Irish patients are following the celebrity example and opting for eye laser surgery both at home and abroad. Angie Mezzetti reports
Richard Branson, Tiger Woods and Jennifer Capriati are among the growing list of celebrities who have had laser surgery to correct their vision problems.
The procedure, which was once the preserve of rich and famous, is now more widely available here in Ireland and more affordable although many people travel abroad for the procedure.
Laser treatment, or refractive surgery as it is properly called, uses laser beam technology to reshape the surface of the cornea to allow light to focus clearly on the retina and so restore normal vision.
The technology can be used to treat a number of conditions including short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. Not everyone is suitable for it and two of the most important prerequisites are a certain thickness of the cornea and small pupils.
The joy of throwing their glasses away for good seems to be worth any minor initial discomfort for most people who have a successful outcome.
Geraldine Barnwell who went to the Blackrock Clinic says, "It's great, now I can see the clock when I wake up in the morning and there's no more messing with lenses and solutions."
There are a few different types of treatment for various eye conditions but the most common one is LASIK - short for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis.
An automated instrument is used to lift a U-shaped flap in the cornea. The underlying surface is reshaped to the individual's requirement using the laser and then the flap is repositioned.
It begins to heal immediately and is usually reattached within two hours after surgery. The eyes are covered with plastic shields and patients are advised to sleep for several hours afterwards.
Normally patients are given a sedative before the procedure and local anaesthetic drops are applied to the eyes, which makes the whole procedure painless.
The most common complaint is a sense of grittiness for the first day or so.
A strict regime of three sets of drops used four times a day, for one week after surgery, is vital to the healing process and patients are advised to use false tears for a longer period to combat dry eyes.
John Doherty from Bausche and Lombe says the marketing term for people who tend to get it done are "early adaptors".
Typically they are aged between 25 and 35, and like to have the latest technology and gadgets.
However, one Dublin-based surgeon said he attends many people, mostly women in their mid 30s to late 40s who are looking for a second time around life partner and they feel the eye laser surgery enhances their prospects.
According to a survey by the British Society for Refractive Surgery, there are more clinics per head of the population in Ireland than there are in the UK.
In Dublin, the best known are the Wellington Eye Clinic, Blackrock Clinic, absmd in Terenure and the Mater Private Hospital.
There are also centres in Cork, Kilkenny/Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Belfast. The cost in most places in Ireland is around €2,000 per eye and an initial consultation to see if a patient is suitable is about €100.
The new concept of "health tourism" applies very much to eye laser treatment and it is possible to have it carried out abroad at a lower price and combine it with a holiday.
A clinic in Lille, France is advertising "a special deal for Irish patients of €2,550 for both eyes". Colm Baldwin from Dublin went there to have laser surgery in the I-caremedicare Clinique last October.
He was very pleased with his treatment and said the doctor had good English and that he was given the same assessment there as in Ireland.
"I don't see why you would pay almost twice the price to have it done here," he said.
Student Michael Griffin had the surgery done in a clinic in Toronto, Canada last July. "It was my 21st birthday present to myself," he says.
He had a post-op check-up in Ireland on his return and he said they seemed impressed with the results.
LasikMD Canada is currently quoting $800 (€660) per eye.
Alan Gallagher got the best value in Istanbul, Turkey where an American-trained ophthalmologist performed his LASIK surgery in January 2003 for €770 for both eyes.
However, he did feel some discomfort when his eyes were clamped and he experiences a halo effect round light at night which he describes as "romantic" - one of the side effects occasionally reported after laser surgery - but this has decreased with time.
He said: "The only surreal part of the operation was listening to the Turkish pop music playing in the background."
Prices in the UK are about the same as Ireland.
Boots has nine specialist treatment clinics and the charge is £2,500 (€3,760).
LASIK eye surgery is not covered by BUPA or VHI, but you can claim the cost on a Med 1 form at the end of the year on your income tax return.
On the plus side, there is also a saving to be made in the cost of glasses and contact lenses. The retail sector, however, doesn't seem to be feeling the impact of fewer customers yet.
Patricia Mordant of Insight Opticians says that as the population gets older, sales of reading glasses are increasing anyway and it's only people for whom the operation hasn't worked who come back to them.
Even those who have a successful outcome from laser surgery may need reading glasses in their 40s.
While price is a major consideration for most people, trust in the surgeon and his or her qualifications and experience, together with the equipment they use, are the most important considerations for anyone planning on laser surgery.
The entire procedure is not without risks and these should be clearly outlined by the consulting ophthalmologist.
Patients are asked to sign a form of informed consent to show that they have been made aware of these risks.
The most common problems seem to be an increased sensitivity to light and dryness of the eyes, particularly in the initial post-op phase. Every patient is different and will heal at different rates but most people have at least 90 per cent of their vision restored after 24 hours and the initial healing process takes about three weeks but will settle down over a longer period.
It is advisable to bring a support person along due to the effects of the sedative and the fact that the eyes are covered for the first day and night.
The actual procedure takes about half an hour - the laser itself lasts between 15 and 50 seconds per eye - and the total time spent in the clinic will be between two and three hours.
Follow-up checks are usually scheduled for the following day and for three weeks later.
Irish eye laser clinics do not advertise, yet all are reporting an increase in clients due almost entirely to word of mouth referrals .