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Where will my surgery be performed?
Surgery is performed on an Outpatient basis at the Hospital Operating Room. We have dedicated Operating rooms specially equipped for eye surgery.

Must someone accompany me on the day or surgery?
Yes, many patients receive mild sedation. We request someone else drive the day of surgery.

How long will I be at the hospital?
Expect to be at the hospital approximately 3 hours.

May I eat before surgery?
Yes. If you are scheduled for local or topical anaesthesia, we request that you eat a normal breakfast and take your usual medications including insulin.

May I wear makeup?
No. Please leave off makeup on the day of surgery.

Will I feel anything during surgery?
Our doctors use special anaesthetic solutions that numb the eye. Most patients only feel gentle pressure.

May I have medication for my nerves?
We normally give a mild sedative during surgery to make the experience as comfortable as possible.

I know I need surgery on both eyes. When may I have my second eye done?
If surgery is recommended on both eyes, you may have them a week apart.

What will I be able to see right after the operation?
Most patients’ vision is quite blurred after the surgery from the dilating drops and the bright microscope lights.

When do I return for my first check-up?
Normally the day after surgery. Before leaving the hospital, you will be given an appointment to be examined at our office the next day.

How long will my implant last?
Your cataract was removed by ultrasound, not laser. In a process called phacoemulsification, sound waves gently break up the cataract and it is removed from the eye. However, lasers are presently developed to remove cataracts.

Do I wear my old glasses after surgery?
Wearing your old glasses will not harm your eyes, but since the prescription won’t be optimal for your surgery eye, you will probably see best without them. Most patients find it easiest to only wear glasses for reading.

Will I have to wear glasses after surgery?
Cataract surgery is performed to remove the cataract which is clouding the vision, not to eliminate eyeglasses. While many patients are able to enjoy remarkably clear vision without glasses after surgery, the results are not predictable for an individual patient. For patients who strongly desire to see without glasses, either distance or near, additional refractive surgery may be required.

I see great at a distance, but why can’t I read without glasses?
Your implant is a single-focus lens. If your lens was chosen for distance vision, you will need reading glasses for close range work. Some patients elect to have one eye focused for close vision so they can read without glasses. However, this may compromise distance vision. Patients who require precise distance vision do best with both eyes focused for distance and reading glasses for near.

Is it safe to resume activities I enjoy such as golf and reading?
We encourage you to resume normal activities as soon as you wish. Routine activities such as bending and lifting will not harm your surgery.

How soon may I resume driving after surgery?
Most cataract surgery patients enjoy a significant improvement in their vision within the first 24 hours. You may drive when you feel comfortable.

Why does it feel like there is something in my eye after the surgery?
You’ve had a microscopic incision on the surface of your eye. When you blink, you may feel a slightly scratchy sensation until the incision heals. Scratchiness is also a symptom of dry eyes. After surgery, our patients find that using artificial tears helps to alleviate the symptoms.

Can my eye reject the lens implant?
No, since the intraocular lens is not human tissue, your body cannot reject it.

For more information on cataracts and its treatment, click here: What are cataracts and how can they be treated?

What is it?
It is the use of carefully controlled amounts of ultra-violet light applied for a fixed amount of time (30 minutes) using yellow riboflavin dye (vitamin B2 commonly used in food) to protect the deeper parts of the eye, which stiffens the cornea (front window of the eye). Riboflavin also enhances the effect of the UV light.

How does it work?
By binding together the fibres of the cornea which is a process that occurs naturally with time and exposure to the sun. This stiffens the cornea and stops it sagging and in about half of the cases it partially reverses the sagging, so improving the vision.

How safe is it?
Very. There are no cuts in the body of the cornea. To quote Theo Seiler, who is one of the developers: “If it was my son who had Keratoconus I would treat hinm tomorrow.” It is much safer than a corneal graft which has been very successful in the past, and even than a gas permeable contact lens, as there is no chance of rejection (grafts tend to last 10-15 years), minimal chance of infection and minimal chance of significant scarring. The ultra-violet exposure is less than from a day walking in the Welsh mountains. The transplant carries risks such as infection, rejection and astigmatism. Crosslinking avoids the removal of any corneal structural tissue (only the surface epithelial cells are removed and there grow back within 2 days).

What is it use d for?
Keratoconus, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, Laser Eye Surgery (PRK, LASIK or LASEK), post surgical ectasia and regression, Conductive Keratoplasty regression (used to treat the need for reading glasses), corneal infection (ultra-violet light kills bacteria) and other rarer conditions. It may also be used to stiffen corneas before corneal transplant surgery so making the surgery easier, and it has been suggested that it could be used as a safety treatment before LASIK, so that corneal ectasia (bulging) does not occur afterwards and to correct RK patients who have gone long sighted.

How is it done?
Drops are applied to shrink the pupil to reduce light reaching the back of the eye, followed by drops to freeze the eye, surface cells are rubbed off the eye with a blunt instrument (so that it is not cut), although some leave the cells in place to reduce pain. A spring ekeps the lid open so that the riboflavin dye can be applied for 30 minutes with saline to keep the eye wet in between. The eye is checked to see that the dye has soaked in. The ultra-violet is applied for 30 minutes with riboflavin drops still being applied every few minutes, a bandage contact lens and bandage is applied overnight to reduce discomfort, and drops are used for one week afterwards to reduce the risk of infection. It is important that the patient looks at the violet light to keep the effect central, but some movement is inevitable and not a problem. For the 30 minutes of UV light application the doctor must keep the light ring in focus. If it is too close, the doctor will see 7 spots of light with the IROC system and if its too far away the circle edge becomes blurred.

What are the possible complications and side effects?
Pain in the first 1-2 days, sensitivity to light for several days, haze causing blurring (some describe it as making the vision a bit milky) for up to a few weeks, which may require drops. The temperature rise of the cornea is significantly less than required to cause thermal damage to the collagen protein which makes up the cornea. Occasionally people have felt pain very briefly some weeks later – a bit like with a contact lens.

Can I wear contact lenses after treatment if I need?
Yes, that is one of the main aims. Rigid gas permeable lenses are good for vision in Keratoconus, but can cause central scarring in some cases. By making a cornea more regular, a simpler contact lens can be used; for example a soft toric one. This can be worn a week or so after surgery, but is best to delay for a few weeks as it may possibly affect healing. As the results are slow and vary a lot in the first few weeks, people may find that they can wear their old lenses at least for a while.

Can both eyes be done at the same time?
Yes, but the blurring makes this impractical. It can be done if the surface cells (epithelium) are not removed. It is normally done at least 1 week apart in the two eyes.

What is it?
Implantable contact lenses (ICL) are often used to correct vision in patients unsuitable for LASIK (thin corneas, high nearsightedness, etc). They are designed to correct visual problems much the same way as an external contact lens. Unlike external contact lenses, Implantable Contact lenses are placed inside the eye behind the iris (coloured part of the eye) and in front of the eye’s natural lens. Unlike LASIK, the ICL is a reversible procedure.

How do ICL’s work?
The Implantable Contact lens is a very thin, foldable lens, which is inserted into the eye through a tiny sutureless corneal incision during a 30 minute local anaesthetic procedure. Each ICL is specially designed and custom made (in Switzerland) to fit the patient’s own unique anatomy. It lies behind the iris and in front of the lens, without touching the central lens. The ICL is reversible and can correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism.

Who should consider ICL’s?
Implantable Contact lenses are best suited for patients with high nearsightedness or high farsightedness with problems wearing contact lenses. More specific guidelines of ICL eligibility could include:

• Nearsightedness more than -8.0D and up to -20.0D (especially if thin corneas would raise the risk of LASIK induced problems)
• Farsightedness more than +4.0D and up to +18.0D
• Corneas too thin to have safe LASIK
• Older than 21 years, a stable refraction for more than 2 years and not pregnant.


What problems have been encountered with ICL’s?
No procedure can be risk free. Ultimately, the patient needs to make up his/her mind about the risk/benefit balance for the various options available to them to correct their high myopia or high hyperopia. Some patients need surgical correction of their severe focus error for safety reasons. Theoretically, the proximity of the ICL to the iris and lens raises the possibility of late onset lens opacities or pigment dispersion. Both these rare but potential problems (occurred in 0.4% of patients) are much more easily fixed than corneal complications following LASIK surgery. Current evidence supports ICLs as being a very effective and safe option for these patients.

Are there any physical limitations to the patient following the ICL procedure?
There are no long term physical limitations after Implantable Contact lens procedure. That is, you should be able to have a complete return to normal activity very soon after the ICL implantation.

Is the ICL a permanent implant?
The ICL is designed to be placed in your eye and remain there permanently.

Can both eyes be implanted with an ICL at once?
For safety, only one is operated on at a time. Once the first eye has fully settled (2-4 weeks) then the second eye receives its ICL.

Does receiving an ICL mean I will always be completely free of spectacles?
Implantable Contact lenses are designed to provide as close to normal vision as possible. People with normal distance vision benefit from wearing reading glasses for near work at some stage in their 40’s. ICL patients experience this aging change just the same as normal people.

What is done at a consultation?
A complete eye examination and specialized computer measurement of the shape of your cornea is performed. The ophthalmologist reviews this information in light of your visual needs for work and leisure, and provides you with options and recommendations for refractive surgery. In order for your cornea to return to its natural shape by the time of this examination, you must leave your soft contact lenses out for 2 weeks, and gas permeable (hard) lenses out for 4 weeks prior to your consultation.

How long does the procedure take?
About ten minutes per eye.

Does it hurt?
No. Anaesthetic drops usually allow the operation to be performed without pain. Afterwards, the eye is a bit scratchy, but patients typically do not require any pain medications and are often able to return to work the day following the procedure.

What are the restrictions following surgery?
You must wear a protective shield to bed for the first week. You should not swim for one week after surgery, although bathing and showering is fine. No eye makeup should be applied for 7 days. All other activities – including exercise - may be resumed on the next day following surgery.

When can I go back to work?
The day after the procedure, as your vision permits.

Can the procedure be performed on both eyes at once?
Yes. Many patients choose this option, as it is far more convenient.

How long is follow-up needed?
Follow up checks are required at day one, 1 week, 1,3,6 & 12 months, or as your doctor recommends. These examinations are included in the charge for the procedure.

What are my chances of not wearing glasses after the procedure?
This will depend on a number or factors, including your refractive error, your visual needs, and even your personality. It is important to understand that LASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses as one grows older.

What is the percentage of patients that need enhancements?
Based on our experience, you have about a 8% chance of needing an enhancement. This varies to a 25-30% enhancement rate with RK. The likelihood of needing an enhancement is sometimes dependent on the degree of refractive error. More highly myopic eyes are more likely to need an enhancement.

What side effects are typical?
Your vision will fluctuate during the few days following the surgery. You may notice some glare around lights at night. You will notice a dryness to the eyes also. Rarely a patient may have persistence of one or more of these effects. These effects are usually worse during the first two weeks after surgery and then slowly disappear.

Are the effects of LASIK permanent?
Yes, unlike other refractive procedures, the effect is permanent.

For more information on LASIK, click here: What is Lasik and how can it be treated?

How is NearVision CK performed?
Nearvision CK uses radio waves, instead of a laser or scalpel, to reshape the cornea and bring near vision back into focus. With a small probe, thinner than a strand of human hair, radio waves is released in a circular pattern on the outer cornea to shrink small areas of collagen. This circular shrinkage pattern creates a constrictive band (lie the tightening of a belt), increasing the overall curvature of the cornea. The procedure, which takes less than 3 minutes, is done in-office with only topical anaesthesia (eye drops)

Will my vision improve immediately after the NearVision CK procedure?
Patients usually notice an immediate improvement in their vision afther the NearVision CK procedure. However, it usually takes several weeks or moths for the eyes to adjust to the final level of treatment.

Will my vision fluctuate after NearVision CK is performed?
Most patients will experience mild fluctuation in their vision after the procedure. Any fluctuation will usually subside within a few weeks. Patients who have a procedure to steepen the cornea, usually require a longer stabilzation period than those who receive a treatment that flattens the cornea.

What will I feel during the NearVision CK procedure?
The NearVision CK procedure is considered painless. You will be aware of a support (speculum), which helps to hold your eye open. The most common sensation is a feeling of pressure on the eye. After the procedure, there may be some mild discomfort, and many patients experience a foreign-object sensation or “scratchiness” in the eye. This usually subsides within 24-72 hours of the procedure.

What are the risks and side effects of NearVision CK?
Because NearVision CK is minimally invasive, the procedure has exhibited very minimal risk and almost no side effects. During the first 24 to 48 hours after NearVision CK, you may experience tearing and some discomfort, including a foreign-object sensation in the eyes. You may also experience initial slight over-correction of your vision, which stabilizes during the following weeks.

Are there restrictions after having NearVision CK?
As with any vision treatment procedure where the cornea is altered, certain precautions should be taken. Patients should avoid getting contaminated water in their eyes for at least one week. This includes water from swimming pools, spas, lakes and the ocean. When showering or taking baths, patients should keep their eyes closed in order to avoid getting soap and dirty water into their eyes. When exercising, sweat should be kept out of the eyes for at least a week after the procedure. Also patient should rubbing their eyes vigorously for two weeks following the procedure. Females should avoid applying makeup for one week after the procedure .

Am I guaranteed 20/20 vision following NearVision CK?
No. And no doctor can absolutely guarantee a certain result from any vision treatment procedure. However, nearly 87% of patients had 20/20 vision while looking at objects in the distance and were able to read phonebook-size pring after having NearVision CK.

Will I ever need glassed or contacts again?
The vast majority of patients do not need corrective lenses for most tasks after the NearVision CK procedure. However, depending on your age and the type of refractive disorder you have, you may need additional vision treatment at some point (surgery, reading glasses or bifocals). This is because your eyes continue to change as you age.

Who is NearVision CK right for?
You are a good candidate for NearVision CK if you are over the age of 45, had great vision your whole life and now require reading glasses to compensate for fading near vision.

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How can the eyes of diabetic patients be treated?
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How can dry eyes be treated?
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What kind of eye care is available for children?
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How is eye injuries treated?
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What is glaucoma and how can it be treated?
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How to have healthy eyes
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How can I take the best care of my eyes?
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What is Lasik and how can it be treated?
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How to treat patients with learning disabilities
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Understanding the modern technology in eye care
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A patient guide to eye care
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What is presbiopia and how is it treated?
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What is refractive surgery and how is it treated?
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What is retinal detachments and how is it treated?
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How to care for your eyes during active sport
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Which sunglasses should I wear?
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