Implantable ‘Permanent’ Contact Lenses (EVO ICL) in Brisbane

Your initial optometrist assessment is free. Every patient proceeding to surgery has a paid specialist surgeon consultation to confirm suitability, discuss their specific procedure and arrange surgery. The consultation fee is deducted from the surgery price for every procedure if you proceed. Prescribed medications and eye drops are purchased separately; eligible patients can access PBS subsidies for eligible prescriptions. See our pricing details.

ICL surgery is a removable alternative to laser surgery that involves placing a biocompatible Collamer lens inside the eye. Unlike laser eye surgery, no corneal tissue is removed or altered. The lens corrects refractive errors by changing how light focuses on the retina, delivering crisp, clear vision.

At Focus Vision, ICL surgery costs $7,000 per eye — and importantly, this price includes the anaesthetist fee, which some other clinics charge separately. Interest-free payment plans are available from $68 per week. For comparison, our major competitor VSON lists $7,500 per eye plus a $500 anaesthetist fee. Prescribed medications and eye drops are not included in the Focus Vision price. If your vision needs fine-tuning afterwards, enhancements are free for two years under our enhancement policy.

ICL is not necessarily better or worse than LASIK — it is better suited for different patients. ICL is typically recommended for people with high prescriptions (particularly myopia beyond -6.00 dioptres), thin corneas unsuitable for laser reshaping, or significant dry eye disease. Because ICL does not touch the cornea, it preserves all corneal tissue, maintains normal corneal nerves, and does not cause or worsen dry eye. LASIK is faster to recover from and is the right choice for the majority of patients with low to moderate prescriptions and healthy corneas. See ICL vs laser eye surgery for high prescriptions for the evidence.

ICL is suitable for patients over 21 with a stable prescription for at least one year, who do not have glaucoma, cataracts, or certain other eye diseases. It is particularly well-suited to patients with myopia up to approximately -18.00 dioptres, hyperopia up to +8.00 dioptres, and astigmatism up to 5.00 dioptres. Anterior chamber depth and other anatomical measurements are assessed at your free optometrist assessment to explore suitability. Your specialist surgeon confirms suitability at a paid consultation before surgery. The consultation fee is deducted from the surgery price if you proceed.

The ICL procedure itself takes less than 30 minutes per eye and is performed in a day hospital under heavy sedation — most patients are essentially asleep and have no memory of the procedure. Vision typically improves dramatically within 24 hours. Most patients take 2–4 days off work and driving. Full stabilisation occurs within two to four weeks.

ICLs are often called permanent contact lenses because the lens is designed to stay in your eye long term, with no daily cleaning or replacement. Unlike laser eye surgery, though, the lens can be taken out: a qualified surgeon can remove or replace it if your vision changes significantly, if you develop cataracts later in life, or for any other clinical reason. Being removable is considered one of ICL's key advantages over corneal laser procedures. See how long ICLs last.

Medicare does not cover ICL surgery when performed purely for elective vision correction. Your Focus Vision surgeon will clarify this at your consultation. Private health insurance extras cover may provide a partial benefit for some patients.

Focus Vision's ICL procedures are performed exclusively by Dr Brendan Cronin and Dr David Gunn — corneal subspecialists who completed fellowship training overseas. All surgery takes place in the South Brisbane Day Hospital, a fully accredited private day hospital, ensuring the highest standards of safety and sterility. Our all-inclusive surgical pricing covers the procedure, hospital, lens, anaesthetist and follow-up appointments; prescribed medications and eye drops are not included. The paid specialist surgeon consultation fee is deducted from the surgery price if you proceed.