Remember when I featured the LASIK surgery alternative, Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs), a month back? I stated that, “…Visian ICL isn’t exactly cheap - though I do not have actual figures to quote at the moment.”

Well, now I do. A recent NBC5.com article states that the recently approved ICL procedure costs up to US$5,000 per eye. That makes it a whopping US$10,000 for both eyes! With LASIK eye correction surgery costing less than a fifth of that amount, I think the only reason you would want to get Implantable Collamer Lenses is if you don’t qualify for LASIK, e.g. too nearsighted.
NBC5.com’s HealthWatch also provides us some new facts about the procedure. For one, complications can occur in up to 3 percent of patients. But most complications, unlike LASIK, can be solved by removing the implanted lens. The money you spent on the procedure though, is probably gone forever.

So, ICL or LASIK? Well, as I said earlier, it depends on your condition. If you have dry eyes or are too nearsighted, LASIK can’t help you, and therefore, ICL becomes an attractive solution. If however, you fit the bill of a perfect LASIK patient, I suggest you stick with the tried, tested, and affordable LASIK.

[News via NBC5.com]