Happy New Year!
Chistmas greetings to you, from Mr CT Pillai at Advanced Vision, Medical Director of Advanced Vision care, leading refractive surgeon and pioneer in laser refractive surgery. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being a valuable optometry co-management partner. 2018 has brought with it many good things for Advanced Vision care, namely our developed relationship with health insurance providers, meaning we can now provide cataract operations for your private insurance patients. We have also carried out some onsite training for our optometry partners, and not to mention our new laser the TENEO 2 by Bausch and Lomb (the fastest laser available on the market).
We have the largest independent optometry network in the UK and are proud to have a trusted and strong relationship with all our partners. We offer ongoing clinical support and advice to all our partners and we currently pay the highest fee for optometry co-management in the country.
In 2019 we hope to be involved in clinical research and provide articles for medical journals to share our knowledge and experience with our esteemed colleagues.
Piggyback IOLs
Piggyback Trifocal IOLs (available in both spherical and toric designs) are ideal for your patients who have already had cataract surgery on the NHS. It is an add-on IOL which sits in front of the existing lens implant, in the sulcus. Explanting and exchanging the existing IOL is not an option, but this procedure is very easily done by our experienced surgeons, and much safer than. It provides good distance, intermediate AND near vision for those wanting to be varifocal or reading glasses free. AVC is one of the only clinics in the UK to offer this treatment to patients who have already had cataract surgery on the NHS.
Case Study – Piggyback IOLs
Mr TW age 74, retired, had a right eye cataract + monofocal lens implant 10 years earlier. Had been advised that a cataract was developing in the left eye. Currently wearing bifocals and would like to get rid of his glasses.
Pre-op refraction:
| UCVA | Sphere | Cyl | Axis | BCVA | Near Add | Near VA | |
| Right | 6/9 | +0.50 | 0 | 0 | 6/7.5+2 | +2.25 | N4 |
| Left | 6/24-1 | +3.00 | -0.75 | 60 | 6/7.5 | +2.25 | N10 |
| Bin | 6/9 | – | – | – | 6/7.5 | N4 |
| Right | Left | |
| Yag Capsulotomy | Anterior Segment Evaluation | Nuclear cataract |
| Healthy | Ophthalmoscopy | Healthy |
RE – trifocal (sulcus) piggyback lens recommended
LE – a cataract/lens replacement procedure with trifocal IOL
RE piggy back lens and LE trifocal IOL sourced from the same manufacturer for best quality vision. Mr TW successfully underwent a left cataract operation with trifocal implant in his left eye in June 2013 followed by successful implantation of a piggyback lens in RE 1 day later.
2 weeks post op:
| UCVA | Sphere | Cyl | Axis | BCVA | |
| RE piggyback | 6/10+2 (N6) | +0.50 | -0.25 | 90 | 6/7.5-2 (N5) |
| LE | 6/7.5 (N6) | 0.00 | -0.50 | 95 | 6/7.5 (N6) |
| Bin | 6/6-2 (N6) | 6/6-2 (N5) |
As can be seen piggyback trifocal lenses can be used effectively to enhance vision following a cataract extraction. Monofocal or trifocal lenses can be placed in the sulcus, and both are available in toric designs.
This is valuable information to provide to your patients who want to get rid of their distance and reading glasses forever. As our valued optom co management partner, this knowledge and knowhow is a valuable tool to help your patients and provide them advice on available treatments.
Training at Partner Opticians
Recently, one of our partner opticians Dipple & Conway in Norwich hosted a CET even for their optometrists. AVC was invited to participate. One of our optometrists along with our Business Development Manager attended the event.
Our optometrist spoke about Post-operative Complications of LASIK as well as potential management options. This was to provide information and clinical knowledge and support to our optometrist partners who carry out laser aftercare appointments for patients who have had laser surgery at AVC. AVC provides ongoing training and CET events for our optometrist partners. If you are interested in providing refractive training for your staff, please contact our Business Development Manager on 0207 935 7497. We offer a variety of topics related to refractive surgery and can provide CET accredited seminars.
Health Insurance Cataract Patients
An update and reminder regarding any private health insurance cataract patients you may have. AVC is currently the preferred provider for BUPA and AXA PPP cataract patients. We have recognised skilled NHS consultants who are authorised to carry out surgical procedures on all health insurance patients.
Monofocal IOLs and 3 post-operative checks are included as standard for all health insurance packages. However, at AVC a lot patients are happy to upgrade to Trifocal IOLs so they may enjoy complete freedom from glasses. See the differences between the two types of IOLs:
| MONOFOCAL IOL | TRIFOCAL IOL | |
| Check ups | 24-48hrs, 1-2weeks, 6weeks £100 thereafter | 24-28hrs, 1-2weeks, 6weeks, 3-6months, 1year |
| Medication | Antibiotic and anti inflammatory drops for 4 weeks, artificial tears for 4 weeks. Eye shield to sleep in for first week. | Antibiotic and anti inflammatory drops for 4 weeks, artificial tears for 4 weeks. Eye shield to sleep in for first week. |
| YAG laser | £500 per eye (or authorised by insurance) | Included within first year £500 per eye thereafter |
| Laser vision enhancement surgery | £750 per eye | Included within first year £750 per eye thereafter |
We will remunerate you for chair time spent with health insurance cataract patients that are referred to us at a rate of £XX for Monofocal patients and £XX for Trifocal patients.
Should you have any questions regarding our services, please call the Business Development Manager on [ADD NUMBER] or contact us on 0207 935 7497.
From ophthalmic professional to patient: A nurse’s point of view
Haydee (aged 45) had lens replacement surgery with Advanced Vision Care in March 2018. She is a ophthalmic nurse that works with the NHS for the last 15 years.
As a long time, sufferer of visual problems, she has always wanted to undergo treatment but like many she thought that she would be unsuitable specifically due to her persistent dry eye problems. Haydee has spent most of her life wearing glasses and when old enough started wearing contact lenses. She found that whilst working that she struggled with having to use glasses which led to her wearing wear contacts more frequently. This excessive use of contact lenses led to her developing dry eye syndrome 3 years ago which consequently has led to more difficulties performing her job.
“I was fed up wearing glasses every day because it brought me daily struggles and caused some delays on my job when on a night shift at work. For the last 3 years, I have been suffering from having dry eyes due to years of wearing of contact lenses until the time came that I cannot anymore tolerate the condition.”
When Haydee developed reading problems, she knew this was the moment that meant she can no longer ignore and wanted to solve the problems as she had seen before in many patients, her vision was going to continually worsen. As a professional in the medical profession, Haydee is more aware than most that the most important thing is to choose the right clinic.
“I definitely wanted my eyes treated in AVC. The staff was very accommodating and willingly answered all my questions. The series of consultations I had was a big help, they provided me with all the pertinent information that I needed to know about my case and the suitable treatment. Mr Pillai explained everything in detail about the suitable treatment to me which was reassuring. I trust the team and was sure that I was going to very well taken care of.”
Despite being a nurse, like all patients she was a little nervous but found that as a patient the experience made her feel a little ‘indifferent to situation’.
“It was such a good experience that I didn’t feel anything. The surgery lasted for not more than 15 minutes and I was very well taken care of. The team was very supportive especially the surgeon (Prof Filipec). I woke up at around 2 am that night and totally forgot about putting in my contact lenses or glasses because I could see things clearly and suddenly remembered that I had undergone a surgery.”
After having had surgery, Haydee is just like everyone else, and wishes that she had looked into treatment earlier in her life, instead of waiting until she had to deal with her visual issues, as this would have meant that she could have lived more of her life without compromising.
“I am really so delighted to have a clearer vision as days go by. Though I must say, I still could feel the dryness of my eyes which has been my long-time problem. Nonetheless, AVC prescribed with more eyedrops and advised to take some vitamins to help alleviate the condition, which it has.
It really is a life changing experience for me. I don’t depend on my glasses, contact lenses or reading glasses anymore and I could freely do the things that I’m not used to do before. After my treatment and aftercare, I feel that I have made the right decision in clinic and to go ahead with treatment because I would have regretted it if I allowed myself to continue to live in a blurred and not-so-clear word.”
Why do eye care professionals always choose AVC? An Optometrist’s Story
I am an Optometrist with over 30 years of experience. When my patients used to ask me about vision correction 13 years ago, I was not knowledgeable enough to advice and guide them properly.
Then I came across Advanced Vision Care as a specialist vision correction clinic in UK and attended their seminars, read the educative newsletters and attended the clinic to see what they are doing. I became convinced that AVC are the best people to care for my patients as they have the same principles and ethos like me, hence I partnered with them and started working closely with them as part of their Optometric clinical co-management network for the last 10 years. I was happy and greatly satisfied about my decision as not only are the clinical results excellent (as I could judge it myself as saw all my patients for post-operative care), but the patients were impressed by the clinical care they received at Advanced Vision Care.
When my son and daughter, who followed my career to become Optometrists (whom I am proud off) needed vision correction, I had no hesitation to recommend Advanced vision Care. As they were not suitable for laser treatment, they both underwent Evo Visian ICL (Implantable Contact Lenses) given their prescription was very high. My son had the surgery 8 years ago and my daughter 4 years ago and both are delighted at with their vision and the choice they made to undergo the treatment at AVC. I have checked their eyes as an optometrist and as a father, and I could not be happier about my decision.
When I developed cataract, it was no surprise that I choose AVC to have my cataracts replaced with Trifocals to get rid of my distance and reading glasses. For the first time I experienced the process as a patient (with a unique view as an optometrist) and have seen the extra mile AVC goes for their patients in terms of data collection, advice, surgical and post-operative care. I have been looked after my children, who are optometrists as I looked after them when they were optometrists students. What more gratification a father needs in life??
I am happy as an optometrist in regards to my care as a patient and more delighted as a family man given me and my children had excellent results and care from Advanced Vision Care and the team, especially the surgeons Mr Pillai, Dr Helgeson and Prof Filipec.
I am happy as an optometrist co-management partner with AVC as I can trust that my patients will benefit from the expert clinical and patient care.
Thanks, Advanced Vision Care
Rowland C
Frances R
Lisa W
Hardat P
Miriam
Patricia G
Paulina U
Advanced Vision Care partnered with Vision Aid Overseas 13 years ago.
Over 6000 AVC patients have donated their glasses to help those less fortunate to see the world the way it is meant to be seen.
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