Personalised Laser Eye Surgery

Implantable Contact Lenses

Most people who visit Advance VisionCare are found to be suitable for laser eye treatment during their initial assessment. Some patients are found to be unsuitable because their optical prescription falls outside the recommended parameters for laser or their corneas are too thin. For those patients, there is a non-laser alternative. Implantable contact lenses (ICL) are permanent miniature contact lenses that are implanted into the eye. Because the ICL is placed inside your eye, you will not be able to see it or feel it.

Wide optical prescription range
The IOLs are available in a wide optical range to suit prescriptions from -25.00 (short sighted) to +12.00 (long sighted). There are also specialist lenses that are able to correct astigmatism up to 5.00D.

How does the process work?
If you are found to be unsuitable for laser we will discuss this alternative treatment during an in-depth consultation. If you wish to proceed with the treatment we will require a deposit for the lenses, as they are specifically manufactured for your eye. We will book the surgery for your first eye at least three weeks after your assessment; this is because of the length of time the lenses take to be manufactured. Both eyes are not treated on the same day. The second eye will be treated two weeks after the first. If you have already been told that you are unsuitable for laser or your prescription falls outside the parameters of -10.00 to +5.00 and would like an assessment please call 0800 652 4878 to make an appointment.

The day of the treatment and aftercare schedule
On the day of the surgery you will meet the surgeon prior to the treatment. He will administer some anaesthetic drops into your eye and then take you into surgery. The treatment itself takes less than 30 minutes and you will be free to leave after an hour. We strongly recommend that somebody accompanies you on the day of the treatment. You will need to return to Harley Street the following day for your one day post operative check up (post op). The surgeon will also conduct two week, 3 month, 6 month and 12 month aftercare appointments. It is recommended that you return on an annual basis for a comprehensive check up. Once the ICL is placed inside your eye, it is virtually undetectable.

The ICL Surgeons
The surgeons who has been specially selected by Mr Pillai at Advance VisionCare to carry out these procedures are Professor Martin Filipec and Dr Goran Helgason.

Prof. Filipec is an honorary member of the French Ophthalmological Society, a member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the Czech Society of Ophthalmologists, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the European Association for Eye Research. A representative of the Czech Republic in the International Ocular Inflammation Society. He is the author and co-author of 350 lectures, 51 scientific publications and four textbooks and treatises used both at home and abroad. He lectures at the 1st Medical Faculty of Charles' University, Prague and has worked on four grants in the area of transplantation and inheritable diseases of the cornea.

Dr Goran Helgason graduated from Gothenburg University, Sweden in 1984. He became a Consultant Ophthalmologist in 1991 specialising in anterior segment eye surgery. In 1996 he joined Medocular Eye Clinics, one of Sweden's best refractive surgery practices. Dr Helgason has written numerous peer reviewed papers and presented his work at the most prestigious Ophthalmic conferences all over the World. He is also an International course instructor and medical advisor for STAAR Surgical, a leading manufacturer of ICL lenses. Dr Helgason is a big advocate of ICL lenses, so much so that he chose to have Implantable Contact Lenses himself.

"After years of implanting ICLs into the eyes of my patients, I became awkward talking to them about this vision correction, wearing spectacles myself. Gradually, my patients convinced me that the ICL works so well that I thought: Why shouldn't I use it for myself, even with only low myopia? In summer 2004 I had bilateral surgery which only took 30 minutes and went perfectly. I didn't feel anything. The very next day I was back to work. I am thrilled with the result. As a surgeon, I rely on an excellent quality of vision in my daily work. My sight now is even better than I expected."

Advantages of the Visian ICL
The Visian ICL and its unique Collamer composition offer numerous advantages including:

• Quality of Vision - The Visian ICL produces not only improved visual acuity (20/20 vision is considered normal visual acuity), but also excellent visual quality. Many patients experience the "Wow" factor when they experience the immediate improvement in the quality of their vision.
• Bio-compatibility - Collamer, the 100 percent pure collagen copolymer lens material of the Visian ICL, is not viewed as a foreign object by the body's immune system.
• Versatility - The Visian ICL offers a wider treatment range for myopia than LASIK or LASEK procedures.
• Simplicity - Unlike traditional contact lenses, once the Visian ICL is implanted in the eye, there is no additional maintenance needed.
• Safety - To date approximately 150,000 ICL implants have been performed, 55,000 of those have been the Visian ICL, demonstrating an established track record of safety.
• Lens Placement - The placement of the Visian ICL makes the lens invisible to the patient and any observer.
• Removable - The Visian ICL was designed to be permanently placed in the eye. However, the lens can be removed if a patient's vision changes or if it otherwise needs to be removed or replaced.

Price:
Initial assessment: £85
Intra ocular lens implant: £2390 per eye including standard lens (toric +£200)
Lens deposit (deducted from cost): £500 per eye for standard lens
Lens deposit (deducted from cost): £700 per eye for Toric lens (for astigmatic patients)

What will the cost of your treatment include?

• High quality, biocompatible Implantable Contact Lens included in cost of treatment
• Implantable Contact Lens surgery performed by internationally renowned Surgeon
• Two night's free accommodation in a Central London hotel for patients living outside the M25 (one night for unilateral treatment)
• All post-operative tests
• All post-operative medications up to one month
• Aftercare checkups by Mr Pillai for 12 months
• Re-treatment for up to 12 months (in the unlikely event that it is needed)

Testimonials

Mags Thompson, Jan 08   Right eye +8.00D   Left eye +8.25.D

My prescription was +8 in both eyes with a moderate astigmatism. I have been looking for laser surgery desperately to get rid of my glasses, as I enjoy riding my motorbike and taking part in other outdoor sports.

Over the last couple of years my research had showed that I was not suitable for laser surgery and I was offered no alternatives by some of the clinics I visited.

When I visited Advance VisionCare they confirmed that I was not suitable for laser surgery because of my high prescription. But they did offer me something called clear lens extraction to correct my prescription. This is similar to a cataract operation, I was told it would correct my prescription and I wouldn’t need to wear glasses. I was thrilled about the prospect. I went for the surgery and I was treated by one of the very well known surgeons in Europe.

After the procedure I learned that I was left with a tiny residual prescription but Mr. Pillai suggested that he fine tuned my eyes with the laser, which he did at no extra charge.

I am now pleased to say that my vision is better than driving standard and I chose to write this to express my gratitude to surgeons at Advance VisionCare.

As I am a gym instructor, I am now able to do outdoor sports and ride my bike without my glasses for the first time in my life.

Anybody who is not suitable for laser surgery, don’t give up hope, contact Advance VisionCare, and they will give you an alternative solution, like they did for me!!!

Thank you Advance VisionCare team.

Jane O'Donovan Jan08    Right eye -9.00D    left eye -8.25.D

I was nervous before the procedure, but everyone at Advance VisionCare were so kind and explained exactly was going to happen. The procedure only took 10 minutes and at no point did I feel any pain. I now have 20/20 vision after wearing glasses since I was 8, with the prescription of -9 and -8.5. As a result I am free of needing glasses and can go traveling.

Jessie Hosti, Dec 07    Right eye -7.75  Left eye +6.50.D

Like everyone else, I was interested in refractive laser surgery so I went to few clinics for assessments.  A well known clinic offered me laser surgery. One of the clinics I went to was Advance VisionCare, told me that I was not suitable for laser treatment due to my prescription, large pupil size and the fact that my cornea was on the thin side. I got very confused, as I was given conflicting opinions.

Mr. Pillai explained to me with a calculation then I understood why it was not safe for the surgeon to perform laser surgery on my eyes, even though I was advised it was ok to do it by other clinic.

Mr. Pillai recommended that I had the implantable contact lens procedure. I was given enough information and time to reflect upon the research on the implantable contact lens option and on the surgeon who would perform the treatment.

After lots of hesitation, and emails with questions to Mr. Pillai and clinical staff, I decided to go for the treatment because every one of my questions was answered clearly and I felt more and more assured.

I can not explain how happy I am to have made this decision, in spite of the initial scepticism and negative feelings about this procedure. The surgeon Dr Helgason was fantastic. It was extremely reassuring to know that he has had the Implantable Contact Lenses implanted in his own eyes.

I had my surgery in January, and 6 weeks after treatment I have 6/6 vision in my both eyes. They are both 100% sight, and I have 20/20 vision!

I am really thankful to Advance VisionCare, Mr. Pillai and the clinical team.

My advice to everyone is don’t be afraid of other procedures if you are not suitable for laser surgery and please take more than one opinion. I can only feel lucky that I came to Advance VisionCare, who knows what would have happened if I went for laser treatment elsewhere.

Dilip Pattni - Lens Exchange Dec 07    Right eye -9.75D    left eye -14.50.D

I am a 45 years old professional and I was desperately looking for laser surgery to get rid of my glasses. My prescription was -10 in the right eye and -14.5 with astigmatism in the left eye. One of my relatives had laser surgery with Advance VisionCare and was very happy with their results. During my consultation, I was disappointed to learn that I was not suitable for Laser surgery because of my high perception.

I was offered a lens exchange procedure because of my age, and I reluctantly agreed to go for it, because of my professional needs. I am extremely happy that I have done this procedure with Advance VisionCare. The procedure was carried out by one of the top surgeons in Europe. The operation itself was painless, and very quick. It was done under eye drops only, no injections, which I was very pleased about, because I am afraid of injections.

It has been a month now since I had the surgery and I have 20/20 vision and I am very happy.

I am very happy that I chose Advance VisionCare, as I was offered alternative solutions to get rid of my glasses.

My niece had implantable contact lens surgery, and now is off traveling around the world, and my uncle had laser surgery at Advance VisionCare. I would recommend Advance VisionCare to anyone, because whatever your prescription - they will find you a solution.

Malcolm Dixon Nov 07    Right eye -16.75D    left eye -16.00.D

I have been looking at laser surgery for couple of years, and when I had my consultation with Mr. Pillai 6 months ago, I was advised that due to my prescription I was not suitable for laser surgery.

My prescription was -16 in both eyes, but he advised me that the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL)will get rid of all my prescription and that I would have good vision without glasses.

I was operated by one of the leading Professors in Europe. One week after the surgery in both eyes my vision is close to 20/20. It is difficult to explain how thrilled I am to be able to drive a car without my glasses. I used to struggle and it was very difficult and expensive to get glasses or contact lenses for my prescription.

I think this new technology of ICL is god sent, it really works for people like me, with high prescription, who can not have laser treatment. Thank You!

Jaminee Soni Nov 07    Right eye -5.75D    left eye -6.75.D

I was looking at laser surgery to get rid of my glasses for the last 2 years. I wanted to go and travel around the world, but the glasses and contact lens become unwanted baggage.

When I went for consultation at Advance VisionCare, Mr. Pillai explained to me that I was not suitable for laser surgery because my cornea was thin and my prescription was -7 in both eyes with astigmatism.

I was offered an alternative method of getting rid of glasses, by putting implantable contact lens in my eyes. Initially I hesitated, but I was given the full explanation of the side effects of the procedure, and I was convinced that it would be done by one of the best and internationally well known Professors in Europe. Therefore, I agreed for this procedure to be done by Advance VisionCare.

It is now 2 weeks since the procedure has been done in both eyes and I have 20/20 vision in each eye. I am very pleased with the results and the fact that I chose Advance VisionCare. They not only offer laser refractive surgery, but they offer the full range of different procedures to get rid of glasses for people who are not suitable for laser.

Now I am ready to go around the world for a year and Advance VisionCare arranged for me to see various consultants in different parts of the world if I have any problems. That puts my mind at rest.

Thanks again to Advance VisionCare and their staff, for this amazing experience.

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Advance VisionCare | 77 Harley Street | London | W1G 8QN
Tel: 0800 652 4878