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“I’ve always had vision, but not the best eyesight. For me, EVO ICL changed everything.”

– Will Levis, NFL Quarterback

What is EVO ICL?

The EVO ICL by STAAR Surgical is an Implantable Collamer Lens, a micro-thin, removable lens implant made of 100% biocompatible material. This means that the lens works in harmony with the natural eye. This lens can correct both myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism, and it also provides UV protection.

Unlike some other vision correction procedures, EVO ICL does not involve reshaping the cornea, which makes it an excellent option for patients who may not be good candidates for LASIK and PRK. The EVO ICL can be a permanent vision correction option if both you and your doctor determine it is the best procedure for your overall vision correction goals, but can also be removed if your vision needs change.

Benefits of EVO ICL

EVO ICL is a cutting-edge vision correction solution that provides patients with a range of advantages, including:

  • Sharp, Clear Vision: Experience crisp, high-definition vision during the day and at night.3
  • High Patient Satisfaction: More than 99% of patients report they would choose EVO ICL again.4
  • Ideal for Thin Corneas: A great option for those who are not candidates for LASIK or other laser procedures due to thin corneas.5
  • Good for Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome: Unlike laser vision correction, EVO ICL does not cause or worsen dry eye symptoms.6
  • Additive Technology: The procedure does not remove corneal tissue, preserving the natural structure of your eye.
  • Biocompatible Material: EVO ICL works in harmony with the natural eye.
  • Reversible & Upgradable: Although designed to be long-term, EVO ICL can be removed or updated if needed.
  • Built-in UV Protection: Helps shield your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
  • Quick & Minimally Invasive: The procedure is performed in about 20–30 minutes with a short recovery period—many patients resume normal activities the next day.

The EVO ICL Procedure: What to Expect

Preparing for EVO ICL

The EVO ICL is implanted in a fast, outpatient procedure at our ambulatory surgery center (located in the same building as our clinic), and there is little our patients need to do to prepare. During your consultation with your ophthalmologist, he or she will conduct a thorough eye exam and help you understand the benefits of EVO ICL for your particular case.

Once your procedure is scheduled, a member of our team will give you preoperative and postoperative instructions. You will not be able to drive yourself home after the procedure, so you will need to make arrangements with a friend or family member for transportation.

The EVO ICL Procedure

The EVO ICL procedure is virtually pain-free and is a 20-30 minute procedure.

Before beginning EVO ICL surgery, your eye surgeon will apply anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. A special device will be used to hold your eyes open so you won’t need to worry about blinking. As you recline comfortably, your ophthalmologist will create a small opening, inserting and positioning the Implantable Collamer Lens between the natural lens of the eye and the iris.

Once your EVO ICL procedure is completed, you will recover here briefly before a friend or family member drives you home. You’ll notice a near-immediate improvement in your vision.




chris enjoying time with his son after evol icl surgery

Chris’ Story

Glasses-Free Fatherhood with EVO ICL

Dr. Chris has something of the inside track when it comes to vision correction surgery: he is the husband of Dr. Margaret Liu, founder and CEO of San Francisco Eye Institute. Despite this connection, like many of our patients, Chris was a bit hesitant to pursue vision correction surgery, in part, because he is a surgeon himself and didn’t want to compromise his vision. Now that Chris has had his vision nearly perfected with Visian ICL, he is so grateful to have undergone the procedure and can’t imagine going back to wearing glasses and contacts.

Read Chris' Full Story

Allen’s Story

EVO ICL for a Software Engineer

Allen says the procedure was entirely painless, and reports that the results were almost instant. Before he even left the office, Dr. Liu asked him to read a clock across the room. Prior to the procedure, there was no way Allen could have seen the numbers on that clock. Just moments after implantation with Visian ICL, however, he could read the time clearly. Allen says, “I could see right away. This was surprising—I didn’t expect that!”

Read Allen's Full Story
leslie ejoying the outdoors with her dog after icl surgery

Leslie’s Story

EVO ICL for Everyday Freedom

Leslie says that having clear vision has had a huge impact on her life. She no longer needs to fuss with glasses or contacts in the morning, and she can move through her life with the confidence that she doesn’t need to worry about her vision. When asked if she has any advice for people considering vision correction surgery, Leslie says, “Don’t hesitate to choose Dr. Margaret Liu at San Francisco Eye Institute.”

Read Leslie's Full Story

EVO ICL Results and Recovery

After the EVO ICL is successfully implanted, patients will experience sharp and clearer vision, providing a brand new, vivid perspective to see the world around them with great depth and dimension. The recovery time is very brief, with most patients returning to their normal activities in a day or two.

Additionally, there is little to no maintenance associated with the EVO ICL, and it is intended to remain in place as long as you are satisfied with your vision. The EVO ICL is surgically removable, if necessary, and the procedure does not permanently alter the shape of the cornea, unlike other laser vision correction surgeries.

man running up stairs


4.8/5 Average Rating based on over 500 reviews
Quote stars - 5 stars review

I had vision correction surgery with Dr. Liu (ICL placement). Dr. Liu and the staff of San Francisco Eye Institute were amazing from start to finish! She was extremely thorough, took the time to explain things, and guided me through the process and decision making of having this life changing surgery step by step. Her office staff was friendly and also took excellent care of me. The surgery went perfectly and my results couldn’t be better. I am a surgeon myself, so my vision is absolutely critical for my livelihood and career, so going through with this surgery was no small undertaking. I’ve worn coke bottle thick glasses since I was a child, but after surgery I don’t need glasses or contacts anymore to work, operate, and also do the fun active things I love to do like working out, snowboarding, playing basketball etc. It has been about 2 years since my surgery and my results have still been excellent. Dr. Liu literally changed my life and I couldn’t be more grateful!

Christopher M.

This review is in regards to services provided by Dr. Liu. My brother did not qualify for LASIK and as a result was referred to Dr. Liu for contact lens implants also known as ICL. From beginning to end Dr. Liu’s professionalism and kindness exceeded our expectations. She truly has a passion for what she does and we cannot thank her enough for the amazing job she did on brother’s eyes. My brother was born with poor vision and had worn glasses up until the day of the surgery. After the ICL surgery, he was able to see 20/20; for the first couple of days I noticed that he took a bit longer in viewing things around him but it was simply him adjusting to admiring everything around him with his new eyes. This touched my heart greatly, he even happily told me that he had never seen my face without his glasses. Till this day his surgery has been life changing. He has more confidence in himself and is able to carry on with his usual activities without having to worry about his glasses. I highly recommend Dr. Liu to anyone struggling with their vision as her talent is a blessing to so many people!

Jess R.

Dr. Liu got an office upgrade. My husband (allergy and eye issues) and I (no more glasses) have been patients for about 3 years so have seen the institute’s office transition. Their new office looks great! The entire staff at the SF Eye Institute has provided me with quality care throughout my time as a patient. I am getting eye surgery (visian ICL) to finally get rid of glasses but do not qualify for LASIK or PRK. Dr. Liu is the only doctor in the city who performs ICL surgery. During a recent appointment I had an adverse reaction to some numbing drops. Despite being continuously busy (due to their stellar reputation) the staff noticed I wasn’t doing well and proactively tried to make me more comfortable. They brought me to a dark room, checked on me in the restroom when I became nauseous (due to other factors), and provided me with ice packs and water so that I could be ready for the (2 minute) procedure. I would have never asked for help (because that’s not me) but I am so grateful that the institute staff went out of their way to make sure that I was ok. I wouldn’t have even known what to ask for. I was in a very vulnerable situation but they put me right at ease and I was able to successfully undergo the minor procedure by the end of the day.

Stephanie W.

Frequently Asked Questions About EVO ICL

How does EVO ICL differ from LASIK and PRK?

EVO ICL, LASIK, and PRK are all effective vision correction procedures, but they work in different ways. LASIK and PRK are laser eye surgery procedures the cornea by removing tissue to improve how light is focused on the retina. In contrast, EVO ICL is an additive procedure that enhances vision without altering the cornea’s structure. This makes it a great refractive surgery option for individuals with thin corneas, those prone to dry eye syndrome, or patients with high prescriptions that may not be fully corrected with laser procedures. Additionally, EVO ICL is reversible—if necessary, the lens can be removed by an eye doctor.

Who is a good candidate for EVO ICL?

The EVO ICL was developed to help those suffering from minor to severe refractive errors like astigmatism and nearsightedness. This may be the right eye surgery procedure for your vision correction goals if the following apply to you:

  • Aged between 21 and 45
  • Have maintained a steady eye prescription for at least six months
  • Are seeking an alternative to glasses and contact lenses

We recommend you undergo a vision consultation in order to determine the best vision correction plan for you. If the EVO ICL is not right for you, other options are available. EVO ICL may not be the best solution for the following:

  • Patients who are pregnant or nursing
  • Patients with uncontrolled dry eye or blepharitis
  • Patients with corneal endothelial dystrophy

Will I be able to feel the lens once it is in place?

The EVO ICL is designed to be completely unobtrusive after it is put in place. It stays in position by itself and does not interact with any of the eye’s structures.

Is the EVO ICL visible to others?

No. The lens is positioned behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), where it is invisible to both you and those around you.

Contact San Francisco Eye Institute for an EVO ICL Consultation

Contact Us

The San Francisco Eye Institute team is here to answer any questions you may have about EVO ICL, or can assist you by scheduling an appointment with one of our doctors. Contact us today to discover if the EVO ICL is right for you.

Trused Source Icon - Checkbox Sources

1 Parkhurst GD, Psolka M, Kezirian GM. Phakic intraocular lens implantation in United States military warfighters: a retrospective analysis of early clinical outcomes of the EVO ICL. J Refract Surg. 2011 Jul;27(7):473-81. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20110106-03. Epub 2011 Jan 17. PMID: 21243974. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21243974/. Accessed February 12, 2025.

2 Sanders D, Vukich JA. Comparison of implantable collamer lens (ICL) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for low myopia. Cornea. 2006 Dec;25(10):1139-46. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e31802cbf3c. PMID: 17172886. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17172886/. Accessed February 12, 2025.

3 Igarashi A, Kamiya K, Shimizu K, Komatsu M. Visual performance after implantable collamer lens implantation and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for high myopia. Am J Ophthalmol. 2009 Jul;148(1):164-70.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2009.02.001. Epub 2009 Apr 17. PMID: 19375059. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19375059/. Accessed February 12, 2025.

4 Gimbel HV, Ziémba SL. Management of myopic astigmatism with phakic intraocular lens implantation. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2002 May;28(5):883-6. doi: 10.1016/s0886-3350(01)01098-7. PMID: 11978472. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11978472/. Accessed February 12, 2025.

5 Ganesh S, Brar S, Pawar A. Matched population comparison of visual outcomes and patient satisfaction between 3 modalities for the correction of low to moderate myopic astigmatism. Clin Ophthalmol. 2017 Jul 3;11:1253-1263. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S127101. PMID: 28740361; PMCID: PMC5505606. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28740361/. Accessed October 26, 2021.

6 Martínez-Plaza E, López-Miguel A, López-de la Rosa A, McAlinden C, Fernández I, Maldonado MJ. Effect of the EVO+ EVO Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life. Am J Ophthalmol. 2021 Jun;226:117-125. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2021.02.005. Epub 2021 Feb 9. PMID: 33577790. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33577790/. Accessed October 26, 2021.

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The doctors at San Francisco Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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