Introduction

Clear vision is something most of us take for granted—until glasses fog up on a humid Busan morning or contact lenses feel dry after a long day in front of the computer. For many, ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) surgery feels like freedom: freedom from daily inconveniences, freedom from dependence on glasses, freedom to simply wake up and see.

But as exciting as that transformation is, surgery is just the first chapter of the story. The real key to lasting success lies in what happens afterward. At Jryn Eye Clinic, we remind patients that ICL surgery is not a “one-and-done” event. Instead, it’s a partnership—between the patient and the clinic—that unfolds over weeks and months of careful monitoring.

That’s why one of the most common questions we hear is:
“How many follow-ups will I need after ICL surgery?”

It’s a practical question, especially for busy students, professionals, and families in Busan. And the answer may surprise you: while the number of visits isn’t overwhelming, each one plays a critical role in ensuring your eyes stay healthy, your vision remains sharp, and your investment in ICL continues to pay off for decades.

Why Follow-Up Care After ICL Is So Important

ICL surgery is one of the safest forms of permanent vision correction available today. Unlike LASIK, which reshapes the cornea, ICL involves placing a tiny biocompatible lens inside the eye, between the iris and the natural lens. This lens corrects your refractive error while preserving the natural corneal tissue.

But even though the procedure is minimally invasive, the eye is still adapting to something new inside it. Think of it like moving a new piece of furniture into your living room. It might fit perfectly, but you still need to check how it settles, how the space around it adjusts, and whether it works in daily life.

What the eye needs to adapt to:

• Lens position: The ICL must sit at the correct distance from your natural lens (known as “vaulting”). Too low or too high, and problems can occur.

• Intraocular pressure (IOP): In some patients, fluid dynamics in the eye may temporarily change, raising the risk of glaucoma if not managed.

• Inflammation: Even a minor surgical incision can trigger the body’s healing response, which must be monitored.

• Visual quality: Patients may experience halos, glare, or mild dryness as their eyes adjust.

Most of these issues are minor, temporary, and treatable—but only if detected early. That’s where follow-ups come in.

The Typical Follow-Up Schedule After ICL Surgery

At Jryn Eye Clinic, our standard aftercare schedule includes 4–5 follow-up visits within the first year. These are structured around key stages of healing:

Day 1 (24 Hours After Surgery)

The very first check-up is crucial. Even if you wake up feeling amazed at your new vision, we need to:

• Measure your intraocular pressure (to catch pressure spikes early)

• Confirm that the ICL is sitting in the correct position

• Inspect the corneal incision for proper closure

• Look for any signs of infection or early inflammation

This appointment usually takes less than 20 minutes but provides enormous reassurance. Patients often describe this visit as the moment when their anxiety about “something going wrong” disappears—because they hear directly from the doctor that their eyes are safe.

One Week Post-Op

By now, most patients are comfortably enjoying daily life with their new vision. But healing is still underway. At this stage we:

• Re-check pressure stability

• Monitor corneal healing

• Assess visual quality (sharpness, halos, glare)

• Discuss lifestyle adjustments (e.g., safe return to swimming, weightlifting, or contact sports)

It’s often at this visit that patients realize how much their daily routines have already improved—no more fumbling for glasses in the morning, no more worries about dry contact lenses at work.

One Month Post-Op

At one month, your vision has usually settled further. This check-up focuses on:

• Long-term stability of vision

• Vault measurement (the precise space between the natural lens and the ICL)

• Night vision quality

• Any remaining dryness or light sensitivity

We often use anterior segment OCT imaging here—a highly precise scan that lets us see exactly where the ICL sits inside your eye. Patients are often surprised at how “high-tech” this looks, almost like an ultrasound for the eye.

Three Months Post-Op

This is a milestone check. By now, your eyes have largely healed, and the ICL has “settled” into its long-term position. At this appointment we:

• Confirm vault stability

• Ensure corneal health is intact

• Evaluate overall comfort and sharpness

Think of this as a quality assurance stage. If your eyes were a new car, this would be the first major service check—making sure everything is running smoothly before you drive it for the long haul.

Six to Twelve Months Post-Op

The final structured visit in the first year is about long-term reassurance. At this stage we:

• Verify ICL stability

• Reassess pressure over a longer timeline

• Confirm there are no late complications

After this point, most patients move to annual eye exams. However, those with higher risk factors (very high myopia, borderline eye pressure, thin corneas) may be advised to return every six months.

What Actually Happens at Each Visit?

Patients sometimes worry that follow-ups will be repetitive or time-consuming. In reality, each visit has a unique focus:

• Day 1: Safety check (pressure, position, healing)

• Week 1: Healing progress, lifestyle clearance

• Month 1: Vision stabilization, vault measurement

• Month 3: Long-term adaptation, quality check

• Month 6–12: Ongoing security

A typical appointment includes:

• Vision testing (sharpness at different distances)

• Slit-lamp examination (microscope check of the eye)

• Intraocular pressure test

• Anterior segment imaging (for vault)

• A conversation about your real-world experience

It’s this last part—the conversation—that makes the difference. Numbers matter, but so does how you feel about your new vision. At Jryn Eye Clinic, we believe your lived experience is as important as the test results.

What If You Skip a Follow-Up?

We understand life gets busy. But here’s what patients often don’t realize:

• High eye pressure can cause irreversible optic nerve damage, often without symptoms.

• Vaulting issues may silently increase the risk of cataracts or corneal stress years later.

• Inflammation may not cause pain, but can damage delicate eye structures if untreated.

To be honest, this is the part of ICL care that rarely makes it into marketing brochures. The surgery is glamorous; the follow-ups are not. But in the medical community, we know: it’s the follow-ups that protect your vision in the long run.

Jryn Eye Clinic’s Patient-Centered Follow-Up Philosophy

Since opening in 2020, Jryn Eye Clinic has cared for thousands of patients from Busan and beyond. Our approach to follow-ups reflects our broader philosophy: precision-driven care, anchored in long-term trust.

Dr. Han Sang Yeop, with over two decades of ophthalmology experience, reminds patients that “a successful surgery without follow-up is like a marathon without a finish line.”

Our clinic uses:

• State-of-the-art imaging to measure vault and detect subtle changes early

• Customized schedules for patients with unique risk factors

• Ongoing support—even between visits, patients can reach us with concerns

We’ve seen firsthand how follow-ups make the difference. One young office worker in Seomyeon, for example, returned at her one-week visit with mild halos at night. With small adjustments to her eye drop routine and lifestyle advice, her symptoms resolved within weeks. Without that visit, she might have silently endured discomfort.

Conclusion

So, how many follow-ups should you expect after ICL surgery? On average, four to five visits in the first year, followed by annual exams. It may sound like a commitment, but each visit has its purpose: to protect your vision, to confirm stability, and to give you peace of mind that your eyes are thriving.

At Jryn Eye Clinic, we’ve seen how powerful these follow-ups can be. They’re not just medical check-ins; they’re opportunities to celebrate progress, address small concerns, and guide patients toward long-term eye health. Time and again, patients tell us that these visits gave them confidence—not just in their surgery, but in their future.

Your eyes are not something to rush. Just as you wouldn’t skip the last few steps of a mountain hike, you shouldn’t skip the final stages of your ICL journey. The view—clear, sharp, glasses-free vision—is worth it.