Free LASIK? : IntraLase Offers Free Corneal Transplantation for Fusarium Keratitis Victims

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that of the over 120 patients who suffer from the recent Fusarium keratitis outbreak, 30% require corneal transplants. That is why the IntraLase Corp. has been so highly praised for offering free corneal transplantation procedures to those who suffer from this modern disease.

Granted that patients are still responsible for the surgeon and hospital fees associated with the procedure, this is still a major hope for people who had no say in their situation. According to Robert J. Palmisano, president and CEO of IntraLase, "...some of these patients are left with no other option than a corneal transplant. The new application of our laser in corneal transplant surgery gives us a unique opportunity to assist those in need. We hope this gesture will not only alleviate some of the out-of-pocket expense associated with corneal transplant surgery, but also provide a sense of security and a rapid return to functional vision."

The IntraLase FS Laser offered is the first laser in the U.S. which creates innovative corneal incisions for full thickness corneal transplants. The ultra-fast femtosecond laser allows a precision which enables tissue to fit together as cleanly as puzzle peices. The laser shows a superior ability from other laser systems in creating corneal incisions with micron-level accuracy. Roger F. Steinert, M.D. says, "We are grateful to IntraLase for their humanitarian aid to Fusarium patients."

If you or someone you know has suffered Fusarium keratitis or needs a corneal transplant procedure, feel free to contact any of these fine LASIK ophthalmologists specializing in corneal transplant surgery:

• Dr. Sambursky of New York, New York.
• The Carter Eye Center of Dallas, Texas.
• The ClearSight Center of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• The Myers Eye Center of Chicago, Illinois.
  

Cataract Surgery and Diabetes : No Need to Fear Your Doctor!

The following is the story of a Japanese woman living in Los Angeles who found herself quickly and unexpectedly losing her vision. As a journalist for a successful Los Angeles-based Japanese sports paper, Eiko suddenly found an already challenging job becoming more difficult. She was suffering from a rapidly failing eyesight, not understanding why and too scared of doctors to say anything.

Finally, during a visit to Japan in the spring of 1999, Eiko visited an eye doctor for what she thought would be a prescription change, only to discover that she was losing her vision due to cataracts. Eiko remained in disbelief of her problems, thinking of cataracts as something only contracted by the elderly. Although she had had eye problems since she was a child, cataracts were unexpected in women only fifty years old. She went to L.A. located Dr. Robert E. Feinfield for another opinion.

Her ophthalmologist agreed that cataracts at her age were a rare condition, although there was a reasonable cause - diabetes. Dramatic, sudden decrease of vision at people Eiko's age was often a good indication of cataracts caused by diabetes. Dr. Feinfield ran some tests and did discover an extremely high blood sugar level. Eiko was assured, however, that her cataracts were nothing to be afraid of as there was no possibility of her going blind due to a reliable cataract-removal procedure available.

Replacing the natural lens of the eye with a silicone implant is a surprisingly simple, quick procedure that eliminates cataracts. The procedure takes only forty-five minutes, involving only two tiny incisions in the cornea. Eiko gained help with her diabetes two months before the procedure, and was placed on a regular diet and medication in order to regulate her blood-sugar levels, so that no complications would arise during the procedure.

Upon Eiko's post-operation examination, she discovered that her vision had been completely restored in that eye. She declared, "I can see now!" as nurses showed her her blood levels and heart rates on a monitor at her feet. Looking around the room, she spoke of one nurse, saying, "I can see her face now, and she’s smiling."

If you would like to learn more about Eiko's story or have questions of your own about cataract surgery, feel free to contact Dr. Feinfield of Los Angeles, California.