EVO ICL Vision Correction: Dr. Drew Dickson Explains the Implantable Collamer Lens in Omaha, Nebraska on KETV
Published by on January 30, 2026
If you’re curious about vision correction beyond glasses, contacts, and even LASIK, you may have heard about EVO ICL — short for Implantable Collamer Lens. In a recent Very Local Business Spotlight interview on KETV, Dr. Drew Dickson of Kugler Vision offered insights on what EVO ICL is, how it works, and who might be a good candidate for the procedure.
What Is EVO ICL?
The EVO ICL is a biocompatible implantable lens that is placed inside the eye to correct vision. Think of it like an internal contact lens: instead of resting on the surface of the eye like a traditional contact, the ICL is positioned behind the iris and in front of your eye’s natural lens. This allows light to focus more accurately on the retina, improving clarity and reducing reliance on glasses or contacts.
How EVO ICL Differs from LASIK
During the interview, Dr. Dickson explained a key difference between EVO ICL and LASIK: LASIK reshapes the corneal surface using lasers, while EVO ICL doesn’t require any modification of the cornea at all. For people with higher prescriptions or corneas that aren’t suitable for laser surgery, the EVO ICL offers an alternative that works with the eye’s natural anatomy.
What Dr. Dickson Says About Recovery
In the interview, Dr. Dickson shared insights based on real patient experience. He noted that many patients experience significant vision improvement very quickly after EVO ICL surgery. According to Dr. Dickson, some people see near-normal vision as soon as the day after the procedure — illustrating how quickly many individuals notice the benefits of the implant. While every eye is different and individual results vary based on health and unique visual needs, this early clarity is a commonly reported experience in clinical practice.
Who Is a Good Candidate for EVO ICL?
Dr. Dickson highlighted that EVO ICL is typically considered for adults between roughly 21 and 45 years old with moderate to high nearsightedness, and it can also correct astigmatism when indicated. To determine whether someone is a good candidate, a comprehensive eye evaluation is necessary. Testing at Kugler Vision (the EyeAnalysis exam) includes detailed measurements to assess your eyes’ anatomy and your visual goals.
This matches broader clinical guidance that EVO ICL is often recommended for patients outside the traditional LASIK range, including those with thin corneas, higher prescriptions, or dry eye concerns that make laser reshaping less ideal.
Why Consider EVO ICL
The EVO ICL has become an increasingly popular option for vision correction because:
- It preserves the cornea by avoiding tissue removal.
- It offers excellent visual quality for nearsightedness and astigmatism.
- The lens is biocompatible and stable once implanted.
- Many patients report high satisfaction with their vision outcomes.
At Kugler Vision in Omaha, the focus is on personalized care — meaning the team evaluates whether EVO ICL, LASIK, or another option is the best fit for your eye structure, lifestyle, and long-term vision goals.
KETV Very Local Business Spotlight Interview Transcript
Lauren Taylor: Get ready for another very local business spotlight. Today we’re at Kugler Vision talking to Dr. Dickson about EVO ICL.
Taylor: Dr. Dickson, can you tell me what is EVO ICL?
Dr. Dickson: The EVO ICL is a small biocompatible lens that we can use to help fix people’s vision by putting it in the eye. You can kind of think of it as being like an implantable contact lens that we can use to help people see better.
Taylor: How is it different from LASIK?
Dickson: LASIK involves using a couple of different lasers to actually reshape the surface of the eye called the cornea. The ICL, we don’t have to actually reshape the cornea. We’re leaving the natural eye shape intact while still being able to fix people’s vision by inserting a little lens in people’s eyes.
Taylor: And what’s the recovery time on a procedure like this?
Dickson: It’s extremely fast. Most patients are seeing very well the next day. My wife actually had this done and was seeing 20-20 the next day, which is typically right around where we see people’s vision the next day after this procedure.
Taylor: And who’s a big candidate for a procedure like this?
Dickson: The EVO ICL is indicated for people ages 21 to 45 who have moderate to high levels of nearsightedness. We can also fix astigmatism with the ICL. We don’t fully know if someone is a great candidate until they come in and have all the testing. But if you’re checking those boxes, there’s a good chance you’re a good candidate for this.
Taylor: Dr. Dickson, thank you so much for your time today.
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