EVO ICL vs. EVO+ ICL: What Is the Difference?

Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery is an advanced vision correction option for patients with myopia seeking an alternative to corneal laser procedures such as LASIK, LASEK, or SMILE.

Among the current ICL options developed by STAAR Surgical, EVO ICL and EVO+ ICL share the same fundamental lens technology, but differ primarily in the size of their optical zone. This difference can be particularly important for night vision, pupil size, and the degree of myopia being corrected.

At Seoul | Busan BGSS Eye Clinic, each patient's ocular measurements, refractive error, pupil size, and visual requirements are carefully evaluated to determine the appropriate ICL model.

What Is EVO ICL?

EVO ICL is a phakic intraocular lens positioned behind the iris and in front of the eye's natural crystalline lens. Unlike laser vision correction, ICL surgery does not require removal of corneal tissue.

The EVO lens incorporates the KS-AquaPORT® central opening, which facilitates the natural flow of aqueous humor through the lens. According to STAAR Surgical's Directions for Use, EVO and EVO+ lenses feature a 0.36 mm central port.

Depending on the lens model, ICL technology can be used to correct myopia and astigmatism, including relatively high levels of refractive error.

One advantage of the EVO platform is its wider treatment range. According to STAAR Surgical's product specifications, the EVO VICMO model is available from -0.5 D to -18.0 D at the lens plane, whereas the EVO+ VICM5 model is available from -0.5 D to -14.0 D.

This makes EVO ICL an important option for patients with very severe myopia whose required lens power falls outside the available EVO+ range.

What Is EVO+ ICL?

EVO+ ICL is based on the same fundamental technology as EVO ICL but incorporates an expanded optical zone.

STAAR Surgical specifies an optic diameter of approximately 4.9–5.8 mm for EVO and 5.0–6.1 mm for EVO+, depending on lens power and model.

The larger optic provides a broader area of optical correction and may be particularly beneficial for patients with larger pupils or concerns about visual quality in low-light conditions.

Why Does the Larger Optical Zone Matter?

Our pupils naturally become larger in dark environments. When the pupil dilates beyond the effective optical area of a corrective lens, visual phenomena such as halos and glare may become more noticeable, particularly when driving at night or viewing bright lights against a dark background.

The expanded optical zone of EVO+ ICL provides a larger area of corrected vision, which may help improve visual quality under these conditions.

However, no ICL can guarantee the complete absence of glare or halos. STAAR Surgical lists significant glare and/or halos, particularly under night-driving conditions, among the potential symptoms associated with ICL implantation.

For this reason, preoperative evaluation of pupil size, refractive error, anterior chamber anatomy, lens sizing, and overall ocular health remains essential.

EVO ICL for Severe Myopia

A larger optical zone does not automatically make EVO+ the appropriate lens for every patient.

Because EVO ICL is available in higher minus powers than EVO+ ICL, it may be more appropriate for patients with very high or severe myopia, particularly when the required correction exceeds the available EVO+ range.

Final lens selection should always be based on a comprehensive examination and individualized lens calculations rather than refractive error or optical zone size alone.

EVO/EVO+ ICL: Same-Day Surgery for Both Eyes at BGSS Eye Clinic

Traditional ICL treatment protocols may separate surgery between the two eyes. At Seoul | Busan BGSS Eye Clinic, our accumulated surgical experience and specialized ICL protocol allow eligible patients to undergo EVO/EVO+ ICL surgery for both eyes on the same day.

By integrating detailed preoperative measurements, individualized lens selection, refined surgical techniques, and structured postoperative management, we aim to deliver an efficient surgical experience while maintaining a strong focus on safety and visual quality.

Patients may notice a significant improvement in vision shortly after surgery, although individual recovery varies and vision may continue to stabilize during the postoperative period.

How Is ICL Surgery Performed?

During EVO or EVO+ ICL surgery, the selected lens is folded and inserted through a small corneal incision before being positioned behind the iris.

The natural crystalline lens remains in place, and the procedure does not require reshaping or ablating the cornea. Because corneal structure is preserved, ICL may be considered for patients who are unsuitable for corneal laser vision correction due to factors such as corneal thickness or the degree of myopia, provided their intraocular anatomy meets the requirements for ICL implantation.

EVO ICL or EVO+ ICL: Which One Is Better?

Neither lens is universally "better." The appropriate model depends on the individual patient's eyes.

EVO+ ICL may be preferred when:

• A larger optical zone is desirable

• The patient has relatively large pupils

• Night vision quality is a significant consideration

• The required refractive correction falls within the available EVO+ lens range

EVO ICL may be preferred when:

• The patient has severe or extremely high myopia

• The required lens power exceeds the available EVO+ range

• Examination findings indicate that EVO is the more appropriate lens configuration

The decision should therefore be made after a comprehensive ICL examination, rather than selecting a lens based solely on its generation or optical zone size.

High Patient Satisfaction with ICL Technology

ICL surgery has become an established option for refractive correction, particularly among patients with moderate to high myopia. Clinical studies have evaluated its safety, effectiveness, refractive outcomes, and visual quality.

STAAR Surgical also reports high levels of patient satisfaction with EVO ICL technology, with many patients reporting that they would choose the procedure again. Individual results, however, vary according to refractive error, ocular anatomy, healing, and other patient-specific factors.

Why Choose Seoul | Busan BGSS Eye Clinic for ICL Surgery?

Successful ICL surgery depends on more than selecting between EVO and EVO+. Accurate sizing, lens power calculation, surgical positioning, vault assessment, and postoperative monitoring are all important components of treatment.

STAAR Surgical specifically notes that improper ICL sizing can lead to complications and recommends careful calculation of lens power and overall diameter.

At Seoul | Busan BGSS Eye Clinic, our ICL program combines extensive surgical experience with detailed preoperative analysis and individualized lens selection. Our specialists evaluate each patient's refractive error, anterior chamber anatomy, pupil characteristics, and visual needs before recommending EVO ICL, EVO+ ICL, or another vision correction option.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the biggest difference between EVO ICL and EVO+ ICL?

The primary difference is the optical zone size. EVO+ provides a larger maximum optical diameter than EVO, potentially offering an advantage in low-light visual quality for appropriately selected patients.

2. Does EVO+ ICL completely eliminate night glare and halos?

No procedure can guarantee the complete absence of glare or halos. However, the larger optical zone of EVO+ is designed to provide a broader corrected optical area, which may be beneficial for patients with larger pupils or concerns about night vision.

3. Is EVO+ always better than EVO ICL?

No. EVO+ provides a larger optical zone, while EVO is available in a broader high-minus power range. Patients with very severe myopia may therefore require EVO rather than EVO+.

4. Does ICL surgery remove corneal tissue?

No. Unlike LASIK, LASEK, PRK, or SMILE, ICL surgery does not reshape the cornea. The lens is implanted inside the eye behind the iris and in front of the natural crystalline lens.

5. Can both eyes receive EVO+ ICL surgery on the same day?

At Seoul | Busan BGSS Eye Clinic, same-day bilateral EVO+ ICL surgery may be performed for eligible patients following comprehensive preoperative evaluation. Whether same-day surgery is appropriate is determined on an individual basis by the ophthalmologist.

Find the ICL Option Best Suited to Your Eyes

The choice between EVO ICL and EVO+ ICL is not simply a matter of choosing the newer or larger lens. The ideal ICL should correspond to the patient's degree of myopia, pupil size, anterior chamber anatomy, visual requirements, and individual ocular measurements.

For patients who prioritize night vision and fall within the appropriate treatment range, EVO+'s expanded optical zone may offer a significant advantage. For patients with particularly severe myopia, EVO ICL may provide the necessary range of correction.

A comprehensive ICL examination at Seoul | Busan BGSS Eye Clinic can determine which lens design is most appropriate for your individual eyes.

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