Formerly Maida Custom Vision | Serving Northeast Florida since 1995

(904)-268-3937
Book now
(904)-268-3937
Book now

Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL)

ICL Jacksonville

Occasionally there are patients who are interested in laser vision correction and who are not good candidates for the procedure. Laser vision correction is not a good option for some patients with large refractive errors, dry eyes, unusual corneal shapes or certain illnesses. The good news is that there is now an option to offer an excellent quality of vision to those patients. It is called the Implantable Collamer Lens or Implantable Contact Lens (ICL). As formerly Maida Custom Vision, we proudly bring over 30 years of trusted surgical excellence to every procedure.

Book Now
(904) 268-3937

What is an Implantable Contact Lens?

These lenses are similar to small contact lenses that are placed inside of the eye instead of on the surface. Once in place, the lens cannot be seen or felt and requires no maintenance. Lens implants have been used for many years and are considered a safe solution for those whose vision correction falls outside of acceptable parameters.

Who is a Candidate for an Implantable Contact?

  • Over the age of 21
  • Normal Eye Exam
  • Stable vision for one year
  • Patients who have moderate to severe nearsightedness
  • Patients who may not be candidates for LASIK or PRK
  • Patients with thin or irregular corneas
  • No evidence of cataracts
  • Not pregnant or nursing
Implantable Contact Lenses offered in Jacksonville FL

The Procedure

The implantable contact lens is a painless procedure performed in an approved surgical facility. Improvement in vision is usually seen immediately. The lens is inserted through a microscopic incision and placed in front of the natural lens. During recovery, eye drops are used and a protective shield is worn to protect the eye until it heals. Surgery is performed one eye at a time. A laser procedure may be recommended to correct any residual astigmatism or fine tune the results of the procedure.

What are the Advantages?

  • Exceptional quality of vision with predictable results
  • No maintenance
  • Can correct severe nearsightedness and astigmatism
  • Safe with a high success rate

How Much Does It Cost?

The implantable contact lens surgery is a sophisticated procedure that is recommended for certain patients. Due to the cost of the lenses, this procedure is customarily more expensive than other refractive surgery procedures. There are several financing options to make the procedure more affordable.
Family quality time with great vision care in FL
Detection and diagnosis for chronic dry eyes in FL

Choose Florida Eye Custom Vision for Your Treatment

Our doctors are among the most experienced and well trained surgeons in the world having performed more than 40,000 surgical procedures. Florida Eye Custom Vision has been a fixture in Jacksonville for over 15 years. It is a unique eye care practice with surgeons who have a wide-range of eye care expertise. Our doctors hold themselves to the strictest standards and place a great emphasis on patient safety and satisfaction. The doctors and the staff are very compassionate and treat each patient as they would treat their immediate family.

EVO ICL FAQs

Reviewed by Dr. Amit Chokshi and Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, board-certified refractive surgeons at Florida Eye Custom Vision.

What is EVO ICL surgery, and how is it different from LASIK?
EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a vision correction procedure in which a thin, flexible lens is placed inside the eye — between the iris and the natural lens — to permanently correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, it does not reshape or remove any corneal tissue, making it an excellent option for patients with thin corneas, high prescriptions, or dry eyes that would disqualify them as LASIK candidates. The lens is also removable, giving patients flexibility if their vision needs change over time. At Florida Eye Custom Vision in Jacksonville, our surgical team offers the full spectrum of vision correction procedures — including LASIK, SMILE, and EVO ICL — so every recommendation is based on what your eyes actually need, not on what is simply available.
LASIK

EVO ICL is FDA-approved for patients ages 21 to 60 — a range that was recently expanded from the previous upper limit of 45, making this procedure available to a significantly broader group of patients. Ideal candidates are nearsighted, with prescriptions typically ranging from -3.00 to -20.00 diopters, with or without astigmatism. Good candidates also have stable vision for at least one year and no history of certain eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts. EVO ICL does not correct farsightedness. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, Drs. Chokshi and Hasan perform a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation — including Pentacam and Sightmap imaging — to confirm candidacy before any recommendation is made.

— Dr. Amit Chokshi, MD & Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, MD, Florida Eye Custom Vision

comprehensive pre-operative evaluation

EVO ICL has a strong and well-documented safety profile. The lens is made from Collamer, a biocompatible material that has been used in implantable eye surgery for over two decades and includes built-in UV protection. In FDA clinical trials, 99% of patients reported they would choose the procedure again. The central-port design of the EVO model eliminates the need for a pre-operative iridotomy and reduces the risk of elevated eye pressure seen with earlier ICL versions. The lens does not contact the natural lens and does not cause cataracts in appropriately selected patients. With more than two million EVO lenses implanted worldwide, the long-term safety record is extensive. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, Drs. Chokshi and Hasan review every patient’s complete ocular history before recommending EVO ICL surgery.

— Dr. Amit Chokshi, MD & Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, MD, Florida Eye Custom Vision

At Florida Eye Custom Vision, EVO ICL is priced at approximately $9,950 for both eyes. This includes your pre-operative evaluation, the surgical procedure itself, the custom-manufactured lens, and all follow-up appointments. Because EVO ICL is an elective procedure, it is not covered by standard vision insurance — however, 0% interest financing through CareCredit is available over 24 months, bringing the monthly cost to approximately $415. For patients with very high prescriptions who have spent years purchasing expensive contact lenses, EVO ICL frequently pays for itself within a few years. Our team is happy to walk through all financing options during your consultation.
0% interest financing through CareCredit
consultation
EVO ICL is designed for patients with moderate to severe nearsightedness, correcting prescriptions from approximately -3.00 to -20.00 diopters. It also corrects astigmatism up to -4.00 diopters with the Toric ICL version. This treatment range makes EVO ICL the preferred option for patients whose prescriptions are too high for LASIK — typically above -10.00 to -12.00 — where removing enough corneal tissue would compromise structural integrity. It is important to note that EVO ICL does not correct farsightedness (hyperopia); farsighted patients may be better candidates for LASIK or Custom Lens Replacement depending on their age and anatomy. Drs. Chokshi and Hasan will determine the right path at your evaluation.
LASIK
Custom Lens Replacement
The procedure takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes per eye and is performed with numbing eye drops — no general anesthesia is required. Your surgeon creates a small incision at the edge of the cornea, gently folds the EVO ICL, and positions it between the iris and the natural lens, where it unfolds and sits securely without sutures. Patients typically experience mild light sensitivity immediately after surgery and should arrange a ride home. Vision improvement is usually noticeable within hours. A follow-up exam is scheduled for the next morning at Florida Eye Custom Vision to confirm proper lens positioning and the early stages of healing.
Recovery from EVO ICL is fast for most patients. Improved vision is typically noticeable within 24 hours, and most patients return to desk work and normal daily activities within two to three days. Driving is usually permitted once vision meets legal requirements, often the day after surgery. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops are used for several weeks to support healing. Strenuous exercise, swimming, and eye rubbing should be avoided for two to four weeks. Because EVO ICL does not create a corneal flap, there is no flap-related recovery concern that exists with LASIK. Full visual stabilization generally occurs within four to six weeks. Drs. Chokshi and Hasan schedule all post-operative appointments to monitor your recovery closely throughout the process.
Yes — reversibility is one of EVO ICL’s most meaningful advantages over laser procedures like LASIK or SMILE. The lens can be safely removed or exchanged if your prescription changes significantly, if a medical reason arises, or if you later choose a different procedure such as Custom Lens Replacement as part of natural aging. The removal process uses the same small incision as the original procedure. The natural lens remains untouched and corneal tissue is fully preserved throughout. While EVO ICL is designed to be a permanent, lifelong correction, the ability to reverse course offers genuine peace of mind. Drs. Chokshi and Hasan will walk through this aspect of the procedure during your consultation at Florida Eye Custom Vision.
Custom Lens Replacement
consultation
LASIK, SMILE, and EVO ICL all deliver excellent visual outcomes, but they suit different patients for different reasons. LASIK and SMILE reshape the cornea using a laser; EVO ICL adds a lens inside the eye without altering the cornea at all. LASIK treats a broad range of prescriptions including farsightedness; SMILE treats nearsightedness and astigmatism without creating a corneal flap; EVO ICL reaches prescriptions up to -20.00 and carries no dry eye risk because it does not affect the corneal nerve layer. EVO ICL is also the only reversible option among the three. At Florida Eye Custom Vision in Jacksonville, FL, all three procedures are available under one roof — so the recommendation at your consultation is always driven by what your eyes actually need.
LASIK
SMILE
Florida Eye Custom Vision is the only private practice in Jacksonville, FL offering LASIK, SMILE, PRK, EVO ICL, and Custom Lens Replacement under one roof — which means every patient’s evaluation considers all available options before a recommendation is made. Dr. Amit Chokshi completed his fellowship training at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, one of the nation’s leading refractive surgery programs. Dr. S. Akbar Hasan spent a decade as Director of Laser Vision Correction at Mayo Clinic before joining our team. Together with Dr. Jerry Maida — who performed the first LASIK in Northeast Florida in 1996 — our surgical team has completed more than 24,000 refractive procedures. Formerly known as Maida Custom Vision, Florida Eye Custom Vision carries that same standard of surgical care forward. Call (904) 268-3937 or schedule a consultation online to find out if EVO ICL is right for you.
schedule a consultation online

See Life Clearly with Implantable Contact Lenses

Discover a long-term solution for sharper, high-definition vision—without the hassle of glasses or daily contacts. Our Implantable Contact Lens procedure offers clarity, comfort, and confidence for those seeking life-changing vision correction, schedule a consultation today to find out if ICL is right for you.

Book Now
(904) 268-3937
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By continuing to visit this site you agree to our use of cookies.