ARTISAN /ARTIFLEX lenses

Experiences

'After a day I could read number plates!'

Ans Taekema-Kromhout (52): 'I’ve had glasses since I was six. My parents only allowed me contact lenses when I was 18. You can imagine how jealous I was when my sister exchanged her jam-jar glasses for these sought-after lenses.'

'My eyes did not get any better; my strength was – 7.5, and although lenses look better than the jam jars, they are not handy when you enjoy swimming and sailing. Hard wind, diving into the water, you can’t do it with contact lenses. In a round about way - I had actually been looking for laser treatment - I ended up with the ARTIFLEX^® lens. A new technology, where you get a lens implanted through a super thin cut. No stitches, virtually no pain, and a good result. My eyes seemed suitable, so I decided to take the plunge.'

'It was an exiting time. The surgery itself was not too bad, and was finished really quickly. Still, it is strange all this fiddling with your eye. Fortunately, the support was really good and I could talk with the consultant and the nursing staff during the surgery. After the first treatment I was given an eye cap that could be removed the next day. On the way to Groningen I held my hand in front of my bad eye to see what I could see – I could read number plates! An incredible experience.'

'I am really happy with my new eyes. Swimming and sailing I can do without any difficulties, applying eye make up provides no difficulties and I have stopped looking for my contact lenses!'

‘Hé, it says Grundig on that telly!’

Shannon Werleman (43) had worn glasses since he was 13, and later he wore contact lenses. Shannon: ‘As a dentist I work indoors. The building I work in, in conjunction with my contact lenses, caused stinging in my eyes and made them feel tired. And it is not handy if you not only need to adjust your microscope, but also your eyes during a study. Outside things were not much better, I like to play sports and all this bother with glasses and lenses is the last thing you need.

I was aware of the innovations within Ophtec and decided to take the plunge in September last year. I was not nervous, I simply want to be rid of my inconveniences. Both eyes were treated at the same time, with the result that on coming round after the operation, I spoke the memorable worlds: ‘Hé, it says Grundig on that telly!’ My sight was perfect straightway and I did not suffer any discomfort. I had taken a day off to recover, but I could have just gone to work.

“I look at the hares in the back of the field with total amazement”

Lidia Verwerda, (48): “For my work I read a lot and sit behind a screen. My sight was a continuous hindrance. The various contact lenses I tried produced many problems, but never the sharp vision. I met an enthusiastic ARTISAN® wearer and she got me on to implant lenses.

The initial test showed my eyes were suitable for an ARTISAN® lens, but also for the newer model, the ARTIFLEX® lens that is still in the trial phase. The advantage of this lens is that it enters the eye through a smaller opening. In consultation with the ophthalmologist, I chose this method. The treatment was exciting for me and the ophthalmologist, who did this implant for the first time. I had the fullest confidence in it all, and it all went perfectly.

I am really happy with the result. Finally I can see clearly. I can read much longer and work behind the computer without becoming tired. But there is more – I am still amazed every time I look at the hares way back in the field, when I’m out walking the dog. And….I can finally read the text on the photograph above the treatment chair at the dentist – it says Schiermonnikoog!

I’m really happy and satisfied with my "NEW EYES"

"When I turned 22, I suddenly became sensitive for my contact lenses and of course this was a major set back. With glasses, when you come in from the cold your glasses steam up and you can't see a thing. At the swimming pool it’s difficult to recognize my friends. I don’t need to mention the marks spectacles can leave behind or the risk to myself and others on a bike in rainy weather. These are only a few examples.
The minute I read about "surgical methods for replacing glasses" I knew that if it were suitable for me I’d do it.

The actual procedure wasn’t a big deal; the local anesthetic was more of an ordeal than the surgery.
The next morning I was allowed to take off the bandage myself which of course was a very exciting moment. I could see quite well but of course it wasn’t perfect yet. At first I saw double images and therefore experienced some problems with reading; something the surgeon warned me about.. Over the following week my eyesight improved significantly, which was a great relief to me. The things I could see with my treated eye were amazing: the cement between bricks, hairs in my shower and the time on my clock by my bed when I woke up early in the morning. I was really flabbergasted.

After 10 days the other eye was treated; this was the beginning of May 2001 and from that time on I have lived my life without glasses. I’m really happy and satisfied with my "NEW EYES". The only remarks I can make are the halos and glares that occur incidentally at nighttime. My definite power is not determinate yet but if I have to wear low power glasses I would still consider that more than acceptable; it might even be fun. If so, I'll be able to choose a designer model. Something that was not possible with my former error."