40 years of eye surgery experience. Flexible Payment Plans for 12 Months Starting $31/week . Rebates to some Private Health Insurance.

1209 High St, Armadale VIC 3143, Australia

1209 High St, Armadale VIC 3143, Australia

Explore Options Beyond Glasses and Contacts with laser eye surgery in Melbourne

Are you considering alternatives to glasses or contact lenses? If so, laser eye surgery may be the solution you've been looking for.

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Explore Options Beyond Glasses and Contacts with laser eye surgery in Melbourne

Are you considering alternatives to glasses or contact lenses?

Show Me My Suitability

Book a free appointment

Take Our 2 Minute Self Test

with this quick quiz, you will…

Get an initial indication of whether laser eye surgery options may be suitable for you, subject to clinical assessment.

Discover different laser eye surgery options discussed during a clinical consultation.

Take the next step in learning about laser eye surgery options discussed during consultation.

CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML

Take Our 2 Minute Self Test

with this quick quiz, you will…

Get an initial indication of whether laser eye surgery options may be suitable for you, subject to clinical assessment.

Discover different laser eye surgery options discussed during a clinical consultation.

Take the next step in learning about laser eye surgery options discussed during consultation.

CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML

Laser Eye Qualified Professionals in Melbourne

Who is Anton Van Heerden?

Dr van Heerden is an Ophthalmologist with a special interest in vision correction surgery. He is a director of Eye Laser Specialists, Armadale Eye Clinic and is the former Head of Department, Surgical Ophthalmology Services at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Qualifications

MBCHB; FRANZCO

Ophthalmologist & Refractive Surgeon

Expertise and experience

Dr van Heerden is an Ophthalmologist with a special interest in vision correction surgery. He is a director of Eye Laser Specialists, Armadale Eye Clinic, Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic.

Dr van Heerden is the HOU, Surgical Ophthalmology Services at the RVEEH where he contributes to service planning and clinical care for patients referred for cataract surgery.

Special interests

Dr van Heerden specialises in cataract and refractive surgery, including LASIK, PRK and SMILE®

His sub-specialist interests are in medical retina conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Education

Dr van Heerden completed his medical degree at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. He went on to become a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London, UK where he furthered his surgical skills. He completed his post-graduate training at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

In 2008, he moved to Melbourne where he completed a year’s fellowship in medical retina and inflammatory diseases of the eye at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital.

Awards

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital: Audrey-Bowan Service excellence award- 2019

Research, publications and speaking engagements

Dr van Heerden is actively involved in clinical research in the field of cataract and refractive surgery and is involved in registrar and medical student teaching.

Professional affiliations

Memberships

◉ Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)

◉ Fellow of the College of Ophthalmologists South Africa

◉ Australian Society of Ophthalmology

◉ Australian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Career highlights

Overseas humanitarian assistance

Dr van Heerden has accompanied the team from the Australian Health and Humanitarian Association (AHHA) to Cambodia, where they performed cataract surgery on patients in need of help.

Click here to learn more about his amazing cause www.ahha.org.au.

Information about the qualified practitioner

Dr Edward Roufail is a director of Eye Laser Specialists. He is an experienced Ophthalmologist having acquired FRANZCO in 2005. He completed multiple advanced surgical retinal training fellowships in England, New Zealand and Australia.

He has a unique skill set with special interests in cataract, refractive and vitreo retinal surgery and can offer treatment for retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, surgical macular disease, complex and routine cataract surgery.

In addition, Dr Roufail offers refractive surgery utilising SMILE technology at his practice in Melbourne.

Qualifications

PHD, RANZCO

Expertise and experience

Dr Roufail is an Ophthalmologist with special interest in retinal and vision correction surgery. He performs well over 500 intraocular surgeries a year. These include cataract, retinal and macular surgeries.

Dr Roufail is one of the clinical directors of four practises in Victoria – Eye Laser Specialists, Armadale Eye Clinic, Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic and Melbourne Retina Associates.

Special interests

Dr Edward Roufail’s special interests include retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, surgical macular disease, cataract and refractive surgery.

Education

◉ Monash University: MBBS

◉ Melbourne University: PHD

◉ RVEEH FRANZCO: Ophthalmology

◉ Advanced surgical training UK, New Zealand, and Australia

◉ London Vision Clinic: Refractive surgery course

Awards

International grant: SANDOS juvenile diabetes financial grant, Hugh Knowles Puckel research bursary

Research, publications and speaking engagements

Dr Edward Roufail has produced over 17 peer reviewed publications.

He is also actively involved in teaching Retinal Surgical Fellows and Ophthalmology Registrars at RVEEH.

Professional affiliations

Memberships

◉ FRANCZO

◉ ANZSRS

◉ ASRS

◉ ESCRS

Career highlights

Dr Edward Roufail has established multiple Ophthalmic practices in Melbourne.

He is also a member of the Vitreo-retinal unit at RVEEH.

Take the next step in learning about laser eye surgery options

The right way to find out if LASIK or SMILE laser eye surgery is right for you is to have a free initial appointment. You’ll get a clear answer from us on your suitability and treatment options

Book a free appointment

What to expect after Laser Eye Surgery

Every aspect of daily routines may feel different when vision changes, depending on individual needs and visual goals.

Explore vision options without glasses or contact lenses

You may reduce reliance on glasses or contact lenses after laser eye surgery, depending on individual vision, eye health, and suitability assessed during consultation.

Discover personal vision changes

Vision changes after laser eye surgery vary between individuals. Daily activities, exercise, and routines may feel different depending on personal habits, eye health, and outcomes discussed during consultation.

Vision and activity considerations

Participation in activities after laser eye surgery varies between individuals. Visual needs, eye health, and personal circumstances influence how people adapt to different activities following assessment and consultation.

Life considerations after laser eye surgery treatment

You may change how you use glasses or contact lenses after laser eye surgery, depending on vision needs, eye health, lifestyle preferences, and discussions during consultation.

Interested in learning more about laser eye surgery?

Learn more about the assessment and treatment process.

REACH OUT

Book a free appointment or give us a call on 03 9070 5788 and we’ll help guide you towards a free appointment.

Book a free appointment

WE’LL MEET

We’ll ensure you’re a good candidate before treating you at our refractive eye specialist clinic close to Melbourne CBD.

YOUR CARE BEGINS

We’ll supervise your aftercare as you begin follow-up care following treatment, with vision needs reviewed and discussed as part of recovery.

LASIK explained

Everything you need to know about LASIK laser eye surgery

LASIK suitability criteria

As a general rule of thumb, LASIK may correct prescriptions of:

◉ Myopia up to -10.00 dioptres

◉ Hyperopia up to +5.00 dioptres

◉ Astigmatism up to -5.00 dioptres

For patients who fall outside of these ranges, other refractive surgery options may still be available such as PRK, SMILE®, or ICL procedures.

Despite having a prescription within the treatable range of LASIK, some patients will still not be suitable for refractive surgery. These are usually patients with eye conditions, such as keratoconus or corneal scarring, that may be exacerbated during the surgical procedures. Other patients who may be advised to avoid LASIK are those whose poor vision is due to an underlying eye disease rather than refractive error. Such diseases include eye cataract, macular degeneration, and lazy eye.

How LASIK works

We use a variation of LASIK surgery chosen according to individual eye measurements, technology suitability, and clinical assessment.

LASIK eye surgery is a two-step procedure. At Eye Laser Specialists, both steps are laser assisted. This has improved accuracy and reliability compared to another variation of LASIK, which uses a manual bladed instrument for the first stage.

You will not require a general anaesthetic for this procedure; however, we will anaesthetise your eye with topical eye drops. We can also offer you a mild sedative for additional comfort.

We use a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap of corneal tissue in just 15 seconds. We then lift the flap to allow access to the underlying tissue before applying the second laser to the cornea. This is a process known as photoablation. This is where the laser removes selected areas of tissue to reshape the cornea so that light refracting through this tissue will focus perfectly on the retina and form a clear image. Once the excimer laser step is complete, we reposition the flap. The entire process takes about 10 minutes for both eyes.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

◉ Laser-guided technology supporting individualised treatment planning

◉ Designed to support procedural comfort, with experiences varying

◉ Many people resume routine activities within a short period

◉ Visual outcomes vary and are discussed during consultation

◉ Can treat myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and mixed astigmatism

◉ Additional enhancement procedures may be considered in some cases

Disadvantages

◉ Creates a flap which has potential complications such as flap dislodgement, infection and epithelial ingrowth

LASIK risks

As with any surgery, there are certain risks.

Some major, but uncommon risks include:

◉ Loss of optimal-corrected vision

◉ Corneal ectasia

◉ Corneal infection

Minor risks include:

◉ Dry eye

◉ Dysphotopsia (night vision difficulties including glare and halos)

◉ Regression (The need for glasses or further laser correction in the future)

Options and alternatives

LASIK is a commonly used laser eye surgery technique, with suitability assessed on an individual basis.

However, for those who aren’t suitable, alternative laser vision correction procedures include PRK, SMILE for myopia, and PRK for hyperopia (not recommended).

Alternative lens-based procedures such as ICL and refractive lens exchange are not suitable for corneal laser corrective surgery.

LASIK steps

Step 1: Creating the flap

We create a flap using a femtosecond laser.

Step 2: Relocating the patient

We then move you over to the MEL90 excimer laser.

Step 3: Folding back the flap

We then gently fold the flap back, exposing the inner corneal tissue to be treated.

Step 4: Correcting the error

The MEL90 excimer laser reshapes the corneal tissue correcting the refractive error.

Step 5: Repositioning the flap

The flap is returned to its original position, protecting the eye like a natural bandage.

LASIK results

LASIK surgery using the Zeiss MEL90 laser has been evaluated in clinical studies, with visual outcomes varying between individuals based on eye health, refractive error, and suitability assessed during consultation.

◉ 100% within 1 D of planned surgery

◉ 99% vision 20/25 or better ¹

LASIK has a very low complication rate:

◉ Loss of 1 line best corrected visual acuity 2.4%(1:50)

◉ Loss of 2 lines best corrected visual acuity 0.1% (1:1000) ²

Take this short questionnaire to see whether laser eye surgery may be suitable for you.

Not everyone is suitable for laser eye treatment – your options change depending on your eyes and age. Find out which type of treatment is right for you by taking this quick 2 min quiz:

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About Eye Laser Specialists

Our eye doctors bring a combined 40 years of eye surgery experience to Armadale, Melbourne.

We focus on ensuring you feel informed and supported throughout the consultation and treatment process.

Dr van Heerden is supported by skilled clinicians, all of which have optometry and orthoptics training and will play an important role in discussing your visual needs, answering any questions you may have, and offering clinical guidance. They will also be supporting your visual recovery following surgery.

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.