OSN | Small-aperture inlay with LASIK shows promise in treatment of presbyopia

WAILEA, Hawaii — A study of 2,000 patients implanted with a small-aperture corneal inlay with LASIK demonstrated high efficacy and safety, along with high patient satisfaction and lowered dependence on reading glasses, a speaker said here.

The analysis examined 2,000 hyperopes, emmetropes and myopes between the ages of 40 and 65 years. Subjects underwent simultaneous LASIK with implantation of a Kamra intracorneal inlay (AcuFocus), Minoru Tomita, MD, PhD, said at Hawaiian Eye 2012.

The latest version of the inlay, which is under U.S. investigational device exemption clinical trial, was used, he said. It measures 3.8 mm in diameter with a 1.6 mm central aperture and 8,400 holes for oxygen and nutrition flow.

Patients were examined at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postop.

Subjects achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 by 6 months and maintained 20/20 through 1 year, Dr. Tomita said.

Uncorrected near visual acuity results by age group showed those in their 40s gained three Jaeger lines to J2, those in their 50s gained four lines to J2, and those in their 60s gained five lines to J3. These results were maintained from 3 months to 1 year, he said.

"For both categories, more than 85% of patients were either satisfied or highly satisfied with the outcome," Dr. Tomita said.

Disclosure: Dr. Tomita performs contracted research for AcuFocus and has his travel expenses paid by AcuFocus, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems and Schwind eye-tech-solutions.

OSN SuperSite | Read Article >

London | The laser that can vaporise cataracts in blink of the eye

A new treatment which "vaporises" cataracts in a second is being pioneered by a London clinic.

The London Eye Hospital is the first to offer the technique, bringing hope to thousands of sufferers.

More than half of Britons over the age of 65 develop cataracts, where the lens of the eye becomes "cloudy". This affects vision and can lead to blindness if not treated.

Until now, treatment removed the cloudy lens and replaced it with an artificial one. But a new technique uses a FemtoSecond laser to dissolve the cataracts. First, doctors create a 3D model of the eye, enabling the surgeon to perform the procedure with exceptional accuracy. The laser then makes a pin-prick sized hole in the lens and fragments the cataract so the pieces can be removed.

Businesswoman Cherry Porter, 58, from Farnham, Surrey, had early-stage cataracts and is one of the first patients to undergo the procedure. The mother-of-two said: "It's great - I don't have to wear glasses and my sense of colour has improved as well."

Bobby Qureshi, medical director at the London Eye Hospital, said the technique reduces the risk of complications such as damage to the fine membrane around the lens.

London Evening Standard | Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent
Read Article >

Find out more about Laser Cataract Surgery >

Cataracts laser treatment introduced in UK

A new laser treatment for cataracts has been used in the UK for the first time.

The London Eye Hospital on Harley Street introduced the new technology, which can remove cataracts by dissolving them.

Currently, cataract surgery involves an incision with a blade by a surgeon into the lens, so that the cataract can be broken up with high frequency ultrasound, a process known as phacoemulsification.

While it is safe and effective, this treatment remains invasive, so new technologies are being developed including the laser treatment, called FemtoSecond, which is capable of creating a detailed three-dimensional model of the eye, then dissolve the cataract.

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the hospital Bobby Qureshi said: "The FemtoSecond laser has been specially designed to bring an extraordinary level of accuracy and reproducibility to refractive cataract surgery.

"No matter how accurate manual procedures may have seemed in the past, they simply cannot compete with the accuracy and precision that is now possible with laser cataract removal, which means that this surgery is now safer than ever before."

He added that cataracts affect 60 per cent of those over the age of 60, as well as a number of younger patients as well.

Netdoctor | Read Article >

Tips for Protecting Your Macula

Macular degeneration (MD) refers to a group of degenerative diseases of the retina that cause progressive, painless loss of central vision, affecting the ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces.

Lifestyle changes can help to protect your macular region. Here are some suggestions:

• Visit your optometrist or opthalmologist for regular check-ups
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle - exercise regularly, keep your weight under control and stop smoking
• High levels of antioxidants and zinc can significantly reduce the risk so make sure your diet includes green leafy vegetables (eg. spinach, broccoli) and red and yellow vegetables (eg. squash)
• Eat fish 2-3 times per week
• Eat a handful of nuts each week
• Limit the amount of fat in your diet
• Wear sunglasses (Australian Standards) and a hat during the day to protect your eyes

The Visian ICL: Ultimate in vision performance for the US military

The Visian ICL: Delivering the ultimate in vision performance in the most challenging of conditions encountered by the US military.

• Over 80% of the US soldiers achieve UCVA on 20/15 or better and 86% achieve UCVA the same or better than pre-op BCVA.
• The Visian ICL delivers exceptional vision for the most demanding, younger, active patients, including those with mild myopia as low as -3.0 diopters.
• Opinions of over 200 US soldiers highly rate the technology and believe the Visian ICL enables them to function and perform better.
• The US military has routinely used and implanted over 3,000 Visian ICLs.

100% of the US soldiers rate the Visian ICL as providing better vision than their previous spectacles and would have the procedure again. They said...

• Visian ICL enabled them to function and perform better
• Visian ICL provided better vision than their previous spectacles
• They would have the Visian ICL procedure again
• They would recommend the Visian ICL to a friend

More information about the Visian ICL
View PDF >

Kamra Vision for treating presbyopia

Dr Kerrie Meades from personalEYES talks introduces Kamra Vision, the safe, proven and effective treatment for presbyopia.

Kamra Vision is the world's most advanced treatement for restoring everyday reading and computer vision and at personalEYES we are proud to be one of Australia's exclusive providers of this life changing technology... helping patients see far, near and in-between.

Watch the video to find out more about presbyopia and hear the personal experiences of Dr Dean Corbett and Dr Rick Wolfe who chose Kamra Vision for their eyes.

If you are over 40 and tired of the incoveniences of glasses and contact lenses, ask us how Kamra Vision can give you liberating, lasting vision. Our approach is to help you achieve optimal vision for your eyes now and in the future.



Read more about Kamra Vision >

Laser vision correction can be good for your self-esteem

Mental health is one important facet of our overall general health - self-esteem is a reflection of our overall evaluation of our own worth. It includes beliefs (I am competent), emotions (triumph, despair, pride, shame), and self concept.

Self-esteem allows us to face life with more confidence, and optimism. If you need to wear glasses you may feel they are reducing your confidence levels in social or work situations.

Laser vision correction can not only improve your vision quality but remove the need for glasses or contact lenses so you will feel more confident about the way you look.

Just imagine the benefits of great vision, improved self-esteem, and not having to worry about choosing the right glasses and buying contact lens solution.

''I wish I had done this a long time ago. I feel so good about myself and cannot believe how good my eye sight is. It feels like a new world for me, everything so bright and beautiful. The procedure was painless and I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Don't delay, JUST DO IT!'' Vanessa

If you are considering laser eye surgery, you will need to discuss your options with your eye care professional.

At personalEYES we offer the newest vision correction techniques which allow us to assist more patients to leave our clinics without glasses or contact lenses enabling them to enjoy a Lifetime Of Vision.