Optilase was one of the first independent laser eye clinics in Ireland. Their experienced team of Surgeons has carried out over 40,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and are leaders in their field, in Ireland, Europe and Worldwide. The clinic has an exceptional reputation; with top sports people too, with Munster Rugby players, Frankie Sheehan, Denis Hurley and Doug Howlett choosing to have laser eye surgery at Optilase.

The 100% Irish owned company is a major success story, optimistically bucking the recessional trend and committing to investing in the economy. This is the fourth new opening for Optilase this year, adding to the state-of the-art clinics in Cork, Dublin and Belfast, there are now regional clinics in Waterford, Galway, Athlone, Derry and now Limerick.

Managing Director of Optilase, Phillip McGlade commented:

“We are more than delighted to finally open in Limerick.We look forward to introducing the people of Limerick City and its surrounds to an unrivalled level of patient care and attention, both pre and post-surgery, at a fair and highly affordable price. Laser eye surgery is an incredibly successful and surprisingly straight forward procedure that quite literally changes people’s lives”.

Laser eye surgery was first introduced in the 1970s and is now one of the most advanced and commonly performed elective surgeries worldwide, having helped to improve the vision and lifestyles of over 30 million people worldwide.

To arrange a free consultation or for further information phone: 1890 301 302 or email info@optilase.com or visit: www.optilase.com.

This is indeed the gift of laser eye surgery. Most patients will tell you stories of seeing their own environment in a whole new light, noticing small details that were previously not visible with their lenses or glasses. Many people prefer to wear lenses over glasses and very often, the sight is a lot less sharp than wearing glasses. For these patients in particular, laser eye surgery really is life-changing.

The best advice is to speak to the best. Optilase is Ireland’s leading laser eye surgery clincs and has a state-of-the-art clinic in Cork at 19B Opera Lane. Optilase uses only the most advanced, precise and safest technology in the world as well as the revolutionary ‘blade-free’ IntraLase technology. The clinic’s experi­enced team comprises resident Con­sultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr Conall Hurley from Cork; Laser Optometrists Marie O’Keeffe FAOI and Dan O’Brien FAOI; Clinic Manager, Louise Carty also from Cork, along with a dedicated medical team.

To arrange a free consultation or for further information phone: 1890 301 302 or email info@optilase.com.

Glasses and contact lens wearers are all too aware of the potential benefits of having the life-changing treatment that is laser eye surgery. When asked what took patients so long to make up their minds, the fear factor is usually sited.

You may be surprised to learn that the most common response immediately after surgery is for a patient to wonder just why they were so nervous and regret waiting so long to go ahead with the procedure. “Piece of cake”, “walk in the park” are just a couple of patient’s responses! “I think the word “laser” and “surgery” make it sound extreme! We hear “surgery” and we think it must be painful!”, said another patient.

“From the very first consultation at Optilase, I was made to feel incredibly relaxed and at ease. Each member of the team from my Optometrist to my Surgeon, Mr. Conall Hurley made the experience entirely smooth and worry-free”, continued Cork patient Sinead O’Brien.

Optilase uses the world’s safest and most precise technology in the world including the blade free, IntraLase method. Their experienced team of Surgeons has carried out over 40,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and are leaders in their field, in Ireland, Europe and Worldwide.

Why not find out if you are a suitable candidate? Consultations are free of charge. Visit Optilase at 19B Opera Lane, phone 1890 301 302 or email info@optilase.com or visit: www.optilase.com.

By Fiona Dunning.

I started wearing glasses while at college. Sitting in a massive lecture theatre, I realised that my friends could read the over-heads when I couldn’t. I was also informed that I was walking past friends on a regular basis! I couldn’t make out faces clearly but I presumed this was normal until I had my eyes tested!

Personally, I hated wearing glasses. I was entirely self-conscious. Plus they are completely and utterly uncomfortable, they weigh heavily on the bridge of your nose, fall down, fall off, get stuck in your hair… not to mention trying to play sports or exercise! To add insult to injury, my then four year old Italian niece would call me “bruta” (meaning ugly), any time I wore them in her presence (she was used to me wearing lenses!).

Lenses came with their own set of draw backs. They are simply not built to last a full day without drying out, causing headaches and making you feel physically sick when left in far too long, such as an impromptu night out! Even for day to day wear at work, my vision just wasn’t as sharp as when I wore my glasses. I’d feel myself sitting far too close to my computer screen, squinting and making distorted faces to be better able to read what was on screen. I was even unlucky enough to leave the Glastonbury music festival, after getting mud in my eye which contained with the dangerous bacteria, pseudomonas. For me this meant a taxi from the airport directly to the eye and ear hospital in Dublin where I resided for a week, after almost losing my eye.

The trials and tribulations for me personally were endless! Of course laser eye surgery was always at the back of my mind, with friends and family having it done. For some reason, I just didn’t believe them when they told me it was painless and just took a matter of seconds! I think the word “laser” and “surgery”, make it sound extreme! We hear “surgery” and we think it must be painful! Plus, I’m quite squeamish and thought that I just wouldn’t be able to go through with it.

In short, the fear factor always held me back.

How wrong I was. From the very first consultation at Optilase on Ely place in Dublin, I was made to feel incredibly relaxed and at ease. Each member of the team; from Carole on reception, to Dan (Optometrist), Ciara and Christine (Nurses) to my Surgeon Mr Wayne Crewe Brown made the experience entirely smooth and worry-free.

At my free consultation, I met with Dan, my Optometrist who did some eye tests and assessments and confirmed that subject to the approval of Surgeon, Mr Wayne Crewe Brown, I was a suitable candidate. Every step of the procedure, from my arrival in the clinic, to the procedure itself, to what I could expect afterwards, was discussed in a straight forward way. A date was then scheduled to meet with my Surgeon.

Once I had all of the information, and had met with the team, I knew for sure that I wanted to progress. I had complete and utter faith in the experienced team. I knew I was in entirely safe hands.

On the day of surgery I arrived at the clinic at 3.45pm. The Optilase clinic is bright and airy, with wonderful high ceilings. There is an air of warmth and friendliness and also excited anticipation. The team seem to know the reaction that’s just around the corner, the “I can’t believe that’s it!” and the thrill at my next check-up when I drive in wearing neither glasses or lenses!

But back to “surgery” day.

Ciara, my nurse (who actually had the procedure done herself, as did her other half and also her sister!) sat down with me and explained the procedure, what to expect before, during and after. Dan, my Optometrist and also Mr Crewe Brown, my Surgeon had also gone through this with me so I was more than well-briefed! Obviously at this stage I had begun to feel a little apprehensive and nervous but Ciara was just so re-assuring and caring. I knew I was in a safe place.

Ciara took me to the theatre. I was offered a valium which I accepted without hesitation! I was greeted by my medical team, another nurse, Christine, Laser Optometrist, Dan and Mr Crewe Brown, my Surgeon.

I reminded myself that for Mr Crewe Brown, this was a regular “day at the office”! My job was to lie back and relax while my vision was restored to perfection!

PRK Laser Eye Surgery was the procedure recommended for my eyes (at my original consultation).

My right eye was first. Various drops were added including anaesthetic drops. For PRK, the cells at the front of the eye are moved aside and then the laser is applied as opposed to a flap being made (with a blade-free laser). A solution loosens the cells and Mr Crewe Brown took a few seconds to move aside. This was the most uncomfortable stage of the treatment, and uncomfortable is the word, as opposed to being painful. It’s just an unusual sensation. At this stage I am concentrating on my breathing and sensing I was nervous, Christine put her hand on my hand. I was holding a stress ball but the power of the human touch is immense, I instantly felt more relaxed and at ease.

I focused on a light, similar to attending a regular eye test while the laser did it’s work. It turns out, it is true what they say, it is entirely painless! A few seconds of focusing on a light, and my right eye was done! A protective contact lens was popped over my eye to act as a protective covering, which is standard with the PRK procedure.

My Surgeon, Mr Crewe Brown, then performed the same procedure on my left eye, and that was it!

After Laser Eye Surgery.

Ciara sat with me while I relaxed and she went through the drops I would administer in the hours, days and weeks ahead. She gave me details of the 24 hour help line should I have any worries. Again she told me what to expect, my eyes would be light sensitive, watery, possibly gritty and stingy, for the next couple of days. LASIK has the faster recover time but PRK requires the patient to take a week off work.

I left the clinic wearing sun glasses to help with the light sensitivity and my sister took me home to recoup. I went straight to bed and slept through the night wearing my goggles (applying the eye drops as directed and taking some painkillers). Vision wise, my eyesight was perfect, immediately! Pain wise, my eyes felt delicate, they watered and were slightly stingy for the next 2 days. The stinging feeling is no worse than the pain when peeling onions, as Ciara had told me!

My surgery took place on Saturday. I stayed in-doors and rested in bed for a few days. On Thursday I returned to the clinic and Dan, my Optometrist removed my protective contact lens and told me I was just shy of 20:20 vision! Dan advised that it would take a few weeks for my vision to settle down fully. He told me what I could and couldn’t do in terms of continuing to avoid getting water into my eyes, applying (or not!) eye make up, playing sports etc.

My follow up appointment was scheduled there and then and I drove home from my appointment, still in disbelief that the procedure was over, that I would never have to worry about wearing glasses or contact lenses ever again!

Two weeks on and I think I’m still in a state of disbelief. It’s only beginning to dawn on me that I am not wearing my contact lenses, that I will never have to fiddle with a contact lens or worry about glasses ever again! I’m looking forward to a summer of perfect eye sight, crystal clear vision, today, tomorrow and the day after, and the day after that…

My next mission? To spread the word and try to dispel the myths and the unfounded fears attached to this extremely straight forward procedure!

Find out if your vision can be improved with laser eye surgery.

• Improve your performance in sports
• Feel comfortable and confident while driving
• Free yourself from contact lenses and glasses
• Special Ocassions: Weddings, Holidays
• Significant long-term financial saving

Find out if you are a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery.

Poor vision is one of the most common physical issues afflicting people the world over today. For several centuries, and even back to the Roman emperor Nero who used a cut crystal to watch the games in the Circus Maximus, corrective lenses have been the sole remedy for this problem.

Laser eye surgery offers a unique modern alternative for the many thousands of people who would rather not wear contact lenses or spectacles for one reason or another. This type of surgery works by reshaping the surface of the eye known as the cornea. A special laser is used to remove part of the cornea and reshape it so that the image produced by the lens at the front of the eye falls in the right place, neither in front of the retina (short sight) nor behind it (long sight).

Can anyone have laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery does not work for everyone and its success depends very much on the nature of the vision impairment, which is why a detailed consultation with a specialist is needed before going ahead with treatment. A surgeon creates a map of the eyes to help decide whether the surgery is appropriate, and if it is decided to go ahead the same map is used to adjust the laser used to perform the operation.

The cornea, or coloured part of the eye surrounding the pupil, is the target of this type of treatment, because it is the shape of the cornea that determines clarity of vision. The laser is used to change the shape of the cornea and therefore the way in which it will focus the image created by the lens.

What is laser eye surgery and how does it work?

So, How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work? The first stage of the procedure involves inserting anaesthetic drops into the eye to ensure the patient is in absolute comfort. A lid speculum is placed over the eye to keep it open during the operation. A small incision is then made into the cornea to approximately a quarter of its depth and a small box shape, with an oblong flap that remains attached along one of its sides, is carefully removed. With the flap open, the laser is used to change the cornea’s shape as required depending on whether you are long or short sighted.

Minute parts of the cornea are vaporised as the corneal tissues come into contact with the laser pulses. The laser can be finely adjusted by the surgeon to control its pulses, so that only the correct amount of reshaping is made. Once that has been done the flap is placed back in position and adapts to the new corneal contours.

With LASIK eye surgery the results are more or less instantaneous, with no recovery time and no side effects in most cases. LASEK surgery is an alternative to this for patients whose corneas are too thin for LASIK treatment. The recovery time for LASEK surgery is also slightly longer, usually up to four days, and the eyes have to be protected for that period with a bandage for hygiene reasons.

Laser eye surgery is one of the wonders of modern medicine, transforming the lives of over 30 million people who would rather not wear contact lenses or glasses. The crystal-clear vision achieved with laser eye surgery is far superior to the vision achieved with glasses and lenses and so the only regret is not having it done years earlier.

Laser eye surgery, such as that at Optilase, is performed with an excimer laser and a precision surgical instrument called a microkeratome which is used to create the corneal flap. Whereas until fairly recently the operation removed a layer of the cornea it now consists of creating a temporary flap in the cornea through which the laser does its work of reshaping the cornea. In this way, there is no epithelium removed that will simply grow back later on and require an additional course of treatment to remove it again. The whole operation is performed under local anaesthetic and lasts about 15 minutes.

Common types of laser eye surgery

Of the two most common types of eye surgery available today, LASIK is the most popular, with a very short recovery time for the patient. LASEK treatment is similar but is appropriate for people with relatively thin corneas for whom LASIK is unavailable. LASEK treatment entails about three to four days recovery time whereas LASIK can be even shorter.

Am I a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery?

Unfortunately, the answer to the question, Am I Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery? is not clear-cut. It is not the case that everyone is equally suitable for refractive eye surgery, there are points to consider before hand. There are health related issues as well as various eye conditions that may make such treatment inappropriate. A qualified professional will always give their approval before such surgery can go ahead, even though the procedure is quite minor. It is estimated that around 20 per cent of patients that apply for laser eye surgery are unable to go through with the procedure.

For example, when a patient is pregnant or breastfeeding is not a suitable time for taking accurate readings of the eye. With all the hormonal activity going on the eyes often adjust to nearsightedness and sometimes long-sightedness during pregnancy. Also, medication may sometimes be required following the treatment, pregnancy can throw off the most appropriate prescription making it a difficult time to provide the correct medication post procedure.

People with glaucoma who have the characteristic optic nerve damage of later phases cannot be treated, although someone with ocular hypertension and no nerve damage will usually receive the treatment.

The minimum legal age for receiving laser eye surgery is 18. However, as the majority of individual prescriptions do not stabilise completely until the age of around 21, younger applicants will usually have to provide evidence that their prescriptions have not changed for a year or more before being accepted.

As mentioned above, if an applicant’s corneas are thinner than the norm they may still be deemed suitable for LASEK laser eye surgery, provided a specialist agrees that it would be safe to go ahead with this.

There are a number of factors that may make you unsuitable for laser vision correction. These include prescriptions stronger than -10 or +5. Having a squint or a lazy eye can also rule you out. (Note that laser vision correction can be carried out on some patients with a lazy eye, depending on its severity).

For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is necessary to wait until 6 months after finishing. You also need to be over the age of 18.

Optilase has changed the lives and improved the vision of thousands of Cork people

If you’ve endured eyesight problems requiring you to wear glasses or contact lenses, Optilase, Ireland’s leading laser eye clinic, offers a pain-free solution in the form of laser eye surgery, that will have you seeing the world in a new light in as little as 24 hours.

Those who have undergone treatments at Optilase’s state-of-the-art premises at Opera Lane, Cork, often wonder why they waited so long to bid a final farewell to the headaches and expense associated with eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Life-changing is a term often used by those who have undergone treatment at Optilase, which is staffed by a leading, experienced medical team.

After treatment at Optilase, patients will have a whole new lease of life, free of the worries and headaches associated with eyewear. You’ll no longer have to worry about getting prescription sunglasses for holidays, or worry about contact lenses for playing sport, and those concerns about ‘dry eye’ arising from wearing contact lenses throughout your working day and after-work socialising, will be a thing of the past.

Against a backdrop of spiralling prices for glasses and contacts, Optilase estimates that people with eyesight problems will spend £25,000 on glasses and contact lenses over their life­time.
In comparison, laser treatment starts from just €495 per eye, with further savings to be made from to the 20% tax relief that is available for laser eye surgery.

It’s reliable too, with all treatments carrying a Lifetime Care Guarantee that, in the unlikely event of a patient’s eyesight regressing after surgery, provides free aftercare and remedial treatment. For complete peace of mind, Optilase also operates a 24-7 aftercare advice line for patients.

The medical team at Optilase Cork is headed by resident consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Dr Conall Hurley, from Cork; and includes laser optometrists Marie O’Keeffe FAOI and Dan O’Brien FAOI; clinic manager, Louise Carty, also from Cork; and a dedicated medical team.

Dr Hurley, fully registered on the Specialist Registers of the Irish Medical Council, qualified from University College Cork School of Medicine in 1984 and started his career in Ophthalmology in 1988. He is widely regarded as one of Ireland’s leading surgeons.

Treatments available at Optilase include Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), the most common procedure, commonly known as IK. Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASEK) is available for patients for whom IK is not suitable. EK has a faster recovery time, with little or no post-operative discomfort enabling clients to resume normal activities within 48 hours.

Both involve the use of an advanced VISX Star S41R laser, the most precise laser technology in the world.

The actual procedure takes just a few minutes per eye. Laser eye surgery uses a cool beam “Excimer” laser to gently reshape the cornea. The laser is entirely painless, with one patient likening to an eye test! P atients are usually required to rest for half an hour or so in the clinic afterwards, before going home to sleep for a few hours. Upon waking, the patient’s eyesight will be sharper and improve with each day and of course the benefits are life long!

Optilase not only offers a convenient solution, but also does so in a manner that could not be more accessible.

Optilase Cork is within easy access of all major transport links, while its opening hours (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm; Saturday, 9am-6pm; and Sunday, 11am-6pm) mean that consultations, surgeries and after-care can be provided around clients’ commitments.

Visit optilase.com or call 1890 301 302 for information.

“The life changing results of laser eye surgery are evident almost immediately and the most common response from our patients is always “Why didn’t I do it years ago!” and to wonder at how pain-free the experience actually is. While it is a very popular procedure, I would advise all would-be patients to do their research and only visit the most well-respected and experienced of laser eye clinics”.

Optilase was one of the first independent clinics in the country and has state-of-the-art clinics in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Belfast and Derry, and more recently a clinic in Galway, Longford and Athlone. Their experienced team of surgeons has carried out over 40,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and are leaders in their field, in Ireland, Europe and Worldwide.

At Optilase, their results speak for themselves, with 100% of patients achieving driving standard or better, with 99% achieving 20/20 or better. In addition, a Lifetime Care Guar­antee is standard with all of their treatments which further reflects the impressive standard of care afforded to every patient.

To arrange a free consultation or for further information phone: 1890 301 302 or email info@optilase.com.

It is heartening to hear of Irish success stories in the world of business — and even more heartening to hear that the business owners are very proud that the product they supply is 100 per cent Irish-owned and locally based.

The success of Optilase is one such business — a sister company of the well-known chain of Therapie clinics, Optilase was one of the first independent laser eye surgery clinics in the country and has state-of-the-art clinics in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Belfast, and Derry, and more recently clinics in Galway, Longford, and Athlone.

In just a number of years, the experienced team of surgeons have carried out more than 40,000 laser eye surgery procedures, and are leaders in their field in Ireland, Europe, and worldwide.

Managing director Philip McGlade is delighted that the company is benefiting from the fact that it is Irish-owned and has created hundreds of jobs in Ireland over the last few years.

In addition, it is bringing laser eye surgery to the regions by allowing customers to have all their pre-care and aftercare appointments in a clinic convenient to them.

Speaking to the Galway Advertiser recently, Mr McGlade expressed his pride in the fact that the business remains Irish-owned, the success of the clinics, and the continued growth of the company has been maintained.

“Therapie is a family-run business, set up by my father Paul 10 years ago. I took over the business three years ago, since then we have opened 10 new clinics and we also set up the Optilase laser eye surgery. The business has actually expanded through the recession and in the last two years employed 100 extra people.

‘I’m proud that it’s an Irish-owned company’

“Galway was the first clinic we had outside of Dublin and we expanded from there. The city of Galway was chosen because of its young demographic and large female customer base. It stood out from the other cities,” he said, adding that is the Irishness of the company, the fact that it is creating jobs around the country that makes him most proud.

One would have thought that laser eye surgery would decline with the recession, but it has been the reverse with more and people people realising that laser eye surgery is a more cost-effective way of managing your sight than costly and often irritable contact lenses.

A lot of people have been thinking about laser eye surgery for a long time so there has been plenty of interest. The way they look at it, once the procedure is done, they do not have to spend money on glasses and contact lenses which can be very expensive. The technology has got so much better too. People are also so much more aware these days, most know someone who has had it done.

And with Optilase, the process could not be more simple: Customers can avail of free one hour consultations during which all options are fully explained and an assessment is carried out to ensure that a particular procedure is suitable for the client’s needs. The procedure itself is carried out in the Optilase purpose-built clinic in Dublin by a consultant ophthalmic surgeon. Following the procedure the post-op check-ups take place at the clinic in Galway.

Everyone has questions they want to go through, about the procedure, and meeting with the surgeon.

“We go through all the different options, what would be best for them and best for their eyes. We try to minimise the amount of time a customer spends in Dublin,” says a spokesperson. “The following day, the person has a check-up in the Galway clinic. The prices range from €495 per eye, starting with a basic procedure suitable for relatively low prescriptions, to a maximum price of €1,600 per eye and includes all six check-ups and all the eye drops as well as the life time after-care guarantee.”

At Optilase results speak for themselves, with 100 per cent of patients achieving driving standard or better, and 99 per cent achieving 20/20 or better. In addition, a lifetime care guarantee is standard with all of the treatments which further reflects the impressive standard of care afforded to every patient.

Optilase enjoys much success

Located at the same premises as its sister company, the prestigious Therapie Clinic, the expert and friendly staff at Optilase have enjoyed much success in correcting the eyesight of thousands of its customers.

Optilase offers a full range of the most advanced treatments and customised procedures including LASIK, LASEK, and IntraLase laser eye surgery as well as Premier and Advanced CustomVue WaveFront laser eye technology at competitive prices, with the added security of a lifetime care guarantee offered as standard with all treatments.

Munster Rugby star Doug Howlett underwent laser eye surgery at Optilase Clinic last year, and now boasts better than 20:20 vision.

View Doug Howlett’s Experience with Optilase

“I really can’t believe how this has changed my life, it was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made,” said Howlett. “I simply can’t recommend Optilase highly enough – I just wish I had done it sooner.”

Laser eye surgery was first introduced in the 1970s and is now one of the most advanced and commonly-performed elective surgeries, having helped to improve the vision and lifestyles of more than 30 million people worldwide.

Optilase (located at the same premises as Therapie) in Shop Street is open Monday 9am to 6pm, Tuesday to Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Thursday 9am to 8pm, Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 11am to 6pm.

For more information contact 091 539900 or 1890 301 302, email info@optilase.com, or alternatively log onto www.optilase.com.

Author: Declan Varley from Galway Advertiser