All about eyes – that’s what this blog is dedicated to, and for good reason. It goes without saying they deserve the absolute best care possible, something which is becoming easier with valuable information and procedures becoming accessible to people all over the globe.

Advancements in technology now make it possible to improve eyesight in a simple procedure – all you need to do is look at a picture of Richard Branson and others throwing away their glasses to see how popular it is these days. Something like Lasik Eye Surgery can enhance vision significantly thanks to proper screening and treatment options using laser vision correction – and the complications, if any, are minimal. The fact is it’s easier than ever to ensure you get the best treatment possible if you have eyesight problems – and ridding yourself of reading glasses for good is a very real possibility. With that in mind, here are some interesting bytes about the eyes…

• The blink of an eye is really one of the fastest things on earth. One of the longest times anyone has ever gone without blinking is just over 17 minutes – that was for a world record. Blinking is how the eye maintains hydration and ensures optimal optical function. Men and women are said to blink different amounts during the day, with men blinking more. The average blink lasts between 15 and 120 milliseconds.
• The eye is one of the most complex parts of the body and is made up of more than two million working parts. In relation to its size, it also boasts the strongest muscles in the human body. Though they require replenishment through moisture, your eye is the only part of your body that never needs rest – the external muscles do though.
• Predicting what colour eyes a baby will have depends on family heritage and is almost impossible, as genetic factors are made up of many variables. Culture, pigment and more all play a part. Brown eyes are traditionally more dominant but this could very well change in the future.
• We are visual beings, collecting most of our information through eyesight alone – it’s believed that most humans use sight to collect about 80 percent of their knowledge. Our eyes can distinguish between 10 million colours and process information at a startling rate – the part of the brain the processes all the visual information we take in doesn’t even work as fast as we see.

The Tygervalley Eye & Laser Centre in the Northern suburbs has been providing world class eye care to thousands of patients, both local and international, over the past 13 years. Specializing in refractive surgery, the clinic offers the most technologically advanced equipment and theatre facilities.

We offer bladeless wavefront-guided Advanced CustomVue iLasik surgery to treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. It involves a personal and unique laser vision correction designed for each eye individually, under a thin corneal flap created by a Femtosecond laser. Since no two “treatment prescriptions” are the same, improved outcomes can be expected for each person who undergoes treatment with the Advanced CustomVue iLasik system.

Femtosecond Intralase technology is also used for cross-linking for Keratoconus, as well as to create the channels for Ferrara intra-corneal ring segment implants.

Femtosecond assisted DSAEK (Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty) is a new corneal transplant technique where the unhealthy, diseased, posterior portion of a patient’s cornea is removed and replaced with healthy donor tissue obtained from the eye bank. Unlike conventional corneal transplant surgery known as penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), the DSAEK procedure utilises a much smaller surgical incision and requires fewer corneal sutures. This usually results in more rapid visual rehabilitation for the DSAEK patient, better post-operative visual acuity and less chance for rejection. Femtosecond assisted Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK/SALK/DALK) can be performed for corneal scars and superficial corneal disease.

Femtosecond assisted FlexiVue corneal inlays can help those who suffer from presbyopia and struggles with near vision.

We use the most up to date technology for pterigium removal. Tisseel tissue glue is used in stead of stitches – this results in less irritation, redness and light sensitivity post-operatively, as well as less chance of recurrence.

The latest technology used for cataract extraction is micro-incision phaco-emulsification, called M.I.C.S. It is performed under topical anaesthetic, which means that your eye is numbed with eye drops only; no injections or general anaesthesia is necessary. The procedure involves a sub-2.2mm incision in the side of the cornea, through which the surgeon applies a tiny, high-frequency ultrasound instrument. High-energy sound waves break up the centre of the lens into microscopic particles, which are then gently suctioned out through the incision. The new OZil Torsional and intrepid phaco-emulsification ultrasound system provides better post-operative vision and quicker recovery due to clearer corneas and smaller incisions.