Transforming Lives with Laser Eye Surgery

Every year in the UK, more than 100,000 Laser Eye Surgery procedures are performed. Unsurprisingly, this makes the treatment one of the most popular elective procedures in the world. But far more than simply helping people to ditch those pesky glasses and contact lenses, Laser Eye Surgery can truly transform lives.

To date, tens of millions of people around the world have undergone Laser Eye Surgery since its introduction in the 1980s. Past patients range from young to old, mothers and daughters, sports stars to politicians and everything in between.

They may have sought an alternative for lifelong myopia (short-sightedness) or hyperopia (long-sightedness) or perhaps age-related presbyopia. But no matter their reasons, the vast majority would happily tell you how their treatment has allowed them to live freer and fuller lives.

We’re taking an up-close and personal look at some of the faces behind the procedures. So, let’s discover the life-transforming potential of Laser Eye Surgery.

Achieving Sporting Dreams

A huge number of famous and amateur athletes turn to Laser Eye Surgery to help them achieve sporting goals. Take London Vision Clinic patient, Louise Righton, for example.

Despite being a full-time marketing manager and a mother of two, amateur athlete Louise could be found out on her bike or swimming in a pool whenever she got the chance. But with severe short-sightedness and damage to her eyes that prevented her from wearing contact lenses for prolonged periods, Louise’s long-held dream of completing a triathlon seemed to be slipping further away.

Louise began to experience problems with her eyes as a teenager. Often wearing contact lenses to sleep, she developed several infections that would lead to lasting damage to her eyes. As a result, wearing contact lenses eventually became too uncomfortable, so Louise turned to glasses – with the only exception being on her wedding day. Of course, glasses come with a number of downsides all of their own.

And with the added annoyance of sourcing prescription goggles for her swimming and cycling, Louise had had enough. But after being turned away by a high-street clinic, she was under the impression that Laser Eye Surgery wasn’t an option for her. However, after hearing of a patient who received treatment at the London Vision Clinic for an extremely high prescription, she decided to get a second opinion.

Offering a helping hand

Sure enough, we were able to help Louise ditch her glasses with the help of PRESBYOND® Laser Blended Vision. Before she knew it, Louise was able to return to training, and it wasn’t long before she completed her first triathlon, finishing in tenth place in her age group! And with a taste for the sport, Louise vowed it would be the first of many more to come.

“Taking part in the triathlon was just one of many ways that being glasses-free has changed my life. It is absolutely brilliant.”

Pursuing Clearer Vision and a Vocation

Optometrist Sharon Ritchie had known from childhood that she had wanted a career in eye health. But from an even earlier age, she had suffered from poor eyesight. Little did she know back then that this would become a hindrance to her pursuing her dream profession.

With a very high prescription, Sharon explained how she could see virtually nothing without her contact lenses, which she wore at all times. But despite the many cons of wearing contact lenses, it wasn’t until she moved from her home city of Aberdeen to London that Sharon began to experience significant problems.

Sharon’s eyes began to feel irritated when wearing her contacts, possibly due to the higher levels of pollution in London. She told us how, at the end of a busy day, her vision would have deteriorated significantly.

Turning to Laser Eye Surgery

With the issue not resolving itself, Sharon decided to turn to another solution to her poor vision: Laser Eye Surgery. However, on closer inspection, it was discovered that she had high intraocular pressure and a thin cornea in her left eye. In many cases, this could mean that Sharon would have been found unsuitable for treatment. But thankfully, she came to the London Vision Clinic.

In fact, Sharon had just started working at our Harley Street clinic. Moreover, on a full and comprehensive screening assessment, she was told she was suitable for the revolutionary ReLEx SMILE treatment.

The day after the treatment, Sharon returned to work, stating “the results are fantastic”. She is now free to comfortably pursue her career in the capital and speak to patients about the transformational power of Laser Eye Surgery from first-hand experience!

If you’d like to discover the transformational benefits of Laser Eye Surgery for yourself, get in touch with one of our friendly and knowledgeable clinic coordinators to learn more. Alternatively, Book a Consultation today to find out if you could be suitable for treatment.