Life Healthcare is a leading private hospital operator in South Africa and primarily serves the market for privately insured individuals, representing approximately eight million people. The group provides mainly acute care, high technology private hospital services.
Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital is a large Provincial government funded hospital situated in central Mthatha in South Africa. It is a tertiary teaching hospital and forms part of the Mthatha Hospital Complex.
The extensive hospital network includes 64 hospitals (of which 57 are majority owned by Life Healthcare and another seven in which the group holds substantial minority ownership), providing a range of healthcare services throughout South Africa.
What is SBK Surgery?
SBK surgery, or Sub-Bowmans Keratomileusis, is a type of LASIK surgery (refractive eye surgery) to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. SBK surgery is LASIK surgery done using an extremely thin flap on the cornea.
How is SBK Surgery carried out?
The surgeon uses a laser to create a flap on the cornea and opens it to reshape the corneal tissue below in order to improve vision.
The surgeon closes the flap, which heals on its own.
What is the difference between SBK Surgery and LASIK?
The main difference between SBK surgery and LASIK surgery is SBK surgery creates an even thinner flap on the cornea than LASIK surgery. SBK surgery flaps are around 110 microns thick compared with 120 to 160 microns for LASIK. SBK surgery is better for people with thin corneas. SBK surgery affects fewer strong corneal fibers and thus may reduce the risk of corneal ectasia.
SBK surgery is also associated with a lower risk of developing dry eyes.
What are the chances of success with SBK Surgery?
According to results of a study carried out by Drs. Slade and Durrie, published on Refractive Surgery News, 100% of eyes treated with SBK surgery had 20/40 vision or better the day after surgery. One month after surgery, 90 percent of eyes had 20/20 vision.
About SBK Surgery
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Duration of surgery/treatment
The SBK procedure takes under 1 hour to complete.
Days admitted
None – SBK is carried out on an outpatient basis.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia.
Recovery
- The vision may be foggy or blurry immediately after the surgery.
- Most people can return to work the day after SBK surgery.
- Vision after SBK clears fully in 1 or 2 months following the procedure.
Risks
SBK surgery is associated with similar risks to LASIK eye surgery.
Risks include:
- There is a greater chance of hazing or scarring with SBK surgery than LASIK surgery.
- There is less chance of dry eyes with SBK surgery.
- Over-correction or under-correction of vision.
- Infection.
After care
- Take prescribed antibiotic and medicated eye drops for a few weeks following SBK surgery.
- Protect the eyes from excessive glare with dark shields.
- Avoid sport or strenuous activity for a week following SBK surgery.
- Some patients need to wear eye patches at night to lessen the chances of infection.
- Refrain from rubbing your eyes following the SBK surgery procedure.
Hospital Group
Hospital Group
Private Hospital
Private Hospital