This World Sight Day – free yourself from wearing glasses and contact lenses with a quick and effective procedure
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With more choices available, patients must choose their laser eye correction procedure carefully, advises Moorfields expert in the UAE
13th October 2016 (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates):LASIK is a quick, safe, painless and effective surgical procedure to correct vision and is one of the most common surgeries, used to treat patients with near sightedness, far sightedness and astigmatism, by reshaping the cornea.‘Lasik’ (or ‘Laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis’) has become routine. With the latest laser vision correction technology now available in the UAE, people have more choices in deciding how best to correct their specific vision problems whilst improving their overall vision, and need to choose carefully, according to Moorfields consultants.
Dr. Osama Giledi, Consultant Ophthalmologist and a Specialist in Cornea and Refractive Vision Correction Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai and Moorfields Eye Hospital Centre Abu Dhabi, who has performed more than 23,000 laser eye correction surgeries, noted that laser corrective eye surgery (LASIK) can save a lifetime of costs – the regular cost of lenses, spectacle frames and the potentially even higher cost of sophisticated optical lenses. Add to this the freedom from wearing spectacle frames or inserting and maintaining contact lenses, and it’s a compelling option for anyone who has relied on vision aids for years. But patients need to choose the right surgeon, the best correction procedure, and clearly understand the potential results of surgery.
Moorfields Eye Hospitals in the UAE provide the most recent and advanced technologies used in vision correction surgery, and the standards of expertise are amongst the highest worldwide, with high success rates in surgeries such as these. Moorfields consultants carry out a pre assessment to determine suitability using state of the art equipment, before a recommendation is made as to whether vision correction surgery may be suitable, in addition to advising candidates on which type of surgery may achieve the best possible results.
Laser Refractive surgery is not just a simple, single procedure but refers to a group of procedures such as LASEK, TransPRK and IntraLase LASIK, which may be completed in a single session. LASIK surgery involves creating a thin superficial layer called a flap, traditionally made using a Microkeratome (surgical blade), through which the cornea is then reshaped. In recent years, Lasik surgery has advanced and become much safer by using an advanced Femtosecond Laser to create the flap but some surgery is still being done using the old Microkeratome Lasik.
Intralase LASIK for example, one of the procedures carried out by Moorfields in the UAE, is a highly advanced technology used for its safety and precision and this technique has been used by NASA and described by them as the ideal treatment for vision correction surgery for their astronauts and pilots.
“Moorfields is advising candidates to ensure they clearly understand the Lasik options, likely results and possible side-effects of vision correction surgery. It is important because patients should only have this surgery once in their lives. All laser vision correction surgeries work by reshaping the cornea but not all results are the same and patients should ensure they are choosing the latest and safest procedure available to deliver their desired results. It is also important to note that the surgery is only advised to those individuals who are 18 years of age or older,” notes Dr Osama.
Moorfields’ consultants undertake a comprehensive consultation, eye examination and assessment to ensure that both patient and consultant are in full agreement on the expectations of the procedure.
Vision correction surgery has been approved by the FDA in 1999, and Lasik is the most popular of these techniques, as over 400,000 Americans undergo this surgery annually. Technologies related to Lasik surgery, in addition to experience level of consultants performing such procedures, have evolved greatly over the past 17 years.
In celebration of World Sight Day, Moorfields Eye Hospital in the UAE has launched a special offer for patients considering laser vision correction procedures, for LASEK, TransPRK and IntraLase LASIK surgery. To qualify for the special offer, candidates (minimum age 18) should book and attend an assessment by 31st October 2016 and the surgery should be carried out by December 31st, 2016. The offer is subject to the assessment results to determine suitability for the procedure, and terms & conditions. Visit www.moorfields.ae for details.