Laser Eye Surgery

LASIK and Glaucoma

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:37:00 +0000

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LASIK patients have faced an elevated risk of vision loss from glaucoma, but that may be changing. LASIK does not cause glaucoma but can interfere with detection of the condition. Early detection plays a critical role in preserving eyesight. Since glaucoma does not present symptoms in the early stages it can only be discovered during an eye exam.

Glaucoma causes damage to the optic nerve which eventually leads to vision loss. Normally this damage is caused by high intraocular pressure (IOP). The standard method of initial detection of glaucoma is to test IOP. The problem with this method is that people with thin corneas will test with a lower IOP than they really have, leading doctors to believe that they do not have glaucoma. A few people have naturally thin corneas, and LASIK surgery thins the cornea.

It is not uncommon to develop glaucoma in the later years of life. With LASIK vision correction becoming more popular, the fear is that in a few years glaucoma will go undetected on a regular basis. This inaccurate form of testing may also lead to a false spike in “normal pressure” glaucoma.

In early 2005 the Food and Drug Administration approved a device called the TonoPach which measures both IOP and corneal thickness simultaneously in order to produce a more accurate reading.

If you have had LASIK surgery you must discuss it with your ophthalmologist before your eye exam and make sure that he or she is equipped to test IOP and corneal thickness together.

LASIK surgery if you already have glaucoma.
IOP is drastically increased during the LASIK procedure. For this reason, glaucoma patients may not make good LASIK candidates. Some ophthalmologists will recommend against LASIK for anyone with glaucoma. Many will recommend PRK as an alternative since it does not raise IOP as much as LASIK.

In reality, having glaucoma does not necessarily mean that you cannot have LASIK. Patients with mild glaucoma or who have their IOP under control with medications can still make good candidates for the procedure. If you have glaucoma and refractive error look for an ophthalmologist who has experience with LASIK procedures for glaucoma patients to find out if you are a good candidate and if not which alternatives may be right for you. Your ophthalmologist will need to determine the health of your optic nerve before making a recommendation.

Glaucoma patients must have their IOP measured on a regular basis. After LASIK measurements will need to be taken in a manner that adjusts for a thinner cornea. If you change doctors you must always tell your new doctor that you have had LASIK surgery so that he or she can measure your IOP properly.

LASIK is a wonderful option for correcting refractive error. As new technology emerges, the long term outlook for LASIK patients becomes even better. Just like any other surgery or procedure you may have, you should always talk openly with your doctor if you have had LASIK and discuss any concerns that you may have.

If you are considering LASIK surgery, contact an experienced ophthalmologist such as Dr. Stuart Lewis of Denver, Colorado.

Articles about other vision disorders : Secondary Glaucoma, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Glaucoma Risk Factors, Diabetes and Glaucoma, Lasik and Glaucoma, What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

LASEK - Laser Vision Correction.

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:34:00 +0000

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Are You a Candidate for LASEK?
LASEK (or Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy) is a suitable alternative when corneal shape or thickness makes the risk of LASIK unacceptable. Compared to LASIK, there is also less risk since there is no flap created, but there is a slightly longer healing and visual recovery period.

LASEK is relatively new and is only performed by select laser vision correction surgeons. Ophthalmologists, such as those in the Clear Advantage Laser Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, who are experienced in performing this procedure for patients will recommend it when it is the best option for a particular patient's needs.

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Wondering what life would be like free of glasses or contact lenses? Then you owe it to yourself to consider LASEK. LASEK is an alternate treatment for refractive patients who are not ideal candidates for LASIK. It's a safe and effective procedure that treats a wide range of vision problems. Patients with unusually thin corneas are one group who might be best treated with LASEK.

LASEK provides a number of very important advantages like: allowing more patients to safely enjoy the benefits of refractive surgery, the microkeratome incision step is not required, and there is less discomfort and more rapid return of vision than with PRK.

If you have questions about LASEK, please contact one of the LASEK surgeons in our directory to schedule a consultation today! Doctors such as Dr. Gailitis in Miami, Florida and Dr. Sambursky of Binghamton, New York are experts on LASEK and can help you find the procedure that's best for you.

Correctible Vision Conditions.

Clear vision is the result of light passing through a perfectly shaped eye so that it focuses clearly on the retina. Abnormal focusing conditions of the eye are called refractive errors and consist of the following:

Nearsightedness (myopia) - Nearsightedness occurs when the cornea is too curved or the eye is too long. Light passes through the eye but focuses in front of the retina, which causes distant objects to appear blurry.
Farsightedness (hyperopia) - Farsightedness occurs when the cornea is too flat or the eyeball is too short. This causes light to focus at a point beyond the retina, resulting in blurry near vision and sometimes blurry distance vision as well.
Astigmatism - Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is oval-shaped like a football. When light passes through the cornea, it focuses in more than one place relative to the retina, which causes images near or far to appear blurred and distorted.
What to Expect after LASEK

The LASEK procedure is very similar to the LASIK procedure. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes. However, the recovery after LASEK takes a bit longer. For the first 24-48 hours after the procedure a contact lens bandage must be worn to protect the cornea. Recovery to crisp sharp vision usually takes several days to several weeks. For this reason, most laser vision correction surgeons usually perform LASEK on each eye a few days to a few weeks apart, unlike LASIK that is usually performed bilaterally. In addition, patients will usually use topical eye medicaltions for a couple of months postoperatively to ensure optimal healing after the procedure. LASEK patients will experience a slightly longer healing period. Recovery times may vary, so ask your laser vision correction surgeon for more details.

LASEK Step One - The laser vision correction surgeon loosens the epithelium (the outermost layer of the cornea) by using an alcohol solution that allows the surgeon to peel back the tissue.
LASEK Step Two - The excimer laser applies a cool beam of light, which gently reshapes the cornea to correct your vision.
LASEK Step Three - After the cornea is reshaped, the epithelium is returned back to its original position. A contact lens is put in place to aid in the healing and the reduction of pain of the cornea.
This article about LASEK has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.

Keratoconus - Cause and Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:31:00 +0000

Keratoconus is a corneal dystrophy which causes astigmatism, and often leads to severe vision loss. The cause is not entirely known. The cornea becomes thin and irregular in shape, eventually bulging and becoming scarred. The word keratoconus actually translates to “cone-shaped cornea.” Advanced keratoconus requires a corneal transplant.

Cause

Keratoconus is hereditary, but many people with the gene never develop the disorder. It is believed that something, such as a hormonal change, must trigger the thinning of the cornea. Once the process has started things like wearing poorly fitted contact lenses, excessive eye rubbing, exposure to sunlight, and chronic eye irritation, can worsen the condition.

Symptoms

Symptoms of keratoconus typically appear when a person is in their late teens or early twenties. In most cases both eyes are affects, but each eye may be affected differently. Symptoms can include:

Blurred vision
Glare
Light sensitivity
Nearsightedness
Astigmatism
Frequently changing corrective lens prescription
Eye rubbing
Munson's sign – lower lid visibly distorted due to protrusion of the cornea
Treatment

In some patients the progression of keratoconus slows down or stops after 10 to 20 years. The type of treatment required depends on the severity of the condition and the associated vision loss. Initially, corrective lenses, including glasses, soft contacts, and rigid contacts can be worn to correct the astigmatism caused by keratoconus, but as the cornea becomes more distorted it can become impossible to achieve enough correction from glasses, or to create a contact lens which will fit properly. Keratoconus treatments include:

UV crosslinking – uses ultra violet rays and riboflavin (vitamin B2) to strengthen collagen in the eye, and slow down or stop the progression
Scleral Lens Prosthetic Device – acts like a bandage over the cornea
Intrastromal rings – (Intacs or Ferrara rings) plastic inserts, placed inside of the eye, which help stabilize and correct irregularities in the shape of the cornea, sometimes making it possible to wear contact lenses
Implantable lenses – avoid the problems of trying to fit traditional contact lenses and the further damage caused by poorly fitted lenses
Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK) or Automated Lamellar Therapeutic Keratectomy (ALTK) – replaces the anterior layers of the cornea with donor tissue, without the risk of rejection associated with full corneal transplant
Penetrating keratoplasty – about 20% of people with keratoconus eventually require a full corneal transplant
Hope for the Future

A full corneal transplant carries the risk of rejection and typically does not permanently improve vision. New treatments for keratoconus are constantly being researched, and more effective alternatives to corneal transplants are becoming available. The Global Keratoconus Foundation was created to help people with keratoconus by bringing the experts together and creating a support community where both patients and doctors can share their knowledge. They have made significant progress toward eliminating the need for full corneal transplants, and are now working to eliminate keratoconus as a health issue. Early treatment and less invasive treatment methods can greatly improve the outcome of keratoconus and the likelihood of retaining good vision.

For more information on keratoconus, click here to visit KCGlobal, the Global Keratoconus Foundation.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of keratoconus, talk to an experienced ophthalmologist today. Visit The Global Keratoconus Foundation to learn more about the condition and the advancements in treatment being made every day.

Keratoconus

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:26:00 +0000

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Keratoconus causes the cornea to become thin, weaken, and bulge. The word itself translates to “cone-shaped cornea.” Nearsightedness, astigmatism, glare, and light sensitivity are common early symptoms of the disorder. Over time the cornea can become very thin, steep, and irregular causing severe vision loss and making it impossible to wear contact lenses.

Symptoms
Symptoms normally start to appear when a person is in their late teens or early twenties, and then progress for ten to 20 years. Each eye may be affected differently. In some people the progression eventually slows down, and the condition may stabilize. Symptoms can include:

Nearsightedness
Astigmatism
Blurred vision
Glare
Light sensitivity
Frequently changing corrective lens prescription
Eye rubbing
Munson’s sign – only appears in advanced cases, lower lid is visibly distorted due to protrusion of the cornea
Hydrops
In advanced cases, a protective layer of tissue called Descemet’s membrane can rupture allowing fluid to flow into the cornea and causing sudden vision impairment. This phenomenon is called hydrops. A white spot appears on the cornea, and the entire eye may appear opaque. The effects diminish as the Descemet’s layer heals. In some patients hydrops causes corneal scarring which flattens the cornea and actually makes it easier to fit contact lenses.

Causes
The cause of keratoconus is uncertain, but heredity is thought to play a role. Recent research shows a link between a malfunction of enzymes in the eye and a chemical imbalance causing the cornea to thin. Some believe that it is a side effect of disease. What we do know is that exposure to sunlight, eye rubbing, chronic eye irritation, and wearing contact lenses which do not fit correctly can further the damage.

Treatments
Treatments and vision correction vary depending on how advanced the condition has become. Over time keratoconus caused the cornea to become very steep, thin, and irregular, meaning that as the disorder progresses the measures necessary to correct vision advance as well.

Glasses and soft contacts. Corrective lenses can improve vision during the very early stages of keratoconus, but eventually most people will need to wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses. They must be fitted correctly to prevent further damage.
Intacs. Plastic inserts, placed inside of the eye, can help stabilize the cornea. They can correct some amount of nearsightedness, and by making the shape of the cornea more regular, can mean the ability to wear contact lenses.
Corneal collagen cross-linking riboflavin. A new treatment using eye drops containing Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and a special light, can strengthen collagen in the eye, and may stop the progression of the disorder.
Corneal Transplant. About 20 percent of patients will require a cornea transplant. In most patients corneal transplant provides good vision for at least five years.
Keratoconus involves corneal thinning and, therefore, LASIK and any other type of refractive surgery that involves removing corneal tissue are unsafe for people with the disorder. Because there is strong evidence that the condition may be hereditary and delayed diagnoses if keratoconus is fairly common, if you have a family history of the disorder you should inform your ophthalmologist and be tested before undergoing refractive surgery.

For more information on keratoconus, click here to visit KCGlobal, the Global Keratoconus Foundation.

Click here for more information on vision disorders.

If you have a family history of keratoconus and are considering LASIK, talk to your ophthalmologist about the risks and alternatives today.

IntraLasik or (All Laser LASIK)

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:08:00 +0000

The difference between IntraLasik and traditional LASIK is in how the LASIK surgeon creates the corneal flap. IntraLasik is blade-free LASIK surgery. The IntraLase procedure is more precise and often yields better vision with fewer complications than using a microkeratome blade for LASIK. The results are promising enough that the U.S. Navy has launched a program to explore LASIK for aviators.

Traditional LASIK uses a hand held microkeratome to create the corneal flap. A microkeratome is a precise cutting tool with a metal blade. In most cases, using a microkeratome to create the flap is perfectly fine and your results will be exceptional. With the IntraLase, however, the surgeon creates the flap with infrared laser energy, in pulses of one quadrillionth of a second. A few of the advantages of using the IntraLase to create the LASIK flap include:

Prevents the formation of “buttonhole” flaps which can create scars that affect vision
Prevents uneven flap edges which can create problems such as irregular astigmatism
Creates a flap with vertical edges, reducing the risk of epithelial ingrowth
Creates a flap with thicker edges which are less likely to tear
Creates a flap which is tailored to your individual eye
Creates a flap that seals into place much better and faster than a flap created by a microkeratome
Decreases the risk of infection or contamination
Increases the chance of achieving 20/20 vision or better
Reduces the risk of dry eye
Reduces the likelihood of a need for touch-up procedures
Flaps created using the IntraLase laser have been reported to cause heightened light sensitivity, but this normally is a temporary complication that can be resolved with steroid eye drops. During LASIK surgery of any type, a suction ring holds the eye. IntraLase uses a lower vacuum than traditional LASIK, but the vacuum is applied for a longer period of time. This can increase the chance of bleeding, but it is not harmful to vision and usually resolves on its own.

Once the flap has been created, the rest of the LASIK procedure is the same. An excimer laser is used to ablate the exposed surface and reshape the cornea to correct refractive error. The entire procedure takes about ten minutes. Recovery periods are similar between the two methods, but the flap itself tends to re-adhere and heal more quickly after IntraLase.

In the past, military pilots were not eligible for LASIK because extreme in-flight conditions could cause LASIK complications. The Bureau of Naval Medicine has launched a program allowing aviators to have LASIK surgery using IntraLase instead of a microkeratome to create the flap. If the program is successful, military pilots will finally be able to benefit from LASIK surgery.

IntraLase technology may soon be used in corneal transplants. In corneal transplants, instead of making a straight cut, IntraLase creates a more complicated incision on the donated cornea and the patient’s eye, which locks snugly into place. This can speed recovery and possibly reduce the risk of astigmatism, which is currently a common side effect of corneal transplants.

IntraLasik can be more expensive than traditional LASIK surgery, but for some patients, the benefits may be worth the extra cost. Some surgeons will only use the IntraLase method and no longer use the microkeratome, because they feel that the differences are that important.

If you are considering LASIK, talk to your ophthalmologist about IntraLasik today.

IntraLase® vs. Microkeratome

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:05:00 +0000

A Microkeratome is the blade used in LASIK surgery to cut the corneal flap.

The microkeratome blade has been the standard method of cutting the corneal flap in LASIK since LASIK was first developed. Previously, the microkeratome was used in other corneal procedures such as ALK. The microkeratome blade is used to cut a flap that remains hinged on one side. The flap is laid back exposing the corneal tissue for shaping with the excimer laser. This has been a safe and effective means of creating the flap for many years. While there are few complications resulting from LASIK surgery, the many of the complications result from cutting this flap. All of these are correctable. They include post-operative epithelial in-growth, aberrations resulting from healing the edges of the flaps, and dislocation of the flap post-operatively. Some of the advantages of using this procedure are lower cost, longer history of success, and surgeons greater experience with this technology than with IntraLase®.

IntraLase, also known as IntraLASIK, Blade Free LASIK and All-Laser LASIK, is new technology used to create the corneal flap during the LASIK procedure. It “cuts” the flap using a computerized laser light rather than a blade. Since the cornea is also reshaped using a laser, this procedure, which replaces the microkeratome blade with a laser, is often called “all laser LASIK”. Because most LASIK complications are associated with using the microkeratome blade, IntraLase has been touted as a safer method. It not only cuts the flap with more precision, but it is, also, a completely sterile procedure.

In addition, with the IntraLase method, more patients achieve 20/20 vision than with a microkeratome. IntraLase is a computer-controlled laser that delivers pulses of femtosecond laser light to the cornea at a specified depth and position. Each pulse creates a bubble. All the bubbles are connected together forming a space, which in turn creates the corneal flap. The edges of the corneal flap are vertical, not tapered. These vertical edges of the “cut” make improve healing compared to the tapered edges created by the microkeratome blade. Since it is the tapered edges that are associated with corneal dislocation, aberrations and epithelial in-growth, post-op corrective surgery is required far less often using IntraLase.

With IntraLase, the flap can be designed and cut with great precision, qualifying patients for IntraLASIK who didn’t qualify for traditional LASIK (e.g., due to the shape or thinness of their corneas). Although InterLase technology uses a different laser to cut the flap than the excimer laser used to shape the cornea, this new technology provides the same precision in creating the flap as has been associated with shaping the cornea in traditional LASIK.

The greatest disadvantage of the microkeratome over the IntraLase® is the cost. Another disadvantage is that the procedure takes a little more time with the IntraLase®. Expect to pay as much as $300 additional per eye for IntraLase®. However, some LASIK surgeons are NOT charging an additional fee simply because they prefer this technology, consider it safer, and prefer that all their patients have all-laser LASIK.

If you are considering LASIK, a thorough screening by a qualified LASIK surgeon is a must. Finding a qualified surgeon means identifying one who has plenty of experience performing a variety of laser eye surgeries. A qualified surgeon will be ready to provide statistics about his or her practice that are well within the standards and guidelines established by the FDA. Find out what diagnostic testing will be done to determine your specific surgical needs and the type of surgery that is best for you.

Click here to view a chart that clarifies the major differences between IntraLase® and Microkeratome.

Dry-Eye Relief – Questions and Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:05:00 +0000

“I had seen hundreds of patients frustrated by dry eyes and I wanted to help them. That’s why I have dedicated my life to developing a dry-eye treatment program.”

Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD
Founder
Advanced Vision Research

Why do my eyes need tears?
It’s because the delicate living cells on the surface of your eyes have no blood supply — they have a tear supply instead. So rather than getting important things like oxygen and electrolytes (special salts) from your blood, your eyes get them from the watery layer of your tears. The watery layer is so important that it is covered by a layer of oil, produced by the oil glands in your eyelids, that protects it from evaporation.

The tear film is made up of three layers:

1. Watery Layer: A watery layer that is produced by the lacrimal gland. When your body doesn’t produce enough tears you get dry eye.

2. Oil Layer: An oil layer, produced by the oil glands in your eyelids. This oil layer coats the tear film to reduce evaporation. Without a healthy oil layer, tears evaporate off the eye surface again causing dry eye.

3. Mucus Layer: A mucus layer on the eye surface that provides natural lubrication. If you aren’t producing enough tears, or if your oil layer gets too thin, the mucus layer dries up and your eyes feel dry and irritated.

What happens in dry eye?
In dry eye the tear film on the eye surface loses water because of either decreased tear production or increased evaporation. And as evaporation continues throughout the day, your eyes feel drier and drier.

What causes dry eye?
The most common cause of dry eye is aging. As we get older, we produce fewer watery tears, and evaporation increases because your oil glands produce less oil. Other common causes include diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, contact lens wear, LASIK surgery, reading, computer use, and certain medicaltions.

What are some solutions to dry eye?
All TheraTears eye drops provide real dry-eye relief because each drop replaces the water lost by dry eyes, while providing your eye surface with the electrolytes it needs. In fact, the company that makes TheraTears – Advanced Vision Research – holds the patents on the electrolytes in the human tear film. That means that TheraTears gives you dry-eye relief that really works. Following is a list of TheraTears products and how they can help you.

TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops, in preservative-free single use containers, is designed to saturate and quench dry sensitive eyes.
TheraTears Lubricant Eye Drops in a bottleis for eyes with mild or moderate dryness that need only occasional or maintenance treatment. Its patented preservative disappears on eye contact for maximum comfort.
TheraTears Liquid Gel, also preservative free, is a thicker version of TheraTears, for nighttime or those who need a longer-lasting version of TheraTears during the day.
TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops improves contact lens comfort on insertion, and makes contact lens wear more comfortable during the day. And TheraTears Contact Lens Comfort Drops also work great with TheraTears Nutrition in providing for comfortable contact lens wear throughout the day.
TheraTears Nutrition for Dry Eyes™ (Omega-3 supplement with flaxseed oil, fish oil and vitamin E) taken by mouth provides a unique patent-pending blend of pharmaceutical grade omega-3 oils that your tear glands and eyelid oil glands need to make healthy tears. Most people who take TheraTears Nutrition will start to experience increased dry-eye comfort in about 4 to 8 weeks. *

How can TheraTears Nutrition help me?
Now there is a healthy dietary supplement called TheraTears Nutrition that helps relieve eye irritation whether it’s from dry eye or blepharitis (eyelid inflammation). Dry eye causes the eye irritation that generally gets worse as the day goes on, while blepharitis causes the irritation that is most noticeable when you open your eyes in the morning.

TheraTears Nutrition contains healthy omega-3 oils from the flaxseed plant and from cold-water fish purified to contain no mercury or PCBs. Doctors and nutritionists have long recognized that omega-3s help combat heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Now it has been shown that omega-3s are critical for the health of the eyelids, tears and eye surface — critical for maintaining moist, comfortable eyes.

The oil glands in your eyelids use essential fatty acids to manufacture the oil layer of the tear film. TheraTears Nutrition provides the omega-3s your oil glands need to make the healthy oil that coats your tear film to reduce evaporation. This healthy oil protects against dry eye and makes your eyes feel better.

At the same time, the omega-3s in TheraTears Nutrition also relieve dry eye by protecting your lacrimal gland and helping it make more tear fluid. As a result TheraTears Nutrition makes your eyes feel better throughout the day. Most patients feel better after using TheraTears Nutrition for about four to eight weeks. *

TheraTears was developed by Jeffrey P. Gilbard, MD in the clinics and laboratories of the Schepens Eye Research Institute.

The Schepens Eye Research Institute is the largest non-profit institution in the world dedicated to the fight against blinding and painful eye conditions.

Arising from this heritage, Advanced Vision Research remains committed to eye research, and the mission of developing major advances in the treatment of eye disease.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

- Click here for more Drye Eye Information -

Implantable Contact Lenses - ICLs

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) also known as Phakic inter-ocular lenses (IOLs) can correct a wide range of vision errors by permanently inserting an IOL (much like a contact lens) in front of the natural lens of the eye. This new technique is similar to cataract surgery, but the natural lens remains in place so the eye's natural focusing ability is preserved. An implantable contact lens is beneficial because it becomes a permanent fixture of the eye, avoiding time consuming maintenance. They also do not get lost, or have to be replaced like glasses and contact lenses. ICL procedures are being used on severely nearsighted and farsighted patients who may not be candidates for the more common laser procedures such as LASIK, LASEK, and PRK. Unlike laser vision correction procedures that permanently change your vision, it is possible to later remove an ICL. Already, one ICL has been approved by the FDA, with many more ICLs awaiting approval. Talk to your doctor to find out more about FDA approved ICLs.

How Do ICLs work?

Similar to a contact lens, an ICL reacts with your natural eye to focus. The biggest difference between the two is an ICL is permanently placed in the front chamber of the eye and a contact lens can be inserted or removed at any time. The focusing power of the ICL can be determined so that it closely matches your eye's prescription. With an ICL, surgeons don't have to reshape the cornea. Instead, they make a small incision and inject a lens that can completely correct the vision problem. The clear, oblong implants are about the size of the tip of your pinky and are made of the same plastic used in replacement lenses for patients with cataracts. The lens fits inside the eye, just in front of the pupil. Since the natural lens of the eye is not removed, the patient retains the natural focusing capability of the eye for near focusing tasks.

The Procedure

The implant surgery is quick and painless, lasting only about 20 minutes. You will arrive at the surgery center about an hour prior to your procedure. Once checked in, a sedative may be given as you are prepared for surgery. The area around your eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape may be applied around your eye. Eye drops or a local anesthetic will be used to numb your eyes. When your eye is completely numb, an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure. The recovery time is short and the results of the surgery are almost immediate. Most patients resume normal activities within a day or two.

Risk and Complications

Serious complications from ICLs are extremely rare, but like any surgical procedure, it does involve some risk. Besides infection, possible complications include inflammation, increased pressure in the eye and cataract formation. Early studies have shown that all of these are rare, and the plastic used to make the implants has a 50-year track record of safe use in the body.

Am I A Candidate for ICL?

Schedule a complimentary vision consultation with an eye doctor who implants ICLs to find out if you can benefit from implantable contact lenses. After a thorough eye exam, the doctor will let you know if you are a good candidate for this procedure. Good candidates for the ICL procedure:

• want to reduce or eliminate the dependence of reading glasses or bifocals

• are extremely nearsighted or farsighted

• have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year

Early Phakic IOL studies found that 92 percent of patients gained vision of 20/30 or better within a month. Vision of 20/20 is considered excellent, while 20/40 is the cutoff for driving a car without wearing corrective lenses.

This article about the Implantable Contact Lens has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.

How to Find an Eye Surgeon Near You

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:03:00 +0000

The most important decision you’ll make when deciding to have an eye surgery, like LASIK, is choosing the eye surgeon who will perform your procedure. It’s imperative that you select someone with the necessary experience to ensure the best possible outcome, someone with the experience to correct any problems should there be a mishap and someone that you feel good about trusting your eyes to. So how do you go about finding the right eye surgeon for you?

There are many places to search for an eye surgeon and a good place to start is by gathering information from the Internet. Explore your favorite search engines for eye surgeons or LASIK providers in your immediate area. There are several eye surgeon directory sites that list the local eye surgeons in an area by city including the LASIK directory. Some even come with recommendations from past patients. You can read through their websites for more detailed information on the procedure that interests you, request information via email or even schedule a free consultation to see if you “click” with the eye surgeon and his staff.

Another great resource for information on finding an eye surgeon near you is your current eye doctor. Whether your current doctor is an optometrist or an ophthalmologist who does not perform laser vision correction, he or she will be able to tell you which local eye surgeons have a good reputation in their communities. Chances are your current eye doctor has seen many vision correction patients post-operatively and can tell you which doctors in town are producing the best and most consistent results and which ones other patients highly regard.

One more option for finding a local eye surgeon with a good reputation and great results is to talk to your friends, co-workers or neighbors that have had LASIK or another vision correction procedure and are happy with their results. You will probably find that just two or three local eye surgeons rise to the top in your conversations and those are the ones you should put on your “short list” for research.

Because laser vision correction, like any type of eye surgery, is a delicate procedure and requires preciseness, the eye surgeon you select is of utmost importance to the outcome of your procedure. It’s paramount that you feel good about your selection as you go through pre-operative testing, your surgery and beyond. Take the time to schedule consultations with the top two or three recommended surgeons and see which one is the best fit for you and your needs. Your eyes are unique and you may find that one eye surgeon over all the others seems to exactly fit what you need and are expecting from your vision correction procedure.

How to Choose an Eye Doctor

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:02:00 +0000

Choosing the right surgeon to perform LASIK surgery is in the best interest of all patients contemplating the procedure. Not only does he or she have to be qualified, the patient must feel a sense of trust and comfort with the surgeon.

In evaluating a number of possible laser eye surgeons, the patient may want to consider surgeons who are affiliated with a teaching hospital or medical associations. Surgeons who are affiliated with a teaching hospital are more likely to have access to the most advanced LASIK technology because they are in a research environment. On the other hand, many surgeons who are not affiliated with a teaching hospital are updated on the most recent research and information regarding LASIK.

Once you have narrowed it down to several eye doctor, you should set up a consultation appointment with each surgeon. During the consultation, you should ask questions that will reveal the laser eye surgeon’s qualifications and experience with LASIK and try to get a feel for how you and other patients will be treated. The following are some questions that you should ask during the consultation appointment:

How long have you been performing LASIK?
How many LASIK surgeries have you performed?
How do you define a successful outcome and what is the success rate of your patients?
What percentage of your patients achieve 20/40 vision or better after LASIK?
What percentage of your patients achieve 20/20 vision or better after LASIK?
What percentage of your patients require an enhancement procedure?
What type of laser will you be using and does it use wavefront-guided technology?
Have you ever been subject to a malpractice suit?
Has your medical license ever been suspended or revoked for any reason?
In addition to these questions that help you get a sense of the laser eye surgeon’s competency, other factors should also be observed during the consultation. One of the most important factors in choosing a laser eye surgeon is the element of trust. During the consultation appointment, you should try to get a sense of whether the surgeon is trustworthy. If you feel at all uncomfortable with the surgeon for any reason, you should look for a different laser eye surgeon.

How to Choose a LASIK Surgeon

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:01:00 +0000

Making the choice to have LASIK vision correction surgery is an exciting and life-changing one. Once you’ve committed to researching your candidacy for LASIK, the next and most important decision you’ll make is who’ll perform your procedure. Take into account the following factors to ensure you select the perfect surgeon for you.

Surgeon’s reputation. Ask co-workers, friends and family who’ve had LASIK who they went to and what their experiences were like. Did they feel at ease with the staff, were the facilities neat, clean and comfortable and most importantly, are they happy with their results? The surgeon should be willing to share email addresses or phone numbers of past patients so that you can discuss their experiences as well.

Surgeon’s experience. Some circles of experts say that a surgeon should perform at least five hundred procedures before being considered “experienced”. Others say that number should be greater than one thousand. More important than how well the majority of the surgeon’s procedures go is how well he can handle complications. Is he a corneal specialist who can repair the cornea should something go wrong, however small that possibility may be?

Surgeon’s results. Ask the surgeon what percentage of his patients see 20/20 or better after LASIK. Recent FDA trials for one laser manufacturer’s custom LASIK results show that 100% of participants could pass a driver’s test after LASIK and 98% could see 20/20 or better. These are not the complete results of the trials and your surgeon’s results may differ.

Surgeon’s participation. Make sure the ophthalmologist you choose participates in every part of the process. It's important that she both performs the pre-operative tests and reviews them with you, to make sure you're both on the same page as regards expected outcome. Before the day of your procedure, she should discuss with you all of the risks and possible complications as well as the benefits of the procedure. She should also perform the follow up exams after your procedure to ensure that you are healing properly.

Surgeon’s qualifications. Some surgeons are theoretical experts in LASIK but have little hands-on experience. Others work in centers which process thousands of LASIK patients every year, but offer little else but traditional LASIK. They tend to screen candidates carelessley in the interests of profit. It's best to choose a surgeon who has done over 500, or over 1000, LASIK procedures, and therefore has good hands-on experience, but who also offers variations of LASIK. If you are not a good candidate for traditional LASIK, such a surgeon would know, and could offer a variant procedure to better match your eye conditions. Vision correction surgery is not one-size-fits-all.

Surgeon’s enhancement rate. Before you commit to one surgeon, you need to discuss his enhancement rate. This means the number of eyes that need to be re-treated to reach optimal vision. Experts in ophthalmology say that the percentage of enhancements should be less than 10%.

Surgeon’s personality. Last, but not least, is the surgeon’s personality. Do you feel comfortable with the surgeon? Can you discuss your questions and concerns with him open and honestly? If not, it’s best to keep looking until you find the right fit for both your eyes and your own personality .

Less important factors . There are also a few factors that should not be major considerations when choosing a LASIK surgeon.

Price. Trying to save money when it comes to your vision is not a good idea. There are a lot of centers that promise a low fee but very few people qualify for those low, low prices. Rather than asking about price, ask your center or practice if they offer third-party financing that can make the procedure affordable through low monthly payments. Some even offer no interest/no payments for 12-18 months.
Advertising. Advertising on TV, radio, newspaper or other media puts LASIK into the forefront of the public’s mind. Be sure to do your research and don’t rely solely on advertising messages to reach a determination on your LASIK surgeon.
Technology. There’s a big push by some surgeons, especially those who advertise, to emphasize the latest and greatest in LASIK technology. While it’s important that your surgeon uses an FDA-approved laser and has the best equipment to treat your specific condition, it shouldn’t be the determining factor. Great technology in the hands of a so-so surgeon will not produce great results.
Deciding to have LASIK is a big decision that takes careful consideration. While there are many, many factors to consider, choosing the right surgeon is the most important one you’ll make.

How the Eye Works

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:00:00 +0000

Eyes are amazing and complex. To understand the nature of vision problems, you must first understand how the eye works. Every part of the eye performs a special function. If any part of the eye cannot do its job properly vision is disrupted.

The Process
Light reflects off of objects and into our eyes. This light passes through the cornea, pupil and lens and is focused on the retina. The retina transmits the image to the brain through the optic nerve. When the brain receives and interprets the image, we have sight.

Cornea
The cornea is the clear outer part of the eye. When light passes through the cornea it is bent (refracted) to focus on the retina. The cornea is responsible for two-thirds of the focusing function of the eye.
Pupil and Iris
The pupil is the opening which controls how much light enters the eye. The iris is the colored part of the eye. It contains the muscles which open and close the pupil. In low light the pupil dilates, or opens very wide, to let in as much light as possible. In bright light the pupil closes down as tiny as possible to reduce the amount of light that enters the eye.
Lens
The lens is located just behind the pupil and is responsible for one-third of the focusing function of the eye. The lens is what changes focus between near and far objects. This adjustment is called accommodation.
Retina
On the inside wall of the back of the eye is the retina which contains photoreceptor cells. Light is focused on these cells, and they send the information to the brain through the optic nerve. The macula is the center of the retina, and is responsible for detecting fine details and color.
Refractive Error
The shape of the cornea and the distance between the cornea and the retina determine whether or not the light will focus on the retina as it should. A misshapen cornea or misshapen eye causes refractive error, meaning that the light is not bent like it needs to be to focus properly on the retina. LASIK surgery can correct the shape of the cornea, or change the shape of the cornea to compensate for a misshapen eye. This corrects refractive error by adjusting the focal point to the retina, where it should be.

Myopia (nearsightedness)
When the cornea is curved too much or the eyeball is too long, light focuses in front of the retina, and has spread back out by the time it reaches the retina.
Hyperopia (farsightedness)
When the cornea is too flat or the eyeball is too short, the focal point is behind the retina, so the light is still spread out when it reaches the retina.
Astigmatism
The eye is shaped like a football and creates multiple focal points, instead of one, making the image blurry.
Presbyopia
With age the lens of the eye becomes stiff, or the muscles which control the lens become weak or stiff, and accommodation is diminished or lost. Fine adjustments in focus are no longer made by the eye. This is why people develop the need for reading glasses as they age. LASIK surgery for monovision can adjust the focus of one eye for objects up close and the other eye for objects in the distance. With a little practice the brain automatically chooses the proper image.
The entire eye must be working together properly to accomplish vision. Even the slightest imperfection can impair vision. Many of these imperfections can be corrected, and clear vision restored.

If you are experiencing vision problems, talk to your ophthalmologist today.

Herpes and the Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:59:00 +0000

When we think of herpes we typically think of the venereal disease or cold sores. Many people are not aware that chicken pox and shingles are also caused by a form of the herpes virus, or that it is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the United States. Herpes affecting the eye is called ocular herpes. About 400,000 Americans have some form of ocular herpes, and there are nearly 50,000 cases of the disease diagnosed every year.

Causes
Herpes is transmitted through bodily fluids. Nearly everyone is exposed to the virus during childhood and the symptoms are typically mild enough that it goes undetected. After that, the virus lies dormant in nerves which run to the skin and eyes. It can be reactivated by sunlight, heat, fever, stress, hormonal changes, certain medications, dental or surgical procedures, or trauma.

Herpes is transmitted to the eye by contact with another person who is having an outbreak, or through contact with a part of your own body where there is an outbreak, and then touching your eye.

Symptoms
Ocular herpes affects the eyelids, conjunctiva, and cornea. It can result in ongoing eye infections and eventually scarring of the cornea leading to blindness. Symptoms of ocular herpes can include:

Pain
Irritation
Scratchiness
Redness
Tearing
Light sensitivity
Recurring infections
Decreased vision
Vision Impairment
Vision loss caused by ocular herpes is usually minimal, but about 6% of people who have the disease develop stroma keratitis. Stroma keratitis involves the deeper layers of the cornea and can cause scarring and corneal thinning. The globe of the eye can actually rupture resulting in blindness. When ocular herpes affects the iris it is called iridocyclitis. Iridocyclitis causes inflammation of the iris and surrounding tissues resulting in pain, redness, severe sensitivity to light, and blurred vision.

Diagnoses and treatment
Ocular herpes can be detected by a slit lamp test. Treatment normally involves the use of anti-viral eye drops and/or oral medications. Steroid drops may also be used to decrease inflammation and prevent scarring. Sometimes debridement is required. Debridement involves scraping off the infected corneal epithelial cells. In severe cases a corneal transplant is necessary.

Ocular herpes and LASIK
If you have ocular herpes and are considering LASIK surgery, you must discuss your condition with your ophthalmologist. Ocular herpes does not always mean that you cannot have LASIK procedures, but it does increase the risk of complications and even blindness. LASIK surgery may be interpreted by your body as trauma – one of the things that can cause ocular herpes to flare up. Certain immune responses to ocular herpes can advance the damage it causes to the cornea. Immunocompromised patients are at the greatest risk. They are more likely to experience a flare up and if they do, it is more likely to be severe. The benefits vs. risks should be evaluated on a case by case basis. If you, and your ophthalmologist, decide that LASIK surgery is still appropriate, precautions can be taken to minimize the risks.

If you are considering LASIK surgery and have ocular herpes talk to an experienced ophthalmologist today.

Secondary Glaucoma

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:57:00 +0000

Secondary glaucoma is glaucoma that is caused by another condition or problem. There are many causes. These are some of the most common.

Pseudoexfoliative

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is flaking of the outer layer of the lens of the eye. The granular material which flakes off collects between the cornea and the iris blocking drainage of fluid out of the eye.

Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma is most common in people in their 70s and 80s and may be more prevalent in people of Scandinavian descent. It is treated with medication or surgery.

Pigmentary

Pigment dispersion syndrome is flaking of granules of pigment from the iris into the fluid of the eye. These granules can collect in the drainage canals and the trabecular meshwork slowly blocking the flow of fluid from the eye.

Pigmentary glaucoma is most common in people who are nearsighted and often shows up in youth or middle-age. It is treated with medication or surgery.

Traumatic

Trauma to the eye can cause a temporary, but dangerous increase in pressure inside the eye, due to bleeding, swelling, and blocking of or damage to the drainage pathways.

Scarring and dislocation of the lens can cause permanent blockage which must be treated with surgery. Sports injuries are a common cause of eye trauma.

Neovascular

The formation of new, abnormal blood vessels on the iris of the eye can block the drainage of fluid causing neovascular glaucoma. This often occurs in diabetic retinopathy. When the original blood vessels become damaged, poor circulation of the eye stimulates the growth of new vessels.

Neovascular glaucoma is very difficult to treat, but can sometimes be treated with laser surgery or drainage implants.

Irido Corneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE)

ICE typically affects just one eye. Cells from the cornea spread over the drainage canals and iris, and bind the iris to the cornea, blocking drainage. It is most common in fair-skinned women. ICE is treated with medication or surgery.

Steroid induced

Glaucoma has been linked to prolonged steroid use. The cause is not completely understood. It is normally associated with the use of topical steroids, but may also be caused by using other forms including oral, inhaled, and intravenous steroids.

Discontinuing use or lowering the dose of steroids will sometimes return normal pressure. In some cases medication or surgery is necessary.

Inflammatory

Inflammation can cause the fluid in the eye to thicken, due to the production of white blood cells in the eye, it can cause the strands of the trabecular meshwork to swell, making it more difficult for fluid to get through, and it can stimulate the release of more fluid into the eye. Chronic inflammation can lead to glaucoma.

Inflammation of the eye is usually treated with steroidal or non-steroidal drops. Both have their benefits and risks to the eye.

If you have any of the conditions or problems which may lead to secondary glaucoma talk to your ophthalmologist and schedule and eye exam today.

Articles about other vision disorders : Types of Glaucoma, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Glaucoma Risk Factors, Diabetes and Glaucoma, Lasik and Glaucoma, What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

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Glaucoma Types: Acute Angle Closure

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:56:00 +0000

Angle closure glaucoma can progress slowly, but it can also come on very suddenly. Acute angle closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. It can cause permanent blindness in just a few hours, if you do not get immediate treatment.

What is angle closure?

Angle closure is the closing off of the drainage canals in you eye. In acute angle closure glaucoma, the iris is pushed or pulled up against the trabecular meshwork, blocking off the flow of fluid out of your eye. Pressure builds very fast and quickly causes damage to the optic nerve.

Symptoms

An attack of acute angle closer glaucoma is very uncomfortable. The symptoms can include:

Blurry or cloudy vision
Halos
Decreased vision
Severe eye pain
Extreme sensitivity to light
Excessive blinking
Runny eye
Crossed or out-turned eyes
One eye becoming larger than the other
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Treatment

First medication is given, in the form of eye drops, to lower the pressure inside the eye, clear up any cloudiness of the lens, and constrict the pupil.

Laser surgery is used to create an opening in the iris so that the fluid can flow out of the eye.

Risk factors

People of Asian and Eskimo descent are at an elevated risk, due to having narrower angles.

White men are three times more likely to develop angle closure glaucoma than white women.

The risk of developing angle closure glaucoma increases with age.

Prevention

Regular eye exams can help determine if you are at risk for developing angle closure glaucoma. Very high risk patients sometimes have laser surgery to prevent the onset of this potentially blinding condition.

Seeking help

If you experience any of the symptoms of acute angle closure glaucoma you must seek medical attention immediately. Call your ophthalmologist right away. He or she will instruct you on where to go for help. If it is outside of business hours and you cannot reach you ophthalmologist, have someone drive you to the emergency room or call an ambulance.

The extreme pressure caused by an attack will damage your optic nerve quickly causing permanent vision loss or blindness.

Talk to your ophthalmologist about acute angle closure glaucoma and schedule an eye exam today.

Articles about other vision disorders : Types of Glaucoma, Secondary Glaucoma, Glaucoma Risk Factors, Diabetes and Glaucoma, Lasik and Glaucoma, What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

Glaucoma Types

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:54:00 +0000

The type of glaucoma you have will impact the type of treatment you need, how fast it progresses, and your chance of retaining or losing your eyesight. All types of glaucoma cause vision loss by damaging the optic nerve.

Open Angle Glaucoma

The most common form of glaucoma is primary open angle glaucoma.

In open angle glaucoma the drainage canals of the eye are clogged deep inside preventing fluid from flowing out of the eye and causing pressure to build. The entrances to the canals are clear.

Vision loss is gradual with open angle glaucoma. It is treated with medication, and responds best when caught early.

Angle Closure Glaucoma

Angle closure glaucoma occurs when the iris of the eye blocks the drainage canals. It can progress gradually or very suddenly.

When it progresses suddenly it is sometimes referred to as acute or narrow angle glaucoma. The pressure builds very quickly and it is a medial emergency. Symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Rainbows around lights at night
Eye pain
Headaches
Nausea
Angle closure glaucoma is treated with surgery. The outer edge of the iris is removed allowing the fluid to flow out of the eye and returning pressure to normal. The results of treatment are long term or permanent.

Normal Tension Glaucoma

In some cases the optic nerve is damaged even though pressure inside the eye is within normal range. Damage can be prevented or slowed down by keeping the pressure low. People with cardiovascular disease and those of Japanese descent have the highest risk for developing this form of glaucoma. Normal tension glaucoma is treated with surgery or medication.

Congenital Glaucoma

When the drainage system of the eye does not develop properly before birth, babies are born with glaucoma. Congenital glaucoma is managed with medication or surgery and, if caught early can be corrected.

Secondary Glaucoma

Secondary glaucoma is caused by injury, disease, other eye problems or medications. It can be open or closed angle. There are many types of secondary glaucoma including:

Pseudoexfoliative
Pigmentary
Traumatic
Neovascular
Irido Corneal Endothelial Syndrome (ICE)
Steroid induced
Lens induced
Inflammatory
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of glaucoma, have a family history of the condition, or have not had an eye exam which tests intraocular pressure recently, schedule an appointment with your ophthalmologist today.

Articles about other vision disorders : Secondary Glaucoma, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Glaucoma Risk Factors, Diabetes and Glaucoma, Lasik and Glaucoma, What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

Glaucoma Risk Factors

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:52:00 +0000

Glaucoma does not present symptoms before damage occurs. Anyone can develop glaucoma, but some of us have an elevated risk. Regular eye exams can detect glaucoma before it robs you of your vision.

Blood pressure

High blood pressure increases your risk of developing glaucoma.

Surprisingly, normal tension glaucoma occurs most often in people with low blood pressure in their 60's.

Family history of glaucoma

It is believed that primary open angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, is hereditary. If you have relatives with glaucoma you are more likely to develop the disease.

Race

African Americans age 40 and over and people of Hispanic descent age 60 and over are at an elevated risk for open angle glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African Americans.

People of Asian and Eskimo descent have an elevated risk of developing closed angle glaucoma.

Japanese Americans are more likely to develop normal tension glaucoma.

Age

People over 60 years old are six times more likely to develop glaucoma than younger people. The risk starts to go up significantly at age 40.

Diabetes

Diabetes doubles your risk of developing glaucoma.

Injuries

Trauma to the eye can cause an increase of pressure in the eye. A dislocated lens retinal detachment, or eye tumor can cause the drainage to be blocked leading to increased pressure.

Severe nearsighted or farsightedness

Extreme nearsightedness (myopia) is a sign that you are at risk for open angle glaucoma. Farsightedness (hyperopia) can mean that you are at risk for closed angle glaucoma.

Thin Corneas

People with thin corneas often develop open angle glaucoma.

Steroid use

Prolonged use of steroids has been associated with secondary glaucoma .

If you fall into any of these risk categories, your chance for developing glaucoma is elevated. If you have several risk factors you may be at a very high risk, or you may already be in the early stages of glaucoma. If you suspect that you are at an elevated risk for glaucoma, talk to your ophthalmologist today.

Articles about other vision disorders : Types of Glaucoma, Secondary Glaucoma, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Diabetes and Glaucoma, Lasik and Glaucoma, What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

Glaucoma and Diabetes

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:51:00 +0000

Diabetes increases your risk of developing eye diseases, including glaucoma. High blood sugar levels causing damage to the blood vessels, lens, and other tissues of the eye. Controlling blood sugar levels is necessary to preserve vision. The most common eye problems caused by diabetes are diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Glaucoma and diabetes connected

Having diabetes doubles your risk of developing glaucoma, and people with glaucoma are more likely to develop diabetes.

Damage to the trabecular network

High blood sugar can damage the cells of the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork allows fluid to flow out of the eye. When these cells are damaged fluid cannot flow out of the eye and pressure builds.

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to neovascular glaucoma

Nearly 50% of diabetics develop diabetic retinopathy.

High blood sugar damages the blood vessels resulting in poor circulation and lack of delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. Sometimes the body responds by growing new, abnormal blood vessels.

If these new blood vessels grow on the iris they can prevent the fluid from flowing out of the eye and raise the pressure inside the eye. This is a form of secondary glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma.

Neovascular glaucoma can sometimes be treated with laser surgery or with drainage implants.

Diabetic retinopathy has no early warning signs and can only be detected by eye exams with dilation. When caught early retinopathy can be treated to prevent further permanent damage.

Controlling blood sugar

Controlling blood sugar can help prevent the damage to your eyes, and delay vision loss. Most people who maintain stable blood sugar levels will suffer some damage to their after having diabetes for fifteen years or more.

Regular eye exams

Everyone should have regular eye exams, but they are even more important for people who have diabetes. Most eye problems associated with the disease do not begin to show symptoms until extensive damage has already occurred. Yearly eye exams with dilation can catch developing problems in time to prevent the damage and vision loss.

If you have diabetes talk to your ophthalmologist about regular eye exams and a prevention program today.

Articles about other vision disorders : Types of Glaucoma, Secondary Glaucoma, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Glaucoma Risk Factors, Lasik and Glaucoma, What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

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What Everyone Should Know About Glaucoma

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:49:00 +0000

Open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of glaucoma, affects about 3 million Americans - half of whom don't even know they have it. While there is currently no known cure for Glaucoma, early detection and treatment can help prevent further loss of vision and blindness. Specialized eye care centers, such as the Carter Eye Center in Dallas, Texas, can provide individual aid and consultation to those in need.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, which can lead to vision loss, or even blindness.

What causes Glaucoma?

At the front of the eye, there is a space called the anterior chamber. Clear fluid flows continuously in and out of this space and nourishes nearby tissues. With glaucoma, the fluid drains too slowly out of the eye. As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises. Unless this pressure is controlled, it may cause damage to the optic nerve and cause vision loss.

Who is at risk?

Although anyone can get glaucoma, some people are at higher risk than others. They include:

• African-Americans over age 40

• Everyone over age 60

• Diabetics

• People with a family history of glaucoma

What are the symptoms of Glaucoma?

At first, open-angle glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms. Vision stays normal, and there is no pain. As glaucoma remains untreated, people often notice that they see things clearly in front of them, yet they can no longer see objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. (Peripheral vision diminishes.) Without treatment, people with glaucoma may find that they suddenly have no side vision. It may seem as though they are looking through a tunnel. Over time, the remaining forward vision may diminish until there is no vision left.

How is Glaucoma detected?

Visual Acuity: This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.

Tonometry: This standard test determines the fluid pressure inside the eye. There are many types of tonometry. One type uses a blue light to measure pressure. Another type is the “air puff” test, which measures the resistance of the eye to a puff of air.

Pupil Dilation: This examination provides your eye care professional with a better view of the optic nerve to check for signs of damage.

Visual Field: This test measures your side (peripheral) vision. It helps your eye doctor to find out if you have lost side vision, a sign of glaucoma.

How is Glaucoma treated?

Medications: Medicines are the most common early treatment of glaucoma. They come in the form of eyedrops and pills. Some cause the eye to make less fluid; but most lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye.

Laser Surgery (also called laser trabeculoplasty): During this procedure, a high-energy beam of light is focused on the part of the anterior chamber where the fluid leaves the eye. The laser makes 50-100 evenly spaced burns. These burns stretch the drainage holes to allow fluid drain more easily through them.

Conventional Surgery: The purpose of surgery is to make a new opening for the fluid to leave the eye. Surgery is usually reserved for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with eyedrops, pills, or laser surgery. It is important to know that while glaucoma surgery may save remaining vision, it does not improve sight. For conventional surgery, it is important to find a good doctor who knows a safe procedure, such as the glaucoma shunt used by Dr. Bruckner of Augusta, Georgia.

What can you do to protect your vision?

If you are being treated for glaucoma, be sure to take your glaucoma medicine daily and see your eye doctor regularly. Consult a knowledgeable glaucoma doctor such as Dr. Snead, in Ft. Meyers, Florida. Encourage “high-risk” family members and friends to have an eye examination every two years.

This article about glaucoma has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.

Articles about other vision disorders : Types of Glaucoma, Secondary Glaucoma, Acute Angle Glaucoma, Glaucoma Risk Factors, Diabetes and Glaucoma, Lasik and Glaucoma, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye, Amblyopia, Macular Degeneration, Computer Vision Syndrome, Cataracts, Cancer of the Eye, Keratoconus, and Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies.

Fuch’s Dystrophy

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:45:00 +0000

Fuch’s dystrophy, sometimes called endothelial dystrophy, is an eye disease that causes the cells in the innermost layer of the cornea (endothelium) to die off. These cells are responsible for pumping fluid and impurities out of the cornea. As these cells die off fluid is no longer removed and the cornea begins to swell distorting its shape and causing it to become hazy. Blisters can form on the cornea as water tries to escape. When the blisters burst it is extremely painful and can leave scars on the cornea.

Cause
Fuch’s dystrophy is inherited. Some people are never aware of having it, and therefore not aware of the risk of passing it on to their children.

Symptoms
Fuch’s dystrophy is often detected when a person is in their 30’s or 40’s, with vision loss becoming noticeable in their 50’s or 60’s, but Fuch’s does not always progress to a debilitating stage. The corneal swelling, haze, and the scars caused by blisters can impair vision. For some the disease leads to blindness.

Hazy vision
Fluctuating vision - worse upon waking, improving as the day goes on
Glare
Light sensitivity
Watery eyes
Burning eyes
Decreased depth perception
Foreign object sensations (feels like sand or grit in the eyes)
Sharp pains in the eyes
Symptoms, especially blurry vision, are usually worse when first waking up since moisture does not evaporate on its own while the eyes are closed and swelling increases throughout the night.

Treatment
There is no true cure for the disease. However, there are some treatments which can control the swelling, visual impairment, and pain.

Muro. A salt solution containing sodium chloride can be used in eye drop or ointment form to draw fluid from the eye.
Steroids. Steroid eye drops can provide relief for some patients.
Soft contact bandage. A soft contact lens can be worn as a bandage for short periods of time to help with pain and swelling, but extended periods of use can cause infection.
Hair dryer. As crazy as it may sound, doctors often recommend using a hair dryer to dry out the eyes. The hair dryer is held at arms length and air is directed across the face to help evaporate moisture from the eyes. It is recommended to do this several times a day.
Corneal transplant. Eventually, a corneal transplant may be necessary. In the short term, corneal transplant is very successful, but the new cornea may not survive long term. For this reason, some doctors may suggest waiting as long as possible for a corneal transplant. Those who have experienced the disease recommend having the transplant as soon as the symptoms affect your daily life, because you will need to rely on the non-transplant eye for vision while the eye which has received the transplant heals.
Unfortunately, LASIK surgery is not appropriate if you have Fuch’s dystrophy. For some LASEK, PRK, or Epi-LASIK may be a safe alternative, but only if the disease is not too advanced.

Click here for more information on vision disorders.

If you have Fuch’s dystrophy and are considering LASIK, talk to your ophthalmologist about safe alternatives today.

Eye Safety at Home

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:42:00 +0000

Vision plays an important role in everyday life. Eye safety should be a part of everyday life, too. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the risks that they take until it is too late and an injury occurs. Eye injuries can happen anywhere, at work, at school, and even on the road. More often, eye injuries happen at home, where we tend to be more careless. About 40% of serious eye injuries occur in the home.

Household Chemicals
Seemingly mundane activities, such as house cleaning and lawn care, pose many dangers to your eyes. Carelessness and misuse of cleaning products, fertilizers, and pesticides can cause permanent blindness, among other injuries and death. Here are some things you can do to protect your eyes when using household chemicals:

Always wash your hands after using any household chemical. This includes thoroughly rinsing your hands after activities such as washing dishes.
Point nozzles away from your face
Work in a well ventilated area
Do not mix cleaning agents
Wear chemical safety goggles when using solvents and detergents
Store all cleaning and lawn care products securely. These products should be out of the reach of children and pets and in the proper container, sealed securely, so that they cannot spill or leak.
Keep you face away from the work area. This may sound obvious, but people often get household chemicals in their eyes due to splashing when pouring chemicals into a container or applying cleaning products.
Other Household Dangers
Eye trauma can be caused by furniture, toys, power tools and other household items. There are many ways to improve eye safety at home including:

Check for sharp edges on furniture and fixtures
Keep sharp objects away from children
Only use power tools and lawn equipment that is well maintained
Always wear protective eye wear when using power tools and lawn equipment
Make sure that all toys are age appropriate
Point champagne bottles away from your face when opening
Sports
Sports pose a wide variety of dangers to the eyes. Some sporting activities, such as paintball and target practice, carry an obvious risk, and most people are aware of the need for protective eyewear when engaging in these activities. Basketball is actually the leading cause of sport-related eye injury, followed by water sports and pool activities, and baseball/softball. Protective eyewear is available for every sport. Proper sporting eyewear bears an American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) code.

Sun
Wear sunglasses with UV protection during all outdoor activities including yard work, lounging, and play. Never stare directly at the sun, not even during an eclipse.

Prescriptions
Corrective lenses should not prevent the use of, or be worn in place of, protective eyewear. Hardware stores sell protective goggles which can be worn over prescription glasses. Safety glasses and protective eyewear for sports are available with prescription lenses.

Eyesight is easily taken for granted, and eye safety is often forgotten. 90% of eye injuries are preventable. Basic eye safety at home takes just a little bit of time and effort and can prevent blindness.

Talk to your eye doctor about eye safety and protective eyewear today.

Eye Care For Diabetics

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:37:00 +0000

People with diabetes are at a high risk for developing diabetic eye diseases. High blood sugar levels are the root of the problem, causing damage to the blood vessels and the lens of the eye. Tight control of blood sugar levels can reduce the chances of vision loss. The most common eye problems caused by diabetes are diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Nearly half of diabetics develop diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in the United States.

High blood sugar damages the blood vessels resulting in poor circulation and lack of delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. Damage to the walls of the blood vessels in the retina can cause them to balloon or leak fluid and blood, blocking the retina and therefore blocking vision. Fluid can accumulate in the macula, the center of the retina, and cause swelling called macular edema, blurring and distorting vision.

Poor circulation, which decreases oxygen to the retina, can stimulate growth of new blood vessels. These blood vessels are weak and fragile and will bleed inside the eye, can cause scaring inside the eye and retinal detachments. All of which can cause permanent vision loss. If these new blood vessels begin to grow on the iris they can cause neovascular glaucoma.

Regular eye exams, with dilation, are really the only way to protect the eyes from this condition. There are no early warning signs such as blurred vision, redness, or pain. When caught early, retinopathy can be treated to prevent further permanent damage. Laser treatments can stop the leaking and shrink the abnormal vessels.

Cataracts
People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cataracts. Large, rapid shifts in blood sugar levels allow sugar to diffuse into the lens of the eye, causing it to swell and blurring vision. Over time the repeated swelling will damage the lens, making the lens permanently cloudy, causing a cataract.

Glaucoma
People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma. Glaucoma involves high pressure inside of the eye which eventually causes damage to the optic nerve. High blood sugar can damage the cells of a part of the eye called the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork allows fluid to flow out of the eye. Damage to these cells can prevent the fluid from flowing out, causing pressure to build inside the eye. Left untreated, this pressure causes damage to the optic nerve resulting in permanent vision loss or blindness. Medications and surgery are used to treat glaucoma.

Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure can prevent the damage from occurring in the first place, but even most people who maintain stable blood sugar levels will suffer some damage after having diabetes for fifteen years or more.

Preserving Vision
Regular eye exams are the key to preserving vision, if you have diabetes. Most eye problems associated with the disease do not begin to reveal themselves until extensive damage has already occurred, but an exam with dilation can detect the problem early and treatment can stop the damage in its tracks.

If you have diabetes talk to your eye doctor about regular eye exams and a prevention program today. The Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado are highly experienced in diabetic eye laser treatment, and the Berg.Feinfeld Vision Correction Center of Los Angeles, California has many experienced ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) who are able to answer your vision correction questions.

Extended Wear Contacts or LASIK

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:35:00 +0000

When it comes to vision problems, it can sometimes be difficult for patients to “see” the correct answer. Although the technology has evolved to the point where most people no longer need to wear glasses or daily contacts, there are many choices available, and it can be difficult to determine what is best for you.

There are two main types of procedures that can be used to replace glasses and daily-wear contacts – they are continuous wear contacts and corrective surgical procedures like LASIK.

Continuous, or extended, wear contacts are made of silicone hydrogel – a material which allows oxygen to pass through the lens, thus keeping the eye healthy. They can be worn, day and night, for 30 days, after which they need to be replaced.

LASIK is a procedure where a laser light reshapes the cornea. The cornea is the clear front part of the eye which covers the pupil. LASIK a very precise procedure, approved by the FDA, and has been successfully performed on over three million people. Now, wikth custom LASIK, most patients end up with at least 20/20 vision or better.

Both procedures work in a similar fashion. When a person is nearsighted or farsighted, it’s the result of an improperly shaped cornea. Normally, light enters the cornea, which reflects the light onto the back of the eye, creating a clear image. If a person’s cornea is too flat, images close up become blurred (this is called hyperopia.) If the cornea is too steep, it’s the far away images which become blurred (which is called myopia.)

To improve poor vision, one or both corneas must be corrected. Contacts – continuous wear contacts included – change the angle with which light enters the cornea. So even though the cornea itself is still misshaped, the eye receives light in such a way that the blurriness is eliminated.

LASIK, however, actually corrects the problem on a deeper level. An excimer laser, using a three-dimensional map of the eye as a guide, reshapes the actual cornea. After undergoing LASIK, most patients no longer require glasses or contacts of any type.

So, which is better – LASIK or extended wear contacts? There are pros and cons to each.

Both are effective at correcting all sorts of vision problems: myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and more. Neither procedure is painful. However, there are two key differences: price and maintenance.

LASIK averages about $1,900 per eye. However, in the long run, LASIK is actually cheaper than extended wear contacts, which cost, on average, about one dollar a day. While patients must continually purchase extended wear contacts, the LASIK procedure is a one-time cost, and the results typically last a lifetime.

Extended wear contacts have some advantages – the prescription can be changed over time, and there is no surgery. However, for patient’s whose vision problems have stabilized, LASIK treatment is actually cheaper and more effective – especially now that the LASIK procedure is faster, safer and less invasive than ever before.

If you wear glasses or daily-wear contacts, and are interested in a more permanent solution to your vision problems, please see your eye doctor today. While there are many options available, only a personal consultation with a professional can give you the specific information you’ll need to make a “clear” decision.

Click here for more information on LASIK vision correction.

Epithelial and Stromal Dystrophies

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Epithelial and stromal dystrophies are inherited corneal dystrophies that can sometimes be painful, impair vision, and erode the cornea. Even if no noticeable symptoms are present, the cornea may be weakened.

Epithelial Dystrophies
Epithelial dystrophies affect the epithelial layer of the cornea. This is the outermost layer and protects the eye. It is very sensitive because it is full of nerve endings.

Epithelial Basement Membrane Dystrophy
(map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy)
Most people do not experience symptoms, but some have painful foreign body sensations and a few have temporary blurry vision after the age of 30. It is the most common epithelial dystrophy. An eye patch or a bandage contact are sometimes used to treat pain and allow the cornea to heal.

Reis-Bücklers’ Dystrophy
Symptoms of Reis-Bücklers’ Dystrophy tend to appear in childhood and affect both eyes equally. The surface of the cornea may become hazy and irregular. Symptoms include light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, and vision impairment. In some cases a corneal transplant is necessary, but condition can come back very quickly, destroying the new cornea as well.

Meesmann’s Dystrophy
The primary symptom of Meesmann’s Dystrophy is foreign body sensation caused by epithelial erosion. It usually affects both eyes equally, and in most cases does not cause vision loss. Symptoms may appear as early as one to two years old or may not appear until middle age. The condition is very rare.

Stromal Dystrophies
The stroma is an inner layer of the cornea. It makes up about 90% of the cornea’s thickness. It is 75 percent water and also contains collagen which makes the cornea strong and flexible.

Granular Dystrophy
Granular dystrophy normally occurs before the age of 20, but does not become noticeable until later in life. It starts out as tiny grayish dots, visible only through a microscope. Gradually the dots become larger and are visible to the naked eye. Some people experience vision loss after 50, and may experience light sensitivity and foreign body sensation. In a few cases corneal transplant is necessary, but the dystrophy may come back within five years.

Macular Dystrophy
Macular dystrophy often causes severe vision loss in early adulthood. It begins with small, irregular cloudy areas on the cornea, which grow and cover the eye, eventually causing vision loss. It can cause severe light sensitivity. A cornea transplant is often required. The dystrophy may return, but it usually takes at least 20 years.

Lattice Dystrophy
Lattice dystrophy can appear at any time in life, but normally appears in children between two and seven years old. Abnormal protein fibers accumulate and make lines in the cornea. Over time the lines get darker and converge. The cornea becomes cloudy and may impair vision. Lattice dystrophy can cause very painful recurrent epithelial erosion. For some a corneal transplant may be necessary. After a transplant, the dystrophy may come back in five to ten years.

Corneal dystrophies range in severity from being unnoticeable to causing blindness and severe pain. A corneal transplant is often the only effective treatment, and with some types of dystrophies the results may not be long lasting. Because the cornea is weakened, and sometimes in a constantly changing state, LASIK is usually not recommended, but there are sometimes exceptions or alternatives.

Click here for more information on vision disorders.

If you are considering LASIK and have corneal dystrophy or a family history of corneal dystrophy, ask your ophthalmologist about the risks and alternatives today.

EPI-LASIK

noreply@blogger.com (Rich-Daddy) — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Epi-LASIK may be a solution for those who don’t qualify for traditional LASIK.

Sight for sore eyes

Suffering under the weight of your glasses? Contacts popping out at all the wrong times? If you're tired of vision correction band-aids and want something more permanent to help you see clearly, the latest refractive surgery is in plain sight. Many doctors are now performing Epi-LASIK, such as Dr. Bruckner of Augusta, Georgia and Dr. Robbins in Rochester, New York. If you're not a candidate for a standard LASIK procedure, but you're ready to discard your bulky visual aids, epi-LASIK may be the solution for you. Ask your laser eye surgeon if epi-LASIK is right for your eyes.

What is Epi-LASIK?

Epi-LASIK is short for Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis. This surgical procedure generates an even better outcome as other laser-guided corrective eye procedures, but is customized for people with special conditions such as thin corneas, large pupils or dry eyes. This advanced procedure combines the best facets of two traditional laser vision correction techniques–LASIK and PRK. Both procedures create a flap of the cornea or epithelium, the cornea's outer most surface, to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism via laser. Epi-LASIK achieves the same results while maintaining the integrity of the cornea, giving those with special circumstances a safer route to contacts–or glasses–free vision.

Epi-LASIK Step one

The laser eye surgeon uses a precise instrument called an epikeratome to separate the edge of the epithelium (the outer cornea) and fold a flap back out of the way. (Dr. Robbins outlines the procedure in great detail.)

Epi-LASIK Step two

Using an excimer laser, the laser eye surgeon then sculpts the newly exposed surface corneal tissue to correct vision.

Epi-LASIK Step three

Finally, the epithelial flap is gently folded back on the eye with a spatula-like instrument and begins healing.

Is Epi-LASIK right for me?

It's possible that you may not qualify for Epi-LASIK and a traditional LASIK procedure will give you the most ideal results. However, if your laser eye surgeon detects that your corneas are naturally too thin, flat or steep, Epi-LASIK could be the solution for you. If your professional or leisure activities put you at risk for injury to the eye or you are wary of the surgical blades used to score the deep cornea during LASIK, Epi-LASIK is an option worth discussing. Other candidates include those with large pupils or dry eye syndrome.Ask your laser eye surgeon if Epi-LASIK is right for you!

This article about Epi-LASIK has been provided courtesy of DoctorDirect.