The technology used in laser eye surgery is now largely computer controlled, working within extremely small tolerances. Advanced procedures like the iLasik system allow completely bladeless procedures that produce even better results than older technology.

Remember, the process is very finely tailored to your own specific and exacting needs, it is not a generic process. Every patient’s needs are slightly different and the procedure affects only a very small section of the eye.

The procedure has become so safe and reliable that even NASA astronauts and U.S. fighter pilots can have it without any fear of compromising their visual acuity.

1. Pomegranates
2. Small red beans (dried)
3. Wild blueberries
4. Red kidney beans
5. Pinto beans
6. Blueberries (cultivated)
7. Cranberries
8. Artichokes (cooked)
9. Blackberries
10. Prunes
11. Raspberries
12. Strawberries
13. Red Delicious apples
14. Granny Smith apples
15. Pecans
16. Sweet cherries
17. Black plums
18. Gala apples
19. Black beans (dried)
20. Plums

Antioxidants occur naturally and are mostly drawn from the food that the body digests. Scientists believe that they can have positive effects on the body, in terms of reducing the risk of cancer, and the effects of ageing. Some antioxidants are more potent than others, but it is important to maintain a balance of the different types, by ensuring a varied diet. The potency of certain antioxidants contained in food can be affected by the method of cooking, as well as the digestion process. For example, the antioxidants in blueberries lose their potency when cooked, while the antioxidants in tomatoes become more potent when cooked.

So, if good health is one of your priorities, be sure to eat these antioxidant rich foods as part of a balanced and varied diet.

The study was based on a randomized sample of 40 emmetropic patients between the ages of 45 and 60. It was conducted at two European sites, the University of Crete in Greece and Prato Hospital in Italy. Patients achieved dramatic improvements in their near vision from just one week after the procedure, often improving from pre-op vision of 20/100, to 20/25.

Perhaps even more significantly, the study also showed that patients experienced little to no change in their distance visual acuity using both eyes. Distance vision in the operated eye did, however, show declines of about two lines on the Snellen chart. Regardless, all patients went on to record a binocular distance vision of 20/25 or better within one month of the surgery, with continued improvement over time. Patients also reported a “very high satisfaction rate” one year after implantation.

Dr. Michael Gordon, founder of the Gordon Binder Vision Institute in San Diego, CA and a member of Presbia’s Medical Advisory Board has the following to say about the test results: “This study demonstrates that the Flexivue Microlens^® provides a clinically useful and very satisfactory treatment for emmetropic presbyopia.” Prof. Pallikaris, Chairman of Presbia’s Medical Advisory Board noted: “The fact that all respondents either don’t use reading glasses at all, or less than 50 percent of the time, shows that the Flexivue is a superior treatment for this common eye ailment that affects more than one billion people globally.”

EYE CARE AWARENESS WEEK:

October marks the annual Eye Care Awareness Week.  During the month of October the Khangella theatre offered its theatre facilities free of charge and Dr. Johann Krüger performed several free cataract operations on people who would otherwise not be able to afford it.  Several pharmaceutical companies made this possible by donating intra-ocular lenses, eye drop medication and other materials used during the procedure.

NEW PROCEDURES:

Trabectome is a new FDA-approved surgical device for the treatment of glaucoma.  The unique design of Trabectome precisely removes the diseased tissue that is causing the glaucoma in a procedure that is as simple as cataract surgery.  It is safe, economical and effective and restores the eye’s natural fluid balance.  The complication rate is very low and it can easily be combined with cataract surgery.

A new multifocal intra-ocular lens, the LENTIS MPlus lens is now available.  This IOL features a completely new approach in multifocal lens technology.  An innovative aspheric, asymmetric far-vision zone is combined with a sector-shaped near vision section of +3 diopters.  This allows for seamless transition between the far and near zones and offers great advantages.  Significantly less glare and halo’s are experienced, there are no image jumps and contrast sensitivity is significantly improved.

DISCOVERY KEYCARE:

We have been added to the Discovery Keycare plan as a new supplier; there are only a few hospitals on this plan as a preferred provider.

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.

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.

The Tygervalley Eye & Laser Centre also offers comprehensive Diabetic eye care, including digital fluorescein angiography, laser treatments and Avastin and Lucentis injections for diabetic macular edema.

We also specialize in Glaucoma treatment and management, using the latest technology of OCT scanning of the optic nerve, as well as Heidelberg retinal tomography and visual field analysis. Glaucoma surgery is also available at the clinic.

For more information about the above mentioned or any other eye procedures, please visit our website: www.eyelaserclinic.co.za, or contact us at The Tygervalley Eye & Laser Centre at 021 9100 300 or info@eyelaserclinic.co.za. Please remember that we offer free laser suitability screening to the public by telephonic appointment.