Dr Scott Barnes (CEO Staar Surgical) presenting an award for "Outstanding Contribution to ICL" to Dr Alison Chiu

At Pure Sight Eye Surgeons, we’re excited to share industry-shaping news that could change the future of vision correction for patients worldwide.

Alcon, the world’s largest eye care device company, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, has decades of expertise in surgical and vision care technologies. From cutting-edge cataract surgery equipment to advanced intraocular lenses, Alcon has been at the forefront of innovation in ophthalmology—trusted by eye surgeons and patients alike.

In a landmark deal, Alcon has agreed to acquire Staar Surgical for approximately US $1.5 billion, bringing the renowned EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) technology into its portfolio.

What This Means for You

For decades, LASIK surgery and ICL surgery have been positioned as distinct—and sometimes competing—solutions:

• LASIK reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser to correct vision.
• ICL involves a reversible procedure in which a specialised lens is placed behind the iris (the coloured part of the eye) to correct refractive errors such as myopia (short-sightedness) and astigmatism.

With both technologies now under Alcon’s umbrella, patients can expect:

• Broader access to the full spectrum of surgical vision correction options
• Faster innovation thanks to combined research and development
• More integrated care focused on the most suitable solution for each patient

As Alcon stated, this acquisition "enhances our ability to offer a leading surgical vision correction solution for those who are not ideal candidates for other refractive surgeries, such as LASIK."

Why Surgeon Experience Is Critical

While technology matters, the experience of your surgeon is one of the most important factors in achieving excellent results from either LASIK or ICL surgery.

At Pure Sight Eye Surgeons, Dr Alison Chiu brings extensive experience in LASIK, SMILE Pro, PRK, ICL implantation, and advanced lens-based vision correction for cataract and refractive lens exchange patients.

ICL surgery is technically more challenging than LASIK and performed by fewer surgeons, particularly at high volumes. That’s why choosing a surgeon with deep expertise across all forms of vision correction—laser-based and lens-based—is essential.

Now that LASIK and ICL technology belong to the same Alcon family, the real question for patients is no longer “Which procedure is better?” but rather "Which procedure is best for my eyes, and is my surgeon equally skilled in all of them?"

All surgical procedures, including laser vision correction (LASIK, SMILE Pro, PRK) and implantation of Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICLs), carry inherent risks, and individual outcomes can vary. This information is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace personalised advice from a qualified ophthalmic surgeon. A comprehensive eye examination is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment for your individual needs.