What to Expect During Your ICL Surgery at SNU Eye Clinic?

Most patients who walk into SNU Eye Clinic for an ICL consultation arrive with a mix of excitement and nerves. Many have worn glasses since childhood. Some have tried every type of contact lens available, only to deal with dryness or irritation. And almost all of them ask the same question:

“What exactly will happen on the day of my ICL surgery?”

If you’re considering implantable Collamer lens (ICL) surgery — one of the safest and most accurate refractive procedures available today — this guide will walk you through every step, from the moment you enter our Gangnam clinic to the moment you leave with newly sharpened vision.

This article is written from the vantage point of SNU Eye Clinic’s patient-first, precision-driven philosophy. Under the leadership of Dr. Chung Eui Sang, former professor, Harvard Medical School research fellow, and one of Korea’s most experienced ICL surgeons with more than 5,000 successful ICL cases, our team has refined the ICL experience into a smooth, predictable, and reassuring journey.

ICL in Simple Terms: A Built-In Contact Lens You Never Have to Remove

Before describing the surgical day, it helps to understand the essence of ICL.
Patients often understand it best when we compare it to something familiar:

An ICL is like a soft, ultra-thin contact lens placed inside your eye — not on the surface — that stays there permanently unless you choose to remove it.

There is no corneal flap.
No removal of tissue.
No dryness caused by nerve disruption.

And for many people with high myopia, thin corneas, or dry-eye tendencies, it offers clarity that even LASIK cannot match.

At SNU Eye Clinic, the most common comment we hear after surgery is:

“I can’t believe how natural my vision feels — like the eyesight I always should have had.”

The Day of Surgery: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Below is a realistic timeline of what happens on your ICL surgery day at SNU Eye Clinic. Each step is designed for precision, safety, and patient comfort.

1. Warm Welcome & Pre-Surgery Verification

When you arrive, our staff guides you into a private preparation area. Although most patients have already undergone extensive diagnostic testing before surgery day, we always complete a final round of checks.

Think of it as pre-flight confirmation before takeoff — important, quick, and thorough.

You can expect:

Confirmation of your ICL parameters
Review of your eye pressure and hydration status
A final conversation with Dr. Chung to answer last-minute questions
Pupil-dilating and numbing eye drops (no injections needed)

Many patients remark that this moment is when their nerves settle, because they realize how calm, coordinated, and confident the surgical team is.

To be honest, even celebrities and public figures — who visit us quietly and frequently — share the same nervous excitement. But six or seven minutes into the procedure, they often laugh and say, “Oh, that was it?”

2. Entering the Surgical Suite — Calm, Warm, and Surprisingly Comfortable

Unlike the intimidating operating rooms you might imagine from movies, modern refractive surgery suites are small, quiet, and human-friendly.

At SNU Eye Clinic:

The room lighting is soft
The temperature is optimized for lens stability
You lie on a cushioned surgical bed
A nurse gently positions your head
Dr. Chung explains each upcoming step so you always know what to expect

Most patients describe the environment as “surprisingly peaceful,” often more relaxing than a dental visit.

3. The Moment of Truth: ICL Insertion (Takes About 3–4 Minutes per Eye)

This is the part everyone wonders about — but it is far more delicate and quicker than people assume.

Here’s what actually happens:

① Small Entry Point

A microscopic incision — about 2–3 mm — is created at the edge of your cornea. No sharp pain, just a gentle pressure sensation.

② Lens Delivery

The ICL arrives rolled inside a tiny injector.
Dr. Chung gently introduces it into the eye, almost like sliding a thin bookmark into a book without disturbing the pages.

Patients usually describe the sensation as:

Cool water flowing
Gentle pressure
Nothing uncomfortable

③ Lens Unfolding

Once inside, the ICL unfurls smoothly and naturally. Because Collamer is soft and biocompatible, it adapts instantly to the eye’s environment.

④ Final Positioning

Using micro-instruments, the lens is tucked behind the iris — completely invisible from the outside.

This takes a matter of seconds for an experienced surgeon. With Dr. Chung’s high-volume expertise, the entire process is efficient, stable, and predictably smooth.

How does it feel for the patient?

Most patients report:

Seeing shapes or soft lights
Zero sharp pain
A sense of “something happening,” but not discomfort
Surprise at how fast everything finishes

One young professional from Gangnam, who had -9.00 diopters, told us after surgery:

“Honestly, the anticipation was worse than the procedure. If I knew it was this easy, I would have done it during college.”

4. Immediate Post-Surgery Examination

After both eyes are completed, you’re gently guided to an exam room next door.

Dr. Chung checks:

Lens vault (spacing)
Intraocular pressure
Pupil reaction
Initial clarity

The entire postoperative assessment takes 5–10 minutes.

Most people can already see the improvement — blurry around the edges because of dilation, but noticeably sharper than before.

5. Rest & Recovery (15–30 Minutes)

You’ll rest briefly in a recovery chair while the eye drops begin to settle.

During this quiet window:

Vision continues to clear
The eye adjusts to the new lens
You begin to feel a light sensation, similar to wearing contacts for the first time
Any dryness or scratchiness is minimal and temporary

Most patients feel well enough to walk out comfortably.

What Happens After You Leave the Clinic?

Same-Day Experience

Expect:

Mild haloing around lights (usually temporary)
No significant pain
Slight watery eyes or light sensitivity
A feeling of “new clarity” emerging hour by hour

Many patients return home and message us:

“I can already read the numbers on street signs. This is surreal.”

Next-Day Checkup

On the morning after surgery, you’ll visit SNU Eye Clinic for a detailed assessment.

We evaluate:

Lens position and vault
Corneal clarity
Eye pressure
Visual acuity (many patients see 20/20 or better on day one)

To be honest, the day-after moment is emotionally memorable.
Patients often gasp, smile, or get teary when reading smaller lines on the vision chart than they’ve ever seen in their lives.

Why ICL at SNU Eye Clinic Feels Different?

With so many options in Gangnam’s competitive medical district, patients often ask what makes SNU Eye Clinic trusted by both local and international individuals, including public figures and professionals requiring precise visual performance.

Here are the distinct advantages:

1. Precision-First Diagnostics

Before surgery, every patient undergoes a multi-layered diagnostic protocol with more than 10–15 advanced tests. This ensures:

Accurate lens sizing
Safe vault prediction
Corneal stability evaluation
Screening for hidden risks

This level of detail is one reason our complication rates remain exceptionally low.

2. Dr. Chung’s Surgical Expertise

Dr. Chung Eui Sang brings a rare combination of:

Seoul National University training
Former professorship
Harvard Medical School research fellowship
Extensive experience at Samsung Seoul Hospital
50,000+ total refractive/cataract surgeries
5,000+ ICL cases completed

High-volume expertise matters.
ICL may be a small procedure, but micro-precision separates good outcomes from exceptional ones.

3. Comfort-Oriented Care

From the way our staff guide you through each step to our warm, private recovery spaces, the entire surgical day is designed to reduce anxiety.

Patients frequently comment:

“It felt more like a premium spa experience than a surgery.”

4. Tailored Planning for Every Eye

No two eyes are the same.
We adjust:

Lens type (EVO ICL, Toric ICL)
Lens power
Incision location
Vault expectations
Post-care protocols

This customization ensures long-term safety and clarity.

5. Long-Term Support

True refractive care doesn’t end when your vision becomes clear.

SNU Eye Clinic provides:

Lifelong monitoring
Rapid-response communication
Annual vault assessments
Management for unique lifestyle needs (e.g., pilots, athletes, designers)

Many of our ICL patients return years later simply to say, “My vision still feels perfect.”

Frequently Asked Questions About ICL Surgery at SNU Eye Clinic

Q1. Does the surgery hurt?

Not at all — numbing drops ensure comfort. Most patients feel only light pressure.

Q2. Can I blink during surgery?

A gentle eyelid holder keeps your eye comfortably open. You won’t need to worry about blinking.

Q3. How long until I can resume normal activities?

Many return to office work the next day. Exercise and swimming require brief restrictions.

Q4. Will the ICL be visible or noticeable?

No. The lens sits behind the iris — completely invisible and unnoticeable.

Q5. How long does the ICL last?

Indefinitely. It does not degrade. If needed in the future, it can be removed or upgraded.

If You’re Considering ICL Surgery…

ICL is one of the most powerful and reversible vision correction solutions available today. Whether you struggle with high myopia, astigmatism, or frustration with glasses and contacts, the experience at SNU Eye Clinic is intentionally crafted to be safe, calm, and transformative.

If you're unsure whether you're a candidate or simply want expert guidance tailored to your eyes, a consultation with a precision-focused clinic like ours is the best next step.

Your vision is personal. Your treatment should be, too.
SNU Eye Clinic is here to help you see the world with confidence and clarity.