If you require laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, talk to Pacific Eye Clinic today. Our clinic is equipped with up-to-date equipment to handle a whole range of refractive procedures. Based in Southport, we offer LASIK, Advanced PRK, ICL and general lens surgery. The results of many forms of refractive procedures are often felt almost immediately, with little to not post-operative pain. Visit www.lasersight.com.au for more information.
He was the first surgeon in Queensland to be accredited for laser cataract surgery—and has since continued to expand his knowledge and experience in the field. This includes pioneering the use of toric and multifocal lenses for cataract surgery.
Can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, certain kinds of cataracts, and a whole host of other vision problems. In most cases, they are very low risk and offer positive results almost immediately.
The team at Pacific Eye Clinic will assess your vision, diagnose the issue and provide a range of solutions tailored to your needs.
LASIK is the most popular form of laser eye treatment, using state-of-the-art technology that is NASA-approved. It is capable of producing excellent results with a fast recovery time, with patients normally able to drive from the day after surgery. LASIK involves 2 lasers; a Femtosecond laser to create a thin flap of corneal tissue and an excimer laser to safely remove tissue underneath the flap. The amount of tissue removed depends on how large your prescription is.
For a detailed description of LASIK eye surgery, head over to the article ‘LASIK Eye Surgery: Everything You Need To Know’ for a comprehensive guide.
Trans-epithelial photorefractive keratectomy (aka PRK or ASLA) uses an Excimer later to gently reshape the surface of the cornea. The difference between PRK and LASIK is that PRK involves removing the top layer of the cornea, the epithelium, prior to performing the reshaping laser treatment. By removing the epithelium instead of creating a flap you are altering less corneal tissue to treat the same prescription. For this reason PRK can be the preferred option if you have a thinner than average cornea.
During the procedure, Dr Wei will place anaesthetic eye drops in your eyes so there will be no discomfort on your part. This is followed by the excimer laser reshaping. A protective contact lens is placed on your eye for 4-5 days afterwards to allow your corneal epithelium to heal normally. Due to the longer healing process your vision may take longer to become clear compared to other laser eye procedures.
SMILE stands for Small Incision Lenticule Extraction and is an innovative keyhole laser eye surgery technique aimed at correcting vision for short-sighted patients. Because the procedure is performed through a keyhole, the physical healing is much faster than with LASIK or PRK. If you want to play contact sports in the first month after surgery then SMILE may be the preferred option.
After anaesthetic eye drops are administered, the laser creates a disc shaped piece of tissue in the centre of the cornea with incredible precision. The surgeon then removes the tissue through the keyhole incision which reshapes the cornea to improve your vision. Your vision may be a little foggy for a few days after surgery, but is generally good enough to drive on the morning after surgery.
The implantable contact lens (or more correctly Implantable Collamer Lens or ICL) is a small lens placed inside the eye to improve vision for people who would otherwise require glasses or contact lenses to see well. It is placed between the iris (coloured part of the eye) and the natural lens of the eye. You will not be able to feel the lens inside the eye and it requires no maintenance.
The ICL is often used to improve vision in people who have a prescription that’s too large or a cornea that’s not suitable for laser eye surgery. It can also be used for patients with severe dry eye, as it will not increase the risk of dry eye the way laser can in these patients.
Refractive laser surgery includes a range of popular procedures to correct vision problems such as near-sightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. If you’re considering this type of surgery, it’s important to prepare yourself adequately beforehand.
Firstly, you should book a consultation with a qualified ophthalmologist who specialises in refractive laser surgery. During this consultation, your ophthalmologist will assess your vision and discuss the suitability of laser surgery for you. They’ll also explain the different types of laser surgery and the risks and benefits of each.
Before the surgery, your ophthalmologist will need to perform a comprehensive eye examination to determine the exact nature of your vision problems. You should also inform them of any underlying health conditions you may have, as well as any medications you are taking.
ophthalmologist will advise how long you should stop wearing your contact lenses before the surgery. It is important to stop wearing contact lenses prior to surgery because they change the shape and thickness of your cornea, which can affect the accuracy of the surgery.
Finally, it’s important to arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery, as you won’t be able to drive yourself.
Refractive laser surgery is a relatively quick and painless procedure that is typically performed under local anaesthesia. During the surgery, you’ll lie down on a bed under the laser machine and your eye will be held open with a device called a speculum.
Your ophthalmologist will use a laser to reshape your cornea so light entering your eye is focused more accurately on your retina. The laser used in the surgery is controlled by a computer, which ensures the laser is precisely targeted.
You may feel a slight pressure or discomfort during the surgery, but it shouldn’t be painful. The entire procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes and you’ll be able to go home the same day.
After the surgery, your ophthalmologist will place an eye shield over your treated eye to protect it. You may experience some discomfort for a few hours after surgery. It is recommended to sleep for a few hours after surgery so that by the time you wake up you are feeling comfortable again.
You’ll need to avoid rubbing your eyes and participating in any strenuous activities for a week or 2 after the surgery. You should also avoid getting water in your eyes for at least a week after the surgery, as this can increase the risk of infection.
Your ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation. You should follow their instructions carefully and use the drops as directed.
It’s normal to experience some blurred vision, glare and halos around lights for a few weeks after the surgery. Your vision should gradually improve over time, but it may take several weeks or even months for your eyes to fully heal.
Your ophthalmologist will schedule a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress and ensure your eyes are healing properly. You should attend all your scheduled appointments and inform your ophthalmologist if you experience any unusual symptoms such as severe pain or loss of vision.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for laser surgery. Your ophthalmologist will assess your vision and other factors to determine whether the surgery is right for you.
It’s vital to choose a qualified and experienced ophthalmologist to perform the surgery. Look for a specialist who has extensive experience in refractive laser surgery and a proven track record of successful outcomes.
By considering these factors and taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure a successful and safe outcome from refractive laser surgery. If you’re considering this procedure, speak to a qualified ophthalmologist at Pacific Eye Clinic to learn more.
There are many different types of laser eye surgery. All are done in rooms.
Laser eye surgery is a very quick procedure that can range from seconds to a couple of minutes. The whole appointment usually lasts no longer than 30 minutes.
Recovery time varies according to the patient, but typically it takes 1 week. Aftercare appointments are required to follow up on your recovery process.
No. However, patients may experience discomfort in the early healing stages especially with PRK.
Depending on the type of treatment you have, there may be the possibility of some side effects. Common ones include dry eyes that usually clears up within a few months and some minor visual disturbance like headlight glare which usually resolves itself. Serious complications are extremely rare with laser eye surgery.
This varies, but the results can be instant. Most patients experience significant improvements within 24 hours, and you will see a vast improvement by the time your recovery period ends. The type of treatment you undergo is the main factor that determines how long it takes to see results.
Generally speaking, yes, but some patients may experience regression that could be addressed by a secondary procedure. The most common cause is having a glasses prescription which isn’t stable prior to surgery. Also, as we age, the lens inside the eye loses its ability to change focus, but this is not related to laser eye surgery.
If you’re living with myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism, you may be considering refractive surgery to improve your eyesight. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) are both effective treatments for improving your vision without the need for glasses
If you struggle with poor eyesight, you will do anything to see more clearly. However, if you are not enjoying wearing contact lenses and glasses and want a more long-term solution, then you might wish to investigate LASIK eye surgery.
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