VisuMax™ The most advanced laser vision correction technology on the planet.
Precision and safety with a more personalised and gentle treatment
Only available in New Zealand through the Eye Centre Group - serving central New Zealand
EASY PAYMENT PLAN | WHY CHOOSE US
Non-Laser Vision Correction
Alternatives to Laser Vision Correction
The Eye Centre Group offers several alternative methods of vision correction besides laser vision correction. Not all patients are suitable for laser vision correction, and you will usually be told if you are more suitable for non-laser vision correction at the time of your first visit to the eye centre.
Non-Laser Vision Correction procedures are carried out at The Wellington Eye Centre. Patients from other Central New Zealand cities and towns can be referred to the Wellington Eye Centre for these procedures by the Hawkes Bay and Manawatu Eye Centres, or their own optometrist or eye care professional.
Treating Extreme Myopia
Eyes which are extremely shortsighted or which have thin corneas may be unsuitable for laser vision correction eye surgery because of the increased risk of poor vision afterwards. Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu Eye Centres use Verisyse™ Phakic Intra Ocular Lenses (IOL's) in this situation.
If you are extremely myopic (over 12 dioptres) you are probably best to avoid laser surgery and have one of the newer treatments which involve either inserting an artificial lens inside the eye, or replacing the existing lens of the eye with an artificial lens.
Phakic Intraocular lenses (IOLs):
Eyes which are extremely shortsighted or which have thin corneas may be unsuitable for laser vision correction because of the increased risk of poor vision afterwards. The WEC uses VERISYZE phakic IOLs in this situation.
If you are very nearsighted and tired of contact lenses and thick glasses, and at least 21 years of age, you may be a candidate for Verisyse™ Phakic IOL's.
The Phakic Intraocular lenses are placed inside the eye through a small incision and clip onto the front of the iris. The operation takes about 30 minutes and can be done under a local or a general anaesthetic. Recovery of vision is very rapid - most patients will have excellent vision the next day. In some cases, an enhancement procedure using laser vision correction may be required to obtain optimum vision. Verisyse™ Phakic Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) are recommended for patients with:
- Extreme short sight, where laser vision correction would result in excessive corneal tissue removal.
- Corneas which are too thin to allow safe correction of the full amount of short sight using laser vision correction.
These lenses are able to correct very high amounts of short sight and can also correct astigmatism. They have been used for many years in Europe, and are approved by the FDA in the USA for vision correction. More than 150,000 procedures have been performed worldwide. They have been shown to be very safe, effective and predictable and can give excellent vision without the use of glasses or contact lenses.
For more information, or to book an assessment, please contact us.
Clear Lens Extraction (CLE):
This procedure involves removing the existing, usually normal, lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens chosen to reduce or eliminate your myopia.
Removal of the normal lens with insertion of an IOL may be the best option for an older, extreme myope or someone who is developing an early cataract.
Some older patients who are seeking laser vision correction may be found to have signs of early cataract formation, without this affecting their corrected vision. If an early cataract is present, the ophthalmologist will usually recommend that CLE be performed with insertion of an intraocular lens. This is the same operation as is performed for removal of a cataract in an older person. Lens removal and replacement is generally predictable and safe, but does carry some risk (up to 5% in some reports) of developing a retinal detachment later on, when this surgery is performed on eyes with extreme myopia.
CLE is usually performed with a local anaesthetic and takes 20 to 30 minutes. The natural lens is removed from the eye through a 3mm long incision, and an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to correct the vision. The procedure is very safe and most patients will get excellent, stable vision within a few days.
For more information, or to book an assessment, please contact us.
CLE with insertion of Multifocal Intraocular Lenses:
Following CLE or cataract surgery, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the eye to correct vision. In most cases the IOL has a single focus point and cannot give good distance and near vision at the same time. However multifocal IOLs are available which can give excellent distance and near vision without the use of glasses.
About 90% of patients with these lenses are completely independent of glasses for near or distance vision. Not every patient is suitable for these lenses - the most suitable candidates are older long-sighted people who wish to get out of glasses or who have early cataracts. Your ophthalmologist will advise you if you are suitable for CLE with insertion of a multifocal IOL at the time of your assessment.
For more information, or to book an assessment, please contact us.