Immediate Visual Recovery Using the Latest Technology

Femtolasik

Due to the latest developments excimer laser vision correction is performed ​​with high precision and the results are excellent and predictable using an all laser technique.

Advantages of Femtolasik include:

·  Immediate visual recovery using the latest technology

·  Fast, safe, predictable and efficient

·  No absence from work required post treatment

·  Completelypainless recovery

Eligibility test:

You are eligible* if:

·  you are over 18

·  Myopic from -1.0D up to -10.0D

·  Hyperopicfrom +1.0D up to +4.0D

·  Astigmatic from +2.5D up to -4.0D

·  Have not had significant change in refraction for one year prior to the procedure date

·  Your eyes no longer tolerate wearing contact lenses

·  Want to see clearly without your glasses or contact lenses

* This table is intended to serve only as a guidance and is not a substitute for a professional eye examination

Contraindications for laser treatment:

·  Diabetes

·  Autoimmune disease

·  Wound recovery problems, keloid susceptibility

·  Amblyopia, lazy eye

·  Cataract/Glaucoma

·  Pregnancy planned within six months

·  Nursing mothers

·  Keratoconus (irregular shaped cornea)

·  Previous Herpes infection in the eye

·  Severe dry eye syndrome

·  Wearing reading-glasses only

Femtlasik – The Procedure

Topical Anesthesia

What are the advantages of topical anesthesia?

A topical anesthetic generally works well at preventing you feeling any pain during the operation. It also gives you pain relief after the operation. It usually has few risks and side effects. This is because it doesn’t affect any other part of your body, such as your breathing or your heart. People recover more quickly following surgery under topical anesthetic and can go home on the same day. You can continue to take any prescribed medicine you are on and may be able to eat and drink as normal.

Who administers the topical anesthetic and how is it given?

Eye surgeons and nurses are trained to administer topical anesthetic using numbing eye drops.

Before the Operation Day

Health Check: The Initial Patient Assessment

You will be asked about:

·  General health and fitness

·  Medical problems

·  Chronic conditions

·  Ocular problems

·  Diabetes

·  Your current medication

·  If you are pregnant

·  Allergies

·  Smoking

·  Alcohol intake

The Day of the Operation

You will receive clear instructions about if you should stop eating or drinking.

You can continue to take most prescribed medication as normal, including up to and on the day of your operation. If you are taking blood thinning agents, please inform your surgeon. If you have a cough or heavy cold on the day of the surgery, your operation might need to be postponed.

·  Please bring any medication you are taking with you to the clinic on the day of your operation so that the surgeon and nurses can check them out.

·  Do not wear any make up, eye creams or face creams

·  Do not wear any perfume or after shave

·  Wear comfortable loose clothing

·  Have someone to accompany you after the surgery

In the clinic

You will be seen by your eye surgeon. Your eye surgeon will check and mark the eye/s that is being operated on and discuss the operation with you. You will be asked to sign a consent form and your forehead may be marked on the side of the eye to be operated on.

What happens next?

·  You may be asked to put on a cap and plastic over shoes. You will keep your own clothes on and you should wear comfortable clothing that is loose around the neck.

·  Depending on the type of operation you are having the nurses may give you some eye drops. It is sensible to use the toilet before you go to the laser suite, so that you can lie still comfortably

·  The recovery area nurse will accompany you to the laser suite.

·  Safety Checks – Nurses will ask you some questions to check who you are, and what operation you are having. They will check again with you which eye is being operated on and check your consent form. This is done to be in line with the latest guidelines issued by the World Health Organization – Safe Surgery Checklist

Can I have something to calm me down?

Our doctors and nurses are very used to helping people relax. Sedatives can sometimes make you very sleepy and slow your breathing during the operation. Please discuss your wishes with your eye surgeon.

What happens in the Laser Suite?

You will be made comfortable on the operating table and the eye surgeon will then give you the eye drops which numb the eye.

After the local anesthetic is given, your eye will be kept closed to prevent from anything touching and damaging the surface of the eye.

The Operation

·  The nurse will check that you are lying comfortably on the laser table and that your head is supported.

·  Your eye will be cleansed with a disinfectant solution.

·  You will be swiveled underneath the Femtosecond laser, in case of Femtoasik, you will feel some pressure from the device and in a few seconds, a flap is created.

·  You will be swiveled back underneath the Excimer Laser, where the shaping of the cornea will occur

·  You will hear the noise of the laser machine and smell burning.

Can I speak during the operation?

It is best not to speak during the laser procedure, however if you want to say something, you will be asked to move your hand gently and the eye surgeon will stop operating so that you can speak.

Will I see anything?

You will usually be able to see bright lights and you may see some movements during the operation. This varies from person to person. You will not be able to see any detail.

What if I blink or move?

A small clip keeps your eyelids open so you do not need to worry about blinking. The laser has a tracking device that allows the laser to follow the movements of the eye with precision.

After the Operation

A nurse will escort you back to the recovery area. Your eye may be covered with a transparent eye shield until the following day to protect it and stop you from rubbing it whilst asleep. You will be discharged home after some time. Before you go, the recovery nurse will give you written instructions about recovering from your surgery, for example what activities to avoid. The nurse will tell you about any medication you need to take and will show you how to put the eye drops if you are unsure. You will be asked to come back to the clinic for further follow up appointments.

Will I be in pain?

There will be no pain after Femtolasik, however a sensation of foreign body or excess tears can occur during the first few hours.

When can I drive?

You will need to ask your surgeon how long you should wait before driving, as it varies from person to person.

Do I need to take special care?

You will receive individual instructions about the care of your eye, but you should think about the following:

·  Avoid rubbing the eye for 4 weeks

·  Do no use make up for 1 week

·  Do not swim for 4 weeks

·  After 1 week you are allowed to run, ride a bike, do aerobics, but wear sunglasses when outdoors

·  Avoid strenuous contact sports for 2 months

·  Wear sunglasses when in the sun for 2-3 months

·  If you are a restless sleeper, wear an eye shield so you can’t rub your eye without knowing when asleep

·  Contact us if you notice worsening of your symptoms, for example if your vision gets worse, if you develop new symptoms or if the eye becomes painful.

·  Avoid very heavy lifting, strenuous exercise and swimming until you get the all clear from your doctor.

·  Take care in windy weather in case you get something in your eye. Sunglasses can give some extra protection form dust and grit.

Risks and Complications

Like any other surgery, there may be risks and complications associated with this procedure. We always do our utmost to ensure that no complications arise and from past studies, we can say that Femtolasik is considered as a safe and effective procedure.

Dry eyes
Dry eye is a common side effect in post- operative stage. For this reason, it is recommended thatlubricating eyedrops are applied to the operated eyes for a three- to six-month period. Most patients report, however, that they no longer needthese eyedrops for more than a month or two after surgery. Very few patients will need to put these drops for a longer period of time.

Decreased night vision
Risk of decreased night vision is extremely small and nowadays it is rarely documented to advancement in technology.

Over or Under correction
Over or under correction means that the final outcome will be slightly on the plus or minus side, which usually evens out with time.

Sensitivity to light
There might be an initial sensitivity to light that usually resolves within a few hours.
Protrusion of the cornea (keratoconus)
Due to the current technology, the risk is, as a consequence, practically non-existent. The more precise preliminary examinations have also raised safety to a whole new level – and have already enabled the detection of keratoconus at an early stage.

Retinal damage
In the Femtolasik method, eye pressure does not need to be raised to a high level. For this reason, damage to the retina is very rare indeed.

Growing epithelium under the flap
In the rare incidence that epithelium grows under the flap, this is removed. The incidence is less than 1 in a 1,000.

Incomplete flap
If for some reason the flap is made in an incomplete manner, a new one can be made immediately.
Infections
Infections are extremely rare and can be prevented by putting the eye drops as advised by our team and to perform correct hand hygiene.

Where can I get further information?

If you want to ask any further questions about your surgery, please contact us via phone or e mail.

Phone Number: +356 2247 2630/1

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Authors: Tanya Costa

Date: August 2016Saint James Hospital – Eye Clinic