Surgery can correct:
- long-sightedness (also called hyperopia)
- short-sightedness (also called myopia)
- astigmatism
- dependence on readers (also called presbyopia correction)
Click here to read more about the above conditions
A variety of techniques are used which are tailored to the individual’s eye status as well as requirements for vision.
Techniques can be done under local or general anaesthetic depending on the complexities.
The types of surgical options in our armamentarium are:
Excimer Laser Eye Surgery
- LASEK – no blade used
- LASIK (we specialise in a no blade technique using a second state of the art femtosecond laser )
- SMILE (an recent advancement in laser eye surgery)
Click here to read more about the above procedures
Lens based Vision Correction Surgery
- Inside the eye contact lens………. click here to read more
- Lens/Cataract surgery
. = Refractive lens exchange – Here the natural lens is exchanged for one that corrects the . refractive errors of the eye. These patients will now never develop cataracts.
. = Refractive cataract surgery – Here the cataract surgery is enhanced by removing the . cataract and replacing it with a lens that corrects the refractive errors of the eye.
- Add on lens (for patients who have previously had cataract surgery-to enhance the effects of previous standard cataract surgery in order to achieve the enhanced outcome of glasses independence )………. click here to read more
Click here to read more about the above procedures
The table below gives a rough guide as to what procedure is likely to be suggested:
| LASER TREATMENTS | LENS TREATMENTS | ||||
| Description | Age | Lasik | Lasek | Phakic lens | Lens Exchange |
| Young | 21 to 40 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Middle age | 40 to 60 | Yes | Yes | ? see note b | Yes |
| Older | >60 | ? see note c | ? See note c | No | Yes |
| Refraction | Lasik | Lasek | Phakic Lens | Lens Exchange | |
| Very High Hyperopia | +8.00 | No | No | Yes <40 | Yes |
| High Hyperopia | +6.00 | ? see note d | ? see note d | ? see note d | Yes |
| Moderate Hyperopia | +4.00 | ? see note d | ? see note d | ? see note d | Yes >40 |
| Low Hyperopia | +2.00 | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes >40 |
| Low Myopia | -2.00 | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes >40 |
| Moderate Myopia | -4.00 | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes >40 |
| Mod-High Myopia | -6.00 | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes >40 |
| High Myopia | -8.00 | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes >40 |
| Very High Myopia | -10.00 | ? see note d | ? see note d | Yes<40 | Yes |
| Extreme Myopia | -12.00 | No | No | Yes<40 | Yes |
Notes –
a) Whilst laser eye surgery can be performed under the age of 21 most surgeons prefer to wait until this age to allow the eyes refractive error to stabilise.
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b) Phakic intra ocular lenses are generally only for patients who are unable to be treated by laser eye surgery; usually because their prescription is too high. The main benefit of a Phakic Intra Ocular Lens is that younger people retain their natural lens which has the ability to change its shape to focus on close objects. In middle age, the lens within your eye begins to lose this flexibility and certainly by the age of 50 it has virtually no ability to alter its shape to focus close to. So for the over 40′s one has to wonder if a Phakic Intra Ocular lens is appropriate. Refractive Lens Exchange, with its long term stability becomes a better option.
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c) Laser eye surgery is suitable for all ages. However, as the eye ages the Crystalline lens within the eye can alter its shape, it can become discoloured, and can eventually develop a cataract. So, the results of Laser Eye Surgery may not be as stable for as long as it would be in the younger eye. Refractive Lens Exchange is certainly worth considering as it will be stable long term, you will not be able to develop a cataract (and will therefore not need cataract surgery in old age), and the discoloured lens is replaced with a clear and crisp lens implant.
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d) High levels of refractive error are more difficult to treat predictably by Laser Eye Surgery. Many factors need to be taken into account including your exact prescription, your age, the thickness of your cornea, and also your visual expectations. Phakic Lens Implant or Refractive Lens Exchange remain as options for patients who are unable to proceed with Laser Eye Surgery.