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UAE laser eye surgery patients ‘need to be better informed’

DUBAI, March 9, 2015

The laser corrective eye surgery patients in the UAE need to be better informed, if they are to get the best possible results, according to an expert.

Dr Mark Wilkins, consultant corneal surgeon and corneal service director at the Moorfields Eye Hospital (London), who also leads the Corneal Service in Dubai, UAE, said that laser eye surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed.

In the UK, it is estimated that 15,000 people undergo laser eye surgery every year. It is quick, effective and life-changing for people who are able to stop wearing glasses and contact lenses, after surgery, said a statement.

In fact, it is now so safe, accessible and affordable that patients may not be aware of the need to understand the type of surgery and the options, the experience of the doctor performing the procedure, the expected quality of the results, and any possible side effects, it said.

How to choose the right laser corrective surgery

The patients plan to have refractive eye surgery only once in their lives and so they should make sure that they are getting the right treatment to get as close as possible to the desired result, said the statement.

All laser vision correction surgeries work by reshaping the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina located in the back of the eye.

There are two main types of surgery – Lasik and Lasek/PRK. Prospective patients need to be clear on what procedure would best suit their needs, give them the desired outcome and improved vision. They need to be sure that they are working with the right procedure, and the best technology in expert hands, before committing.

The patients should be assessed thoroughly with a comprehensive eye examination and a review of medical history to ensure they are appropriate candidates for the surgery.

“Laser eye correction is safe and complications are rare, as long as you are in expert hands,” said Dr Wilkins.

“All laser surgeons should be trained, qualified and experienced in the selected procedure.”
 
“Doctors must ensure that they help patients fully understand what improvements they can expect in their vision and whether they may still need to use reading glasses, for example. It is essential to agree the optimum outcome for the patient, based on age, vision, and lifestyle requirements (such as sports, working environment, need to read, or driving at night). The resulting vision for the patient should be an improvement on pre-treatment eyesight with glasses or contact lenses,” he said.

"Corrective eye surgery is a science and an art – the results are literally in the eye of the beholder. In order for patients to avoid problems and get the results they are expecting they should have a very clear understanding of the procedure and what outcomes to expect through discussions with a doctor experienced in the procedure,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: UAE | Laser | Surgery | Eye | patient |

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