Laser Eye Surgery is the use of an Excimer Laser to alter the shape of the cornea so that light is accurately focused on the retina, thereby improving your eyesight.
The Excimer Laser is so precise it can cut pieces out of human hair. When operating on the eye, it works by vapourising tissue to remove abnormal shaping of the cornea.
In Myopia or Short-Sightedness, a steep cornea results in light focusing in front of the retina. The Excimer Laser is used to flatten the cornea so light is focused on the retina, resulting in a clear image.
In Hyperopia or Long-Sightedness, an overly flat cornea focuses light behind the retina. The Excimer Laser is used to steepen this angle and improve your vision.
There are a number of techniques available to reshape the cornea in Refractive Surgery. These include: PRK, LASIK, LASEK, and the most recent development called 'NU-LASIK Epilift' which incorporates the best features of LASIK and LASEK.
Based on superior results, Nu-Lasik Eplift is the NVLC procedure of choice.
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The first question to ask, is why you want laser eye surgery?
You may find contact lenses uncomfortable, or dislike the continual care and cleaning that both spectacles and contacts demand.
You may want to end the constant cycle of losing, breaking and having to replace eyewear. Indeed, a lifetime of spectacle or contact lens wear will work out to be significantly more expensive than the cost of laser eye surgery.
You may want to be able to see clearly while swimming or surfing or playing sport without special contact lenses.
You may simply want to see menus and dockets without hunting for your reading glasses.
Once you've established that the surgery is right for you, we need to ensure that your eyes are suitable and that surgery can deliver significantly improved vision.
Every case is individual, however all patients must meet these basic guidelines:
Still ready to proceed? Click here to register online for a free consultation at the Northern Laser Vision Centre so we can check your eyes and be sure that surgery is right for you.
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Even if you're not suitable for Laser Vision Correction, there are a number of options available to improve your vision, with excellent results.
Phakic IOL: This is where an extra lens called Phakic IOL is placed inside the eye to work in conjunction with your natural crystalline lens.
The result is a new hybrid lens system which allows excellent vision without glasses. Your natural lens will continue to allow the ability to focus on near objects such as print.
Phakic IOL is suited for people with prescriptions (refractive error) too high for Nu-Lasik Epilift. Younger people with refractive errors outside the treatable range of Excimer Laser Vision Correction are the usual candidates for this procedure.
This type of surgery can be likened to early cataract surgery. It is most suited to those over the age of 50 and gives independence from spectacles for distance vision. This procedure is especially suitable for people with high refractive errors or with signs of cataract.
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The current generation of Multi Focal Intra Ocular Lens allows excellent sight for both near and distance vision. The great benefit of this lens has been the ability to read small print without spectacles.
Some patients report slight haloing/star bursts around street lights, car headlights. However, all felt this minimal side effect was easily tolerated in view of the excellent near vision experienced.
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Predominantly used to reduce astigmatism and often used in conjunction with other types of surgery.
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We are currently involved in a research program for the treatment of Presbyopia (this is the need for reading glasses as we age) using Customised Wavefront Programs and the Excimer Laser.
No matter how unusual your prescription, the staff at the Northern Laser Vision Centre will endeavor to provide a solution to your visual problems. Please don't hesitate to contact us for advice on how to get independence from your glasses or contact lenses.
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The Northern Laser Vision Centre has developed Nu-Lasik Epilift which is now our procedure of choice.
We also perform Lasik but less frequently as Nu-Lasik Epilift gives far superior results with better stability.
Both Lasik and Nu-Lasik Epilift procedures are approved by RANZCO (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists) and both surgical techniques create flaps to allow re-shaping of the cornea using laser.
However, Nu-Lasik does not cut the cornea of the eye. Nu-Lasik utilises special equipment to separate the superficial layers of the cornea without any cutting, whereas Lasik uses a blade (Keratome) or laser (Intralase) to cut much deeper and create a thicker flap.
We consider Nu-Lasik Epilift to be superior to Lasik because:
The visual recovery period of Nu-Lasik takes a little longer than Lasik but we feel the long term benefits justify the wait.
* Nu-Lasik is a registered Trade Mark of Northern Laser Vision Centre
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No. You have the eye anaesthetised with Local Anaesthetic eye drops. The most you feel throughout you laser vision surgery is a slight pressure on the eye.
Read our customer testimonials.
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The cost of Nu-Lasik for both eyes is $5,500 ($2750 per eye). This includes:
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The general guideline is as follow:
You will have a contact lens in place for 3 full post operative days. It is removed on the morning of the 4th day. Most people choose to work the next day, however some people find working on 4th day acceptable.
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Literally, as soon as you sit up from the operating table.
Typically you will be able to read signs in the distance which were just a blur when you entered the surgery room.
Whilst every patient experiences immediate visual effects, fluctuating blurriness will persist initially. There are several reasons for this.
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Based on our experience, around 0.5% of our patients regress and require further treatment.
Regression is where the cornea undergoes a shape change from the remodelling done by the laser. Though it is uncommon after NU-LASIK (Epi-Lasik) , Hyperopic (long sightedness) eyes are more likely to suffer regression than the Myopic (short sightedness) eyes.
You may need an 'enhancement' if this occurs. This is a very safe procedure when done using NU-LASIK.
Given the very low probability and latest technology there is a charge of approximately $700-800 per eye for 2nd surgery enhancements.
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Am I suitable for laser eye surgery?
What if I'm not suitable for laser eye surgery?
How does Nu-Lasik differ from Lasik?
Is there any pain during surgery?
What is the cost of laser eye surgery?
How soon before I can see clearly without eyewear?
What is chance of needing more surgery? If so, is there any further cost?
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