A woman raising her hand to cover her eye from the bright sunlight.

How long do halos last after ICL surgery?

Implantable contact lens, or ICL surgery, is a popular option for people looking to improve their vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Despite the surgery’s success, patients may experience a few complications, including halos. These visual disturbances can cause patients to wonder when they will go away. So, how long do halos last after ICL surgery? Let’s dive in.

What are halos?

Halos are a visual phenomenon that causes a series of bright circles or rings to surround a light source. Although they differ in size and shape, they can be a distraction, especially when driving or working in low light conditions. Halos occur more frequently when the pupil is dilated, which is why some patients experience them after their ICL surgery.

Why do halos occur after ICL surgery?

The ICL lens is placed between the iris and the natural lens in your eye, which alters how your eye perceives light. This change can create an expanded depth of focus which increases clarity and resolution but can sometimes cause halos. The reason it differs from person to person is because vision continues to adapt after the surgery until reaching stability, meaning you should expect to experience them to some degree for a variable amount of time.

How long do halos last after ICL surgery?

The duration of halos after ICL surgery may vary depending on several factors. Typically, patients report seeing halos for several weeks after their surgery, with the frequency of halos decreasing as the weeks progress. The timeline will depend on how fast your eyes adapt to the new lens and your body’s healing process. Although it can last up to six months or longer, you will likely find that the halos will reduce over two weeks after your surgery.1https://www.hindawi.com/journals/joph/2019/7174913/

Can you do anything to alleviate halos?

The good news is that as your eyes adapt to the ICL lens, the halos should gradually subside. While you wait for improvement, you can use temporary measures to make it easier to cope with halos. It would help avoid driving in the dark, as the halos may obscure the vision of headlights, and possibly reading or watching television in low light conditions. Sunglasses may improve symptoms in the day, when under harsh external light, as well.

Who can have ICL surgery?

Although ICL is not for everyone, it is suitable if you have high prescriptions, thin corneas, or if you can not tolerate contact lenses. If you are considering ICL surgery, it is best to consult with an eye surgeon to determine if you are an ideal candidate. They’ll provide you with a full eye examination to evaluate whether ICL is right for you.

To find out more about ICL surgery, book a free assessment with us.

Home » ICL » How long do halos last after ICL surgery?

ARE YOU SUITABLE?

Check your laser eye surgery suitability online with our free LASIK self-test

OUR MOST POPULAR PROCEDURES

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY…

“Very friendly and professional staff. Dr Russell is extremely informative and has a really positive presence. The doctor and all of the staff ensured all my questions were answered fully. I left the surgery feeling as if I’d been really well cared for.”

Headshot of Suzanne Cooper, saying how she enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONSuzanne Cooper
“The staff are all friendly and helpful.”
Headshot of Alana Jenkins, saying how she enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONAlana Jenkins
“Dr. Russell and the entire team should be commended for their genuine care and personal attention. They made every possible effort to explain and clarify the treatment required and made sure I was comfortable through the consultation treatment.”
Headshot of Xerxes Meher, saying how he enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONXerxes Meher

“I was very impressed with the way they run things. It is a well-oiled machine. Everyone knew exactly what they were doing and were very friendly. To top it off, my treatment was excellent.”

Headshot of Iris Van Quickelberghe, saying how she enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONIris Van Quickelberghe
“Dr. Russell is my hubby’s specialist for years. We love him. Such a kind person and always spends time to explain everything.”
Headshot of Zita Farczadi Kershaw, saying her husband enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONZita Farczadi Kershaw
“Highly recommended. They are always helpful and friendly and the outcomes have been beyond my expectations.”
Headshot of Brad Gooda, saying how he enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONBrad Gooda

“Many thanks for your care and skill and a big thanks to all your staff for their friendly care and professionalism shown each time I have visited.”

Headshot of Henry Ellison, saying how he enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONHenry Ellison

“My wife came to see Dr Russell today and we wanted to say thank you to all the staff for the kind and professional service. We are also extremely grateful for Dr Russell’s generosity when it came to us paying for the consultation. We wanted to reach out and say thank you so much!”

Headshot of Troy and Liana Todd, saying how his wife enjoy great vision without glasses and contact lenses after having eye surgery with VSONTroy and Liana Todd

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

DISCOVER IF YOU CAN BE FREE FROM GLASSES AND CONTACT LENSES

The best way to find out if eye treatment is right for you is to have an in-person assessment. You’ll get a clear answer from our experts on your suitability and vision correction options

Hi, I’m Dr. Matthew Russel, your laser and cataract surgery specialist

HI I’M DR. MATTHEW RUSSELL YOUR LASER EYE AND CATARACT SURGERY SPECIALIST

With over 15 years of experience, I enjoy the privilege of helping patients of all ages reclaim clear vision or preserve it for as long as possible.

Vision correction and high-precision cataract surgery hinge on the expertise and skill set of the provider who also has access to the most precise tools for the job. Ophthalmic surgeons like me know how to make treatment safe, comfortable and positive for the patient. They know how to minimise the risk of complications and maximise successful outcomes.

I have a passion for helping my patients enjoy the clear, high-definition vision they need to live rich and active lives. Now, I have hand-picked a team of professionals that share my passion and commitment to exceptional care.

Dr. Matthew Russell

MBChB, FRANZCO