Every morning when you put on your glasses, the world suddenly appears wonderfully clear and in focus.
If you wear glasses for distance clarity, you will most likely need to wear them constantly - all day, every day.
In this instance, you may have the odd fleeting thought when you wonder if wearing glasses tailored to correct blurred distance vision can weaken your overall eyesight.
While there is no concrete scientific evidence to suggest that daily use of prescription lenses will impact on future vision needs, the need to wear glasses every day can be demoralizing and downright frustrating.
At Optilase Northern Ireland, you can opt to bin your glasses forever and undergo Laser Eye Surgery.
In less than half an hour, your distance vision can be corrected and perfect vision 20/20 is created.
Why do I need glasses in the first place?
If the cornea at the front of the eye is not round or if it is too curved or too flat in relation to the length of your eyeball, then your vision will be blurry.
This biological flaw means incoming light will land either in front of or behind the retina and result in a refractive error.
Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, all of which can be effectively treated at Optilase clinics in Belfast, Newry and Derry/Londonderry.
Glasses correct the refractive error by altering incoming light rays so that they focus directly on the retina.
Why Laser Eye Surgery?
There are lots of reasons why you might chose to have Laser Eye Surgery over glasses- you might not like the way they look, you find them heavy or uncomfortable, they restrict your level of activity, or you simply feel more at ease when you are not wearing them.
Whatever the reason, if you are considering Laser Eye Surgery, you can enjoy a free, no obligation consultation at Optilase Northern Ireland to help you decide whether the procedure is right for you.
Laser based correction
Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase Northern Ireland takes place in two stages:
A Femtosecond Laser is used to create a corneal flap on the surface of the eye, which is then lifted aside to expose the inner layer of the cornea.
An Excimer Laser performs the correction by removing cells using laser energy so the curve of the cornea is changed. This eliminates the refractive error and redirects incoming light so it lands precisely on the retina.
Clear vision is instantly established, but eyesight may appear hazy from time-to-time in the hours after Laser Eye Surgery as the eyes adapt to their new capability.
If you are considering Laser Eye Surgery, schedule a free consultation at Optilase Northern Ireland on
08000 121 565.
Perhaps one of the lesser well known refractive errors that can be treated with Laser Eye Surgery, astigmatism is often present in one or both corneas.
Named after the Greek words “without” (a) “a point” (stigma), astigmatism affects vision clarity by way of distorting incoming light.
In cases of astigmatism, light rays are projected onto numerous points at the back of the eye, rather than just one.
Measured in cylinders during a routine eye exam, astigmatism can develop in tangent with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Since astigmatism is usually diagnosed by an optician, prescription lenses are the most commonly used solution to cancel out the visual disturbance caused by astigmatism.
At Optilase Northern Ireland, Laser Eye Surgery can also be used to correct astigmatism by reshaping the cornea so that light can land on the retina is one single and entirely accurate beam.
Meridians in the eye
The presence of astigmatism directly relates to the shape of the cornea, which is naturally designed to be a round, transparent layer of connective tissue at the front of the eye.
Within each cornea there are two main meridians, one vertical and one horizontal – imagine a plus (+) sign located in each eye – each of which has a certain focal power.
In a perfectly round cornea, the meridians are equally balanced, but when the cornea is irregularly shaped the meridians are uneven, each with a different focal power.
Glasses issued to correct this meridian imbalance match the difference in power between the horizontal and vertical meridian.
Long term correction of astigmatism
Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase Belfast, Newry and Derry/Londonderry can treat astigmatism as well as any other refractive error that may be present.
An Excimer Laser is used during any astigmatism-correcting procedure to reshape the cornea so that light can land without incident on the centre of the retina at the back of the eye.
Laser Eye Surgery for astigmatism removes tissue from the cornea to redefine its refraction capabilities and allow patients to experience clear vision unaided by glasses or contact lenses.
During your free consultation, a tailored vision correction treatment will be outlined based on the degree of astigmatism present.
To find out more about Laser Eye Surgery for astigmatism, book your free consultation on 08000 121 565.
Your eyes are powerful sensory organs that work alongside your nervous system to enable you to see and interact with the outside world.
The instant you open your eyes in the morning, they will automatically begin their daily routine of processing light and liaising with the brain via the optic nerve.
How the eye receives and processes light will determine your ability to see objects clearly up close and in the distance.
Why do I need glasses?
If you require glasses in order to see everything in focus, then you will more than likely have a refractive error present in one or both eyes.
Glasses are placed in front of the eyes to correct the way in which light is refracted in the eye.
When inaccurate refraction takes place within the eye it prevents incoming light from landing directly on the retina.
The retina is the end point at the back of the eye where light must land in order for it to be converted into electrical and chemical messages to be sent to the brain.
Laser Eye Surgery represents a more contemporary solution to refractive errors compared to standard prescription lenses.
At Optilase Northern Ireland, Laser Eye Surgery can be used to correct the most common refractive errors found in patients.
Refractive errors in Northern Ireland
Refractive errors tend to originate within the eye because of an incorrectly shaped cornea or an eyeball that is too long/too short.
Myopia (short sightedness), Hyperopia (long sightedness) and Astigmatism are the three refractive errors that can be effectively treated at Optilase Northern Ireland using Laser Eye Surgery.
In myopic patients, the cornea may be steeper than average, causing light to land in front of the retina to produce a blurry image in the distance.
For hyperopia, the cornea may be flatter than average, which creates problems focusing up close as light overshoots the retina.
Astigmatism relates to the natural shape of the cornea which should be spherical with even meridians. When the cornea isn’t round, it results in uneven meridians which cause images that enter the eye to be distorted.
Corneal reshaping with Laser Eye Surgery
Corneal reshaping is available at Optilase Northern Ireland through four unique Laser Eye Surgery procedures.
Depending on your refractive error and overall suitability for laser vision correction, you can undergo LASIK, PRK, WaveFront or IntraLase Laser Eye Surgery.
By administering a permanent correction to the cornea, light can be refracted accurately so that it lands directly on the retina.
To find out more, arrange your free Laser Eye Surgery consultation on 08000 121 565.
When you see and hear the words “Laser Eye Surgery” you could easily assume that it reflects one-size-fits-all procedure that is carried out on all patients.
However, at Optilase Northern Ireland there are no less than four different Laser Eye Surgery procedures available to patients who are seeking to rid themselves of fragile glasses and/or irritating contact lenses.
Standard LASIK and CustomVue WaveFront are two popular Laser Eye Surgery choices for patients, both of which correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
Deciding on which Laser Eye Surgery procedure for you can be confusing - this is why prospective candidates for laser vision correction at Optilase Northern Ireland can enjoy a free consultation at one of our clinics in Belfast, Newry or Derry/Londonderry.
The consultation process outlines the best Laser Eye Surgery procedure for you, which will be determined by the results of an in-depth examination of your eyes.
CustomVue WaveFront
Using FDA approved technology; CustomVue WaveFront Laser Eye Surgery involves a more precise method of correcting vision compared to standard LASIK.
Offering patients of Optilase Northern Ireland a customized method of laser vision correction, WaveFront laser vision correction yields a higher rate of 20/20 eyesight or better, improved night vision capabilities as well as better contrast vision.
This version of Laser Eye Surgery may be more beneficial for some patients over others, especially those who have issues with poor night vision or difficulty seeing well in low light environments.
Both these problems are caused by the presence of higher order aberrations in the cornea that can be effectively diagnosed and treated with WaveFront technology.
WaveFront is also the Laser Eye Surgery procedure of choice if patients have high prescriptions and/or larger-than-average pupils.
Standard LASIK
LASIK is one of the most popular elective surgeries at Optilase Northern Ireland, with the procedure being the vision correction method of choice for thousands of patients.
Standard LASIK may be the ideal choice for you if you have a mild or moderate prescription for hyperopia (near sightedness) or astigmatism.
It is also more suited to patients with normal pupil dilation measurements and those who have a cornea that is thick enough to receive LASIK treatment.
Other Laser Eye Surgery options at Optilase Northern include PRK and IntraLase.
To find out which procedure best suits your vision needs, book a free consultation on 08000 121 565.
Stiff joints and niggling aches and pains are the all-too familiar signs of getting older, but a lot of people can be taken by surprise when their eyesight starts deteriorating.
The steady decline of near vision after the age of 40 can dramatically impact your everyday routine, with simple activities such as looking at your watch or checking the speedometer when driving.
When you suddenly find yourself relying on reading glasses, it can be a hard pill to swallow, but the truth is that you are after developing the unavoidable eye condition known as Presbyopia.
The all-too-common vision defect affects the vast majority of the population over the age of 40, which manifests when various parts of the eye surrender to the ageing process.
Freedom from reading glasses
For sharp vision where objects are clearly discernible, light must travel through the eye passing through the cornea, pupil and lens before landing directly onto the retina.
Over time the lens which is eternally being pulled in different directions to cope with varying degrees of incoming light and your vision needs (i.e. near or distance vision), becomes stiff and less flexible.
This gradual loss in accommodative power by the lens happens sooner or later to almost everyone, making presbyopia virtually impossible to avoid.
For anyone who wants to be independent of reading glasses, the KAMRA™ inlay at Optilase Northern Ireland can restore your near vision with simple, minimally invasive procedure.
Distance vision remains unchanged
The KAMRA™ inlay can reverse the effects of presbyopia on your near vision without compromising your distance vision.
The innovative design of the KAMRA inlay enables it to be inserted into a laser-created pocket in the cornea of a patient’s non-dominant eye.
An opaque circular micro-lens with a small opening (1.6 mm) in the centre, the KAMRA™ inlay works like the aperture of a camera by blocking out excess light.
Designed with 8,400 micro-openings along the surface, the KAMRA™ inlay is manufactured with a high-grade polyvinylidene fluoride plastic so that it is biologically compatible with the cornea.
How the KAMRA™ inlay works
When the KAMRA™ inlay is placed in the cornea, the centre opening blocks unfocused light rays and only allows focused light to reach the retina.
The KAMRA™ inlay compensates for the lens’s inability for focus light accurately for near vision needs.
Your dominant eye which is unaffected by the KAMRA™ inlay will work harmoniously along with the non-dominant eye to create unimpaired near, intermediate and distance vision.
For more information on the KAMRA™ inlay for presbyopia, book your free consultation on 08000 121 565.
Without thinking about it, your eyes will automatically adjust to accommodate your vision needs, be it looking at something in the distance or reading text up close.
This innate focusing mechanism is accredited to the naturally flexible lens that is able to change shape quickly.
Light enters the eye and must pass through the cornea, lens and various fluids found in the eye before landing on the light-sensitive tissue found in the retina at the back of the eye.
When light is unable to land here, a vision defect may be present that can affect vision acuity up close or far away.
Less than perfect eyesight
If you are near sighted, then you have myopia which affects distance vision and is usually corrected with a concave lens being placed in front of the eye.
If you are far sighted, then you have hyperopia which affects near vision which is commonly corrected with a convex lens being placed in front of the eye.
Alternatively, Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase Northern Ireland removes the need to wear any lenses in front of the eye.
Small surgery, big impact
Laser Eye Surgery is a procedure that employs a computer controlled Excimer Laser to alter incoming light so it focuses on the retina unaided by a lens.
The correction applied to the eye during Laser Eye Surgery uses technology that has the capability to perform infinitely tiny changes to the surface of the cornea.
However, these tiny alterations to the shape of the cornea deliver life changing results to a person’s eyesight.
Depending on how much correction is needed, ultra clear vision can be achieved in less than 30 minutes with Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase Northern Ireland.
Is Laser Eye Surgery for me?
Over 40,000 life changing Laser Eye Surgery procedures have been carried out by Optilase, with the vision correction treatment available at our clinics in Belfast, Newry and Derry/Londonderry.
If you are undecided as to whether laser vision correction is the right choice for you, then you may benefit from a free, no-obligation consultation where you will have an opportunity to ask any questions and voice any concerns you may have.
Schedule your free Laser Eye Surgery consultation at any Optilase clinic on 08000 121 565
If you’re over 18; have been diagnosed with a refractive error and really don’t want to depend on glasses or contact lenses, you are probably suitable for laser eye surgery.
This surgery is very affordable, as it is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the world, and has a high success rate- so once you make the decision, book your consultation at Optilase to find out for certain if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure.
Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase Northern Ireland can be carried out on any patient deemed suitable for the procedure during a free consultation at our clinic in Belfast, Newry and Derry/Londonderry.
Designed to eliminate the cause of poor vision caused by the presence of a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism), deciding when you are ready for Laser Eye Surgery is completely up to you.
While there is no ideal age to undergo Laser Eye Surgery, recent research has indicated that younger patients may experience fewer complications after the procedure.
However, the rate of complications in patients of all ages has steadily decreased with the emergence of advanced laser technology, like the Excimer Laser which administers the precise correction to each eye.
Create 20/20 vision
Laser Eye Surgery remains the world’s most popular elective surgery, and at Optilase Northern Ireland, over 40,000 patients have already undergone the procedure without incident.
The safe and reliable procedure is fast becoming Northern Ireland’s preferred method of permanent vision correction.
Laser Eye Surgery is available to those who wish to experience 20/20 vision without having to wear heavy, irritating frames.
Unfortunately, not everyone can undergo Laser Eye Surgery, but Optilase Northern Ireland offers anyone who is considering the vision correction procedure, a free consultation to gauge suitability.
Suitability for Laser Eye Surgery
Your general health will be taken into account along with any existing medical conditions that could disqualify you from having Laser Eye Surgery.
Those who wear contact lenses rather than glasses must opt for the latter in the lead up to the consultation in order to allow the cornea to assume its natural shape.
Pregnant women are unable to undergo Laser Eye Surgery as fluctuating hormone levels can affect measurements taking during the consultation stage.
Prospective patients must also have a refractive error that has remained unchanged for at least one year, so as to ensure that the prescription in both eyes is stable.
Finally, a range of measurements including the size of the pupil when fully dilated and the thickness of the cornea will be taken before you can be deemed suitable for Laser Eye Surgery.
If you are found to be a suitable candidate for Laser Eye Surgery, you will be advised as to the options available to you, should you decide to undergo the procedure.
If you are interested in finding out if you are suitable for Laser Eye Surgery, book your free consultation at Optilase Northern Ireland on 08000 121 565.
An incredible 1.6 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of short sightedness (myopia), which can vary from being mild to severe.
Myopia is the world’s most common eyesight problem, but in the last two decades there has been a significant increase in the number of children being diagnosed with the condition.
Recent research suggests that a quarter of children now need glasses to correct blurred distance vision caused by myopia.
The development of myopia has been linked to the axial length of a person’s eyeball and/or the curve of the cornea at the front of the eye.
A study carried out in the Netherlands has found that a lack of outdoor activity (less than 45 minutes a day) and a general increase in the amount of time (more than 2 hours a day) spent using near vision can affect eye development in children.
Reducing the risk of myopia
There is a genetic link to the development of myopia, with those who have a familial history of the eye condition being more likely to suffer from it too.
For children who are predisposed to developing myopia, it was suggested that they spend at least 15 hours a week outside and minimize the amount of time doing long stints of activities that require near vision.
Simple changes, such as increasing the amount of time outdoors and limiting the use of liquid crystal monitors at close range (laptops, computer games etc) can help reduce the risk of developing myopia.
Treating myopia
Myopia affects distance vision and requires a lens to be placed in front of the eye so that objects in the distance appear clear and in focus.
The most common treatment of myopia is prescription lenses (glasses and/or contact lenses), but the original error in the eye can be permanently corrected using Laser Eye Surgery at Optilase Northern Ireland.
Suitable for those over the age of 18 whose eyesight prescription has not changed for at least 12 months, Laser Eye Surgery reshapes the cornea to eliminate the need for glasses.
The cornea is responsible for the majority of refraction (bending of light) in the eye, which is why it is the point of contact during Laser Eye Surgery.
Light must land on the centre of the retina at the back of the eye so a person can see the outside world in focus at any distance.
By removing a select number of cells from the centre of the cornea using a precise beam of laser energy, its surface is flattened so that incoming light will be refracted accurately.
To find out more about correcting your distance vision with Laser Eye Surgery, book your free consultation at any Optilase clinic (Belfast, Newry, Derry/Londonderry) on 08000 121 565.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that presents in a person with high blood glucose levels which can be a result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin, or else cells are unable to respond to the insulin that is produced.
Diabetes can affect a person’s eyesight with the most common condition developing being, Diabetic Retinopathy, which can be a side effect of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
How the eye is affected by Diabetic Retinopathy
The retina is a layer of tissue found at the back of the eye which is the point of contact for the optic nerve which sends electrical impulses to the brain to allow a person to see.
In the retina there are thousands of small blood vessels which can be adversely affected by high blood glucose levels caused by diabetes.
Chronic hyper glycaemia can result in a progressive worsening of the amount of damage caused to these blood vessels and they become susceptible to leaking or being permanently blocked.
Long term damage
If these blood vessels become irreversibly damaged it affects the functioning of the retina which is responsible for interpreting incoming light. When this happens a person’s vision becomes blurred.
In the initial stages of Diabetic Retinopathy there are no noticeable symptoms which can mean that the condition can go undetected until significant damage has occurred.
If you are concerned about your vision, it’s important to have it checked as soon as possible.
How Diabetic Retinopathy can affect eyesight
- Difficulty making out fine detail
- Fluctuations in vision clarity
- Blurred, hazy or double vision
- Glare sensitivity
- Difficulty focusing or loss of some visual fields
Ensure your eyes are healthy
At Optilase Northern Ireland you can put any concerns to rest with a consultation that will examine your overall eye health.
Blurred vision can be the first sign of diabetic retinopathy with the risk of developing the condition increasing with the length of time a person has diabetes.
Anyone with diabetes should be aware of diabetic retinopathy and take heed of any changes in their vision as early detection is key to minimizing long term damage to eyesight.
Book your eye consultation today on 08000 121 565.
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) affects the centre-most point of the retina at the back of the eye known as the macula.
The macula is an extremely important part of the eye that contains photoreceptors known as cones which absorb bright light and interpret colours to enable a person to experience detailed central vision.
DME is a complication of diabetes and is often a secondary complication of Diabetic Retinopathy in which blood vessels in the retina are damaged and begin to leak fluid.
DME also affects these blood vessels causing them to swell and leak fluid and sometimes fatty deposits into the macula.
When the blood vessels in the retina leak, they cause the macula to thicken and swell, which results in impaired vision.
While the swelling may not lead to blindness, DME can cause a severe loss in central vision.
Types of DME
There are two types of Diabetic Macular Edema which are distinguishable by the way in which leaked fluid enters the macula:
- Focal DME – Caused by vascular abnormalities
- Diffuse DME – Caused by dilated capillaries in the retina
How serious is DME if it goes undetected?
Damage caused to a person’s eyesight can be limited somewhat if Diabetic Macular Edema if detected early in its formation.
Long term diabetics or those already experiencing diabetic retinopathy should be mindful of the condition which can be affected by other health conditions such as high blood pressure, fluid retention in the body and a high percentage of body fat.
Symptoms of DME
Diabetics should have their vision checked regularly to ensure there are no changes in the functioning of the retina or optic nerve.
Changes in your eyesight to look out for that could signal DME include blurred vision, double vision or an elevated level of eye floaters.
Schedule your eye consultation at any Optilase clinic in Northern Ireland on 08000 121 565.
