Patients throughout Los Angeles trust Dr. Rajesh Khanna and the eyecare team at Khanna Institute to provide them with superior treatment in a welcoming and comfortable environment. Dr. Khanna is committed to remaining at the forefront of vision correction technology, and is proud to offer his patients with refractive errors the opportunity to move on from the hassle of glasses and contact lenses with the innovative EVO ICL lens. With offices in Beverly Hills, Westlake Village, and other LA communities, Dr. Khanna makes it convenient for his patients to achieve superior vision and see the world as it should be.
What is the EVO ICL?
EVO ICL is an Implantable Collamer® Lens developed by STAAR Surgical to help patients who have nearsightedness with or without astigmatism achieve sharp, clear vision.1 This flexible 100% biocompatible phakic lens works in harmony with the natural parts of the eye to improve refractive errors including high-order myopia (nearsightedness).
EVO ICL vs LASIK
While LASIK, SMILE, PRK, and other laser vision correction procedures can help patients achieve improved vision, EVO ICL could be the better choice for some patients.
Because EVO ICL is added in front of the natural lens of the eye, this refractive surgery does not require removal of corneal tissue that is part of laser vision correction procedures like LASIK. This makes EVO ICL ideal for patients who may not qualify for LASIK or other refractive surgery due to thin or irregular corneas.2 For the same reason, EVO ICL may help keratoconus patients achieve better vision once their condition has been stabilized. Additionally, patients who are disqualified from LASIK due to high levels of myopia may still be good candidates for EVO ICL. Also unlike LASIK and PRK, EVO ICL does not cause or worsen dry eye, offers excellent night vision, and is reversible.
Benefits of Vision Correction with EVO ICL
- Sharp, clear vision: EVO ICL patients can achieve excellent vision both day and night.3,4
- High patient satisfaction: 99.4% of patients surveyed would have this procedure again.5
- Suitable for patients with thin corneas: Patients who are not good candidates for LASIK, SMILE, or PRK due to thin corneas may still qualify for EVO ICL.
- Removable: EVO ICL is designed for permanent vision correction, but can be removed by a doctor if a patient’s needs change.
- No dry eye syndrome: EVO ICL is clinically shown not to cause dry eye syndrome.6
- UV protection: EVO ICL patients enjoy built-in UV protection.
- A fast and safe procedure: EVO ICL procedure is less than a 20-minute procedure.
- Quick recovery: Most patients get back to work the next day after EVO ICL surgery.
Am I a Candidate for EVO ICL?
Even if you’ve been told you aren’t a good candidate for LASIK or another laser vision correction procedure, you may still be able to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses with EVO ICL. Ideal candidates for EVO ICL:
- Are between the ages of 21 and 45
- Have moderate to high myopia (nearsightedness), with or without astigmatism
- Have had no changes to their vision prescription for at least one year
- Are in good general health
- Have healthy eyes with no history of glaucoma, cataracts or other eye diseases
Additional EVO ICL contraindications include patients with certain medical conditions, autoimmune diseases, or severe allergies.

Preparing for EVO ICL Surgery
The most important step in preparing for vision correction with EVO ICL is to attend a free consultation with ophthalmologist Dr. Rajesh Khanna. During this appointment, you will undergo a comprehensive eye exam and review of your medical history. If Dr. Khanna determines that you are a good candidate for EVO ICL, your eye surgery will be scheduled and you will be given detailed instructions for preparing for your procedure and for the recovery period.
The EVO ICL Procedure
While the EVO ICL procedure takes less than 20 minutes per eye, you can plan to be at our surgery center for up to two hours on the day of your eye surgery. Before the procedure begins, your eye doctor will apply anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. We will also offer you an oral sedative so that you can feel relaxed. Your ophthalmologist will then make a tiny incision on the side of your cornea, creating accessibility for lens implantation. Next, your surgeon will place the EVO ICL behind the iris and in front of the natural lens of the eye. The incision for EVO ICL is so small that no sutures are required: your eye will naturally heal on its own. After a brief recovery here, you will be released to be driven home by a family member or friend.
After EVO ICL Surgery: Recovery and Results
You should notice a significant improvement in your vision almost immediately after your EVO ICL procedure!
The recovery period after EVO ICL surgery is fast and comfortable: many of our patients are able to return to work the very next day. You will need to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops as your eyes heal and should refrain from rubbing your eyes during the healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions About EVO ICL
Is EVO ICL surgery painful?
No. Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic eye drops before the procedure.
Is EVO ICL permanent?
The EVO ICL lens is designed for permanent vision correction, but it can also be removed by a doctor if necessary if a patient’s needs change. The flexibility of removable vision correction is a considerable benefit for our patients.
That said, it is important to note that EVO ICL does not prevent aging of the eye and associated conditions. Patients who receive the EVO ICL can still develop presbyopia, or age-related near vision loss/farsightedness. Additionally, EVO ICL does not prevent cataracts, another common eye condition that is associated with aging, nor will it prevent glaucoma.

How much does EVO ICL cost?
EVO ICL price varies according to factors specific to the patient and the ophthalmologist who performs the procedure. Our eye health specialists will make sure you are fully educated about the cost of your eye surgery before it is scheduled.
We like to tell our patients that when you consider the long term cost of paying for glasses and contact lenses, EVO ICL practically pays for itself.
Is EVO ICL covered by insurance?
EVO ICL and other vision correction surgeries are considered to be elective (not medically necessary), and are typically not covered by insurance. However, it may be possible to use funds from a medical spending account such as an FSA or HSA to help cover the cost of EVO ICL.
Will I feel the EVO ICL in my eye?
No. The EVO ICL lens is placed inside of the eye, behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. You won’t be able to feel it as you can feel contact lenses.
What are the risks of EVO ICL?
EVO ICL is FDA-approved and has been clinically proven to be a safe vision correction procedure for patients who have nearsightedness with or without astigmatism. However, there are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Your eye surgeon will go over potential risks and side effects during your consultation. Working with an experienced ophthalmology team is the best way to achieve a favorable outcome from your eye surgery.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you live in the Los Angeles area and are interested in achieving sharp, clear vision without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses, you need to learn more about EVO ICL. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with experienced eye surgeon Dr. Rajesh Khanna. Dr. Khanna is the ophthalmologist of choice for patients in Beverly Hills, Westlake Village, and throughout the LA area.
1 Martínez-Plaza E, López-Miguel A, López-de la Rosa A, et al. Effect of the EVO+ Visian Phakic Implantable Collamer Lens on Visual Performance and Quality of Vision and Life, Am J Ophthalmol 2021;226:117-125. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33577790/. Accessed September 12, 2023.
2 Parkhurst GD, Psolka M, Kezirian GM. Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation in United States Military Warfighters: A Retrospective Analysis of Early Clinical Outcomes of the Visian ICL. J Refract Surg. 2011;27(7):473-481. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21243974/. Accessed September 12, 2023.
3 Parkhurst GD. A prospective comparison of phakic collamer lenses and wavefront-optimized laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;10:1209-1215. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27418804/. Accessed September 12, 2023.
4 Packer M. Evaluation of the EVO/EVO+ Sphere and Toric Visian ICL: Six month results from the United States Food and Drug Administration clinical trial. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2022;16:1541-53. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35645557/. Accessed September 12, 2023.
5 Packer M. The Implantable Collamer Lens with a central port: review of the literature. Clin Ophthalmol. 2018;12:2427-2438. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30568421/. Accessed September 12, 2023.
6 Naves J.S, Carracedo G, Cacho-Babillo I, Diadenosine nucleotid measurements as dry-eye score in patients after LASIK and ICL surgery. Presented at American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) 2012. Accessed September 12, 2023.