Uses

• Both ICL and LASIK surgery are methods of correcting vision deficiencies caused by nearsightedness and astigmatism. ICL is generally the alternative for patients who can't have LASIK surgery, because the cornea of their eye is too thin, and, therefore, too risky to work with.
  
  

Procedures

• The ICL procedure involves surgically placing a contact lens behind the iris for vision improvement. LASIK treatment uses laser technology to reshape and remove corneal tissue (the front window tissue) of the eye to improve vision.
  
  

Similarities

• Both surgical methods have similar risks, including infection, overcorrection, and under correction. Patients of either method may still have to wear glasses if perfect vision is not achieved.
  
  

Differences

• The major difference between ICL and LASIK is that ICL can be "undone" and LASIK cannot. LASIK results are absolutely permanent, and can only be enhanced by another LASIK procedure. By contrast, the contact placed in the eye with ICL may be removed, and other forms of treatment or another lens may be used to improve vision.
  
  

LASIK Benefits

• Not only is LASIK fast, effective, offering permanent vision correction, and less invasive than ICL, but it is also less expensive. DocShop.com's comparison on the two treatments reports that the the typical ICL cost ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 per eye, while LASIK costs are between $499 and $2,500 per eye.
  
  

ICL Benefits

• ICL does not permanently change the cornea or any other eye tissue, which is often considered a benefit by patients. ICL can treat patients that LASIK cannot, including those with large pupils, extra thin corneas and dry, sensitive eyes. It can also correct severe refractive errors, while LASIK surgery cannot.