Leading Ophthalmologists in Phakic ICL Surgery in 2026

What Is Phakic ICL?

As the prevalence of myopia and astigmatism continues to rise—especially among young people and those engaged in intensive intellectual work—the demand for a refractive error treatment that is safe, sustainable, and preserves the natural structure of the eye has become more urgent than ever. Phakic ICL is an intraocular lens implantation technique that does not involve corneal ablation and is regarded as one of the most significant advances in modern ophthalmology.

By 2026, when Phakic ICL is no longer considered a new technique but has become a standard of care for high myopia and thin corneas, the role of pioneering and leading ophthalmologists becomes increasingly prominent.

What is Phakic ICL? Why is it considered a revolution in refractive error treatment?

Phakic ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) is a surgical method for correcting refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism by implanting an ultra-thin biocompatible lens inside the eye, positioned between the iris and the natural crystalline lens. This procedure does not require corneal ablation and does not replace the eye’s natural lens.

The core value of Phakic ICL lies in the Collamer lens—an exclusive biocompatible material that combines natural collagen, offering excellent compatibility with ocular tissues, minimizing inflammatory responses, and providing a highly natural visual experience.

Compared with laser-based refractive surgeries, Phakic ICL offers several outstanding advantages:

• A wide treatment range, correcting up to 18 diopters of myopia, 10 diopters of hyperopia, and 6 diopters of astigmatism
• Preservation of corneal structure, making it especially suitable for thin corneas
• No postoperative dry eye
• Built-in UV protection for the eyes
• Custom-designed lenses tailored to each individual eye, ensuring maximum accuracy

For these reasons, Phakic ICL is increasingly becoming the preferred option for patients who are not suitable candidates for LASIK or SMILE, or who seek a long-term, stable visual solution.

Dr. Bui Tien Hung

Dr. Bui Tien Hung with the leading Phakic ICL surgery award in Southeast Asia

On the afternoon of June 5, at the event “The Journey of Success with 5,000 Phakic ICL Cases,” Dr. Bui Tien Hung, a member of the Vietnam Ophthalmological Society, shared a remarkable milestone in his career: his upcoming receipt of the STAAR Surgical Award 5,000 in September in Barcelona, Spain. This prestigious award honors the world’s most outstanding Phakic ICL surgeons and surgical centers.

Few people know that this journey began in 2006, when Dr. Hung first encountered the concept of treating myopia without corneal ablation—a direction that was still very new at the time. It took him eight years to complete his first 100 Phakic cases, amid limitations in both technology and practical experience.

A major turning point came in 2014, when Dr. Hung was invited to attend an international conference of senior Phakic surgeons in Barcelona. There, he directly learned about the ICL biocompatible lens—an intraocular lens considered among the safest, with no risk of cataract formation, glaucoma, or corneal damage. Recognizing its outstanding potential, Dr. Hung decided to introduce this technique to Vietnam, allowing patients to receive treatment domestically rather than traveling abroad.

Just two years later, he reached the milestone of 500 Phakic ICL cases and received the Award 500 in Malmö, Sweden, in 2016. Subsequent milestones were marked in Lisbon (1,000 cases), France (2,000 cases), Milan (3,000 cases), and on March 12, when Dr. Hung officially completed his 5,000th Phakic ICL surgery.

Today, Dr. Bui Tien Hung is recognized as the surgeon who has performed the highest number of Phakic ICL procedures in Southeast Asia and Australia, at a time when more than three million Phakic ICL surgeries have been recorded worldwide. This achievement is not merely a number, but a testament to his unwavering commitment to a safe and sustainable technique for patients.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hai Yen

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hai Yen pioneering the introduction of advanced techniques such as Phakic ICL in Vietnam

If Dr. Bui Tien Hung has made a strong mark through volume and Phakic ICL standards, then Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hai Yen is the one who laid the academic foundation for modern refractive treatment in Vietnam.

With more than 30 years of experience, having served as Head of the Refractive Department and Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital, she is one of the pioneering physicians who introduced numerous advanced techniques to Vietnam, including Phakic ICL, Wavefront-guided LASIK, FemtoLASIK, and SMILE.

Beyond performing tens of thousands of refractive surgeries herself, Assoc. Prof. Hai Yen has also trained multiple generations of refractive surgeons nationwide, contributing to the standardization of safe treatment protocols and clinical thinking.

In 2015, driven by the desire to build a comprehensive eye care model that prioritizes quality and patient safety, she founded Hai Yen Eye Care. Under her leadership, the center has become a trusted destination for Phakic ICL, SMILE, FemtoLASIK, PHACO surgeries, and the treatment of complex eye diseases.

MSc, MD Nguyen Phu Tung

With over 26 years of experience, MSc, MD Nguyen Phu Tung has performed more than 560 PHAKIC cases

Representing the next generation of ophthalmologists, MSc, MD Nguyen Phu Tung has made a strong impact through both scientific research and clinical practice in Phakic ICL. With more than 26 years of experience, Dr. Tung has performed over 560 PHAKIC procedures, including many complex cases with myopia up to 20 diopters combined with significant astigmatism.

In September 2025, Dr. Tung was honored with the First Prize for Scientific Presentation at the Scientific and Technical Conference, for his study evaluating one-year outcomes after Phakic ICL and IPCL surgery. The research confirmed the safety, accuracy, and comparable effectiveness of PHAKIC lenses, particularly for patients who are not suitable candidates for laser refractive surgery.

Being awarded the title “PHAKIC Myopia Correction Expert” by STAAR Surgical and holding international certification in this technique highlights Dr. Tung’s increasingly important role in advancing Phakic ICL through evidence-based practice and long-term follow-up.

Phakic ICL in 2026

As technology continues to converge, the surgeon’s skill, experience, and treatment philosophy become the decisive factors in the success of Phakic ICL. Physicians such as Bui Tien Hung, Tran Hai Yen, and Nguyen Phu Tung represent not only advanced techniques, but also standards of safety, ethics, and long-term vision in ophthalmology.

In 2026, Phakic ICL is not merely a treatment method, but a journey of personalized vision care – one in which patients place their full trust in ophthalmologists who stand at the forefront of expertise and dedication.