Stars Back New Laser Vision Surgery
Sunday October 3, 2010 By Lucy Johnston and Justin Stoneman
A revolutionary laser treatment has been developed to reverse the effects of deteriorating vision brought on by age. The ground-breaking technique, known as PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision, can immediately eliminate distance and near vision problems.
More than 95 per cent of 300 patients treated now have 20:20 distance vision and can read close news print unaided. Celebrities who have benefited include TV host Philip Schofield, singers Bonnie Tyler and Limahl and Jo Wood, ex-wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie. Schofield described the effects of the technique, pioneered by professor of ophthalmology Dr Dan Reinstein, director of the London Vision Clinic, as “amazing”.
Jo Wood, 55, had the treatment three weeks ago and is delighted. She told the Sunday Express: “I had been wearing glasses for 10 years and was always losing or breaking them. I had to rely on other people to read the menu in restaurants and when I was asked to host a ceremony I decided enough was enough. I didn’t want to be taking my glasses on and off in front of the audience. As soon as I sat up after treatment Professor Reinstein showed me his watch and I could read the time. I hadn’t been able to do that for years.”
From the age of about 40 most people increasingly develop vision problems and many will need reading glasses. Many eye specialists surgically insert synthetic lenses to correct problems. However, Dr Reinstein has developed a treatment that reshapes the cornea. He will present his findings to the annual conference of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Chicago next week. Dr Tracy Mountford, 48, a Harley Street cosmetic doctor, had the treatment. She said: “I am delighted. I can now do close vision work in my job without glasses.”
The painless and reversible 15-minute procedure costs from about £4,500. Professor Reinstein said: “Laser blended vision has been so effective I am convinced in the future no one will be facing the more risky and less effective treatment of placing artificial lenses into normal eyes.” Professor William Ayliffe, consultant ophthalmologist at London’s Lister Hospital, said: “This is a safe technique and appears to be effective and extremely promising. It warrants further studies.”
Sheraz Dyer, leading eye specialist and medical director of Centre for Sight, said: “There are many other solutions for correcting near and distance vision. This work would benefit from a large-scale independent trial to see if his results can be replicated.”
London Vision Clinic has been featured in many news articles over the years. Read about how when MSN Health & Wellbeing needed an expert view on Laser Eye Surgery they came to the London Vision Clinic. You can also read about how marksmen from the Metropolitan Police chose the London Vision Clinic for Laser Eye Surgery to sharpen their vision in this London Evening Standard article.
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