About The Procedure

The surgeons at Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery  implant the EVO ICL™ during a procedure in the comfort of our refractive suite in our office in Mount Pleasant. Typically taking 15 minutes to perform, after dilating your pupils and numbing your eye with antiesthetic eye drops, the lens is inserted through a microscopic incision behind the iris and in front of the eye’s natural lens.

The procedure requires no stitches and heals quickly. The EVO ICL™ remains in the eye and cannot be felt or seen and cannot dry out or become dirty like a standard contact lens. We will see you for a few appointments following your procedure, including the next day to ensure you vision is optimal and healing is going well.

EVO ICL Vision Correction Surgery

Our Eye Care Services

Clear, sharp vision with excellent night vision

Made from collamer, a biocompatible material

In-office procedure – no surgical suites or hospitals

EVO ICL™ is removable should a rare occasion arise

Quick procedure and recovery time

“Sharp, Clear Vision”

“After speaking with my doctor about this advanced new technology, I chose EVO as I felt like it was finally time to upgrade my vision and change how I could see the world. It was a seamless, easy procedure for me that quickly gave me sharp, clear vision day or night without inducing dry eye syndrome. The results are life changing for me and with EVO, I now can simply wake up and go about my day.”

Joe Jonas for EVO ICL Vision Correction

Joe Jonas

Global Superstar, Musician, Actor

Clear Vision,
Starts Here.

Is the EVO ICL™ right for you?

Let’s start working on fixing your vision now. Schedule a FREE Vision Correction Consultation with Dr. O’Day.

Who Is A Candidate For EVO ICL™?

Age Range

Between the ages of 21 and 45

Nearsighted

Have moderate to extreme nearsightedness! Even those with thin corneas, large pupils, a history of dry eye or been told they weren’t a candidate for LASIK/PRK.

Stability

Stable prescription over the past year

Healthy

Are in good general health, free of autoimmune conditions, and free of eye conditions like glaucoma

Pregnancy

Not currently pregnant or nursing

Realistic Expectations

Have realistic expectations about what the results EVO ICL can achieve.

If you’ve been told you aren’t a good candidate for LASIK or PRK, EVO ICL may be the answer.

Max Strus Tells Us About His EVO ICL Journey
Behind The SEEN. Kevin and Joe Jonas corrected their vision with the EVO ICL implantable lenses!
EVO ICL vs. LASIK: Know Your Vision Solutions

Why Choose EVO ICL Over LASIK or PRK

While LASIK and PRK remain excellent vision correction options, they aren’t right for everyone. For patients with dry eyes, thin corneas, or high levels of nearsightedness, EVO ICL eye surgery offers a highly effective alternative — without reshaping the cornea.

Unlike laser procedures that permanently alter your corneal tissue, EVO ICL surgery adds a corrective lens to your eye, preserving your natural anatomy. This makes it an ideal solution for people who want flexibility, including the ability to remove the lens if vision needs change later in life.

Advanced Technology for Personalized Results

At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, our surgeons use the latest imaging and diagnostic technology to customize every EVO ICL procedure to your unique eyes. We carefully measure your eye’s shape, size, and internal optics to select the ideal ICL lens for your vision goals.

The EVO ICL is made of Collamer, a soft, flexible material that contains collagen and is designed to be compatible with the natural chemistry of your eye. It also includes UV protection, helping to shield your eyes from harmful sun exposure.

FAQs

What Does EVO ICL Recovery Time Look Like?

Patients are often surprised by how smooth the EVO ICL recovery time is. Most people return to regular activities, including work and driving, within a couple of days — and in many cases, vision is dramatically clearer within 24 hours.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Most patients notice immediate improvement in vision 
  • Follow-up visits ensure your eyes are healing properly 
  • Little to no discomfort during recovery 
  • No special maintenance or care routine needed

Because the EVO ICL lens is biocompatible and stays moist inside the eye, it avoids the issues many contact lens wearers face, such as dryness or irritation.

A Proven Solution with High Satisfaction

With over 2 million lenses implanted worldwide and a 99% satisfaction rate, the EVO ICL has a long track record of safety and success. Patients report sharp, vivid vision in both daylight and low-light settings — with none of the night glare or halos that can follow other procedures.

At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, our experienced refractive surgeons are proud to offer this life-changing technology in a setting that feels personal, local, and focused entirely on you.

EVO ICL vs. Contacts: A Permanent Upgrade

Daily contact lenses come with recurring costs, hygiene risks, and long-term irritation for many users. The EVO ICL lens offers a permanent, maintenance-free solution without the hassle of daily lens care or frequent replacements.

Because the EVO ICL is placed inside the eye and stays moist at all times, it eliminates common contact lens frustrations like:

  • Dryness at the end of the day
  • Lenses moving out of place
  • Risk of infection from poor cleaning
  • Visual distortion due to deposits or tears

With EVO ICL eye surgery, you enjoy seamless, uninterrupted vision and you never have to put another lens in again.

Don’t Wait to See Clearly

Every day you delay clear vision is a day of squinting, searching for glasses, or tolerating dry, uncomfortable contacts. EVO ICL offers a permanent solution that’s fast, gentle, and performed right here in Mount Pleasant by one of the most experienced refractive teams in the Southeast.

Find out if EVO ICL is your perfect match. Take the first step toward freedom from glasses and contacts.

Contact us to request your appointment

Our Patients Say It Best

See what former and current patients of Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery have say about our eye doctors and surgeons.

J.Z 2

I would definitely recommend this treatment to anyone with dry eye issues or anyone that wants to look younger without any major procedures.

J.Z

Amanda F. 3

11 years ago Dr. O'Day completed my LASIK eye surgery and I had an amazing experience! The office staff were all very helpful!

Amanda F.

Kristy D. 4

If you are looking for a great team of doctors and staff for your personal eye care needs look no further. I recommend this practice to everyone."

Kristy D.

Linda S. 5

In 2006 I had LASIK surgery in both eyes by Dr. O'Day and had excellent result. I highly recommend the office and Dr. O'Day.

Linda S.

Verified Patient 6

Great staff, extremely good customer service, friendly, and knowledgeable. Dr. O'Day is the best eye doctor I have ever been to in my whole life.

Verified Patient

Angela P. 7

Dr. O'Day is an awesome doctor. He has been a God send to us...he saved my husband's eyesight.

Angela P.

Larry G 8

Dr. O'Day and his staff did surgery my eyes 7 years ago. I would not trust my eyes to anyone else.

Larry G

Kristian E 9

Thank you Dr. O'Day! My LASIK procedure was awesome and amazing!

Kristian E

Frequently Asked Questions

EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a vision correction procedure that does not involve reshaping the cornea like LASIK or PRK. Instead, a soft, biocompatible lens is implanted behind your iris to correct nearsightedness. This approach is ideal for patients with thin corneas, high prescriptions, large pupils, or chronic dry eye who may not qualify for laser procedures. Because the lens is removable, EVO ICL provides added flexibility if your vision needs change later.

Yes, EVO ICL is often a great choice for people who are not eligible for LASIK due to thin corneas, severe nearsightedness, or dry eye symptoms. It also appeals to those looking for a reversible procedure that does not remove any corneal tissue. At Charleston Cornea & Refractive Surgery, our surgeons perform detailed diagnostic testing to determine whether EVO ICL is right for your unique eyes.

No. The EVO ICL is designed to be completely unnoticeable once implanted. It is placed behind the iris and in front of your natural lens where it remains stable and invisible. You will not feel it or see it, and unlike contact lenses, it does not shift, dry out, or require daily care.

EVO ICL has a strong safety record, with over two million lenses implanted worldwide and a 99 percent patient satisfaction rate. Potential risks include temporary increases in eye pressure, inflammation, glare or halos, or rare instances of infection. The procedure is performed by experienced surgeons using advanced imaging and is reversible, meaning the lens can be removed if necessary in the future.

The EVO ICL is intended to provide permanent vision correction and can remain in the eye for decades without degrading. It does not require any ongoing maintenance. One of its most appealing features is that it is removable, which allows for adjustments or other treatments later in life if needed, such as cataract surgery.