EYE-TO-EYE: LEADING CANADIAN OPHTHALMOLOGIST SHARES THE FACTS ON VISION HEALTH

Living with impaired vision is a reality for more than 1 million Canadians and this number is expected to rise dramatically as the boomer generation ages.  Leading Canadian eye specialist, Dr. Jeff Machat has spent his career improving vision for patients and he highlights, “there has never been a more exciting time in vision correction, thanks to technological advancements that make procedures safe, precise and fast.”

Dr. Machat answers common questions about better vision solutions to ensure those dealing with vision-loss, have the facts.

CANADIAN VISION LOSS – FAST FACTS

• Every 12 minutes, someone in Canada begins to lose their vision[i]
• More than 2.5 million Canadians currently have cataracts, with that number expected to rise to 5 million by 2031[ii]
• More than 350,000 cataract surgeries are performed in Canada each yearⁱⁱ
• Cataracts are the second leading cause of vision loss in Canada[iii]
• The estimated financial cost of vision loss in Canada in 2007 was $15.8 billionⁱⁱⁱ
   

ON CATARACT SURGERY:

Q – Do I have to be in hospital for Cataract Surgery?

A – Patients no longer need to wait for their vision to incapacitate them, as even minor cataracts can be safely and precisely treated in the early stages.  Cataracts are now performed almost exclusively on an outpatient basis and generally only take 15 minutes – private clinics now offer advanced lasers, like the innovative VICTUS Femtosecond platform and a variety of advanced lens implants, allowing patients to become free from glasses. With accommodating lens technology, the lenses mirror your actual eye function and movement of the eye muscle, allowing you to see well whether near, far or intermediate distances.

Q – Is a Cataract removed by Laser?

A – In the past, patients believed that lasers were being used but in actuality, it was a high frequency ultrasound known as phacoemulsification and this approach has since been remarkably refined.  Advanced technologies like the Femtosecond laser platform have revolutionized safety and precision, creating better visual outcomes for patients than ever before.

Q – Will I be Awake during my Cataract procedure?

A – Patients are awake but receive “Twilight Sedation” meaning that they are half-asleep, much like the feeling we all have as we normally drift off to sleep each night. With the Femtosecond lasers, cataract surgery typically takes about 15 minutes and is usually performed under topical anesthesia, and is quite painless.  Overwhelmingly patients are far more relaxed for the second eye, as all their worries and concerns are easily dismissed after their first eye is treated.

ON LASER VISION CORRECTION:

Q – Is it Safe?

A – Laser vision correction has been performed in Canada since 1991 and it is estimated that more than 35 million people worldwide have had LASIK or other forms of laser vision correction. Numerous clinical trials assessing the safety and effectiveness have been performed – all have demonstrated an exceptional safety profile, especially with femtosecond laser created corneal flaps and custom wavefront guided treatments.

Q – Can you correct Astigmatism?

A – LASIK is capable of treating mild, moderate and even severe degrees of astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness.   The latest generation of advanced lasers can treat even the most complex prescriptions today with exceptional safety and precision.

For more information, visit: www.crystalclearvision.com or call at: 1-855-855-2020.

 

[i] CNIB, “Seeing Beyond Vision Loss”, at: www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/Pages/default.aspx
[ii] https://www.mitchelleyecentre.com/calgary-eye-surgery/cataract-surgery/
[iii] Cruess A et al. The cost of vision loss in Canada. 2. Results, Can J Ophthalmol 2011:46:315-318.