ICL — an option when laser is not possible
ICL
An implantable collamer lens placed inside the eye, with no corneal tissue removed. For high myopia or thin corneas. From THB 160,000.
نظرة عامة
ICL (implantable collamer lens) corrects a prescription by placing an additional lens inside the eye, without cutting or reshaping corneal tissue. It is the option ophthalmologists often consider for high myopia, or where a cornea is too thin or irregular for laser. Many people who ask about it have already been told elsewhere that LASIK is not possible for them.
What to know before deciding
How ICL differs from laser correction
Corneal tissue — laser reshapes or removes some; ICL leaves it untouched · Where it is performed — laser works on the corneal surface or layers, ICL is an intraocular procedure · Reversibility — an ICL can in principle be removed if medically indicated, whereas laser reshaping is permanent · Additional assessment — ICL requires measurement of internal structures such as anterior chamber depth and endothelial cell count — working criteria are an anterior chamber depth from about 2.8 mm and an endothelial cell count from roughly 2,000–2,400 cells/mm² depending on age (draft figures, pending ophthalmology sign-off) · Starting price — ICL THB 160,000, against SMILE THB 75,000 and FemtoLASIK THB 69,000.
If you have been told laser is not possible
The usual reasons are a cornea that is too thin, an irregular corneal shape, or a prescription beyond what corneal reshaping can safely correct. In those situations ICL is an option an ophthalmologist may consider, because it does not depend on corneal thickness. ICL has its own criteria, however — being turned down for one method does not automatically mean another is possible. A fresh assessment is always required.
Risks specific to placing a lens inside the eye
Because this is an intraocular procedure, the risks differ from corneal laser treatment. Our ophthalmology team will explain changes in intraocular pressure, effects on the corneal endothelium, the possibility that the lens position needs adjusting or the lens removing, cataract developing later, and the rare but serious risk of intraocular infection. Long-term follow-up is therefore always part of the care.
Risks and limitations you should know
Beyond the specific risks above, glare or halos at night and a residual prescription that may warrant further correction can occur, and ICL does not stop the eye changing with age. Suitable candidates are identified only through detailed assessment.
Scope of service
Assessment and follow-up take place at YOUNIFY Clinic in Silom. The procedure itself is performed by our own medical team at an affiliated hospital with a standard operating theatre and anaesthesia team — the team that assesses you is the team that operates and follows you up.
Assessment first
Is this procedure right for you?
ICL (implantable collamer lens) corrects a prescription by placing an additional lens inside the eye, without cutting or reshaping corneal tissue. It is the option ophthalmologists often consider for high myopia, or where a cornea is too thin or irregular for laser. Many people who ask about it have already been told elsewhere that LASIK is not possible for them.
Not sure which option fits?Send us your current prescription and our medical team will tell you which assessment to book.Ask our medical team
Generally suitable for
- High myopia, or having been told laser correction is not possible
- A cornea too thin or irregular for laser reshaping
- Myopia of roughly 3.00–20.00 D, a stable prescription, and willingness to attend long-term follow-up (draft figures, pending ophthalmology sign-off)
Not suitable for
- A prescription that is still changing
- Untreated severe dry eye, glaucoma, retinal disease or intraocular inflammation
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Medical conditions affecting wound healing — always tell our medical team first
If the assessment says no
We explain why plainly and set out the alternatives that do suit your eyes — considering an implantable lens instead of laser, for example, or treating an underlying condition first and reassessing afterwards.
Telling you what is not possible matters to us as much as performing the procedure itself.
المسار العلاجي
- Initial enquiry on LINE or WhatsApp — tell us your prescription and, if you were told laser was not possible, the reason you were given.
- Full eye assessment, including the internal measurements ICL requires.
- Consultation — whether your eyes meet the criteria, the specific risks, and the full cost.
- Procedure day — as planned by our ophthalmology team.
- Long-term follow-up — reviews of lens position, intraocular pressure and corneal health.
Price list
ProcedureStarting Thailand price (฿)Starting Thailand price (AUD)Standard Australia price (AUD)
Vision procedures
PRK (both eyes)42,500A$1,848A$4,500
FemtoLASIK (both eyes)69,000A$3,000A$5,500
ReLEx SMILE (both eyes)75,000A$3,261A$7,000
ICL implantable collamer lens (both eyes)160,000A$6,957A$14,000
Cataract surgery + monofocal lens (per eye)45,000A$1,957A$4,250
Cataract surgery + multifocal/EDOF lens (per eye)85,000A$3,696A$6,500
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (per eye)89,000A$3,870—
Cataract surgery via phacoemulsification, excluding IOL (per eye)55,000A$2,391—
* Indicative prices for reference only. Final pricing depends on an individual assessment. Overseas prices are indicative market estimates for comparison only — contact our team for a personalized quote.
FAQ
How does ICL compare with LASIK overall?
LASIK reshapes corneal tissue; ICL places an additional lens inside the eye and leaves the cornea untouched, so it does not depend on corneal thickness. In exchange it carries the specific risks of an intraocular procedure, which you should understand first.
Does the lens stay in the eye permanently?
It is designed for long-term placement but can in principle be removed if medically indicated. This is part of why long-term follow-up matters.
What does it cost?
From THB 160,000 for both eyes. A toric lens, which also corrects astigmatism, costs more than the standard lens; the exact figure is confirmed after your assessment. These are starting prices and may change with your prescription, eye condition and care plan. Our medical team will assess you and confirm all costs before anything begins.
I was turned down elsewhere — will it definitely be possible here?
Not necessarily. ICL has its own criteria that must also be met. We reassess everything from the start and will tell you plainly if your eyes are not suited to this route either.
What is the aftercare?
Prescribed drops, avoiding rubbing your eyes and high-risk activities for the period specified, and attending every scheduled review — long-term monitoring is an integral part of this procedure.
Can I still develop a cataract after ICL?
Yes. Cataract is an age-related change in the eye's natural lens and can still occur. It is one of the points our ophthalmology team covers before you decide.
قد تختلف النتائج من شخص لآخر. يُرجى استشارة الطبيب قبل العلاج.