Tired of struggling with contact lenses every day? Permanent contact lenses price UK cost between £3,150 to £4,500 per eye and provide lasting freedom from vision problems. These implantable lenses eliminate daily maintenance while delivering consistent vision correction. The surgical procedure works quickly and effectively to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Most patients pay approximately £3,000 per eye, though the final cost depends on your lens needs and your surgeon’s expertise. A monofocal ICL procedure starts at £3,150 per eye. Presbyopic (multifocal) toric implantable contact lens procedures begin at £4,150 per eye.
The investment delivers remarkable value through the EVO Visian ICL also known as Contact Lens Implants. These implants provide crystal-clear vision without any visual aids. The permanent lenses work best when you’re between 21-60 years old with a refractive error, especially if laser vision correction isn’t suitable or appealing. This piece explores the value proposition of ICL surgery in the UK, breaks down the cost factors, and compares this investment with other vision correction methods. We’ll help you decide if permanent contact lenses make sense both visually and financially.
How Much Does It Cost for Permanent Contact Lenses in the UK?
The price of permanent contact lenses in the UK varies quite a bit among clinics and providers. You might pay between £3,150 and £4,500 per eye. Most people spend about £3,000 per eye, which makes this a big investment in your vision correction.
Average ICL surgery cost UK by clinic
ICL surgery prices differ based on your chosen clinic. Basic procedures start at £3,150 per eye at some clinics. Specialists with advanced qualifications might charge £3,650 for a simple lens or £4,500 for a specialist keratoconus ICL lens. A complete consultation costs £300 and includes detailed evaluation and diagnostic scans.
Factors that affect implantable contact lens cost
The final price depends on several elements. A surgeon’s expertise is vital, those who have performed many surgeries and belong to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists often charge more. Location plays a big role in pricing. London and other urban areas have higher operating costs that push up the final price. The technology used in diagnostics and surgery also creates price differences between clinics.
EVO Visian ICL price vs other lens types
Your choice of lens type makes a big difference in the total cost. Visian ICLs cost about £1,400 per lens and work best for treating short-sightedness. These lenses fold during implantation, so they need smaller incisions. Verisyse lenses cost around £2,300 each and help correct severe short-sightedness. Their rigid nature requires larger incisions during surgery, which explains their higher price.
What’s Included in the Price of ICL Surgery?
The price of ICL surgery covers much more than just the procedure. Let’s break down what you get with your vision correction investment. The package has several stages of care that go beyond the surgery itself.
Consultation and diagnostic scans
Your ICL surgery starts with a complete consultation that costs around £300. This fee gets you a one-to-one session with an expert surgeon and advanced diagnostic scans to check if you’re right for ICL surgery. These original assessments play a vital role in creating a treatment plan that matches your eye’s unique features. The consultation fee stays separate from your surgery costs and you can’t get it refunded.
Surgery and lens type
The main cost covers your surgical procedure and the implantable lenses. Simple distance correction lenses without astigmatism start at approximately £3,650 per eye. Specialised myopic lenses for short-sightedness with astigmatism cost about £4,050 per eye. Hyperopic specialist lenses for long-sightedness with astigmatism run around £4,300 per eye. Patients with keratoconus might need specialised ICL lenses that cost up to £4,500 per eye.
Aftercare and enhancement procedures
Your ICL investment includes post-operative care. You’ll get several follow-up appointments to check your healing. The clinic will discharge you after you finish the prescribed aftercare programme. Annual check-ups help monitor your long-term eye health. Some clinics even include enhancement procedures in their package if you need adjustments.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Implantable Contact Lenses?
Eye specialists review several specific criteria to determine if you are a good candidate for implantable contact lenses.
Age and prescription requirements
Your age is a vital factor in ICL candidacy. Most specialists suggest this procedure if you have between 21 and 45 years old. In spite of that, some clinics accept patients up to 60 years with stable vision. Your prescription needs to stay unchanged for about a year. This shows your vision has stabilised. ICL can fix an impressive range of vision problems. The treatment works for short-sightedness from -0.5D to -18.00D. Long-sightedness corrections work from +0.50DS to +10.00DS. On top of that, it can fix astigmatism up to +6.00DS.
When ICL is better than LASIK
ICL proves better than laser procedures in certain cases. The procedure doesn’t remove corneal tissue, making it the best choice for patients whose prescriptions are too high for LASIK. ICL works best if your prescription exceeds -10.00 diopters, as LASIK might not give you perfect vision. Patients with very high myopia (up to -20 diopters) usually see better results with implantable lenses.
Conditions like dry eye or thin corneas
ICL surgery helps people with dry eyes exceptionally well. The procedure keeps corneal nerves intact and disturbs the eye surface less than laser alternatives. You can keep using lubricants without affecting the lens position. ICL offers a safe option if you have thin corneas by protecting your eye’s structure. You won’t face risks of corneal weakening or uneven healing that sometimes happen with LASIK. See the World Clearly, Permanently. Book Your ICL Assessment today at Precision Vision London
Comparing ICL to Other Vision Correction Options
Choosing between vision correction options needs a good look at what each procedure can and cannot do. Let’s get into how ICL stacks up against other options when it comes to results, cost, and long-term benefits.
ICL vs LASIK: Pros and cons
They fix vision problems in different ways. ICL puts a lens between your iris and natural lens through a tiny cut, and your cornea stays untouched. LASIK, on the other hand, uses a laser to reshape the cornea by taking away some corneal tissue. ICL works great for people with thin corneas or bad myopia (up to -18 diopters) where LASIK might not be an option. Your eyes get UV protection with ICL, and many people see better at night than with LASIK. The best part? You can remove or replace the ICL lens if needed. The recovery takes a bit longer with ICL than LASIK – about 1-2 weeks instead of 1-2 days. Since ICL goes inside your eye, there’s a slightly higher chance of infection. People with dry eyes usually feel more comfortable with ICL because it doesn’t mess with their natural tears.
ICL vs daily contact lenses: Long-term cost
ICL surgery needs a big upfront payment of £3,650-£4,500 per eye. This one-time cost makes more sense financially than paying for contacts year after year. You’ll spend around £1,500-£2,700 on daily contact lenses over five years. Monthly lenses cost a bit less at about £1,500-£2,400 for the same time. ICL cuts out all those extra costs for lens solutions, cases, and eye drops. ICL surgery saves you roughly £13,200 compared to disposable contacts over your lifetime. You also avoid the hassles of contacts, no more dry eyes, discomfort, or worrying about infections.
Is ICL surgery permanent and reversible?
ICL is a chance to get both lasting and adaptable vision correction. The implant should last indefinitely, usually your whole life without breaking down. Unlike LASIK that changes your cornea forever, ICL keeps your eye’s structure the same. The best thing about ICL? You can reverse it anytime. If your vision changes substantially, you can switch to a different lens power. It also comes out easily if you need cataract surgery later. This reversibility lets you relax about your choice while enjoying clear vision right now. And while you can take it out, 95% of patients love their ICL results so much they never need changes.
Conclusion
The price of permanent contact lenses in the UK ranges from £3,150 to £4,500 per eye. This investment deserves careful thought. The one-time cost ends up being cheaper than what you’d spend on disposable contacts or glasses over your lifetime. Most patients find the £13,200 in potential savings makes the original cost worth it. LASIK is popular, but ICL surgery has clear advantages for specific eye conditions. People with thin corneas, severe myopia, or ongoing dry eye problems benefit from this procedure. The reversible nature of ICL gives you peace of mind. Your lenses can be adjusted or removed if your vision needs change, without any permanent changes to your eye’s structure.
The recovery takes 1-2 weeks, longer than LASIK, but better night vision and UV protection make this short wait worth it. The procedure also works well with future eye treatments, so you keep your options open. Not all providers are equal. Dr. Radwan Almousa’s Fellowship in Cornea, Anterior Segment, and Refractive Surgery puts him at the top of his field. His track record of thousands of successful surgeries, even in complex cases, gives patients confidence in their choice.
ICL surgery offers a convenient, long-term solution instead of the daily hassle of contact lenses or limitations of glasses. You can wake up with clear vision, swim freely, and play sports without visual aids. These changes improve daily life in ways that surprise most patients. See the World Clearly, Permanently. Book Your ICL Assessment today at Precision Vision London and find out if you’ll join the 95% of satisfied patients. The cost is a key factor in your decision. But when you look at the improved quality of life and long-term savings, implantable contact lenses are a smart investment in your vision.
Key Takeaways
Understanding the true value of ICL surgery requires looking beyond the initial cost to consider long-term benefits and savings:
- ICL surgery costs £3,150-£4,500 per eye in the UK, but saves approximately £13,200 over a lifetime compared to disposable contacts
- ICL is ideal for patients with thin corneas, severe myopia up to -18 diopters, or dry eyes where LASIK isn’t suitable
- Unlike LASIK, ICL is completely reversible whilst preserving your eye’s natural structure for future treatment options
- The procedure offers superior night vision, UV protection, and eliminates daily contact lens maintenance hassles
For those struggling with high prescriptions or contact lens discomfort, ICL represents a permanent solution that pays for itself whilst dramatically improving quality of life. The combination of advanced technology, reversibility, and long-term cost savings makes ICL surgery a compelling investment in your visual future.
FAQs
Q1. How much does ICL surgery typically cost in the UK? The average cost of ICL surgery in the UK ranges from £3,150 to £4,500 per eye. Most patients pay around £3,000 per eye, but the final price depends on factors such as the clinic, surgeon’s expertise, and specific lens requirements.
Q2. Is ICL surgery a permanent solution for vision correction? ICL surgery provides a long-lasting vision correction solution. The implanted lenses are designed to last indefinitely, often for a lifetime, without degradation of material quality. However, they can be removed or replaced if needed, offering both permanence and flexibility.
Q3. Who is an ideal candidate for ICL surgery? Ideal candidates for ICL surgery are typically between 21 and 45 years old (though some clinics extend this to 60), with stable vision for at least a year. It’s particularly suitable for those with high myopia (up to -18 diopters), thin corneas, or dry eyes, where LASIK might not be appropriate.
Q4. How does ICL compare to LASIK in terms of benefits and risks? ICL offers advantages over LASIK for certain patients, including suitability for higher prescriptions, better night vision, and UV protection. It’s also reversible and doesn’t alter corneal tissue. However, ICL has a slightly longer recovery time and a marginally higher infection risk as an intraocular procedure.
Q5. Is ICL surgery cost-effective in the long run compared to contact lenses? While ICL surgery requires a significant upfront investment, it can be cost-effective in the long term. Over a lifetime, ICL surgery can save approximately £13,200 compared to the ongoing expenses of disposable contact lenses, making it an economical choice for many patients.
