Our Eye Surgeons

Personalisation is key to the RLE procedure at Sapphire Eye Care. We understand that each patient’s eyes are unique, with different vision correction needs and health considerations. Therefore, we begin with a detailed examination of your eyes, discuss your visual goals and lifestyle requirements, and then select an intraocular lens (IOL) that best fits your specific circumstances. The choice of IOL is critical and can include options such as multifocal lenses. Additionally, we consider your overall eye health, the shape and size of your eyes, and any other ocular conditions that might influence the choice of lens and surgical approach. By tailoring each aspect of the RLE procedure, we aim to achieve optimal results that not only enhance your vision but also complement your way of life.

Every patient responds to surgery in different ways and heals at different speeds. As a rule of thumb, though, you can expect some swelling and bruising in the first week after eyelid surgery, which will be visible to other people. In the second week, this begins to settle and it’s usually not very apparent that surgery has taken place. Any scars from the operation are designed to blend into the normal creases of the skin around your eyelids.

We see all our patients a week after their surgery so that we can review the healing process and remove any sutures. We will see you again for a final check after about two to three months. For patients who work, we usually recommend taking at least one week off to recuperate after surgery. Some people prefer to allow a fortnight, but we can review this when you come in for your post-operative appointment at the end of the first week.

The effects of the local anaesthetic usually begin to wear off after an hour. In practice, most patients rarely experience much discomfort after the operation. But if your eyes do feel painful, it’s fine to take some paracetamol (assuming you don’t have an allergy to this medication). Eyelids have an excellent blood supply. This is good because it means they heal very quickly, but by the same token they can also become bruised and swollen following surgery. The amount of bruising and swelling you experience can be quite variable and difficult to predict. But there are some things you can do to help reduce them.

Ice-packs: Using ice and gentle pressure on the eyelids after surgery can help to reduce the swelling. The simplest way to do this is with a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a clean tea towel. Press this gently onto your closed eyelids for 20 minutes. You can repeat this at regular intervals, ideally five to six times a day for the first three days.

Elevation: Eyelid swelling can be affected by the position of your head relative to your body during the healing process. Keeping your head up and above the rest of your body during the first few days may help to ease some pressure on the lids. Sleeping with a few extra pillows, or putting a few books under the head-end of your bed, can keep your head a little higher when you are asleep and reduce any extra swelling overnight.

Rest: It’s important to give your body time to heal and recover, so we always recommend that you avoid any strenuous activity for at least two weeks following your surgery. Light exercise such as walking is fine, but try to avoid anything that raises the heart rate too much or involves putting your head below your body. You should avoid swimming for the first two weeks as well. You can wash your face and take showers but try to avoid getting the eyelids too wet.

Avoiding smoking: Studies have shown that smoking affects the healing process after eyelid surgery, which is why we ask patients to stop smoking in advance of their procedure. If you do smoke, we recommend you avoid it for at least two weeks before your operation takes place, and for the first few weeks afterwards.

Yes, Sapphire Eye Care is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in eye care. Our clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical tools, enabling us to perform highly precise and effective treatments. This commitment to technology, combined with our surgeons’ expertise, is central to our philosophy of providing the highest quality care and achieving the best outcomes for our patients.

Absolutely, our team is here to provide support and address any questions or concerns you may have about preparing for your eye surgery. We understand that every eye treatment is unique, and we are committed to ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the process. Feel free to get in touch with us here and at any time to discuss your surgery and any preparations you need to make. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities.

There is no specific level of vision at which surgery is indicated, but as soon as your impaired vision interferes with your daily life, the procedure is worth considering. You may notice your impaired vision when reading, working, watching TV, driving, playing sport or caring for others.

If you are a driver, you must be able to achieve the visual standard required by the DVLA and it may be necessary to have cataract surgery to keep your licence. Leaving a cataract untreated does not damage the eye, but as the lens opacity worsens, your vision will deteriorate until little sight remains. Surgery at this stage may be more difficult.

An epiretinal membrane, often referred to as macular pucker, is a semi-translucent layer that forms atop the macula, the central portion of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. Patients may notice a gradual decline in visual acuity, including blurriness and distortion, as if looking through cellophane. Detailed images or reading small print become challenging, and straight lines may appear wavy or bent.

Vitreomacular traction is when the vitreous, the eye’s gel-like substance, sticks to the macula — the part responsible for sharp central vision — whilst the surrounding gel is detaching, and so exerts a pulling force. This condition can lead to visual symptoms such as blurriness, distortion, or a decrease in visual acuity. The traction may also cause swelling or cysts in the macula and can lead to a hole if left untreated, severely impairing detailed vision.

Dry macular degeneration, or dry AMD, is a chronic eye disorder characterised by thinning and deterioration of the macula, leading to a gradual loss of central vision. Treatment focuses on lifestyle modifications, dietary supplements, and regular monitoring to manage the condition, as well as Photobiomodulation (depending on the case).

Since most cataract surgery is only carried out with drops to numb the eye (known as ‘topical anaesthesia’), there are usually no restrictions on what you can eat and drink prior to admission. If you require a general anaesthetic, we can supply you with additional written advice about this.

The procedure is usually carried out as a day case, with a hospital stay of a few hours. Please remember that you won’t be able to drive yourself to hospital. You may wish to ask a relative or friend to accompany you, or to drop you off and collect you when you’re ready to go home. If getting to and from the hospital is difficult, we may be able to offer assistance. Please alert our secretarial team, as the hospital bookings office won’t be able to help with transport.

What will my surgery journey look like? Find out by clicking here.