Bringing Focus to her World

Jennifer Stewart explains how her life improved after a-35 second, laser eye surgery by an Ottawa doctor considered a leader in the field.

By Jennifer Stewart, Ottawa Citizen

Less than 24 hours since my laser eye surgery, I am back at Focus Eye Centre in Ottawa for one of several post-operation appointments. My eyes look droopy and are bloodshot, but my vision has never been better. I read the chart on the wall, and learn that my eyesight has improved seven lines since the surgery and will continue to get better throughout the healing process. In the mere 35 seconds it took the lasers to treat my eyes, my quality of life is forever changed.” Read more...

Big Time Dreams,
Big Time Vision

NHL defenseman Mark Fraser heads into his second
full season with New Jersey sporting a new contract and vision that exceeds 20/20.

Mark Fraser is a smiling contradiction:
a tough, NHL athlete who speaks so softly that he can barely be heard over the afternoon din of a Westboro coffee-shop.

Fraser’s reputation is taking shape: hockey insiders refer to him as a smart, stand-up defenseman with a potentially lengthy career ahead. The Devil’s coach and General Manager, Lou Lamoriello, has questioned whether Fraser can become a star player, but Fraser doesn’t mind: he has made a career out of beating odds and impressing coaches.
Hard work got him to the NHL and hard work — along with improved vision, thanks to Focus Eye Centre — will keep him in The Show.” Read more...

InFocus interviews two Ottawa teachers about their decisions to have Laser Vision Correction (LVC)

Teachers are, by definition, the warm and calculating type: men and women for whom great care is usually taken and few decisions are reached quickly or lightly. As such, it’s not surprising to discover that educators like Bruce Blomeley and Terry Kharyati — teachers in the National Capital Region who don’t work together, but have a lot in common — came to their respective decisions about Laser Vision Correction (LVC) and Focus Eye via similar paths.

Bruce is head of the Business/Technology Department at an Ottawa school, while Terry is the Principal of a Gatineau school. Both men are in their early 40s and happily combine teaching with coaching sports teams. And now, just a few weeks after undergoing LVC, both look back with 20/20 vision and agree they should have had LVC years earlier.

InFocus posed a handful of questions to Bruce and Terry. Here is how they grade Focus and their LVC experiences. Read more...

Promises Kept
After being touted as revolutionary, Intralase SBK meets expectations.

Two full years since its integration as a Standard of Care at Focus, Intralase SBK is delivering on its promises. Outcomes routinely achieved by the first week with Intralase SBK match those results achieved with PRK at the three to six month mark; reduced healing time; and a level of visual acuity that normally exceeds what patients ever had with glasses or contacts, with many seeing better than 20/20 post-surgery.

In Canada, Focus has been one of the leading LVC centres offering SBK,” says Dr. Angela Malik, an OD at Focus Eye Centre with over 15 years experience working in the field of LVC. “Ten years ago, laser eye surgery was synonymous with PRK and Lasik, but at present Intralase SBK is becoming the procedure of choice.” Read more...

Choosing a Refractive Surgeon:
Do Your Research
The key to safe, successful surgery in any field of medicine is an informed patient with realistic expectations and a skilled, experienced surgeon. This goes double for your eyes. Take the time to research not only the procedure, but also the surgeon and the laser centre you are considering. Ask questions. Do your research. And don’t let cost be your deciding factor — we’re talking about your eyes.

How to find a surgeon
Word-of-mouth is a good indicator. Begin with the people you know — family, friends and associates, an optometrist or ophthalmologist you trust.

Look for a refractive surgeon you feel has your best interests at heart. Physician Search Directories on the Internet may be helpful, but are limited to those who chose to participate. Checking the surgeon’s credentials is your job. Many surgeons have their own website detailing their practice along with qualifications and experience. Ask for the surgeon’s web address.

Laser Vision Correction is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. These days many surgeons and laser centers advertise. Beware of the hard sell and discounters! Discount surgery is as good as a discount parachute. Go for a well-qualified surgeon and pay what it costs. Read more...

Intralase SBK:
Same Safety, Faster Results

Laser Vision Correction with recovery in HOURS, not days!
Patients and staff members alike love the new procedure at Focus....” Read David Harrison's complete article in InFocus

What Intralase SBK Patients Say:
"The morning after surgery I went out for breakfast and did some shopping"
"The next morning, after Wavefront SBK, I was able to read my morning newspaper"
"Within 24 hours I was absolutely fully functional."

Wavefront Technology
Wavefront is a diagnostic technique that produces a computer-generated three-dimensional image — a Wavefront map
— of the eye, to ensure a customized, personalized treatment for each patient.This results in even better outcomes than before produce outstanding results for LVC patients. Read more...