Put Away Your Reading Glasses

Put Away Your Reading Glasses

by Dr. Shobha Tandon

While LASIK and other eye surgeries have long been available for correcting nearsightedness and farsightedness, they are not suitable for treating presbyopia (the condition that makes reading difficult for middle agers). The solution is....

(PRWEB) July 2, 2005 -- Recently, the FDA approved a new, minimally invasive devise to correct (at least, temporarily) the stiffening of the eye lens that results in presbyopia. The new procedure, know as conductive keratoplasty (CK), involves anesthetizing the eye with drops and applying radio frequency radiation in a circular pattern to the non-dominant eye. The result is monovision, in which one eye sees better close up and the other retains it distance vision.At NeoVision Eye Center, we look forward to helping you understand your needs and providing information so you may make an informed decision regarding vision correction. Let us help you “see beyond your imagination” with state-of-art Lasik surgery http://www.neovisioneyecenter.com/laservision_correction.html. Our courteous staff is professional and well trained. Please call us to schedule your next eye examination. We are happy to answer all your questions and we will work with you to find the most convenient appointment. We possess high personal and professional standards, impeccable integrity, and exceptional knowledge in all facets of eye care.P.S When eyes are treated for monovision, the brain learns to adapt to the disparity and allows the patient to see both in the distance and up close without any hindrance.Shobha Tandon, MD, PhD, is an ophthalmologist and Medical Director of NeoVision Eye Center with offices at 2 Union Square in Union City, CA and at 2500 Hospital Drive, Bldg 11 in Mountain View, CA.

http://www.neovisioneyecenter.com/

Refractive Laser Eye Surgery – Will Insurance Pay?

Refractive Laser Eye Surgery – Will Insurance Pay?

by Debbie Caldwell

Independent Review Organizations (IROs) Help Determine the Medical Necessity of “Cosmetic” Laser Eye (Lasik) Treatments
(PRWEB) June 29, 2005 -- Eye wear may be a fashion accessory, but when you depend upon it for seeing the world, it’s a lot more. Today, many people are turning to refractive laser eye surgery, such as Lasik surgery, to improve their vision. The cost of Lasik is high and is normally not paid for by insurance because it’s fails to meet the conservative therapy test and is classified as cosmetic surgery. According to Independent Review Organization (IRO), AllMed Healthcare Management (http://www.allmedmd.com), this trend is shifting. “We are seeing an increasingly number circumstances where refractive eye surgery is determined to be medically necessary and, therefore, payable by the insurance provider,” explains Dr. Skip Freedman, medical director at AllMed Healthcare Management. “For example, if conservative therapy treatments fail or if a patient is intolerant of contact lenses and cannot wear glasses because they might pose a risk in their job (e.g. police or firefighters), refractive eye surgery may be the most medically viable treatment option.” Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a refractive laser surgical procedure that is often covered by a patient that suffers from recurrent corneal erosion (e.g. diabetics). With PRK, a surgeon uses a laser to remove corneal tissue to correct vision problems. Conservative therapy approaches, such as patching, epithelial debridement (mechanical removal of faulty tissue), and bandaged contact lens placement often don’t work. Stromal puncturing, a procedure involving the physician puncturing the anterior corneal stroma, can also be used but can fail or result in permanent visual loss. In such cases, PRK is the best alternative for removing the damaged cells (or membranes) and possibly correcting the vision problems. According to Freedman, physicians can help patients who are in medical need of laser eye surgery make a stronger case by initiating the following:Document a full medical history of the patient’s eye complaintsShow proof that the patient has not responded to conservative treatments and that the purpose of the laser eye surgery is for medical reasons other than simply improved eyesight Still, Freedman cautions, that even when the physician does this, each decision is taken on a case-by-case basis and is subject to the extenuating circumstances clearly noted in the patient’s medical record.Find more information about the medical necessity review services offered by IROs on AllMed’s web site at http://www.allmedmd.com.About AllMed Healthcare Management:Founded in 1995, AllMed is a URAC-accredited Independent Review Organization (IRO) serving insurance payers, providers, TPAs and claims managers nationwide. Reviews are conducted by board-certified physicians in active practice. AllMed's growing customer base includes premier organizations, such as Educator's Mutual Life, IMS Managed Care, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, HealthGuard, several Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Allianz and many other leading healthcare payers.

http://www.allmedmd.com/?eyepr

Extended Sun Exposure Increases Risk of Eye Pterygium - Florida Surgeon Treats Condition With State-of-the-Art Surgical Techniques

Extended Sun Exposure Increases Risk of Eye Pterygium - Florida Surgeon Treats Condition With State-of-the-Art Surgical Techniques
by Stephanie Barker

Dr. Arun Gulani of the Gulani Vision Institute said increased sun exposure in tropical and sub-tropical climates can lead to an eye condition called pterygium. Pterygium can be surgically. Gulani has taken this surgery to a new level using human placental membrane and surgical glue.

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) March 24, 2005 -- As spring and summer approach, we are constantly warned about the dangers of increased sun exposure. Dermatologists caution us about melanoma. Doctors urge us to remain hydrated during outdoor activities. Now, a leading eye doctor is sounding the alarm about the harm the sun can do our eyes. Dr. Arun Gulani of the Gulani Vision Institute said increased sun exposure in tropical and sub-tropical climates can lead to an eye condition called pterygium, though its causes are not completely understood. Pterygium (pronounced ter ig¢ ee um) is a raised, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva. Symptoms may include irritation, redness and tearing.“Pterygium is fairly common among sports and recreation enthusiasts, as well as outdoor workers,” Gulani said. “Although it often remains dormant with little or no reason for treatment, it can be a relentless disorder, growing across the cornea and adversely affecting vision.” As the pterygium develops, it may alter the shape of the cornea, causing astigmatism. It can be surgically removed, but surgery and stitches may, ironically, produce astigmatism. If the condition does develop, however, new surgical breakthroughs are making the residual effects of removing pterygiums less likely. Gulani, who educates doctors around the world on the latest eye surgery techniques, has been teaching what is referred to as the “iceberg” concept in treating pterygiums.“The part of the pterygium that you see is just the tip of the iceberg,” Gulani said. The actual growth may be much deeper.”Gulani said has applied this advanced surgical technique using human placental membranes grafted to the eye to promote healing after surgery. Recently, Gulani took the surgery to a new level: he was among the first to use surgical glue in eye surgery. In fact, Donnie Hammond, pro golfer and two-time PGA Tour winner, was the first in the North Florida area to undergo this glue technique instead of stitches. “The glue was used to graft a human placental membrane to the eye,” Gulani said. “The beauty is not putting stitches in the eye. There is no astigmatism, and it prevents fibrosis and bleeding. This relentless disorder is frequently seen in golfers and other outdoor enthusiasts.Now there is an elegant and successful procedure available to correct it. Glue is definitely the future in promoting better recovery after eye surgery.”Of course, Gulani said prevention is still the best medicine. Since pterygiums are most commonly caused by sun exposure, protecting the eyes from sun, dust and wind is recommended, including wearing good sunglasses with UV protection.

http://www.gulani.com

What To Do With Dry Eye After Lasik

I know of people who have experienced dry eyes following Lasik Surgery. It was not severe but annoying. The following article addresses what you can do to avoid this problem. Enjoy

What To Do With Dry Eye After Lasik
by Bob Hett

Lasik eye surgery is for people who are nearsighted or farsighted and have astigmatism. This surgery changes the curvature of the cornea, which is the outermost part of the eye. This allows the person to see without the need for glasses or contacts.
Most people have no trouble with their vision correction surgery. Less than 1% of people who have this type of surgery done actually experience any side effects. It is done on an outpatient basis and most people can return to work and to their usual activities the day after surgery. As with any surgery, there is always the risk of side effects. One of the possible Lasik complications is having chronic dry eyes after Lasik surgery. This is the most common complaint of patients who have had eye surgery. The reason for this is that vision correction surgery reduces the amount of lubrication that a patients eyes normally receive.
Dry eye problems can run the spectrum from less serious to more serious. A patient can experience itching, redness, and even pain after vision correction surgery. For some the problem is minor and can be solved with artificial teardrops or other types of drops or topical treatments for the eyes. Other people find that taking flax seed oil caplets helps, and that using a humidifier in their home also relieves that dry, scratchy feeling. For many patients, their eyes return to their normal or near normal lubrication levels in the weeks and months following their eye surgery.
If the dry eye problem is more serious, a tiny plug can be inserted that prevents tears from going to the nose and therefore allows for more lubrication in the eye. This plug can be removed in the future if the dry eye problem is resolved.
The best way to avoid any Lasik complications or side effects is to choose your ophthalmologist wisely. Make sure that they have the proper credentials and have done a large number of successful vision correction surgeries. Do not be swayed by discount offers on Lasik that seem too good to be true. You should always have a consultation with your surgeon prior to having any kind of surgery. A good surgeon will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for this type of surgery, and will let you know if you would not benefit from Lasik. An experienced ophthalmologist will also be able to help you if you do experience dry eyes after Lasik surgery, they will be able to help you deal with the problem and lessen your discomfort until the problem is resolved. To get quality vision correction surgery, you need to be willing to pay a competitive price for it and do your homework when choosing a doctor.

Bob Hett offers great tips and advice regarding all aspects of Lasik Eye Surgery Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.eyesurgeryreview.info

Ready to Lose Your Glasses? Ten tips to choosing a LASIK or Laser Vision Correction Center

Tired of your glasses? Are you ready to lose dependance on your reading glasses? Then read on.

Ready to Lose Your Glasses? Ten tips to choosing a LASIK or Laser Vision Correction Center
by: Robert K. Maloney

Ready To Lose Your Glasses? Ten Tips To Choosing A LASIK or Laser Vision Correction Center

The world of ophthalmology is one of the fastest evolving fields of medicine. Never before have so many new techniques and scientific breakthroughs emerged in such a short period of time. LASIK surgery, which uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea, offers millions of people the opportunity to reduce or eliminate their need for glasses or contacts.

Television and radio ads are filled with amazing stories about LASIK surgery as the fast and painless way to correct vision, but stories are also appearing about people for whom it was less than successful. Before you opt to go under the beam, what can you do to help ensure that you will be happy with your results?

The key to safe surgery in any field of medicine is an informed patient. Take a little time and research the LASIK center you are considering for laser eye surgery. Dr. Robert K. Maloney, voted by his peers as one of America’s Top Ten vision correction surgeons in a national survey by Ophthalmology Times, offers the following guidelines to quality care and treatment.

1. Find a doctor by getting referrals from other doctors or from patients who have had LASIK or laser vision correction.

2. Don't be fooled by fancy advertisements about a particular laser center. Choose the doctor, not the laser center. Find out who will actually do your procedure, then ask about that doctor’s qualifications (e.g., board certification, special training).

3. Choose a doctor who has done at least 5,000 LASIK or eye laser surgeries. What a doctor doesn’t know can hurt you.

4. Ask for information on your doctor’s LASIK eye surgery complication rates. If your doctor won’t tell you, find another one. For top surgeons, the figure is under 3 in 1,000.

5. Ask what measures are taken to prevent infection. Look for a center with a sterile or dust-free operating room. Make sure that disposable parts are not reused. Insist that your eye be thoroughly sterilized, and insist that the surgical instruments be sterilized before your eye laser surgery to eliminate the risk of transmission of HIV or hepatitis.

6. Beware of advertisements pushing “low cost” LASIK surgery. Discount surgery is as good as a discount parachute. The potential savings are not worth the risk of receiving less than expert care!

7. Expect to see very well after LASIK, but don't expect to see perfectly. Each patient gets a slightly different result. The best surgeon in the world can’t guarantee 20/20 vision. As with any eye laser surgery, results are as individual as each patient. Beware of any doctor who promises 20/20 vision.

8. If you feel like you're getting a hard sell, you probably are. Go elsewhere. You're not buying a car; this is real LASIK eye surgery.

9. If your level of nearsightedness is more than -11 or so, implantable lenses will probably offer better vision than LASIK. Consider waiting until the new lenses are available. Ask your doctor about them and other recent advances.

10. While you investigate, don't lose sight of the benefits: for most people a lifetime of bad vision can be cured in 5 minutes. LASIK eye surgery has improved the eyesight of millions of people around the world.



About The Author

Robert K. Maloney

Dr. Maloney is director of the Maloney Vision Institute, located at 10921 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, California 90024, 1-877-EYESIGHT. For more information about LASIK surgery, visit www.maloneyvision.com.

A Day in the Life of a LASIK Procedure

Here is an interesting article that will prove to be helpful for anyone considering Lasik surgery. It follows a patients journey as he undergoes a Lasik procedure.

A Day in the Life of a LASIK Procedure
By Jay Stockman Platinum Quality Author

It is 9:00am, I must get up, I have been waiting for this day my entire life. As far as I can remember I have needed glasses, not the kind that would flatter a person, the kind that would bring pity to the faces of strangers who looked at me. I mean, my glasses where thick! . This is the day I am going to have LASIK. LASIK is an acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea. I have done the research, I have met with the surgeon, there is no turning back, its almost show time.

On my way to the doctor’s office, my mind is racing, am I making the right decision? Will I experience the debilitating side effects that others have warned me about? My journey originally began at my eye doctor’s office, who does not perform LASIK. I asked him for a referral, and he suggested a local Ophthalmologist. An Ophthalmologist is a Medical Doctor who is licensed to perform LASIK procedures, after additional LASIK-specific training. After an extensive checking of his credentials, and experience, this was going to be my LASIK doctor.

I finally arrive, and a very friendly, and helpful staff greets me, and assures me that this procedure will be painless, and quick. Easy for them to say, they all probably have perfect vision. My name is called; I proceed to a cold, large room, which looks like a scene from the movie Independence Day. My hour of reckoning is here, I think about going blind, what I would miss most. I have to start thinking positive thoughts. I briefly meet with the Surgical Counselor who explains to me the different steps I am about to go through. He asks me if I require a sedative, I tell him a Bombay Sapphire Martini would do just fine. He reminds me it is 10:00 am in the morning. I opt out of taking any sedative; I want to be awake for the entire procedure. With this, in walks his royal highness, THE LASIK SURGEON.

I lay down on what is referred to as the treatment bed, a bit hard, but totally acceptable. The surgeon places drops in both of my eyes, within seconds my eyes feel very heavy, and numb. He assures me this is normal, and will not affect my brain. He starts on the right eye first, he places clamps under my eyelids to keep them wide open. My heart is racing; I want to cry out for my mommy. Next he places a contraption on my eye, that he calls a keratome, the instrument that will be used to create the cornea “flap”. At this point, I only feel some pressure on my eye, absolutely no pain. His assistant is constantly pouring artificial tears in my eyes to keep them wet since I cannot blink. I am now directed to focus on a red fixation light, which I do obediently. The surgeon activates the keratome, I hear a noise my cornea is being sliced like a bologna, and I still feel no pain. Next the laser is activated, I smell something like burning hair, again no pain, just pressure. Within minutes the surgeon is finished with the right eye, on to the left. The entire procedure lasted about 20 minutes. That is it!

My procedure is over, and I am in recovery. I am almost in tears, I open my eyes, and for the first time in my life I have VISION, a bit cloudy, but vision nonetheless. I am overwhelmed at this point. The LASIK surgeon walks in, checks me briefly, and informs me everything went well. I wanted to hug and kiss him, however there is a time and place for everything. I am given some drops, and instructions, and within 24 hours of surgery I am back at work. Absolutely amazing, how quick the recovery period was. My vision at this point is cloudy, and I am told this is normal, since the cornea is still swollen.

Six weeks have passed, and I am doing great. The vision in my right eye is 20/20, my left is 20/25 all with no glasses, or correction. The cloudiness is completely eliminated, I still have a noticeable glare at night, but far from debilitating. There is no dryness in my eyes at all, and I rarely use lubricating drops. I am completely satisfied with my entire experience, and highly recommend it to any potential candidate.

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for The Contact Lens Resource Visit http://1contactlenses.com/ for more information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

LASIK FAQS

LASIK FAQS
Q: Can you refer me to a good LASIK surgeon in my area? A: Refer to the Other Resources section of this site. You may want to contact the organizations listed there for additional information. While FDA regulates medical devices and drugs, FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine and does not have a registry of doctors. FDA does not know of any government agency that can provide a referral for any medical procedure. You may want to go to your library and see if there is a local community services magazine that may provide comparison information of services for doctors in your area. Q: How do I report a bad experience or who do I notify about a 'bad' doctor? A: If you had a bad experience or sustained an injury, you should file a voluntary MedWatch report (1-800-FDA-1088) to the FDA. Also, you could contact your state medical licensing board and file a complaint with them. In addition, you could contact your state health department or consumer complaint organization (e.g., Better Business Bureau). Q: How much does LASIK cost? A: The FDA regulates the safety and effectiveness of medical devices for their intended use. The FDA does not regulate the marketing of or any fees associated with the use of that product. Again, you may want to go to your library and see if there is a local community services magazine that may provide comparison information of services for doctors in your area. Q: How can I find out if a particular laser has been approved to treat my refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmastism)? A: You can find approved devices, their approval date, and a synopsis of the approved indications on the FDA-APPROVED LASERS page. Q: If the laser I am interested in has not yet been approved for a particular indication, how can I find out when it will be approved? A: Confidentiality restrictions prohibit FDA from commenting on the status of a device under regulatory review, but you can try asking the laser company for this information. Q: Which laser is the best for treating my refractive error? A: FDA does not provide comparisons between refractive lasers. FDA approves the safety and effectiveness of a device independent of any other product. However, you are encouraged to review the approval documents to assess the capabilities of specific laser systems and make your own comparisons. The approval number for each laser on the FDA-APPROVED LASERS page is linked to these documents, which provide additional, detailed information about the clinical trial results and indications for use. Discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.
Q: How does wavefront LASIK compare to conventional LASIK? A: Wavefront adds an automatic measurement of more subtle distortions (called higher order aberrations) than just nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism corrected by conventional LASIK. However, these “higher order aberrations” account for only a small amount (probably no more than 10%) of the total refractive error of the average person’s eye. Conventional LASIK increases higher order aberrations. Although wavefront-guided treatments attempt to eliminate higher order aberrations, results from the clinical studies have shown that the average aberrations still increase, but less than they do after conventional LASIK. In a few studies comparing wavefront-guided LASIK to conventional LASIK, a slightly larger percentage of subjects treated with wavefront LASIK achieved 20/20 vision without glasses or contact lenses compared to subjects treated with conventional LASIK. Patient selection (“When is LASIK not for me?”) and the experience and competence of the surgeon are still the most important considerations. Q: What percentage of patients attain 20/20 vision or better without glasses or contacts? A: Data in the Approval Orders and related documents summarizes the outcomes from the clinical trials submitted to the FDA for each approved device. Links to these documents are included on the FDA-APPROVED LASERS page. Q: Can you send me more information or respond to my concern? A: No. The most current information we have about LASIK is on this website and we update it routinely. We do not have the resources to respond directly to patient concerns or questions. We encourage you to discuss these matters with your doctor. Q: Can I use information from the FDA LASIK website? A: Yes. Information on this website can be used freely by the public. Any use on other websites or in publications should be properly cited.
Source: fda.gov