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more..Ask Mr Pillai
Ask our laser eye surgeon Mr Pillai
Mr C.T. Pillai is AVC's Medical Director, and one of the most respected and experienced consultant Laser refractive surgeons in the UK. No one understands your concerns about laser eye surgery and treatments better than him, and that's why this section of the site is dedicated to giving you the answers you need.
The most commonly asked questions regarding corrective eye surgery are listed below, but if your query isn't here, you can either ask Mr. Pillai on Twitter or send him an email at askmrp@advancedvisioncare.co.uk. Be sure to put your question (or a summary of it) in the subject header.
- How do I know if I am suitable for treatment at AVC?
- How successful is Laser eye surgery?
- Are the effects of Laser eye surgery permanent?
- Does the treatment hurt?
- How do I choose a surgeon?
- Is there an age limit for treatment?
- What is the risk of something going wrong?
- How quickly can I fly after Laser eye surgery?
- Can I speak to someone who has had Laser surgery before I book?
- How much will it cost?
- What happens in the event of a power failure during a procedure?
1. How do I know if I am suitable for treatment at AVC?
If you're considering booking Laser eye surgery or other eye treatments with AVC, and are unsure about your suitability, we would recommend that you call one of our team on 08006524878. Make sure you have your prescription details to hand and we will be able to give you an indication of suitability and book a consultation for you.
Alternatively, an initial consultation can also be booked at a local centre within AVC's optometrist network. This will enable you to know broadly whether you are suitable. You will then be referred to us in Harley Street for a detailed assessment to decide which specific treatment will be best suited to your individual needs.
You may like to submit your prescription details online into our Am I Suitable form on the website to get an idea of the kind of treatment plan AVC could offer you.
2. How successful is Laser eye surgery?
AVC's results are highly audited.
- With Wavefront Laser surgery, over 95% of patients achieve unaided 20/20 vision or better - (the 'gold standard' of uncorrected vision)
- Over two thirds of AVC's Wavefront patients reach unaided 20/16 vision
- Over 95% of Wavefront patients maintained or improved from their best-corrected vision six months after surgery at AVC
- Nearly 100 % of patients reported satisfaction after experiencing Laser eye surgery using Zyoptix technology
- Close to 100 % of Zyoptix patients indicated improvement in their quality of vision, with nearly half reporting improvements in night vision while driving
3. Are the effects of Laser eye surgery permanent?
Laser is a well-established technique (for the last 20 years) and there is no evidence to suggest that the treatment is anything other than permanent. However, it cannot prevent the natural ageing process of the eye. In the majority of cases, only one treatment is required and it is permanent. A small percentage (2-3%) may require re-treatment within the first year and this is dependent on their prescription, healing and other ocular factors.
No. At AVC we use local anaesthetic eye drops prior to treatment to ensure that the procedure is pain-free. Some patients can, however, experience a degree of discomfort, which is entirely normal. Patients may also feel some slight discomfort within the 48-hour period after the procedure. This tends to be more common with Lasek eye surgery rather than the LASIK eye surgery procedure. At AVC, all patients are given a bandage contact lens to aid comfort after the first night.
Choice of surgeon is arguably the most important decision to make when deciding whether and where to have refractive surgery. Some questions that should be considered are:
- What is his / her track record?
- What are his / her qualifications?
- What is his / her complication rate?
- Will he / she be easily available after the procedure?
- Will I meet him / her before the day of surgery?
At AVC we're proud to be able to answer all of these questions and more, positively and confidently. Mr Pillai is one of the UK's most experienced and qualified surgeons, and because he is exclusive to AVC, you will always meet him in advance and he will be on-hand after surgery.
Most UK clinics advise patients that they may only meet their surgeon on the day of the surgery. At AVC, we believe that the continuity of medical care should be provided by both the primary surgeon and the same clinical team. As a prospective patient, you must consider whether you are happy for a non-medical employee to make life-changing decisions about your eye surgery, which may be the case in other practices.
6. Is there an age limit for treatment?
Our lower age limit for Laser eye treatment is usually 21, and this is because the prescription needs to stabilise before treatment can be given, otherwise this may change after treatment, ultimately defeating the object of the procedure. The most important aspect is to have an eyesight prescription that has been stable for a minimum of 2 years. There is no upper age limit for treatment at AVC, but medical conditions may affect the ability to be treated over the age of 70.
7. What is the risk of something going wrong?
Laser eye surgery is a very safe and highly effective treatment. The potential complications are minimal, especially in the hands of an experienced surgeon and clinical team. However, no surgical procedure is risk free and there is an extremely small chance of a complication arising, most of which can be resolved within the first few months following a procedure. At AVC it is our policy to advise our patients fully of all risks involved; these will be explained to you when you attend for your initital consultation. You will be able to make an informed decision based on this information.
8. How quickly can I fly after Laser eye surgery?
Short haul flights (less than two hours) can be undertaken within 24 hours post surgery, and long haul flights after 5 days. You will need to use the lubricating drops we give you during the flight to avoid dryness of the eyes.
9. Can I speak to someone who has had Laser surgery before I book?
Yes. Many of our treated patients are delighted to talk to prospective patients about their experiences of Laser eye surgery. If you would like to speak to a patient with a similar prescription to you, please call a member of our team on 08006524878 with your details and they will be able to put you in touch.
At AVC we firmly believe that a ‘one size fits all' approach is neither effective, honest or practical. We tailor all of our treatment plans to the individual needs and lifestyles of our patients. We also believe in transparent pricing with no hidden extras. Take a look at our Pricing page for the range of treatments and payment options available at AVC, but bear in mind that we care for patients on a case-by-case basis.
11. What happens in the event of a power failure during a procedure?
We understand that patients may experience some nervousness prior to treatment, and have lots of questions just like this. At every stage of the AVC treatment process we take the time to address these concerns and ensure that you know exactly what to expect. AVC has a back-up generator which will be used should a power failure occur.
