Joan F: Toric lens implants for cataract and astigmatism Jan 2018
Maureen S: TORIC implants for cataract and astigmatism 2016
Mr Ayad Shafiq has quite literally changed my life. At the age of 68 I found myself needing cataract surgery, after wearing glasses since I was four and a half and toric contact lenses since I was forty two. On the recommendation of my optician I went to see Mr Shafiq who is doing ground breaking surgery with toric lenses.
After discussing the potential benefits of toric lens implant verses a conventional implant, I decided with full support from my husband to go ahead with toric lens implant. On the 10th of June 2016 I had the surgery on my right eye. I was somewhat nervous going into surgery but I need not have worried as Mr Shafiq was constantly reassuring and explained step by step what he was doing, I did not feel a thing and was home before I knew it.
On the morning of the 11th June a new world opened up to me. Not only were the colours around me amazing, my distance vision was and is amazing. I was so amazed and pleased with the result I went ahead and had a toric implant into my left eye. On my follow up visit Mr Shafiq decided he was not happy with the angle of the lens so he went ahead and moved the lens. Together the two lenses have given me a new window on the world and I would have no hesitation in recommending toric implants to others.
The whole experience of cataract surgery was a positive one thanks to Mr Shafiq. He is without a doubt a dedicated surgeon and committed to give people the best possible outcome following such surgery.
Maureen S
Colin H : TORIC lens left eye for distance and mono focal lens right for middle distance.
It is normal for one to face an operation with a degree of concern and caution, even more so when it relates to the eyes and in my case I was unbelievably nervous (scared!) Mr Shafiq and staff at the Nuffield, Newcastle understood this and ensured throughout the whole process that I was treated and communicated with, most professionally and sympathetically. And the outcome…………? In a word ……………… astonishing! Glasses? ……… what glasses? Everything I now look at is “crystal clear” and I feel that I can see for miles. Also, I can now read things relatively close up, this was impossible prior to the surgery. Thank you Mr Shafiq and staff.
ColinH
Duncan T: TORIC implants
My route to having cataract surgery began when I started to experience a lack of clarity when working on fine detail, something I need to do regularly in my work. A visit to my optician confirmed a diagnosis of early cataracts developing in both eyes.
As I was relatively young to get this diagnosis, I wanted to look at what would be the best option to allow me to continue working, but also give me flexibility to not need glasses for most activities.
I had been short sighted most of my life, wearing contact lenses for over 30 years so I didn’t want to wear glasses routinely again after surgery.
Mr Shafiq was recommended to me by my optician and seemed, through his experience of treating large numbers of cases each year, to be the person that my independent research identified as the best person in the North East to provide my surgery.
At my initial meeting Mr Shafiq was able to answer my questions and quickly understood what I wanted to achieve, suggesting an approach that would correct my short-sighted vision using toric replacement lenses. He also suggested that the point of focus of each eye could be different, meaning that I would have good long distance and medium distance vision.
I had needed reading glasses prior to surgery, but after surgery the plan was to be able to read a computer screen without.
The surgery itself was uneventful, with the second eye being operated on two weeks after the first. The initial healing occurred within a few days. During that time my vision quickly improved. I was able to return to work less than a week after surgery.
Things have settled well in the three months since my surgery. The difference in the focus in each eye took a little getting used to, but now seems normal. I have noticed that I rarely need glasses. The prescription recommended by Mr Shafiq has worked well so that I do most things without the aid of glasses. The only time I tend to need them now is for particularly small print and reading in darker rooms, or for driving at night.
I am delighted with the results.
Duncan T
Michael H
Almost 10 years ago I developed an eye affliction (macula odema) which was controlled by daily drops of Pred Forte. I was warned at the time that the drops would cause cataracts to develop in each eye. Over a period of several years this duly came to happen.
After 5 years the cataract in my left eye was treated with the standard NHS lens which restored my sight to its original condition with some improvement in distance vision, though there was considerable flaring at night. The new lens took some months to completely settle.
The cataract in my right eye continued to progress and gradually became a nuisance as a shadowy form in my vision until a few months ago.
An optician’s review of my vision confirmed the presence of the cataract but, as I could still see through it through the semi-opaque mass sufficiently to drive, I was advised that I would probably not have a successful NHS referral and that I could wait some years for a resolution.
At the age of 72, my remaining years of sight are important and I reviewed the possibility of private treatment. A friend of similar age to myself needing a cataract replacement told me of his successful treatment with a toric lens. The toric lens not only removed the cataract it also corrected his distance vision and astigmatism.
At this point I contacted the Nuffield Hospital in Newcastle where I met my consultant Dr Ayad Shafiq.
After a wait of a few weeks I had an eye inspection by Dr Shafiq when he measured my eye and its various parameters. He clearly explained the procedure and how the toric lens was able to correct distance vision and astigmatism. I accepted his offer to proceed with the treatment.
A couple of weeks later I received the surgery. The Nuffield Hospital provided a pleasant environment with professional support.
Dr Shafiq understood that my previous eye issues could flare up again when the eye was attacked by surgery and prescribed a hefty dose of steroids to hold this back during several days before and after the operation. This proved to be completely successful though the effects of the steroids on my digestive system were less than pleasant!
I cannot pretend that open eye surgery while you are awake is pleasant. In fact it is one of my worst nightmares. Nevertheless it rolled by with an organised team managing things while Dr Shafiq inserted and adjusted the new lens. It was all over in 20 minutes. I left the operating theatre with a patch and a plastic cap over my eye. After a cup of tea and a sandwich I left the hospital and returned home.
The following morning I removed the patch. The light and colour were incredible though the image was not too clear.
As the day progressed and into the next day, the image settled and became sharp. This was amazing for me as during my whole life I had never been able to look at the world without glasses. The images were so sharp and so clear. I could see the seas on the moon; drive without glasses; watch my HD TV and see that it really was high definition; read subtitles on the screen. The downside was that I could see dirt on the carpets and wrinkles on the faces of my aging friends!
This whole venture has been an exciting revelation to me and I will be eternally grateful to Dr Shafiq for his expertise and experience in managing the process. He has a warm, approachable manner and he is obviously well liked in the department. I couldn’t have wanted better!
Michael H
November 2017.
newcastlecataractsurgery.com 