Vision correction in the 21st century

CARIBBEAN FOLKS love their glasses so much it becomes a part of them, certainly after they pass 40. As territorial margins fade due to globalisation and technology, people in our region are seeking the alternatives to vision correction offered by our FirstWorld neighbours. The buzzword is LASER, in particular LASIK for vision correction. At Ophthalmic Suites located in the business capital of Kingston, Jamaica, we offer a suite of vision correction technology to suit all ages, prescriptions, refractive diagnoses, and lifestyle demands.

Femto-LASIK

This procedure is traditionally performed on patients ages 20 to 45, with refractive errors due to myopia (near-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness, or astigmatism). In these conditions, vision improves with wearing glasses, but LASIK corrects the condition. FemtoLASIK is a brand of LASIK, which uses a precise flap created by the Femtosecond LASER, making the procedure extremely safe and accurate.

Issues related to the LASIK flap are the most common sources of complications in LASIK, and are virtually eliminated with the use of the Femto-LASER. Over 45 years of age, Kamra inlay, a pinhole device implanted 250 to 300 microns in the corneal stroma of the non-dominant eye, provides the depth of focus needed for near and far distance tasks. The implantation of the device at Ophthalmic Suites is facilitated by the creation of a pocket using the Femtosecond LASER.

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)

This flapless version of LASER vision correction is used in situations where a person does not qualify for LASIK. The eventual outcome is similar but the road to recovery is lengthier and uncomfortable. LASER vision correction has specific criteria that have to be satisfied for eligibility.

Intacs segments are a great way to correct extreme cases of astigmatism, myopia, and corneal irregularities of Keratoconus. The segments are also implanted with the aid of the Femtosecond LASER, and vary in grades, depending on the degree of abnormality being addressed. Ophthalmic Suites is the only approved centre in the Caribbean implanting these devices.

Implantable Collamer lens

Implantation of a Collamer lens to correct myopia is an option in cases where the prescription being addressed is too high (>8 Diopters), or cornea too thin for LASIK/PRK. The soft floppy lens is implanted behind the iris atop the natural lens. The lens design allows the implanted device to vault the natural crystalline lens of the eye.

Clear lens exchange/Phacorefractive surgery at any age, with no limits, one may exchange the lens of the eye for a multifocal, bifocal, or trifocal/extended depth of focus lens, whether or not there is cataract. This strategy has grown in popularity among persons over 50, as it means never in life would one have to address vision correction, and most likely glasses will no longer be necessary. The exchange is done in both eyes, and powers are tailored to the person’s personality, vision needs, hobbies and adaptability determined during evaluation.

Call Ophthalmic Suites Jamaica Limited at 876-630-0958 or 876630-0864 or email us at info@ ophthalmicsuites.com.