Laser Eye Surgery Blog

Diabetes and Sight Complications

Posted by admin | March 23, 2012 | in AVC Advice, AVC Explains

In weeks gone by, we have discussed a range of sight conditions and the treatments that can be used to help remedy them. This week, we turn our attention medical conditions that, at first glance, might not seem like they have a huge amount to do with sight. However, these conditions can still have a significant impact on your sight, and some patients make the decision to have laser eye surgery to correct them.

Diabetes is probably one of the most well-known medical conditions around, and it occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough – or even any – insulin, or where the body is unable to process the insulin it produces. This has an impact on your blood sugar, and many people who have the condition have to monitor both their blood sugar levels and diets very carefully. Around 2.9 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes, so this is quite a common disease.

If you have diabetes then there is no guarantee that you eyesight will or will not be affected by the condition. However, if your eyesight is affected by diabetes then it is likely to be because the blood vessels that supply your retina with blood have been damaged. The most common eye condition associated with diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy.

For most people, this will manifest itself in a mild form, such as in very small haemorrhages of the blood vessels. Patients might not even be aware of the problem as eyesight is not always affected. For some people though, the condition can be more serious. This is why retinal screening tests can be so important for people who have got diabetes.

As well as this impact on your blood vessels in the eye, diabetes can also lead to other sight problems that it is important to be aware of. For example, something that typically affects patients who have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes is a condition where the lens of the eye leads to you having blurred vision at certain times of the day, depending on your blood sugar levels.

In the long term, it is also possible for diabetes to lead to cataracts, which is where the lens of the eye goes permanently cloudy. This typically needs to be treated with cataract eye surgery.

There are some things that diabetes patients can do to limit the effect their condition has on their sight. For instance, closely monitoring your blood sugar and blood pressure can help, as can keeping fit and having regular retinal screenings. You might find that you have no problems at all with your sight even if you have diabetes, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry so if you’re worried, get your vision checked.

How Space Damages Eyesight

Posted by admin | March 16, 2012 | in AVC Explains, Urban Myths

This isn’t specifically a blog post about laser eye surgery, but Advanced Vision Care is interested in anything to do with eyesight, so we read with great interest this story. It’s about how astronauts who have been in space for a long period of time can end up developing sight issues, and the implications that this could have for the future exploration of space.

The story is based on a study of astronauts who had been in space for 30 days or more, and it found that multiple participants had been affected by the time they had spent in space. Several of them ended up with eyeballs that were flatter than normal, while others found that the space around the optic nerve had been affected and others experienced a bulge in their optic nerve.

These symptoms are similar to those that are often found in people who suffer from intracranial hypertension, a fairly rare condition that usually tends to affect women more than men and that leads to a loss of sight in a percentage of the people who have the condition.

Interestingly, some of the astronauts who experienced a flattening of the back of their eyeball found that their eyesight actually improved, since the impact of the flattening is to make a person more long-sighted – which can help to reduce any short sightedness they may have previously experienced.

However, despite this accidental benefit for some, this study raises some concerns about the long term sight of the astronauts, and highlights some of the dangers that are associated with space travel. Of course, only a very small number of people ever go into space and so it’s not something our AVC patients need to worry about (unless you happen to be an astronaut), but it does raise questions as to the impact the growth of space tourism might have on the people who take the chance to go into orbit.

It also highlights the fact that our lives are always changing – and treatment for eye conditions needs to be constantly adapting and evolving to keep up with that. This is one of the main reasons the surgeons at AVC are so keen to keep on top of the latest research and techniques for correcting eye sight, because as the world evolves, so do the challenges we face. Even though the problems experienced by the astronauts might not be something we see every day, it serves as a good reminder that when it comes to issues of eyesight, we always need to be on the ball.

The Invention of Lasik Eye Surgery

Posted by admin | March 9, 2012 | in AVC Explains, Urban Myths

A while ago, this blog took a look at how laser eye surgery has developed over the years and how it came to be the popular treatment it is today. This time, we thought we’d investigate Lasik eye surgery, which is one of the most frequently-performed treatments here at AVC.

As you may already know, Lasik eye surgery is the result of more than a century’s worth of research into the best ways to treat sight conditions. However, we can arguably date the origins of the idea behind Lasik back to the 1950s, when a man called Jose Barraquer developed a process known as keratomileusis. This was a procedure that involved cutting flaps in the cornea to change the shape of it.

Some years later in 1968, a man called Mani Lal Bhaumik and a group of other scientists managed to create a carbon dioxide laser, which later became an extremely important invention in the world of laser eye surgery. This laser led to the development of the excimer laser; previously, a diamond knife was typically used in refractive surgery, and the medical world was keen to find out about the benefits of using a laser instead.

It was only in the early 1980s, however, that the technology was refined enough to really begin finding out about how lasers could be used to treat refractive errors, and an early laser system was used to treat a human eye in 1989. This was carried out by Dr Marguerite B. Macdonald.

1989 was also the year that the first Lasik patent was granted, although it didn’t really come into use until the 1990s. The overall technique was significantly impacted by Dr Pallikaris, who studied the effects of combining the technique used by Dr Barraquer in the 1950s with an earlier type of laser surgery called PRK. This led to the creation of the Lasik eye surgery we are familiar with today, which involves using a laser to cut a flap in the cornea and then change the shape of it to correct the refractive error.

Lasik eye surgery was a huge improvement on the treatments that had come before as it caused patients much less discomfort and it meant they could see results right away. Since the early 1990s, the technique has improved even further, with different types of Lasik and other forms of laser eye surgery being developed.

Overall, the invention of Lasik really changed what we are able to do to help people who suffer from sight problems, and Advanced Vision Care is proud to be a leading provider of the surgery.

5 Top Facts about Implantable Contact Lenses

Posted by admin | March 2, 2012 | in AVC Explains, Laser Eye Care

Most of the patients we see at Advanced Vision Care are suitable for laser eye treatment. However, for some of those patients who are unable to have this surgery, implantable contact lenses can sometimes be used instead. Here are some of the top facts about these implantable lenses.

They can correct a wide range of sight trouble
One of the big benefits of implantable contact lenses is that they are able to treat such a wide range of sight: they can treat between -25.00 (short-sighted) to +12.00 (long-sighted). This means that if your sight condition is too severe to be properly treated using laser eye treatment, implantable contact lenses could be a good option.

They are sometimes known as ‘refractive lens exchange’
If the lens of your eye is considered to be ‘faulty’, then implantable contact lenses are often known as a refractive lens exchange, because we first remove the faulty lens from your eye before replacing it with a new, synthetic one. For instance, if your natural lenses have become cloudy due to cataracts, this is the procedure that will often be followed.

They can be used if you have thin corneas
One of the reasons some people are unable to have laser eye treatment is because their corneas are too thin to handle the procedure. If this is the case with you, implantable contact lenses can sometimes be used instead.

There are a few restrictions
It is important to note that, just as with any other procedure, there are a few restrictions as to who can have implantable contact lenses. As well as having a qualifying sight condition, you will also need to have good eye health in order to undergo the procedure. This means that if you have glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, you may be unsuitable for implantable lenses or might require additional treatment first.

There are plenty of plus sides
One of the great things about implantable contact lenses is that they have a very good track record. For instance, while laser eye treatment is sometimes associated with dry eye following the procedure, this is much less of a risk with implantable lenses. The lens technology also means that you should be unable to feel it while you are wearing it and, while we pride ourselves on happy patients, the procedure is reversible, which can give some people peace of mind.

Implantable contact lenses can be used to treat astigmatism, long sight and short sight. To find out more or discuss your sight issues, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with AVC for a consultation.

Wearing Varifocals and Laser Eye Surgery

Posted by admin | February 24, 2012 | in AVC Explains, Laser Treatments

We all know that as we get older, it is likely that our eyesight will gradually start to deteriorate. For some people, this might mean wearing glasses or contact lenses for the first time ever. For other people, it can be even more inconvenient, with multiple pairs of glasses for different activities, or varifocals to take care of multiple problems at the same time.

As a result, some people who wear varifocals or who have multiple pairs of glasses might like to consider the laser eye surgery options that are open to them. This can help make the business of seeing where you are and where you’re going much easier – but which laser eye surgery should you get if you wear varifocals?

The answer is that this is likely to vary depending on your specific prescription and the condition of your eye. For example, we have seen in other articles how while Lasik treatment is suitable for more people having laser eye surgery, if your cornea is particularly thin, you might be recommended for Lasek instead.

There is also a third type of laser eye surgery that we are able to offer at Advanced Vision Care, which can be beneficial for people who have multiple sight conditions that need to be taken care of. This is called Supracor and it is a form of eye surgery that allows us to correct both long and short sightedness at the same time.

You may already know that previously when we corrected both of these at the same time, because of the technology available to us, we would have to correct one eye for long sight and one eye for short sight. This was a good solution and offered people much better vision than they had before, but it wasn’t always ideal. By contrast, Supracor allows us to treat both eyes for both conditions, which is a great bonus.

However, laser eye surgery is not the only option for people who wear varifocals. Some people might want to look at other options while others might not be suitable for laser surgery. If this is the case, then we might recommend a treatment such as a clear lens exchange, which is where the original lens of the cornea is removed and replaced with a new, multifocal lens to correct all aspects of your vision.

If you currently wear varifocal glasses and want to find out more about the treatment options available to you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with AVC today.

What Causes Long Sightedness?

Posted by admin | February 17, 2012 | in AVC Explains

Following on from our recent look at short sightedness, this week we are investigating the condition of long sightedness, which is another common sight problem we treat here at AVC. Again, this is a condition that is usually treated with contact lenses or glasses to begin with, but patients might decide that they want to have corrective eye surgery further down the line.

What is long sightedness?

In some ways, long sightedness is the opposite of short sightedness. While people with short sight typically find it hard to see things that are in the distance without help, people who have long sightedness tend to find things blurry when they are close up – their distance vision is generally fine.

This is due to the nature of the refractive error. You may have heard the name hyperopia used to describe long sightedness before; this is the ‘proper’ name for it, but they essentially mean the same thing.

What causes long sightedness?

There are several factors that have the potential to cause long sightedness. For many people, the condition begins in their childhood as an inherited trait. However, further research is needed in this area to see whether there actually are any genes that are directly linked to hyperopia.

Age is another common cause of long sightedness; as the eye changes with age, it can trigger the onset of the condition. This is due to the eye becoming less flexible, which means it also finds it harder to accommodate light rays – this then has the effect of causing near objects to come across as blurry. Most people will experience this age-related condition to some degree; when it is age related, it is usually called presbyopia and it is entirely normal.

Typically, long sightedness is characterised by a cornea that is not curved enough, an eyeball that is too short and/or a lens that is too thin.

What are the symptoms?

As you have probably guessed, one of the main symptoms of long sightedness is that you will have trouble seeing things when they are close to you. There are also a couple of other symptoms to look out for, such as the feeling you are straining your eyes or headaches that are caused by this straining. You might also find that when you are reading, you require brighter light than you are used to.

It’s important to treat this condition so that it can be managed properly. If glasses and contact lenses are not working out for you, corrective eye surgery with an experienced surgeon at AVC is one option that might be worth considering.

Suitability for Laser Eye Surgery

Posted by admin | February 10, 2012 | in AVC Advice

Advanced VisionCare is dedicated to helping as many people as we possibly can and making sure everyone gets the treatment that is right for their needs. Very often, this will be laser eye treatment. However, some people will not be suitable for this sort of surgery and so we might suggest something else instead. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most important conditions and factors involved in whether laser eye treatment is suitable for you.

Age matters
While there is no official upper age limit for having laser eye treatment, there is a lower age limit. The surgery cannot be performed on anyone who is under the age of 18, so if you’re not yet an adult, we’re afraid you’ll have to wait a little while longer. One of the reasons under-18s cannot have laser eye treatment is due to the fact the treatment has not been approved for them; another reason is that young people are more likely to have refractive instability or large pupils, both of which can lead to unsuitability for treatment.

Stability of your eyesight
This is an important one: if your eyesight is currently unstable, meaning that your prescription is still changing regularly, you will probably not be suitable for laser eye treatment. As mentioned above, this can often be the case with young people.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also cause your vision to alter, as can some diseases such as diabetes. It is also worth noting that some medications can cause your vision to change, so AVC always asks our patients to let us know if they are currently taking any tablets as this could have implications for their treatment.

Other related conditions
There are also some other conditions that could mean laser eye treatment is not for you. For example, if you have an eye condition such as keratoconus, any eye inflammation, herpes that affects the eye area or glaucoma, your eyes might be too sensitive for laser surgery and so another treatment might be recommended instead. We are highly experienced at alternative keratoconus treatments, for instance.

If you have large pupils, you might also want to think whether laser eye treatment is right for you as this can sometimes exacerbate any side effects of the surgery, such as halos and glare. Also, if you have previously had laser eye treatment, we will need to assess you extra carefully to make sure you are okay to have it again.

We take your wellbeing very seriously, so AVC surgeons always assess patients thoroughly to make sure they are right for laser eye treatment before going ahead with the procedure.

What Causes Short Sightedness?

Posted by admin | February 3, 2012 | in AVC Explains

One of the most common issues we treat here at Advanced VisionCare is the problem of short sight, and this is one of the main reasons people have corrective eye surgery. But what is short sightedness and what are some of the causes of it?

What is it?
Short sightedness is known as myopia in medical terms, which is also known as a refractive error. One of the main symptoms of myopia is the ability to see things well when they are close up, but objects that are further away often seem blurry. Milder cases of short sightedness can usually be managed quite easily using contact lenses or glasses, but for more severe cases or for people who don’t want to wear glasses any longer, corrective eye surgery is another treatment option.

How does it happen?
Like all refractive errors, short sightedness occurs because the light entering the eye cannot be focused properly on the retina. Age is one of the most common causes of this deterioration of sight, but an irregularly shaped eyeball can also be the cause of myopia.

Typically, people who are short sighted have a cornea that is too curved. This means that light cannot reach the retina as it should normally be able to.

Who gets it?
As mentioned above, short sightedness can be caused by the deterioration of the eye due to old age. However, it is also a condition that runs in some families and so it is often present in children and teenagers as well as adults. Also, some medical conditions – such as diabetes – can make people more prone to short sightedness.

Generally speaking, the younger you are when myopia is discovered, the more severe it is likely to be by the time you reach adulthood. However, many adults find that their vision eventually stabilises and does not get any worse. Once a person’s prescription is stable, they are more likely to be a good candidate for corrective eye surgery.

What surgery could I have?
If you are short sighted and are considering corrective eye surgery then the most common form of surgery is LASIK. This is where the laser is used to remove a thin layer of the cornea, making it easier for light to reach the retina as it should do.

However, some people who are unsuitable for LASIK treatment might be able to have LASEK surgery instead. Implantable contact lenses are another surgical option that we are able to provide to suitable patients at AVC.

Essex Open Evening – March 1st…..

Posted by admin | February 1, 2012 | in News



We are delighted to announce our Essex open evening will take place at 7pm on MARCH 1st at The Oak Room, Theydon Bois Village Hall, Theydon Bois, Essex.

The object of the evening is to talk to you about all aspects of vision correction, and answer any questions you may have, whilst enjoying a glass of champagne and canapes with the AVC staff.

As usual there will be SPECIAL OFFERS on the evening for those who attend, so why not set this date aside and take the first tentative steps towards changing your life for the better.