Cataracts worsen over time but the deterioration in your sight is so gradual that you may not notice what you have lost until your lifestyle begins to suffer and your appreciation of the beautiful things in life diminishes. And life is too short for that. Our patients tell us that following cataract surgery they feel as if they have stepped through a door to a whole new world.

A cataract is a clouding that forms in the natural lens of the eye. This clouding is due to denaturation of the protein in the natural lens of the eye. The most common cause is age related but it can be caused by long term exposure to ultraviolet light, exposure to radiation or the secondary effects of diabetes. A cataract is experienced as cloudy, blurred vision, poor night vision, loss of colour intensity, frequent eye glass prescription changes and other troubling symptoms. The loss of transparency of the lens may be so mild that vision is hardly affected, or so severe that no shapes or movements are seen, only light and dark.

You should consider having the refractive lens exchange surgical procedure when your vision is so bad that it hinders your lifestyle to the extent that you are unable to read or drive. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure all over the world and as such it is extremely safe and effective. The Advanced Vision Care refractive lens exchange surgeons are hugely experienced in this field and have performed thousands of successful procedures. They will explain the various types of lenses available and recommend the most appropriate refractive lens exchange procedure for your needs.

Clear or refractive lens exchange procedures usually last about 30 minutes and is performed under local anaesthetic (eye drops). There are no stitches, so you can return home the same day after an hour of recovery.

This is similar to cataract treatment. Due to the latest advances in technique, technology and the availably of miniature and high quality lenses, refractive lens exchange is performed on younger patients to improve the quality of life without glasses.

1.Patient not suitable for Laser or Implantable contact lenses ( ICL ) - High complicated prescriptions, thin cornea, corneal abnormality like keratoconus etc.
2. Myopia or Short sightedness up to -23 D
3. Hyperopia or long sightedness up to +11 D
4. Astigmatism up to + 5 D

Micro or Small Incision, No Stitch, Foldable Lens, Phacoemulsification done under eye drops (topical Anaesthesia)

Unlike Many other NHS or private hospitals which use injections under the eye for this procedure, AVC international surgical team uses only eye drops for numbing your eyes so that recovery is faster and more convenient to the patient (Topical Anaesthesia)

A small incision of 2 mm is made in the Cornea (the transparent part of the eye) and the lens matter is removed with the latest machine by Phacoemulsification (ultrasound). Once the lens matter is removed, a miniature foldable lens to correct the prescription in inserted in the lens bag. No stitches are placed in the incision as they are self sealing.

AVC uses Be spoke, personalised lenses for each patient with latest technology. The lenses are available to correct high, complicated prescriptions with astigmatism

Monofocal lenses ( IOl ) - To correct prescriptions without astigmatism. Patients need to wear reading glasses.

Toric or Astigmatic Lenses (Toric IOL) - To correct prescriptions with astigmatism. Patients need to wear reading glasses after this procedure.

Monovision --- Used for patients who have tried this method successfully. The dominant eye is corrected for distance and the non-dominant eye is corrected for reading, Useful for patients wearing varifocal or multifocal glasses.

Multifocal lenses --- Used for patients who wear varifocal or multifocal glasses or for whom the monovision method is not applicable. AVC uses Alcon, Zeiss and Rayner lenses made bespoke for each patient needs. Compared with other clinics in UK, AVC are leaders and has excellent track record as every patient undergoes vigorous clinical screening process and data collection.

Sometimes if the prescription is very high or complicated, Lens exchange alone will not correct the whole prescription as there is a limit for lens strengths. These patients will need a two stage procedure to correct their refractive error—Lens exchange with IOL followed by Laser treatment - this is called “Bioptics”. The surgeon will advise you on consultation.

Treatment: CLE

Date: 03/06/2010

I had a lot of difficulty reading, driving and the inconvenience of glasses.

The experience I had with AVC was perfect; the staff are friendly and professional. The treatment was very quick and painless. My life was changed as I can now read and drive without glasses. Also I have no problems now with motorcycling.

I have recommended AVC to all my friends and relatives.

Treatment: CLE

Date: 22/07/2010

I wished to be able to read without reading glasses. As Mr Pillai treated me 6 years ago for Laser treatment for distance I knew how pleased I would be with this further treatment.

Having this treatment has achieved what I hoped for; I no longer have to carry glasses to read ~ Surgery was to one (left) eye only I would like to thank all the staff I have seen on my visits to Harley Street and also the great eye surgeons. I would also like to thank Mr Timpson at Centre Vision in Northampton for his care.

Treatment: CLE

Date: 27/03/2010

I was very happy with the whole process; from my general enquiry to new vision was about 6 weeks. Far faster than I would have expected. Also my initial expectation was that I would have Laser surgery and therefore would need to wear spectacles for close work. The CLE have given me both near and distance vision, both of which are excellent and has far exceeded my expectations.

Treatment: CLE

Date: 08/04/2010

Over the last 10 years I have spoken to various companies with a view to having eye treatment which would allow me to be free of having to wear spectacles. In my opinion, there was not one company that could offer me what I wanted; instead they were more interested in my credit card rather than discussing my treatment that I was enquiring about.

However when I contacted Advance Vision Care they opened up a whole new world, for I was their priority and I was put at ease immediately. They wanted to know what they could do for me and how could they fulfill my dreams by not having to wear specs. During my 3 hour assessment, the various options were discussed to suit my requirements. I decided to have the CLE procedure and like magic I can see!!! Wonderful What more can I say, except without the care and attention of all of the staff at Advance Vision Care and expertise of my surgeon, Mr Helgason I would never have been convinced to have the treatment. I thank you all so very much.

Treatment: CLE

Date: 08/04/2010

Before having the treatment I wore glasses. I decided to have Clear Lens Exchange and it is the best thing I have ever done. There was no pain what so ever. The Advance VisionCare team were very professional and made you feel at ease. I was used to wear varifocal glasses which I hated. Now I can read newspapers small print etc

I wish I had the Clear lens exchange done years ago. I can highly recommend this simple procedure to anyone.