EVO ICL

"10 hours after surgery I saw clear as crystal for the first time in 41 years...It was life-altering"

- Dan Z., EVO ICL patient

The High Definition Vision Correction Alternative To LASIK.

EVO ICL™, previously called the EVO Visian ICL, commonly referred to as the implantable contact lens (ICL), is the latest evolution in refractive implants that can correct moderate to severe nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. Everyone has heard of LASIK, but in fact the ICL is often a better option for many nearsighted individuals if not an excellent alternative for some LASIK or PRK candidates. These lenses are placed inside the eye in a brief, painless outpatient procedure. They provide permanent high quality vision correction without the need for removal or cleaning like a common contact lens.

At your comprehensive examination, our surgeons will determine if EVO ICL is the best solution for eliminating your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Regarding the experience with the ICL, Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute was an original FDA principal investigation site for the implantable contact lens. Our surgeons have been performing the procedure in Los Angeles since 1997. Dr. Shamie and Dr. Hura perform the EVO ICL at Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions About EVO ICL

Who Is A Good Candidate For EVO ICL?

EVO ICL over LASIK

What is EVO ICL?

Risks of EVO ICL

What Happens During The EVO ICL Surgery?

Can I Feel the EVO Implant?

Does the EVO ICL Need to Be Replaced?

Peyton List Sets Her Sights on a Clearer 2023 with Upgraded Vision and New Projects in the Works

Dr. Shamie performs the latest generation of the implantable contact lens, the EVO ICL on CBS News

Watch the whole ICL experience of Dr. Shamie's patient Nichole

Dr. Robert Maloney performs implantable contact lens surgery on "The Doctors" TV Show - Part 1

Dr. Robert Maloney performs implantable contact lens surgery on "The Doctors" TV Show - Part 2

EVO ICL Explainer Video

A biocompatible lens, that works in harmony with your eye.

During EVO ICL surgery, one of our surgeons will insert a tiny lens made from soft, foldable material containing natural collagen called Collamer®. Because the cornea is composed of collagen, this material provides excellent biocompatibility and superior optical quality. The procedure to implant the lens is simple and painless.

After completely numbing the eye, your doctor makes a tiny incision about 1/8 inch wide, at the junction of the cornea and sclera (the white part of the eye).

The lens is folded and gently inserted into the eye, where it unfurls. The lens is tucked behind the iris and the procedure is over.

No stitches are needed -- the tiny incisions seal themselves. Your eye heals rapidly and by the next day your quality of vision is often excellent – most likely improved to 20/20 or better. Because implantation of EVO ICL does not require any structural alteration of the eye, we find that the results are predictable and very stable.

The EVO ICL is both safe and comfortable.

Unlike traditional contact lenses, no additional maintenance is required for your EVO ICL, and you can expect it to remain permanently in your eye. It won’t dry out or get dirty, and you won’t be able to either see it or feel it.

The ICL lens is extremely well tolerated by the eye. As a substance, it is inert and non-invasive. The body thinks it is part of its normal tissue. You can’t feel it in your eyes. You can’t see it. Nobody around you can see it. EVO ICL surgery won’t stop your eyes from changing, however, and you can expect to experience the normal vision changes that come with age, such as the need for reading glasses around the age of 45.

Advantages of the EVO ICL over LASIK or PRK

Quality of Vision – Because the ICL is manufactured to a high level of optical quality, it produces a crispness and clarity of vision that leaves many patients saying, “Wow, I’ve never seen this well.” Night vision is particularly exceptional.
Biocompatibility – The collagen copolymer material of the ICL is not considered a foreign object by the body’s immune system.
Comfort -You can’t feel the ICL in your eye.
Invisibility – No one else can see the ICL in your eye.
Simplicity- Unlike traditional contact lenses, once the ICL is implanted, there is no additional maintenance needed.
Removability – The ICL is designed to be permanently placed in the eye. However, the lens can be removed if your vision changes or if it needs to be removed or replaced for any reason.

Who is a Candidate for EVO ICL?

If you have moderate to high levels of nearsightedness, you are probably a strong candidate for the EVO ICL. If you have lower levels of nearsightedness but you have corneas that are too thin for LASIK, the ICL may be an option for you. In this case, the ICL can correct your vision without the slow recovery you would have with PRK. The ICL doesn’t make your eyes drier, so it can be a good option if you have significant dryness.

Some people aren’t good candidates for the ICL. If you have a cataract, even a minor one, the ICL is not a good option. Typically the EVO ICL is best suited for people between 21 and 45 years of age. A comprehensive examination with our Vision Correction Specialists will let you know if EVO ICL is the right surgery for you.

What if I have astigmatism?

If you have astigmatism, it means that your eye is oval-shaped instead of perfectly round—more like a football than a basketball. Astigmatism can contribute to blurred vision at multiple focal lengths.

The EVO ICL is used to correct myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Until recently, ICL patients required a secondary procedure such as limbal-relaxing incisions during ICL surgery or LASIK months after surgery to correct their astigmatism. With the FDA approval of the EVO ICL, implantable contact lens candidates can now have their myopia and astigmatism safely corrected in a single procedure.

"My ability to see at a distance and the clarity of my vision is something that I had never before experienced. I have suffered from bad eyesight since I was 8 years old, and have been utilizing some combination of glasses or contacts since that time. However, in recent years my eyes had deteriorated more and more making it difficult to not only see at night but to enjoy seemingly simple tasks. I am extremely grateful that I was introduced to Dr. Maloney after my sister (and her entire office) got LASIK on her eyes from him. While I was not a candidate for standard LASIK, I did qualify for ICL, and this procedure has allowed me to (as corny as this sounds) live a much fuller life.

My ability to see at a distance and the clarity of my vision is something that I had never before experienced.

I recently returned from South Africa for the World Cup and a safari, and the ability to be hiking for 5 days in a Game Reserve without dealing with contacts and/or glasses, and with being able to see better than every person in my 8-person group was validation that I made the right decision."

- Pete Morgan

Woman laying on a couch

As part of her strategy for a successful 2023, actress and beauty entrepreneur Peyton List upgraded her vision with EVO, performed by Dr. Neda Shamie at Maloney-Shamie Vision Institute.

She went from struggling with the hassles of contact lenses on and off the film set to having 20/20 vision following EVO.

"I've had problems with my vision longer than I haven't. The worst is being in the middle of a day, feeling a contact lens rip, and spending the rest of the day with one blurry eye... After learning about vision correction options from my doctor, EVO was the most appealing because it is minimal downtime and does not cause dry eye syndrome. If I ever wanted to, the lenses are removable by my doctor for my added peace of mind."

- Peyton List

Schedule Your ICL Consultation & Comprehensive Exam

Find out if you are a candidate by calling or emailing today.

Implantable contact lenses can help even those with moderate to severe nearsightedness. If you have been told that you are not a LASIK candidate, or you just don’t know which procedure you need, please come in for a personal consultation. We will use all of our technology to help you decide on the best solution to ensure the best possible outcome for your unique eyes.

We would love to have you be one of our thousands of happy, glasses-free patients.