Laser eye surgery is like a dream solution for all your eye issues - it is fast, effective, painless and affordable. In the past few years, it has become a front-runner in the treatment of poor eyesight.
In fact, many celebrities across Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom have chosen this revolutionary method of permanently improving your eyesight and overall quality of life. The media pictures of Sir Richard Branson literally throwing his glasses away is just one example.
Some of the famous faces who have had laser eye surgery include:
Pamela Ballantine - TV Presenter
After more than 27 years in front of bright camera lighting, big flashing screens and a lot of television browsing, your eyes are bound to experience some wear and tear. Pamela says that the Karma Inlay laser eye surgery at Optilase 'changed my life forever'. It worked so well for her that she no longer needs her glasses, reading glasses or contact lenses.
Gerry Armstrong - Football Player & TV Presenter
"Now I have 20:20 vision, I can see up close, away in the distance and everything in-between". As an ex-international footballer, Gerry's only regret with his decision to undergo laser eye surgery is that had he done it sooner, it may have led to a few more goals!
Frank Mitchell - TV Presenter
As a long time broadcaster and TV/radio journalist, Frank Mitchell needed to find the right clinic and a suitable procedure before deciding to undergo laser eye surgery. After extensive research and many recommendations, he chose the Kamra Inlay Treatment at Optilase, because they are the European Number One. He never looked back.
Doug Howlett - Rugby Player
As a professional rugby player, Doug Howlett would constantly lose his contact lenses while playing, or they would move and blur his vision at a critical point in the game. After a quick and painless laser eye treatment at Optilase, "it was 15 minutes before I was out again," Doug says he now has no excuse to drop the ball!
Connor Phillips - Radio DJ
Although a little sceptical initially, Connor Phillips (multi-award winning TV, Radio Presenter, Live Host and DJ) is now a complete fan of the laser eye surgery treatments that Optilase offers. "Since the treatment, my life has changed immensely and immediately, I am glasses free".
For more details on their stories and other celebrity testimonials, visit us online. Book your own free consultation to see how laser eye surgery can change your life forever.
When it comes to your eyes and choosing a clinic for your life-changing laser eye surgery treatment, second best is not an option. Finding the right clinic to meet your needs, while guaranteeing top quality service takes time and careful planning.
It's important to do your research thoroughly, learn what your options are and trust that the laser eye specialists you choose are the best available.
Optilase is Northern Ireland's premier laser eye surgery clinic with a list of service and quality awards, including:
The European Number One - Kamra Inlay Treatment
Introduced in August 2014, Kamra Inlay treatment is a specialised surgery to improve poor eyesight and help you regain your 20:20 vision. Available exclusively at Optilase, who are the leaders in Europe and second in the world for this life-changing treatment.
Top 50 businesses in Northern Ireland
Optilase, along with their sister company (Therapie Clinic) were named one of the top 50 businesses in Northern Ireland (Belfast Telegraph)
- Employer of the Year 2012
- Best Clinic 2012 - Local Women Business Awards
- UTV Business Awards 2012 (short-listed)
- WIB awards, 2012
- Outstanding Business at the Local Women Business Awards 2013-2014
- 2015 Local Woman Business Awards
At Optilase, we strive to provide the best laser eye surgery treatments available. Our business philosophy focuses on consistent, excellent service:
- Using world leading technology and the best laser equipment available - Schwind Amaris
- Exclusive access to specialised, award-winning laser treatment options - The Kamra Inlay treatment
- In addition, an extensive range of laser surgery procedures to suit your individual requirements
- Affordable, accessible laser eye surgery for all - Optilase Patient Financing
- World leading Consultants and Ophthalmic surgeons specialising in laser eye surgery, with over 40,000 procedures carried out. You can trust in the experts at Optilase.
- With 11 clinics across Northern Ireland, there's definitely one near you!
For award-winning laser eye surgery and best business practice, you can trust the experts at Optilase with your eyes - your precious window to the world!
For more information on the complete range of laser eye surgery treatments available, contact us today. Or simply fill in our FREE consultation form online and our friendly staff will be in touch shortly.
So, you've decided enough is enough. You're done with wearing glasses 24/7. You want to jump into the pool or the ocean without having to worry about first removing your contact lenses. You want easy, hassle free, 20:20 vision all the time.
Yes, you're on the right track and laser eye surgery can help you achieve all that. It truly can change your life. But the big question is: how do you choose a clinic that will take the best care of your precious eyes, give you the results you're looking for, at an affordable price?
Choosing the right clinic involves 3 key steps:
1. Do Your Research
What is laser eye surgery exactly? How does it work? What types of procedures and treatment options are available? What technology and laser equipment does the laser eye clinic use? Are the Consultants and Ophthalmic surgeons qualified and experienced? How many procedures like mine have they done? How much is this going to cost me? What's included in the total cost? Are there any price guarantees? Is after-surgery care included? These are some of the questions you should be asking.
2. Get a FREE consultation
A good clinic should offer a FREE consultation service to determine your individual eligibility and suitability for effective laser eye surgery and treatment. At this stage, you should also be able to obtain further information and build on your research, address any concerns you may have and determine whether the clinic is the right fit for your laser eyesight needs.
3. Look at online reviews and patient testimonials
This is possibly the most important factor: independent reviews and past patient testimonials. What were their personal experiences with the laser eye clinic? Did they find the staff professional and friendly? Was the laser eye surgery treatment effective? Did the service meet their expectations?
Optilase in Northern Ireland is your premier laser surgery clinic with 11 locations to serve you. With over 40,000 procedures, our clients have only one regret—that they didn't come to us sooner! Read our patient reviews and laser eye treatment testimonials. Book your FREE consultation online today.
Ask almost anyone who uses contact lenses and they'll tell you; it's quite a hassle. The process of keeping your lenses clean and properly cared for is not easy. Plus, you have to make sure you take them out every night before you go to sleep. Those nights of falling asleep on the couch while watching a late night show are not the best for your eyes if you didn’t take your lenses off!
Most people have the best intentions to take care and look after their contact lenses properly. Sometimes, however, life can get in the way and you may tend to slack off. It happens to the best of us. In fact, a recent study done by the American CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) found that over 99 percent of the participants reported at least one type of risky action when using contact lenses.
The Dangers of Contact Lenses
Most people are not aware that less than ideal contact lens hygiene can actually be dangerous! Contact lenses are medical devices that come with prescriptions and professional advice, customised to your specific requirements. If you fail to wear, care and store your contact lenses the correct way, it can have serious implications.
Germs and Infections
Wearing your contact lenses too long or sleeping with them, or not cleaning them properly can lead to germs invading your cornea (the clear film protecting the coloured part of your eye). In most cases, we're likely to just brush it off, thinking it's just a slight itch or minor irritation, but it could lead to a serious infection. In fact, contact lens wear is linked to a higher risk of keratitis, which results in an inflammation of the cornea, and can lead to pain, blindness and the need for a corneal transplant via surgery.
Other Serious Complications of Improper Contact Lens Use Include:
Eye allergies, corneal abrasion (where the cornea is scratched or damaged by a broken piece of lens), giant papillary conjunctivitis (painful bumps under the eyelid), corneal infiltrates (irritation, inflammation and possible infection of the cornea), contact lens-induced acute red eye (called CLARE, this results in irritated, red eyes), neovascularisation (new blood vessels growing onto the cornea), and dry eyes—these are all possible problems you may experience if you use contact lenses and neglect the required care.
Water and Contact Lenses
Water and contact lenses should be kept far away from each other. This means no showering, swimming or hot tubs with contact lenses on. In reality, some of us will even clean and store our contact lenses using water when we don't have the solution readily available! Water can change the shape of your lenses, making them uncomfortable and a poor fit, which can scratch the cornea. In addition to making it easier for germs to invade, the water itself is not germ-free!
Practicing less than perfect contact lens hygiene? Talk to our Consultant Ophthalmic surgeons about possible alternatives to contact lenses. Book your FREE consultation today!
Choosing a good laser eye surgeon will make all the difference in how your eyesight is after surgery. By doing proper research ahead of time, you can rest assured your chances of a failed surgery are much less likely. It is important to look into the promises offered by the surgical centre, since not all clinics are able to actually do what they advertise. Instead of allowing the convenience of laser eye surgery to lure you in, research the actual surgeon rather than the procedure; LASIK is only as good as the person performing it.
7 Things to Research before Making a Selection for Your Laser Eye Surgery Clinic
To find the right surgeon that will improve your vision, you will want to research these key aspects:
1. Training
Enquire about their training and see how many procedures they have done each year. You want someone who is board-certified and completes hundreds of these types of surgeries each year.
2. Use the Evaluation
During the pre-surgical evaluation, see if the surgeon assesses the important details like the quality and quantity of tears, size of your pupils, and thickness of your corneas.
3. Rejection Rate
Ask for the rejection rate for their clinic. Clinics that use the strictest standards for screening will have a higher rejection rate because they do not take unsuitable candidates; and that is a good thing.
4. Surgical Expectations
Ask the surgeons how they feel your vision will respond to the procedure. If they say your results may be borderline, not only are they honest, but it may be time to reconsider the procedure altogether.
5. Results
There are side effects that can occur from LASIK and a good surgeon will go over those; such as, night-time blindness, dry eye conditions, double vision, etc.
6. Equipment
You want a clinic that uses the latest technology in laser eye surgery and FDA-approved devices.
7. Multiple Surgery Options
A great surgical centre is one that does not just have a single solution; they instead provide multiple surgical solutions to correct your vision based on your age, type of vision loss, etc.
Optilase is your premier surgical centre for vision correction surgery. We have board certified surgeons, the latest LASIK and other surgical technologies and we have a rigorous screening process. Fill out an online enquiry form today to schedule your initial consultation and see the difference for yourself.
Over the last 25 years, laser eye surgery has become more than a single-technology-for-all situation. In fact, there are now multiple laser procedures available to correct your vision. Each has their own benefits, and each is designed to help with a specific vision problem. Even if you do not qualify for the popular LASIK, you may qualify for one of the many other types of laser vision correction surgery procedures.
The Types of Lasers Used for Eye Surgery
While there are dozens of lasers out there, some of the most advanced kind used in eye surgery centres such as Optilase include:
1. LASIK - This type of surgery is designed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Also known as laser in-situ keratomileusis, it reshapes the corneal tissue so that it can focus properly.
2. PRK - Also known as photorefractive keratectomy, this procedure corrects mild to moderate cases of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A laser reshapes the cornea and unlike LASIK, it does not affect the flat part of the cornea; instead, it just works on the surface.
3. WaveFront - Wavefront guided or assisted laser surgery can be used during LASIK or PRK procedures. It uses ultra-modern analysis to measure how light travels through the eye. Lasers with built-in wavefront technology can detect and automatically adjust for maximum precision.
4. IntraLase - This is a more advanced method that creates a flap in the eye during LASIK and uses blade-free technology to help ensure faster recovery time.
Finding the Right Laser Requires a Detailed Consultation
Depending on your age, health and a few other factors, a surgeon will decide which type of eye surgery you are best suited for. In individuals with minimal corneal tissues, they may be able to use LASIK alternatives so that they still can correct their vision.
Optilase offers free consultations. We will assess your candidacy for laser eye surgery and can help identify which laser technology will help improve or permanently correct your vision. Fill out an online enquiry form today to schedule your initial consultation or to ask us about your questions and concerns.
Your vision plays a big role in your career; whether you sit behind a computer screen all day or you are part of the fire brigade. Having to hassle with eyeglasses, contact lenses or even special prescription goggles can hinder your job performance. However, taking time off for refractive surgery is a risk, and one you need to ensure will improve your career rather than risk it.
Laser Surgery Corrects Most Vision Problems
Laser eye surgery is a treatment for vision problems and has great success in eliminating or reducing the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses. The procedures correct refractive errors, which are caused by an imperfectly shaped cornea or eyeball. There are four types of vision issues that laser eye surgery can correct:
1. Nearsightedness - You can see close up, but have difficulty seeing far away.
2. Farsightedness - You see clearly far away, but objects and text that are close become hard to see.
3. Astigmatism - Objects are blurred regardless of the distance.
4. Presbyopia - This is an ageing of the eye that affects your ability to focus.
Can Laser Eye Surgery Benefit Your Career?
There are some career types that rely heavily on their vision. However, these careers also have strict requirements for how much time a person can take off for corrective surgery, so you may want to know how long the recovery time will be.
Some common careers that can benefit from laser eye surgery include fire brigade members, PSNI, military members and even members of the parcel force. Before scheduling your surgery, you will want to check with your organisational representative to see how much time you are permitted to take off. A few things you must keep in mind include:
1. Sunscreen Use - The Parcelforce almost always has to wear sunscreen while outside. For the first couple of weeks, you will need to avoid sunscreen around the eyes or anywhere it can drip into the eye.
2. Protective Eyewear - PSNI, Parcelforce members and even those in the military will still need to wear protective eyewear for the first month post-op. This prevents any additional injuries to the eye.
3. Sunglass Use - All individuals should wear sunglasses post-op for at least a year. Bright sunshine can actually scar the eye and affect your laser eye surgery.
4. Recovery - An office worker can return to the job within two days post-op. Fire brigade, military, and PSNI members can return in two days, but on light duty. They may need to avoid physical contact or rigorous activity for up to two weeks, but their surgeon can guide them better with specific instructions. For members in the Parcelforce, the two day recovery is all that is required.
To learn more about how you can improve your vision and better your career, meet with the surgeons at Optilase for a free consultation. We can assess your vision and see if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery. Fill out an online enquiry form to get started or to ask us a question.
Before your laser eye surgery appointment, your surgeon will give you a list of things you must do to prepare for the procedure as well as what you can expect during recovery. It is important that you follow these steps, because they can greatly impact the success of your procedure.
Before Your Appointment for a Vision Correction Procedure
Prepare yourself for your eye surgery with these do’s and don’ts:
1. Do stop wearing your contact lenses a few weeks before surgery. Because these can distort your cornea’s shape, you want to ensure your cornea is as unaffected as possible.
2. Do not wear eye makeup, perfumes or creams the day before and the day of your surgery.
3. Do arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, because you will still feel the effects of the medication.
4. Do not put any eye drops (medicated or otherwise) in your eyes the day of the procedure and a few days before.
5. Do tell your surgeon about any medical eye conditions or allergic reactions you are aware of.
After Your Laser Eye Surgery
To ensure faster recovery, there are a few post-operative dos and don’ts you will want to keep in mind, including:
1. Do not take a shower or wash your hair until one day after the surgery.
2. Do not drive until you feel you are able to do so.
3. Do not get soap in your eyes for at least one week post-surgery.
4. Do not wear eye makeup for at least one week and discard all previously used eye makeup to avoid contamination.
5. Do not colour your hair for at least 10 days after surgery.
6. Do not exercise for at least two days.
7. Do wear the goggles and shields provided to you by the surgical centre and wear them as instructed.
8. Do wear protective eyewear, including sunglasses for at least the first month post-surgery.
9. Do avoid dirty environments and high winds so that debris cannot get into the eye.
10. Do wear sunglasses outside for a year post-op, since sunshine can lead to eye scarring.
To ensure you get the best results possible, work with a premier surgical centre like Optilase. Schedule your free consultation to see if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery today. Fill out an online enquiry form to get started or to ask us a question.
Most people are under the assumption that LASIK and other forms of corrective laser eye surgery require extensive recovery times. Therefore, they continue to train and practice while dealing with poor vision. While there is some recovery time involved, athletes can benefit from laser eye surgery without worrying about a lengthy downtime ruining their game.
Laser Eye Surgery and Runners
Whether you just like to jog or you are a professional runner, you can return to your everyday running and training routine within just two days after surgery. So you will not have to worry about missing weeks or even a half week.
Laser eye surgery benefits runners by:
1. Getting rid of contacts or eyeglasses
2. Eliminating the burning, itching and stinging associated with sweat mixing in with your contact lenses
3. Reduces the difficulty of trying to run while wearing prescription glasses
4. Helps eliminate the need to stop and clean your glasses while running
5. Eliminates the risk of losing or breaking your prescription eyewear
Swimmers and Laser Eye Surgery
You will have to take two weeks off swimming post-laser surgery. That is because you must keep water from your eyes to avoid infection and prevent the reshaped corneal tissue from healing improperly. Also, it can prevent dry eye. After your two week recovery, you get numerous benefits including:
1. Reduced risk for eye infections - since pool water can cause eye infections
2. Clearer vision so that you can swim with ease
3. Eliminating the expenses for prescription goggles
Laser Eye Surgery and Contact Sports
Contact sports from football to basketball are big in the country. A blade-free laser eye procedure will allow contact sports athletes to quickly recover and in as little as two days, they can return to their favourite contact sport.
If you undergo laser eye surgery, you will want to wear protective eyewear not only to protect your surgical investment, but your eyes in general. After surgery, you will get to enjoy numerous benefits, including:
1. Reducing the risk for injury to the eye from broken prescription glasses
2. Reducing the need for expensive sports goggles
3. Reducing the chances that your contact lenses will shift while playing your sport
4. Reducing the irritation associated with sunscreen entering the eye and irritating contact lenses
Do you play sports? You could benefit from laser eye surgery, such as LASIK. Optilase can assess your eyes and see if you are a candidate for laser eye surgery and give you the competitive edge you have always wanted. Fill out an online enquiry form today to schedule your consultation appointment.
Summer vacations are all about time at the beach, picnics and fun in the sun. For those with contacts or prescription glasses, it also means hauling around additional eyecare supplies. Also, if you wear contacts, you have to be cautious about going to the beach or even swimming. You cannot afford to sacrifice vision and comfort in order to enjoy your holiday.
If you are preparing for your summer holiday, there are numerous reasons to consider LASIK so that you can truly enjoy your holiday fun.
The Conveniences of LASIK Surgery
While it is called a “surgery”, LASIK is not as invasive as traditional surgeries. You will not be in the hospital for days, in fact, it does not even require an overnight stay. This is done as an outpatient procedure performed in an eyecare professional’s office. It can correct most nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism problems as well, giving you freedom from your lenses.
Just some ways LASIK is more convenient include:
1. It Is Fast - The procedure itself is quick; five to 10 minutes per eye.
2. It Is Painless - There are no painful stitches, incisions or anything to worry about. It is a virtually pain-free procedure.
3. It Is Accurate - Guided by lasers, LASIK uses extreme precision to correct your vision.
4. It Reduces or Eliminates Your Need for Glasses - LASIK has been proven to dramatically reduce or eliminate a person’s need for eyeglasses and contacts. So you do not have to pack extra supplies or even worry about removing your contacts before swimming.
5. It Heals Quickly - Most patients that undergo laser eye surgery have their vision corrected within 48 hours, though most see results immediately. Recovery is quick and all you may have to do is wear a pair of sunglasses, which is what you will be doing in the sun anyway.
Visiting the Right Laser Surgery Centre is Key
It is important to visit the right surgical centre to have your LASIK procedure done. A skilled surgeon uses the latest technology to ensure you get the most advanced vision correction available to you.
Do you want to free yourself from glasses and contacts this holiday? Contact Optilase today to see if you are a candidate for LASIK. Fill out an online enquiry form today to schedule your consultation appointment.
