Happy New Year!
Have you already had cataract surgery on the NHS and are still struggling with reading glasses or varifocals? There is a refractive solution for you to rid yourself of the hassle of glasses called Piggyback IOL (intraocular lens) treatment.
The easiest way to think of a Piggyback intraocular lens (IOL) is a small lens that is positioned inside the eye rather than on its surface. Piggyback IOLs are typically used to enhance vision after cataract operations.
Piggyback IOLs
The procedure is usually recommended for patients over the age of 45 who have already had their cataracts removed (replaced with a monofocal IOL). A piggyback IOL is a lens that is implanted in the eye, just behind the iris, in front of the existing lens implant (in the sulcus) by an ophthalmologist. The predetermined strength of the lens corrects the prescription and produces good quality vision.
NHS providers only offer the basic type of intraocular lens (IOL) implants: Monofocal lenses which only correct distant vision. However, at AVC we only offer truly bespoke treatments and we provide intraocular lenses best suited to your needs. The type of lens that you will be suitable for is dependent on your lifestyle and visual needs, and will be determined at the consultation after a comprehensive examination.
Advanced Vision Care uses revolutionary Trifocal Piggyback IOLs. These correct all fields of vision, distant, near and intermediate, enabling patients to be glasses free after treatment. If you would like to find out whether you are suitable for Piggyback IOL treatment, please contact AVC and speak to a member of our team.
AVC’s Advanced surgical technology
For our patient’s convenience, we now carry out all procedures under one roof at our highly advanced Harley Street practice. There’s no need for travel to a secondary site for surgery, making the experience more convenient for everyone.
Advanced Vision Care uses the very latest, cutting edge Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)/Clear Lens Replacement/Piggyback IOL treatment and Cataract technology. This includes:
The Alcon Refractive Suite
AVC is at the forefront of Cataract and Clear Lens Exchange treatments, treating patients in our Alcon Refractive Suite, which is the safest and most advanced Cataract/Clear Lens Exchange suite in the UK.
The VERION Image Guided System
This is used to capture a digital reference image of the eye during the initial assessment which is used to create a surgical plan. This equipment is also used throughout the treatment allowing the surgeon to see all incisions and alignments in real time, improving accuracy and minimising errors especially whilst correcting an astigmatism
The Centurion Vision System
AVC is the first clinic in the UK to possess this equipment and it is the newest phacoemulsification system available (this breaks up and removes the natural lens). It allows for smaller incisions and is able to optimise every phase of the lens removal. The device also controls the intra-ocular pressure throughout the treatment and enhances the control of the surgeon, consequently improving the patient’s outcome and accelerating the recovery process.
The Lux-OR LX3 with Q-VUE Ophthalmic Microscope
Designed to provide superior visualisation throughout the surgical procedure, this microscope is able to expand the visual field with a highly stable, 6x greater red reflex zone, providing excellent visual detail with superior visualisation of the retina.
Brand New Laser
At Advanced Vision Care we only use the latest laser eye surgery technology and the Bausch & Lomb Technolas TENEO 317 (released in 2017) is the newest and fastest treating excimer laser available, and provides some of the best outcomes.
It provides optical sculpting by precisely evaporating tissue from the collagen layer of the cornea.
- Fast: 1 sec per dioptre – typical treatment lasts only 3 seconds, which allows for a reduction in thermal effects on the cornea leading to quicker recovery time
- 500Hz ‘flying spot’ laser – able to create complex and customised treatments for short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia
- Bausch + Lomb Technolas have over 20 years of refractive experience in making vision-correcting lasers with unparalleled precision, stability and accuracy
- Tracks all eye movements – 6 dimensions (XYZ, intraoperative rotations and static rotations using Iris Recognition)
- Takes pictures of the eye (sampling rate) 1,750 times per second (1750Hz)
- Has a response time of 2ms – so no laser pulses are ever misplaced
- The Eyetracker can follow the most sudden or subtle of eye movements
- Iris picture captured on our sophisticated aberrometer (Zywave)
- Thousand times more accurate than a fingerprint
- Ensures accurate placement of your personalised laser treatment
- Especially important for patients with astigmatism, night vision problems or irregular corneas
Health Insurance Cataract Patients
For anyone with health insurance who requires cataract surgery, AVC is ranked as a 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 (distance correction only) and 3 post-operative checks are included as standard for all health insurance packages. However, at AVC a lot patients choose to upgrade to Trifocal IOLs so they may enjoy complete freedom from glasses. Trifocal IOLs will correct distance, intermediate and reading vision, meaning you can be glasses free for all tasks. As well as having a superior visual correction, patients who upgrade to Trifocal IOLs will enjoy our full one year comprehensive aftercare scheme. This includes a free laser fine tuning, should this be required. 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 |
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 eye drops 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.”
Testimonial
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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