ICL Lens Implantation
Correction for eyes that laser cannot treat.
Draft scaffold — clinical copy for ICL (implantable collamer lens) implantation is still to come. This page exists so navigation and layout can be reviewed.
Draft placeholder. The ophthalmology team will supply the full description of ICL lens implantation before launch.
4 Techniques
SMILE, Femto-LASIK, PRK, Presbyond
Zeiss
Exclusive technology partner
1 specialist
From examination through recovery
Next day
Typical return to daily activity
The Discipline
You’ve been adapting for a long time.
Maybe the first thing you reach for in the morning is your glasses. Maybe your contact-lens kit travels with you everywhere. Maybe you’ve started holding your phone a little further from your face. None of it feels unusual anymore, which is its own kind of signal.
Most refractive errors don’t improve on their own. Presbyopia doesn’t pause. Each year is another year your eyes work around the problem instead of being corrected. Waiting isn’t neutral.
At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, the first step is simply a full diagnostic assessment, where we understand your eyes and your life before we recommend anything. It takes about an hour, and it commits you to nothing.
What Makes SMILE Different
A considered assessment, then the right procedure for your eyes
Laser vision correction only works well when the technique matches the eyes. That match is what the first examination is for. Not a sales conversation. A careful look at your prescription, corneal shape and thickness, tear film, and the way your vision fits into your life.
The department is led by Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, whose research, teaching and inventions in refractive surgery set the clinical standard the whole team works to.
01
A plan built for your eyes
Each treatment plan is designed around your cornea, prescription and daily life, not around a single default technique.
02
Everything under one roof
Diagnostics, surgery and follow-up in a single location. No referrals, no waiting between facilities.
03
Precision technology
The department works with Zeiss diagnostic and laser systems throughout, currently the benchmark in refractive surgery.
04
Day surgery in a palazzo
Hospital-grade operating rooms inside a restored historic building that feels nothing like a hospital.
Your Path to Clear Vision
Your path to clear vision, step by step.
Step 01
Book your initial examination
Call, email, WhatsApp, or book online. No referral needed.
Step 02
Meet your specialist
A thorough assessment of your eyes, a clear explanation of your options, and a plan that fits your life.
Step 03
Your treatment
Day surgery at Palazzo Manzoni. Most procedures take minutes. You go home the same day.
Step 04
See the world again
The things your vision had quietly taken from you start coming back.
Patient Stories
They were where
you are now
Glasses and contacts have been part of your life for years. Or reading has started to slip and you want a solution that doesn’t involve lens surgery. Laser vision correction can change both.
Real experiences from patients who took the step
I wore glasses for 18 years. I didn’t realize how much I’d been adapting until the morning after my procedure, when I opened my eyes and could see the ceiling clearly for the first time.
I came in expecting to just fix my cataract. My specialist explained the option of a multifocal lens, and now I see better than I did at 50. I haven’t touched my reading glasses since.
Two clinics told me laser wasn’t possible because of my prescription. At Palazzo Manzoni they offered ICL, and now I see perfectly. I wish I’d known about this option sooner.
Who Leads the Department
Dr. Andrea Russo
Ophthalmologist. Founder of Palazzo Manzoni. Specialist in laser refractive surgery, ICL and cataract surgery.
International surgical training
including Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
Academic research and teaching
research fellow at the University of Brescia, 1,200+ peer-reviewed citations
Professional societies
fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery (FWCRS), member of the American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (AECOS) and the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
Inventor
creator of D-Eye, a smartphone-based retinal imaging device used in clinical practice worldwide
15,000+
procedures performed
“Every pair of eyes tells a different story. Our role is to understand yours fully, explore every option that could improve your vision, and guide you with confidence toward the one that fits your life best.”
Options
If laser isn’t right, that’s not the end of the story
Some corneas are too thin. Some prescriptions are too high. Some eyes are past the window where laser is the best tool.
Being told “no” to laser, whether somewhere else or here, isn’t the end of your vision story. It usually means a different path fits your eyes better.
→Premium and multifocal lenses
For later-stage presbyopia or when the natural lens is beginning to cloud.
→Femto-LASIK
Flap-based laser correction across the full distance-vision range — usually a faster initial recovery than PRK.
→Presbyond
For early-to-moderate presbyopia where laser still has a place — blends distance and near vision across both eyes.
Your assessment will clarify which path is right.
Common Questions
Common questions
about ophthalmology
What vision problems can be treated at Palazzo Manzoni?
The ophthalmology department treats the full range of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia) and cataracts. Treatments include laser refractive surgery (SMILE, Femto-LASIK, PRK, Presbyond), ICL phakic lens implantation for high or unusual prescriptions, and cataract surgery with standard or premium multifocal lenses.
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
That is exactly what your first eye examination is for. It assesses your prescription, corneal shape and thickness, lens clarity, and overall eye health, then places those findings in the context of your age, lifestyle, and visual goals. You leave with a clear explanation of your options and an honest recommendation, not a sales pitch.
Am I a candidate for laser vision correction?
Most patients between 20 and 45 with stable myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism are good candidates. The pre-operative examination looks at corneal thickness, prescription stability, and eye health to confirm suitability. If laser is not ideal for you, ICL lens implantation is often an excellent alternative.
What if another clinic told me surgery isn’t an option for me?
It is worth a second opinion. High prescriptions, thin corneas, or unusual anatomies often rule out standard laser surgery, but do not rule out vision correction. Patients in this situation are frequently successful candidates for ICL, a phakic intraocular lens implanted without removing corneal tissue.
What is the difference between standard and premium lenses for cataract surgery?
A standard intraocular lens restores clear distance vision after cataract removal, but you will still need reading glasses for close-up tasks. A premium multifocal lens corrects distance, intermediate, and near vision in the same surgery, reducing or eliminating dependence on glasses. The right choice depends on your lifestyle.
What happens during my first eye examination?
Your first visit lasts about an hour. It includes a detailed diagnostic examination with advanced imaging, a discussion of your vision goals and daily life, and a personalized explanation of the treatment options available to you. There is no pressure to decide anything during the visit. You leave with the information you need to make a calm, informed choice on your own timeline.
Is the procedure painful, and how long does recovery take?
Procedures are performed under local anaesthetic eye drops, so you feel no pain, only light pressure. Most laser patients see improvement within hours and return to normal activities within one to two days. Cataract patients typically see clearly by the next day. Full visual stabilization can take a few weeks depending on the procedure.
How much does treatment cost?
Costs depend on the procedure and, for cataract surgery, on the type of lens chosen. After your initial examination, once the appropriate treatment has been identified, you receive a detailed, transparent cost estimate with no hidden fees.
Where is Palazzo Manzoni located, and do I need a referral?
Istituto Chirurgico Palazzo Manzoni is at Via dei Mille 14 in central Brescia, easily reached by car or public transport from anywhere in Lombardy, including Milan (about one hour away). No referral is required. You can book directly by phone, email, or online form.
Who leads the ophthalmology department?
The ophthalmology department is led by Dr. Andrea Russo, MD, PhD, ophthalmologist, researcher, and founder of Palazzo Manzoni. Dr. Russo specializes in laser refractive surgery, ICL lens implantation, and cataract surgery with premium IOLs, and collaborates with the University of Brescia. His research on refractive surgery and ocular imaging is internationally cited.
Take the Next Step
Your next step starts
with a conversation
At Palazzo Manzoni in Brescia, every consultation is personal, unhurried, and designed to give you clarity about your next step.
Address
Via dei Mille 14, 25122 Brescia, Italia
Phone
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30-18:30 · Sat 9:00-13:00
01
Get in touch
Call, email, WhatsApp, or book online.
02
Meet your specialist
A personal consultation to understand your situation.
03
Your plan, your pace
Together you decide the best path forward.
Scientific research
Dr. Andrea Russo is first author of a 561-eye study on artificial-intelligence prediction of ICL lens vault, published in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (2023). The team’s full list of publications is available on PubMed.
Content reviewed by Dr. Andrea Russo and Dr. Pierdavide Perrini, refractive surgeons at the Institute.