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LASIK Refractive Surgery Excimer Laser correction of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is very effective. It eliminates the need for contact lenses or glasses. A thorough assessment for suitability for the procedure is required prior to surgery. The procedure for both eyes takes about 30 minutes. It is performed as an outpatients procedure.
LASIK combines traditional surgery with laser treatment. A microkeratome is used to create a thin "flap" of tissue, about a third of the thickness of the cornea. Laser is then used to re-sculpt the internal corneal tissue. The flap is then repositioned over the cornea. It is a painless procedure and improved vision is noted by the following day. Vision may fluctuate over the next few weeks after surgery, but stabilises within 3 months.
Are you a candidate?
o You should be at least 18 years old
o Your refractive error has been stable for 2 years
o You do not have keratoconus or glaucoma
o You are not pregnant
o You are dissatisfied with glasses or contact lenses and are motivated to make a change.
If you are visiting from overseas, you should be able to stay for a week’s follow-up after LASIK.
You will need a thorough exam from a doctor who has advanced training in laser vision correction to determine if your vision can be improved by the treatment.
Imagine life without spectacles Laser Vision Correction is performed with an Excimer Laser that has been thoroughly tested and clinically proven. Over a million treatments where performed with the Excimer Laser in the world. After years of treatment the Excimer has been proven to be effective for treatment of the large majority of prescriptions. The Excimer Laser, which is still used today, was first developed in 1972. It does not cut tissue like a scalpel; rather it ablates or vaporises tissue from the corneal surface. The laser is able to precisely shape or sculpt the corneal surface.
Over 95% were returned to 20/40 uncorrected sight or better, this is the driving standard in most countries. They were able to enjoy life and perform most activities without contact lenses or glasses. Two thirds of the patients achieved 20/20 uncorrected vision.
Laser Vision Correction is increasing in popularity and acceptance. The treatment has been proven to be safe, effective and convenient. The favourable results many patients have experienced, and the subsequent positive word of mouth that has resulted from their experience, has caught the interest of others seeking to discard their glasses and contact lenses.
If you are considering Laser Vision Correction, read this booklet carefully. Consider your visual needs and expectations as you make your decision to join the world without glasses.
Make sure you discuss your decisions with an ophthalmologist.
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Age-Related Macular Degeneration Information for Patients This pamphlet is designed by the National Eye Institute in America to help This pamphlet is designed by the National Eye Institute in America to help people with age-related macular degeneration and their families better understand the disease. It describes the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease that affects your central vision. It is a common cause of vision loss among people over age of 60. Because only the centre of your vision is usually affected, people rarely go blind from the disease. However, AMD can sometimes make it difficult to read, drive, or perform other daily activities that require fine, central vision.
What is the macula? The macula is in the center of the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. As you read, light is focused onto your macula. There, millions of cells change the light into nerve signals that tell the brain what you are seeing. This is called your central vision. With it, you are able to read, drive, and perform other activities that require fine, sharp, straight-ahead vision. Right: a normal eye
How does AMD damage vision? AMD occurs in two forms:Dry AMD affects about 90 percent of those with the disease. Its cause is unknown. Slowly, the light sensitive cells in the macula break down. With less of the macula working, you may start to lose central vision in the affected eye as the years go by. Dry AMD often occurs in just one eye at first. You may get the disease later in the other eye. Doctors have no way of knowing if or when both eyes may be affected.
Wet AMD Although only 10 percent of all people with AMD have this type, it accounts for 90 percent of all blindness from the disease. It occurs when new blood vessels behind the retina start to grow toward the macula. Because these new blood vessels tend to be very fragile, they will often leak blood and fluid under the macula. This causes rapid damage to the macula that can lead to the loss of central vision in a short period of time.
Who is at risk for AMD? Although AMD can occur during middle age, the risk increases as a person gets older. Results of a large study show that people in their 50s have about a 2 percent chance of getting AMD. This risk rises to nearly 30 percent in those over age 75.
Besides age, other AMD risk factors include:
o Gender: Women may be at greater risk than men, according to some
studies.
o Smoking may increase the risk of AMD.
o Family History; People with a family history of AMD may be at higher risk of
getting the disease.
o Cholesterol; People with elevated levels of blood cholesterol may be at
higher risk for wet AMD.
What are the symptoms of AMD? Neither dry nor wet AMD causes any pain. The most common symptom of dry AMD is slightly blurred vision. You may need more light for reading and other tasks. Also, you may find it hard to recognize faces until you are very close to them. As dry AMD gets worse, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. This spot occurs because a group of cells in the macula have stopped working. Over time, the blurred spot may get bigger and denser, taking more of your central vision.
People with dry AMD in one eye often do not notice any changes in their vision. With one eye seeing clearly, they can still drive, read, and see fine details. Some people may notice changes in their vision only if AMD affects both of their eyes.
An early symptom of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. This happens because the newly formed blood vessels leak fluid under the macula. The fluid raises the macula from its normal place at the back of the eye and distorts your vision. Another sign that you may have wet AMD is rapid loss of your central vision. This is different from dry AMD in which loss of central vision occurs slowly. As in dry AMD, you may also notice a blind spot.
If you notice any of these changes in you