Introduction

The Laser Refractive Surgery Centre of Hong Kong Baptist Hospital was established in January 2004. The Centre aims at providing excellent services on refractive surgery for those who desire to have perfect vision. With the opening of the two new cataract surgery rooms, the Laser Refractive Surgery and Cataract Centre is introduced in November 2007. The Centre has a dedicated team of professionals and a comprehensive range of facilities including laser refractive surgery theatre, cataract surgery rooms, optometric room, ophthalmology consultation room, an audio-visual information centre, together with regular public seminars on laser refractive surgery, offering professional and high-quality refractive surgery and cataract surgery services and information.

For laser refractive surgery, the Centre adopts the state-of-art Intralase LASIK technique and the advanced surgical instruments all approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA. For cataract surgery, the new cataract surgery rooms are equipped with the latest instruments for Phacoemulsification, delivering high-quality services to the patients.

I. What is LASIK Refractive Surgery?

LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the stablest and quickest method to correct refractive problems. During the surgery, your eye is anesthetized and an eyelid holder is placed to prevent blinking. An instrument known as Hansatome Microkeratome is used to cut a flap in your cornea, following which a computer-controlled laser beam vaporizes a portion of the corneal tissue to change the shape of the cornea. Finally, the flap is put back in position without any stitches. As compared to the PRK, the benefits of LASIK include less surface area to heal, minimal risk of scarring and corneal haze, reduced post-operative discomfort and most importantly, a quicker visual rehabilitation within a day after the surgery.

What is IntraLase LASIK?

Intralase is an alternative to the traditional microkeratome method used in the first part of the LASIK procedure. It makes LASIK safer by replacing the microkeratome blade with a femtosecond laser, virtually eliminating flap complications and improving the safety and efficacy of LASIK as a result.

            
IntraLase LASIK

Important Instructions for Pre-operative Eye Screening

Checklist for the Day of Laser Refractive Surgery

Important Instructions After Surgery

LASIK Charges

LASIK Package Charges

* Charges include 5 times of post-operative follow-up and basic drugs for two months after the operation.
* 12-month interest-free installment plan is available (applicable to designated credit cards only)

The Centre runs regular public seminars to introduce the latest information on laser refractive surgery. In general, you are suitable for refractive surgery if you are aged 18 or above, with healthy cornea, and do not have significant change of refractive error for the last 12 months. We sincerely invite you to attend our seminars:

II. What is cataract?

The structure of human eye is similar to that of a camera. When light rays enter the eyes, they pass through the cornea and the lens. The cornea and lens focus an image automatically onto the retina, on which the optic nerve transmits the image to the brain.

Cataract means cloudiness of the lens. If the degree of cloudiness is getting more severe, it may obstruct the passage of light rays, vision will then become blurry. Hyper mature cataract may result in glaucoma and uveitis, or even blindness.

How is cataract formed?

Cataract is mainly caused by natural degenerative process. Other causes include family inheritance, trauma, diabetes mellitus and certain kinds of medication consumption.

What are the symptoms of cataract?

No symptoms may be found in the early stage of cataract. Patients may neither suffer from painful nor redness in eyes, while their vision in early stage may remain unaffected. However, when cataract becomes severe, the following symptoms may appear:

Symptoms of cataract

• Blurring
• Hypersensitivity to strong light
• Dimmer color sensation
• Poor light sensation when reading
• Frequent change of refractive error

How to manage cataract?

The only and most effective way to cure cataract is surgery. Thanks to the modern medical technologies, removal of cataract and implantation of intraocular lens (IOL) can be performed safely and effectively under surgical microscope. Cataract surgery can be regarded as one of the most successful surgical procedures. More than 95% of cataract patients have their vision improved after the surgery.

With the latest technology, Phacoemulsification, and the use of foldable lens, the size of the surgical wound of cataract surgery has been largely reduced. During the surgery, a small ultrasound probe is inserted into the eye through a very small wound. The ultrasound emitted from the probe will break down the cataract into small pieces, which are then absorbed by one of the orifices on the probe. Finally, the intraocular len (IOL) is implanted.

The procedures of cataract surgery

Prior to the cataract surgery, patients need to undergo A-Scan and keratometry checkup in order to assess the refractive power of the lens.

Most cases of cataract surgery can be performed under local anesthesia to free patients from pain. General anesthesia will be applied in special cases, for instance, patients who are unable to follow the instructions and procedures, in children, and in patients who cannot lie down horizontally.

As the wound of Phacoemulsification cataract surgery is very small, suturing is not required in most conditions. Besides, the surgery is safer, faster and more comfortable. Most surgery can be done before the cataract is fully mature. Patients can discuss with their doctor the timing of surgery according to their daily needs.

Cataract Surgery Package

Phacoemulsification + IOL (ONE eye only) Packages

Service Hours (By appointment only)

Medical Centres - Doctors and Consultation Timetable