye. The exact price depends on the lens and on whether one or both eyes are treated; you receive a quote after the assessment.
What are the risks of ICL?
Possible risks include raised eye pressure, inflammation, earlier development of cataract, loss of cells from the inner layer of the cornea (endothelium), glare or halos and, rarely, infection. Regular check-ups after surgery, including eye pressure and endothelial cell checks, are part of the care.
Find the option that suits your eyes
Your assessment measures the cornea and the inside of the eye, then the surgeon explains whether LASIK, ICL or another option fits.