New Braunfels eye care
ICL implantable lens surgery in New Braunfels, TX
The ICL is a thin, flexible lens placed inside the eye, behind the iris and in front of your natural lens, to correct moderate to high nearsightedness without removing corneal tissue.
What is ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)?
The Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) works like a contact lens that lives inside the eye. It sits behind the colored iris, where it cannot be seen or felt, and in front of your natural lens, which stays in place.
Because nothing is removed from the cornea, the ICL is a strong option for people with high prescriptions, thin corneas or dry eye who are not ideal LASIK candidates. It can also be removed if ever needed. In 2026 the FDA expanded the EVO ICL's approved age range to 21 through 60, so many patients in their late 40s and 50s now qualify as well.
ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) care in New Braunfels
Patients come to our New Braunfels office at 457 Landa St, Suite F for ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) care from Gruene, Canyon Lake, Garden Ridge, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Schertz and across New Braunfels. Dr. Kavanagh has cared for New Braunfels patients since 2001: 25 years of excellent eye care. New Braunfels patients have surgery a short drive away, at GRMC Outpatient in Seguin or at one of three San Antonio surgery centers.
Signs ICL may be right for you
- Moderate to high nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism
- You were told you are not a LASIK candidate
- Thin or irregular corneas
- Dry eye that makes LASIK less attractive
Who is a good candidate
- Adults 21 to 60 years old (the FDA expanded the EVO ICL age range from 21–45 to 21–60 in February 2026)
- Nearsightedness from -3.00 to -20.00 diopters, with up to 4.00 diopters of astigmatism
- A stable prescription
- Enough space inside the front of the eye, confirmed by measurements
- No history of glaucoma or iritis
How we evaluate it
An ICL evaluation measures the depth of the front chamber of the eye, corneal cell health, eye pressure and your exact prescription. These measurements determine whether you qualify and which ICL size and power you need.
Treatment options
Dr. Kavanagh and our team see patients for ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) at our New Braunfels office and across South Texas. Every plan is tailored to your eyes after an exam.
For educational purposes. This page explains common conditions and treatments to help you prepare for your visit. Your exam determines the right plan for your eyes.
NormalHigh nearsightedness
How it can look
ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), seen through the patient's eyes
Drag the slider to compare normal vision with a simulation of high nearsightedness. Everyone's experience is different, and early stages may cause no visible change at all.
Questions
Common questions
Can I feel the ICL?
No. It sits inside the eye behind the iris, so you cannot feel it and others cannot see it.
Is the ICL permanent?
It is designed to stay in place long term, but it can be removed or exchanged if your needs change.
Am I too old for an ICL?
Not necessarily. The FDA approved the EVO ICL for adults 21 to 60 in February 2026, up from 45. After about 60, or once a cataract begins to form, lens replacement with a premium lens implant is often the better choice.
Related conditions
