Recently we visited Cathedral Eye Clinic in Belfast to find out the facts about laser eye surgery, and to dispel some common myths about the procedure with the help of a world-class surgeon.
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Our Experience
Cathedral Eye Clinic is the only clinic in Northern Ireland with two surgeons who are Fellows of the World College of Refractive Surgeons, and we had the absolute pleasure to meet and chat with one of them, Mr. Niraj Mandal.
On arrival at the clinic, Mark had his eyes screened by an optometrist, and then headed into the consultation room with Mr Mandal, where we found out more about the treatment options, and chatted about common myths and misconceptions. And it was both fascinating and reassuring to hear the facts from an expert. Watch our video to find out more!
It was also interesting for me, as a lens wearer, to hear that laser treatment has a lower risk of sight-threatening infection than wearing contact lenses daily for a year, and it also works out cheaper than contact lenses over time.
There are refractive options for all prescriptions, and if you’re interested in getting out of wearing glasses or contact lenses, and want to know your options, book a free ‘Am I Suitable’ assessment. This thorough and in-depth initial assessment is performed to determine if you are a suitable candidate for your preferred treatment.
At Cathedral Eye Clinic, you can expect a tailored and bespoke approach to your treatment, consisting of an initial consultation, meeting your surgeon, having your treatment and receiving a comprehensive after-care plan.
Also on
Youtube HERE
The Consultancy and Myth Busting – View on YouTube
Please view the video of our consultation on our YouTube HERE
or on Facbook HERE or Instagram HERE
Timings for the consultancy and Myth Busting :-
Myth 1 – Laser eye surgery only works for young people
Myth 2 – If I have astigmatism, I can’t have laser eye surgery
Myth 3 – The procedure will be painful
Myth 4 – I’ll need to take weeks off work to recover
Myth 5 – You can’t fly on a plane after laser eye surgery
Myth 6 – The procedure is very expenses
Myth 7 – It’s a risky procedure
Myth 8 – It wears off after a few years.
Quick fire questions
Also on
Timings for the quick fire questions :-
00:10 – Question 1 – Can I blink during surgery
00:12 – Question 2 – Is it painful
00:24 – Question 3 – Do I need to wear an eye patch
00:36 – Question 4 – How long does the procedure take
00:50 – Question 5 – How soon can I see after the surgery
About Mr Niraj Mandal
Over 3000 eye procedures performed and taken care of over 8,000 patients in consultation clinics.
Mr Mandal, MBChB FEBO FRCOphth PGDip CertLRS, is a highly experienced ophthalmic surgeon specialising in refractive lens exchange, cornea and cataract surgery. He gained his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree at the University of Birmingham during which time he carried out an undergraduate research elective at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, USA. He then went on to complete a seven year residency at the London School of Ophthalmology. In 2014, Mr Mandal gained the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Refraction Certificate and in 2016 he became a Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. In 2023, Mr Mandal obtained the Certificate of Laser Refractive Surgery from the Royal College.
He also holds a postgraduate diploma in cataract and refractive surgery and is one of the youngest surgeons to become a Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery. During his career, Mr Mandal has gained a wealth of experience in hospitals such as Queens Hospital Essex, where he was a Senior House Officer Ophthalmologist, and at the Western Eye Hospital in London. He became a Specialist Registrar Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He then completed two fellowships in Cornea and Cataract Surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. In 2019 Mr Mandal completed a Refractive Surgery Fellowship on Harley Street in London.
After carrying out over 1000 LASIK and PRK surgeries and 1000 refractive lens exchange surgeries as a private refractive surgeon he went onto complete a fourth fellowship in complex cornea and cataract surgery at Vancouver General Hospital at the University of British Columbia. He also has specialist licence to practice in Canada. His training and experience sits well with the procedures he offers patients at Cathedral Eye Clinic.
Mr Mandal has experience in training and supervising junior surgeons.
In addition, he has worked for the Khmer Sight Foundation, serving on three missions to Cambodia, where he was part of a team of international doctors working with local optometrists, medical students and junior Ophthalmologists in poor communities there. The team taught local doctors and nurses, and performed challenging eye surgery in the hospital in Phnom Penh.
Mr Mandal has co-authored a number of peer reviewed journal articles relating to ocular health and has also made several presentations on ophthalmology to his peers at international events, including the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons Congress and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Scientific Meetings and the Canadian Ophthalmology Society
