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Latest innovations Improved accuracy and precision
Tailor-made eye care How lens technology is offering a better fi t
Healthy living How your lifestyle can affect your eyes
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT DISTRIBUTED BY THE GUARDIAN ON BEHALF OF MEDIAPLANET WHO TAKE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS
LOOK AFTER YOUR EYES
Early check-ups: Many childhood eye conditions can be treated if picked up early
VISIONWEEK
VISION MATTERS
NATIONAL EYE HEALTH
2 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
Vision matters
Do your eyes burn and feel uncomfortable?Are they gritty?
You probably have dry eye problems or blepharitis caused by Meibomian Gland Dysfunction – MGD.
Effective eyelid warming is the best treatment for MGD.
Don’t suffer the inconvenience and mess of hot water bathing.
The microwaveable MGDRx EyeBag is specifically designed to give optimum warmth.
Simple, pleasant and easy to use.
Buy securely online at www.eyebagcompany.com or ask your Optician or Pharmacist
Sore eyes?
It’s a sad fact that every day 100 people in the UK start losing their sight. Francesca Marchetti, Chair of the National Eye Health Week (17 – 23 September) campaign, explores the challenges facing the nation’s eye health.
Healthy eyes and good vision play a critical role throughout our life, from help-ing us to learn and communicate
in childhood to maintaining our independence in old age.
A recent survey even revealed we fear sight loss more than can-cer, AIDs, stroke and heart disease. Yet, many of us are unaware of the simple steps we can take to safe-guard our sight.
Get testedSight tests are an essential health check. Not only can
they detect common eye condi-tions, such as glaucoma, before they cause irreversible vision loss, they can also uncover signs of general health problems includ-ing diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
Getting your sight tested is easy — there are qualifi ed optometrists on almost every high street; the test takes around 30 minutes and for many of us it’s absolutely free.
More than 30 million people in the UK are eligible for free sight tests, and millions more are enti-tled to tests and prescription eye-wear paid for by their employer.
Look after your eyesLifestyle choices pose anoth-er big threat to the nation’s
eye health. Did you know for ex-ample, that your diet, weight, alco-hol consumption and smoking can all aff ect your eye health?
Protecting your eyes from the sun using photochromic lenses or CE-marked sunglasses can al-so help keep your eyes and vision healthy.
Exciting innovationsFor those whose sight loss is unavoidable there are some
important medical developments on the horizon. Fight for Sight is funding pioneering research into some of the most common causes of sight loss whilst advances in stem cell therapies, laser treat-ments and lens technologies are all helping make sight loss a thing of the past.
For more information about caring for your eyes go to www.visionmatters.org.uk or visit your local optician.
Francesca MarchettiChair, National Eye Health Week
‘Extreme exposure to bright sunlight can bring on problems such as cataracts’
Michael Potter,Association of British Dispensing Opticians
PAGE 10
VISION4TH EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2012
Managing Director: Chris EmbersonEditorial and Production Manager: Faye GodfreyBusiness Development Manager: Hannah Butler
Responsible for this issueProject Manager: Soha SulimanPhone: 020 7665 4418E-mail: [email protected]
Distributed with: The GuardianPrint: The Guardian Print Centre
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With thanks to:
We make our readers succeed!
WE RECOMMEND
CHALLENGES
SEPTEMBER 2012 · 3AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
■ Regular eye checks are an important part of healthy living for a whole range of reasons, says Boots Opticians.
You don’t need to wear glasses to come for an eye check, explains Boots Opticians.
Regular eye checks are important for all sorts of reasons because they don’t just look at how well you can see but also check that your eyes are healthy. This means that an eye check is for everyone and not just for those who are concerned that they may have noticed a change in their vision.
“It’s not just about what you can or cannot see,” says Boots Optome-trist Vicky O’Connor. “An eye check can help to detect early signs of con-ditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes or quite simply just con-fi rm that your eyes are healthy. Your optometrist will also consider rele-vant risk factors or family history to
complete your check and off er ad-vice accordingly.”
If you don’t have your eyes checked regularly, you’re not alone. According to consumer research from 2011 com-missioned by Boots Opticians, con-ducted by OnePoll and carried out among 2,000 UK adults, 40 per cent of people admitted that they don’t have their eyes checked on a regular basis.
Boots wants to change this in or-der to help the nation’s eye health with an ambition “to inspire people to look after their eyes and help them to see, look and feel better than ever.”
Identifying conditionsThere are, says Boots Opticians, three good reasons to have an eye check.
Firstly, it could make your life a lot easier. Many of us simply ‘put up with’ persistent symptoms such as headaches or sore gritty eyes on a daily basis without ever realising that a simple eye check might help.
Secondly, it may help to identify if you are at risk of developing com-
mon eye conditions such as glauco-ma or cataracts. This is particularly important as some eye conditions might not aff ect your vision in the early stages. An eye check provides an opportunity for your Optometrist to identify some of these risks. They may also then be able to off er some advice on how to minimise this risk.
Lastly, an eye check can be a great way of highlighting other gener-al health issues that you may not be aware of, such as diabetes. Diabe-tes can aff ect the eyes in a number of ways and your vision may not al-ways be aff ected. For many patients, this means that there is not always a prompt to visit the Opticians. The RNIB advises not to wait until you notice changes in your vision to have an eye check, early detection is vital 1.
Book now! ■ Book now and make an eye check
part of your regular health routine — and a step towards feeling great.
■ Book an eye check today for only
£10 with the below coupon. To fi nd your nearest practice from over 630 nationwide call 0845 120 43 43† or vis-it boots.com/opticians.
■ If you fi nd you need glasses be in-spired with our wide range of styles and brands. Our trained optical con-sultants are on hand to help you fi nd your perfect pair of glasses.
Keeping an eye on your healthCOMMERCIAL FEATURE
Eligible customers will receive a free NHS eye check. Terms and conditions: Only one £10 eye check per person, subject to appointment availability. The £10 eye check discount is only valid when a standard eye check charge applies. There is no cash alternative and this coupon cannot be used if you are entitled to a free NHS eye test. Only one voucher per transaction. Voucher cannot be used retrospectively or in conjunction with any other eye check discount or coupon. Voucher valid until 31/12/2012. Boots Opticians: scan barcode. D&A discount code: GD **Usual price is £20 at Boots Opticians and £27.50 at D&A. †Call any time between 8.30am-7pm (Mon-Fri) and 8.45am-5pm (Sat& Sun) 1. http://www.rnib.org.uk/eyehealth/eyeconditions/eyeconditionsdn/Pages/diabetes.aspx
TONY GREENWAY
£10 EYE CHECKat Boots Opticians or Dollond & Aitchison to help protect your vision and care for your health.
Save £10usual price
£20**
4 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
■ Serious eye conditions include macular degeneration and glau-coma; but there are a range of common eye complaints that can still be frustrating and (literal-ly) irritating, affecting anyone of any age. It’s important to remem-ber that eyes should not be red, they should see clearly and they shouldn’t hurt.
Common problems“Conjunctivitis is fairly common,” says Dr Susan Blakeney, Clinical Adviser to the College of Optom-etrists. “It’s a red, itchy eye that’s not painful but is uncomfortable, that waters and can feel sticky. It can be caused either by an infec-tion or by an allergy. If caused by an allergy such as hayfever, it’ll be found in both eyes. If it is as a re-sult of an infection, it’s more like-ly to be found in just one.”
A bacterial infection might be treated by antibiotics, although it can self-resolve — so see your optometrist or GP. Good hygiene is essential if you have an eye
infection, so use your own face-cloth and towel in order to stop its spread around your house-hold, and stop wearing your con-tact lenses.
If your conjunctivitis is a reac-tion to an allergy, drops are availa-ble; although, to be most eff ective, these need to be used over a peri-od of time. Ask your pharmacist if you know you are likely to suff er during the hayfever season.
“The mantra with contact lensesis: ‘If in doubt, take them out’,” says Dr Blakeney. “In particular, if you are a soft contact lens wearer, you need to be exceedingly careful when putting eye drops in your eyes, because the preservative in some drops doesn’t mix at all well with soft lenses. If in doubt ask your contact lens practitioner.”
A condition called dry eye is al-so very common. “Our eyes tend
to dry out more as we get older,” says Dr Blakeney. “This can be hormonal, but it can be caused by blepharitis, which is inflamma-tion of the eyelids. This can cause the glands producing tears to be-come blocked.” Blepharitis can be managed with lid hygiene, such as unblocking the glands with a warm compress and gently clean-ing the lids. Lubricating drops may be prescribed to relieve the symptoms of dry eye.
Professional diagnosisMinor eye complaints are not usually sight-threatening: seri-ous conditions linked to blind-ness, such as macular degenera-tion, are usually age-related.
With any problem, however, professional diagnosis is impor-tant in order to receive the cor-rect treatment and get the prob-lem under control.
TONY GREENWAY
Question: How are common eye complaints best treated? Answer: It depends on the condition — but professional diagnosis is important in order to get the right treatment for your condition.
THE EYES HAVE IT
Dr Susan Blakeney, Clinical Adviser to the College of Optometrists
NEWS
SEEK EXPERT ADVICE
1TIP
SEPTEMBER 2012 · 5AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
EARLY DIAGNOSISMillie’s eye problems were picked up at an early age which meant that her social and educational development weren’t affectedPHOTOS: THE ASSOCIATION OF
OPTOMETRISTS
Sight test at 21 months caught vision problem early
■ Many childhood eye conditions can be treated if they are picked up early.
■ A child’s vision should be checked before starting school.
Tania Preedy, mother of Millie, from Market Harborough, Leices-tershire, said: “I first took Millie for an eye examination when she was 21 months old. I had noticed what looked like a turn in one eye, so I took Millie to an optometrist to have her eyes checked.”
Toddlers and young children do not need to be able to read, as an eye examination can be carried out us-ing pictures. Millie was later pre-scribed patching and glasses, which definitely made a difference to her social and educational development.
Back to school routine“Like a lot of parents, I’m not sure if my children have been screened in school. Even when vision screen-ing is provided in school, there are many conditions which will not be picked up. NHS sight tests are free for children, so I include them in my back to school routine.
“I took my son Oliver for his first sight check at 15 months because of his big sister having eye problems. Some children have problems see-ing the board at school, but fortu-nately Millie’s sight problems were picked up early.”
Many childhood eye conditions, such as lazy eye and squint, can be treated if they are picked up early — as the eye and visual system are ac-tively developing during the school years. If vision problems are identi-fied and treated, it can make a dif-ference that lasts a lifetime. Tania added: “I would urge other parents not to forget about their children’s vision — it really could make a huge difference to their future.”
CASE STUDY PROVIDED BY THE
ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS
Visit www.aop.org.uk for more information
6 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
Surgery — with laser precision
TONY GREENWAY
■ Recovery after refractive laser
eye surgery and refractive lens
exchange is virtually instant.
■ Laser technology is so
advanced that implants in the eye
can now be changed via computer to
sharpen vision post-operation.
■ Lasers can be used to treat
diabetes in the eye; and lasers will
be used in future to treat macular
degeneration.
■ Because lasers cauterise as
they cut and don’t cause bruising,
they are also used in plastic surgery
of the eyelid.
FACTS
NEWS
■ Question: How have lasers revolutionised eye surgery?
■ Answer: In a variety of ways, from common ‘refractive’ procedures to cataract removal and even lens replacement.
Lasers have been used in corrective visual surgery for more than two dec-ades. The procedure is known as ‘refractive’ surgery and remedies long-sight, short-sight and astig-matisms for patients who are (gen-erally) in their 20s and 30s.
Excitingly, laser surgery technol-ogy has become signifi cantly more advanced recently. For example, apart from off ering safer and more aff ordable refractive treatment, they can also be used to remove cataracts.
Bobby Qureshi, at the London Eye Hospital on Harley Street, was the fi rst to use lasers in cataract removal. “A laser is simply a focused beam of light which has been amplifi ed and can be produced at diff erent frequen-cy and very short duration pulses: 1 millionth of a billionth of a second, for example,” he says. “It is now so precise that we use a laser instead of needles and knives because it works at micron levels of accuracy and pro-vides greater margins of safety.
“We can now make incisionswith the laser and dissolve the
cataracts; which means that an operation that used to take 20 minutes now takes 30 seconds.”
In correcting long-sight, short-sight and astigmatism, Qureshi explains that an excimer laser shaves “tiny pieces off the surface of the cornea… and when I say ‘tiny’,
I mean mi-crons — but hundreds
of them, in a couple of seconds.”
Suitability factorYou do have to be a suitable candi-date to undergo refractive surgery.
Qureshi says that short-sighted pa-tients can be safely treated to a –8 prescription, and long-sighted pa-tients can be safely treated to +2
prescription. Higher prescrip-tions can be treated but the results are not as good.
Age is a suitability factor, too. “Once people are in their
40s, it’s generally the lens inside their eye that’s the problem be-cause it stiff ens,” says Qureshi. “This means replacing an ag-
ing lens with a permanent artifi -cial one to give perfect near and far vision that will last forever.” This has traditionally involved making an incision in the eye with a blade and creating an opening into the eye with a needle. The lens is then broken up with ultrasound, remov-ing the pieces and then implanting the new lens via an injection. When this opens up into the space vacated by the old lens, it gives the patient restored 20/20 vision.
Now, however, new laser technol-ogy has made the procedure much easier and safer. “The laser works out a 3-D picture of the eyeball at a micron level of accuracy,” says Qureshi. “It makes the incision, cre-ates the opening for the new lens and dissolves the old one — and it does it all in 30 seconds.”
8 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
You may need vision correction but dislike the thought of wear-ing contact lenses or be nervous about laser surgery. In which case, of course, you’ll need glasses.
You’re not alone. According to the 2011 edition of Optics at a Glance, a key source of informa-tion for the UK optical market, 68 per cent of adults aged 16 and over wear glasses or contact lenses.
Latest innovationsThe good news is that develop-ments in lens technology have improved in leaps and bounds re-cently, making spectacles a much better fi t — literally — for anyone who needs to wear them. “Tradi-tionally, a patient’s lenses would be produced using calcula-tions based on averages,” ex-plains Mi-chael Potter, of the Association of British Dis-pensing Opti-cians. “But now modern comput-er-aided Free Form technology, which
has expanded dramatically over the last decade, means that glass-es can be specifi cally tailored to fi t an individual’s one-off require-ments.” This means that if you need glasses for computer work, you can have lenses specially de-signed for the purpose; or, say, if you need glasses for playing golf or sailing.
Different glasses, different usesFor example, a patient may want a pair of lightweight rimless spec-tacles and a pair of wraparound sports glasses. “These are, of course, two completely diff erent types of frame,” says Potter. “Opticians have the skills to accurately measure the distance and angle of the lenses in front of the eye, the curvature of the
frame, the distance between the patient’s
eyes and the height at which they will look through the frame — and then factor all that information in-to the lens design.
“The result will be two differ-ent pairs of glasses with two to-tally different powers, but with identical vision for the patient.”
Use protectionUV block lenses, which offer protection from the sun, are al-so worth considering. “Extreme exposure to bright sunlight can bring on problems such as cat-aracts,” says Potter. “So it is de-sirable to have UV protection. Tinted prescription sunglasses can absorb up to 400nm to pro-tect your eyes from harmful ra-diation.” Always consult profes-sional advice to get the best for your needs.
These days, says Potter, spec-tacle frames are available in an infinite variety of designs, fin-ishes, colours and innovative materials. “There’s a huge pro-liferation of products and it con-tinues to evolve,” he says, “while
spectacle lens technology has never been
higher.”
■ Question: Has technology for spectacles changed over the year?
■ Answer: Dramatically. It is now possible to buy glasses that are tailored to an individual’s specifi c requirements.
TONY GREENWAY
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
IN THE FRAME Glasses come of age
Michael Potter,Association of British Dispensing Opticians
INSPIRATION
Contact lenses offer the freedom to live without the restriction of glasses
1The right, modern day, cor-rectly fi tted, highly techno-
logical lenses are capable of giving comfortable all-day wear, whether you are long or short-sighted, a child or a 90 year old — as long as your tear-system allows it. If not, your practitioner should be able to fi nd a lens that is better suited to your needs and help improve your body’s capability of managing it.
You can sleep while wearing contact lenses
2It’s about fi nding the best lens for you and receiving
the right care/management edu-cation from your contact lens practitioner; but there are many lenses on the market that you can keep in while you sleep.
Varifocal and multifocal contact lenses are available
3These come in daily dispos-able, weekly, two weekly and
monthly options. You can use the same lens for distance and close work because your brain chooses the image it needs to see.
Ortho K is a revolutionary vision correction therapy
4These are lenses that are put in at night to remodel your
cornea so that when you remove them in the morning your vision is temporarily corrected. These aren’t available as yet for varifocal vision.
A word of warning
5Cosmetic lenses, like any lens, should ONLY be pre-
scribed by a registered contact lens practitioner.
Brian Tompkins, BSc Hons FCOptom FBCLA, Optometrist and British Contact Lens Association Councillor
For independent guidance on contact lenses visit www.bcla.org.uk
CONTACT LENSES: FACTS
5
,
f y
FACT*ONLY 10% OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT UV EXPOSURE INCREASES THE RISK OF EYE DAMAGE
*Source: Ipsos Survey January 2012 - 5000 people interviewed
YOUR EYES ARE UNDER ATTACK FROM HARMFUL UV DANGER EVERYDAYCrizal UV are the only lenses to offer protection against harmful UV rays on both the front and back surfaces of the lens
FIND YOUR LOCAL VARILUX CONSULTANT OPTICIAN AT
WWW.VARILUX.CO.UKFOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CRIZAL UV LENSES
10 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
■ It’s obvious that good diet plays a significant role in keeping our hearts disease-free. It’s less obvi-ous that good diet is crucial for eye-health, too.
Rosie Gavzey is an optometrist and director of the charity The Eye-care Trust. Not smoking is crucial for good health generally, she says, but also points out that smokers have a significantly higher risk of develop-ing eye disease than non-smokers. Also, watch your body mass index (BMI), says Gavzey. If you are over-weight this can lead to type 2 diabe-tes, which has implications for eye health. “And be careful with alco-hol,” she notes. “The odd glass of red wine is OK; but alcohol reduces an antioxidant for the eye which pre-vents cell damage.”
Dr John Nolan is the Principal In-vestigator of the Macular Pigment Research Group at the Waterford In-stitute of Technology, studying the
role of eye nutrition for vision and prevention of blindness. “Over the last 20 years, research has been on-going into the role of nutrition for eye health,” he says. “At the back of the eye — in a specialised area of the retina known as the macular — we have a yellow nutritional pigment known as macular pigment.”
Good nutritionThis pigment, says Dr Nolan, has the capacity to filter damaging blue light, and can therefore reduce the risk of blindness through age-relat-ed macular degeneration (AMD). The pigment also has antioxidant prop-erties, which means that it can neu-tralise free radicals that may attack the stable cells at the back of the eye. Essentially, the pigment acts like sunscreen for the eye.
Dr Nolan’s team has been research-ing the optimisation of this pig-ment using a particular nutritional
‘The odd glass of red wine is OK; but alcohol reduces an antioxidant for the eye which prevents cell damage’Rosie GavzeyOptometrist and Director, The Eye Care Trust
TONY GREENWAY
Question: Can diet, nutrition and lifestyle choices play a part in keeping our eyes healthy?Answer: Yes — it’s crucial. In fact, new research shows that good diet and nutrition can reduce the chance of age-related macular degeneration.
INSPIRATION
T us s n ...
Blue light contributes to the degeneration of our ability to see clearly.
Macular pigment (MP), found at the back of the eye, can help filter this harmful blue light.
Maximising macular pigment levels greatly reduces the visual discomfort caused by glare.
MacuShield uniquely contains all three ingredients that make up MP:
www.macushield.com t: 01564 711154 e: [email protected]
Recommended by Eye Care ProfessionalsOther Ingredients:
Meso-Zeaxanthin
Healthy living for good vision
supplement. Diet can play a part in macular pigment health, too — so eat anything that is brightly coloured, says Dr Nolan, such as egg yolks, leafy greens, spinach, kale, broccoli and sweetcorn.
“The theory, supported by scientif-ic evidence, is that if you optimise the pigment with nutrition and a sup-plement, you can improve a person’s normal vision to a level that they had never experienced before,” says Dr Nolan. “We’ve termed this high defi-nition super-vision. This has implica-tions for drivers, for sportspeople, for pilots… for the whole population.
“We believe anyone interested in optimising their vision will benefit from this area of nutrition. We can improve vision in the young popu-lation and protect vision into the later years.”
LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
2TIP
Sore Uncomfortable Eyes? You are not aloneAre you one of the millions suffering from sore gritty, burning, itchy, dry eyes? We may have the Natural Solution. Introducing Eyesiccal - a preservative free natural eye drop which helps protect, lubricate and soothe irritated and dry eyes. Eyesiccal contains Euphrasia, Bryonia, Chamomile and Arnica to provide for a refreshing and gentle solution to restore comfort to your eyes.
Eyesiccal is an approved product and is suitable for use with contact lenses. Eyesiccal has been endorsed by The Vegetarian Society and BBC Radio 2’s Janey Lee Grace. So you can say goodbye to using scary chemicals and preservative based products for your eyes; Eyesiccal is all you need.Visit us on www.eyesiccal.com or visit your local independent health store, pharmacy or optician.
A Sight for Sore Eyes! ‘Eyesiccal – The Natural Solution for Dry Eyes’ are offering all Guardian readers £2.50 off. Simply visit www.eyesiccal.com today and enter the discount code ‘GUARD1’
SEPTEMBER 2012 · 11AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
EYE HEALTH CHECK
4D HDTru Track™
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
Half of all sight loss in the UK is preventable
The main causes of sight loss are glaucoma, age-re-
lated macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic eye disease. Early detection of these condi-tions is critical. With Optical Co-herence Tomography (OCT) tech-nology, optometrists can now confi dently detect the very early stages of many eye diseases, par-ticularly macular degeneration and glaucoma, ensuring early di-agnosis and eff ective treatment.
OCT is a scan using light waves to look at each different layer of the retina and optic nerve
It’s like a 3D photograph that can reliably distinguish
between diff erent types of macu-lar degeneration and between macular degeneration and nor-mal ageing — an area where the regular eye exam struggles. This ensures patients can quickly get the right treatment when needed and that patients are not referred to hospital unnecessarily.
OCT also allows the optometrist to pinpoint any problems immediately
A regular eye test would be able to recognise a problem
in the eye but may not be able to tell exactly what it is without further investigation; whereas OCT is able to tell what it is, where it is and how serious it is straight away. It doesn’t take very long: between 10 and 30 seconds. OCT is available at a number of specialist high street opticians. We tend to recom-mend it for people who have a problem we can’t explain or who have a family history of macular degeneration.
Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, Optometrist & Managing Director, Clamp Optometrists
12 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
Laser refractive surgery has been around for more than two dec-ades — yet some people needing vision correction are still put off by the procedure.
“People will have heard of some patients (post operation) having trouble with ‘dry eye’ and ‘halo’ vision, for example,” says Sheraz Daya, Medical Director of Centre for Sight.
Research your surgeon“The problem there, however, is the choice of provider. So the advice to anyone looking at la-ser eye surgery as an option is ‘choose your surgeon properly’. Do your research. This is an eye operation — so it has to be in the right hands — but it’s a really good eye operation.”
Base your surgeon choice on recommendation, says Daya. Look for expertise, not price points, and ensure he or she follows the standards set out by the Roy-al College of Ophthalmologists.
Does the surgeon work for a cred-ible institution? Are they fellow-ship trained in laser refractive surgery? “And make sure that whoever you see is well-versed in all procedures used to correct vi-sion,” says Daya. The Royal Col-lege of Ophthalmologists also
suggests a patient asks how many procedures the surgeon performs a year; what percentage of cases result in 20/20 vision; and what their complication rate is.
The procedure itselfDuring the procedure, an incision
is made to create a thin flap on the cornea (the surface of the eye). This is then lifted up and a laser is used to reshape the cor-nea. When this is accomplished, the flap is repositioned and the eye heals naturally. “It’s a very delicate tissue,” says Daya. Just 0.1 of a millimetre in thickness, so the surgeon has to be adept at handling it.”
Laser surgery doesn’t hurt — an-aesthetic drops are used — and pa-tients can usually work and drive the next day. A small percentage of patients will need to revisit their surgeon at a later stage for en-hancement treatment.
Is it right for you?Make sure your surgeon feels that you are a suitable candidate for laser surgery; and that, what-ever type of vision correction you choose, you will be receiving the best procedure for your eyes.
“There’s an art to laser surgery,” says Daya. “A patient needs a good surgeon who can manage their expectations and accomplish the near and distance vision correc-tion they are looking for.”
The art of laser eye surgery
UNDERSTAND THE PROCEDURE: It is important to ask questions about the procedure and about the surgeon before undertaking surgery PHOTO: CENTRE FOR SIGHT
TONY GREENWAY
KNOW THE FACTS
NEWS
Plus Omega-3 Original
From , Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, GNC, pharmacies, supermarkets & health food stores & www.visionace.com
Stockists may vary. Vitamin supplements may benefit those with nutritionally inadequate diets.† Professor Beckett is not cited in the capacity of a health professional, but as a product inventor and former
Chairman of Vitabiotics. * A beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250mg of DHA.
Visionace® is a comprehensive, research based formula with a
spectrum of nutrients plus Bilberry. It includes vitamin A, B2 and
Zinc, which contribute to the maintenance of normal vision.
Visionace® Plus provides even greater care and has the benefits
of the original multivitamin tablet PLUS high quality Omega-3
capsules, containing additional Lutein Esters and Zeaxanthin.
Omega-3 fish oil provides DHA* which contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
Seeing is believing
†Prof. A. H. BeckettOBE, PhD, DSc
(1920-2010)Professor Emeritus,
University of London
Originally developed with
with vitamins A, B2 & Zinc which contribute to the maintenance of
normal visionTABLETS
■ Question: What’s the best way to choose a laser eye surgeon for vision correction?
■ Answer: Do your research carefully and ask any potential surgeon the right questions.
14 · SEPTEMBER 2012 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MEDIAPLANET
Jennie explains: “I have always been so careful with my contact lenses. I always remove them when sleeping and al-ways use contact lense solution to wash them.”
Jennie was completely unaware that you should never use contact lenses whilst swimming or in the shower.
A few days into the course Jen-nie’s left eye started to feel a bit red and sore and by the end of the course she had started to develop an aver-sion to light.
Seeking professional helpAs soon as she returned from the course she visited a minor injuries unit who transferred her to an Eye Casualty unit in Southampton. Ini-tially she was advised that she had scratched her eye, was prescribed drops and asked to come back a couple of days later.
She says: “A couple of visits later it was decided that I might have a ra-re infection called Acanthamoeba Keratitis which is caused by natu-rally occurring amoeba found in wa-ter. I was taken straight to the oper-ating theatre as an emergency case
and spent the weekend in one of the wards eye beds on intensive eye drops every half hour day and night.”
A serious conditionAcanthomobea Keratitis is a very painful condition which exposes the nerves in the eyes leading to ex-treme photophobia (light aversions). The amoeba is very hard to kill off and as such Jennie underwent a se-ries of operations, intensive treat-ment regimes and stays in hospital.
“I’d left work one afternoon for a quick hospital visit but wouldn’t re-turn for 6 months. During that time I was literally confi ned to my bed-room with black out blinds at the window. The only thing I could do was to listen to the radio. One even-ing, I was so desperate to look out of window to get a glimpse of the out-side world that I opened my curtains in the middle of the night. As soon as I did this the moon shone in my eyes and it really hurt! I didn’t do that again in a hurry!”
Jennie has started treatment to repair the damage to the eye. To re-move some of the scaring Jennie’s treatment has included a pioneering operation which uses a membrane
How a rare infection affected my sight
Jennie Hurst attended a residential training course in Cheltenham last July. Whilst there she thought she would treat herself and went for a swim in the hotel spa. Jennie wore her contact lenses having been led to believe that the worst that could happen is she might lose one, in reality this was far from the case.
transplant from an umbilical cord and her treatment is still ongoing.
The future“My left eye will certainly never look the same again but at the mo-ment my focus is on the cataract. I have no vision at all in my left eye, it is completely dark. Although this has meant I can get out and about as there is no light aversion; I am
having to adapt to no depth percep-tion and loss of my peripheral vi-sion. The most basic of tasks require much more concentration and be-ing in public places is challenging, I’m forever knocking into people. I’m looking forward to the next op-erations as it’s a step towards get-ting things back on track.”
Jennie counts herself lucky that her local hospital had a specialist centre which picked up the rare in-fection within three weeks.
“I am so grateful for everything the hospital has done for me so far. I am lucky they picked up this rare in-fection so quickly and had some of the countries only eye beds available to me. This is why I am fundraising for their charity Gift of Sight.
“The hospital has seen an unprec-edented increase in cases this year. There are questions and investiga-tions being undertaken to better un-derstand this worrying trend, which can be so easily avoided. This is why I am so keen to make more contact wearers aware that water and con-tact lenses simply do not mix.”
Case study provided by National Eye Health Week
‘I’d left work one afternoon for a quick hospital visit but wouldn’t return for 6 months’
MY STORY
PERSONAL INSIGHT
BE AWARE OF THE DANGERS
3TIP
Vitaday Off ers to Help Pay
for Customer Eye TestVitaday is launching an eye health
awareness campaign and is off ering
to help pay for the cost of eye tests in
order to increase early detection. Un-
der its campaign “Don’t Lose Sight of
Your Independence” a £5 contribu-
tion to the cost of an eye test will
be set aside every time a customer
purchases Vitaday’s Premium Lute-
in Eye Support Supplement. Reg-
ular purchase for two years could
mean a contribution of £120 to-
wards the cost of an eye test.
Vitaday has made the scheme
as simple as possible for customers
to make their claim. There is no tie up
with any eye specialists or other com-
mercial organisations, and the cus-
tomer can decide to have an eye test
anytime it is suitable for them.
“We don’t want to infl uence the rela-
tionship between our customer and
their eye specialist in any way. That is
up to them. When they take an eye test,
all they have to do is provide proof that
a test has been performed and we will
make the refund,” Vitaday.
Off ering a quality UK product while striving to deliver outstanding customer service, Vitaday is also commit-
ted to its social responsibility agenda, and its eye health campaign is the fi rst of those. If you are raising money
for charity, we will support your fundraising eff orts by contributing 10% of turnover to your charity. Contact Des at
[email protected] for details.
Normal price £29.50 or 2 for £45
when purchased during National Eye
Health Week. Plus Free P&P.
Vitaday’s Premium Lutein
Eye Support supplement formulation contains
some fabulous nutrients designed to help support healthy eyes
and vision. 3 capsules include:
11mg of Lutein,protecting the macula from damage, and
helping fi lter out harmful blue light
56mg of Bilberry extract, a rich source of anthocyanin
antioxidants, and shown to be benefi cial to vision
improvement, lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels,
60mg of Quercetin, an antioxidant that may reduce the risk
of cataract formation,
150mg of Ginkgo Biloba, a potential anti- glaucoma agent,
as it improves blood fl ow and exerts anti-oxidant activity,
150μg of Beta Carotene, a Vitamin A precursor, essential
for good vision, especially in dim light,
60mg of N-acetyl-l-cysteine, showing promise as a
preventative and therapeutic agent for vision loss
secondary to retinal degenerative diseases such as age-
related macular degeneration (AMD),
60mg Alpha Lipoic acid, which helps improve the body’s
use of insulin and to improve diabetic control,
150mg of Vitamin C and 125mg of Vitamin E,
6mg of Lycopene a carotenoid, like Lutein, helps protect
against AMD.
Visit us at www.vitaday.co.uk or 24/7 Lo-Call 0844 544 7796 in the UK
The opticians in SPECS network all share a commitment to delivering high quality eye care for you and your family. You can expect thorough and professional eye examinations, well-trained and friendly staff , a superb range of good quality glasses and con-tact lenses all expertly fi tted, the latest
fashions, advice and information. With over 275 locations nationwide there’s sure to be a SPECS network optician near you. Visit the SPECS network website today for useful information and advice on eye care and eye fash-ion, great competitions, and to fi nd your nearest optician.
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