A 23rd Birthday Gift: Phakic ICL Vision Correction

Turning 23 is often associated with important milestones: graduating, starting a career, and expanding one’s life experiences. For Gia Khánh, this year’s birthday became even more special when he gifted himself a truly life-changing present — clear vision without dependence on glasses, thanks to his decision to correct both myopia and astigmatism with Phakic ICL on his birthday, November 13.

When glasses become an “invisible barrier”

A 23rd birthday gift marked by the decision to correct vision with Phakic ICL

After many years living with severe myopia and astigmatism, Gia Khánh had grown accustomed to glasses being present in every daily activity. Beyond inconvenience, glasses limited intense physical movement, sports, travel, and even very ordinary moments such as jogging, swimming, or simply waking up and… seeing clearly right away.

Before surgery, Khánh’s visual condition belonged to the high myopia–astigmatism group:

• Right eye: Myopia −9.25 diopters – Astigmatism −2.0 diopters
• Left eye: Myopia −11.5 diopters – Astigmatism −1.5 diopters

At this level, not every vision correction method is suitable. Corneal laser techniques are often limited in cases of thin corneas or very high refractive errors. After a thorough examination and detailed consultation, Phakic ICL emerged as the optimal choice.

Phakic ICL

Phakic ICL is a procedure that involves implanting a specialized intraocular lens behind the iris and in front of the natural crystalline lens. The greatest distinguishing feature of Phakic ICL is that it does not damage the cornea, helping preserve the eye’s natural structure — an especially important factor for patients with high myopia, astigmatism, or thin corneas.

Beyond its ability to correct very high degrees of myopia, Phakic ICL also offers:

• Sharp, stable visual quality
• A natural visual experience with minimal halos or glare
• Fast recovery and an early return to normal daily activities
• Suitability for young, active individuals who enjoy sports

The surgery and a mark of professional expertise

Gia Khánh’s Phakic ICL surgery was directly performed by Dr. Trần Văn Kết

Gia Khánh’s surgery was directly performed by Dr. Trần Văn Kết, Director of Saigon Eye Hospital Can Tho. With extensive experience in complex Phakic ICL cases, the doctor and surgical team developed a personalized treatment plan, ensuring maximum precision and safety for each eye.

The procedure itself was quick and gentle. Immediately after surgery, Gia Khánh noticed a clear difference: brighter images, sharper details, and no longer the feeling of being “dependent” on glasses.

A birthday gift with lasting value

What makes Gia Khánh’s decision truly special lies not only in the visual outcome, but also in its emotional value. Instead of a party or a material gift, he chose to invest in his visual health — something that will accompany him through his studies, career, and long journeys ahead.

After the surgery, Khánh is now able to:

• Move freely and enjoy his favorite sports
• Feel more confident in daily life and communication
• Start each day with clear vision, without searching for glasses

Gia Khánh’s story is a clear testament that vision correction is not just about changing eyesight, but about transforming quality of life. With advances in modern ophthalmology, people with severe myopia and astigmatism now have safer and more effective options, instead of resigning themselves to a lifetime of glasses.

His 23rd birthday closed with a bold decision, yet opened a new chapter — one in which the eyes are restored as close as possible to their most “natural” state. And perhaps, that is the most meaningful gift Gia Khánh could ever give himself.