Night Vision after LASIK

For years, the biggest downside to LASIK surgery was the potential for problems with night vision after the surgery. While there is still a risk of night vision issues today, modern LASIK technology has substantially minimized its likelihood.

People with large pupils and severe myopia or astigmatism will always have a greater risk of post-LASIK night vision problems. On your first visit to your eye surgeon, you will be screened for these risk factors. If your ophthalmologist determines that you are at risk for night vision problems, he will either make adjustments to your procedure or advise you that you may not be a good candidate for LASIK.

Modern technology lets eye surgeons create a blend zone around the laser treatment area. The ability to create a blend zone has substantially reduced the risk of post-LASIK night vision problems.

It is important to remember that regardless of your doctor's technology, you will most likely experience some glare, halos, or rings for a few weeks after the surgery. However, as your eyes heal, these night vision issues should go away.

If you are going to get LASIK surgery, you need to find a doctor who has the most up-to-date excimer laser technology so that your risk of night vision problems is reduced to a minimum. You can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified LASIK surgeon in your area.

LASIK can Treat Eye Cancer Too!

While LASIK surgery is mainly used to correct common vision disorders such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, it can also save your life.

Recently, ophthalmologists have been using LASIK to treat eye cancer. It is an effective treatment method for very early, very thin melanomas that are not too close to the optic nerve. Using LASIK to treat the melanoma can potentially save the patient's vision as well as his life.

Previously, eye cancer patients were forced to undergo serious radiation treatments, and in some cases, lost their eye. The LASIK treatment method provides a vastly improved option that can allow patients to maintain the quality of their life after surgery.

Eye cancer is very rare. It only affects about 2,000 people a year. Doctors aren't sure what causes it, but they believe that prolonged exposure to direct, bright sunlight might put you at risk.

LASIK works much better on eye cancer when the melanoma is detected early. Therefore, it is important to receive regular eye checkups as you get older.

You can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified LASIK surgeon in your area.

You Don't Need to Wait on Cataract Surgery

For years, ophthalmologists have been telling patients that they need to wait until their cataract was ripe to have it surgically removed. As a result, millions of people were forced to suffer a diminished quality of life while their cataracts prevented them from doing the things they loved most dearly in life.

Fortunately, those days are long over. The technology for cataract surgery has been updated and modified to allow for surgery earlier on in cataract development. The results are also much safer and more predictable.

Years ago, cataract surgery involved making a large incision in the eye to pop out the entire cataract in one piece. This led to serious complications if performed to soon. If the cataract wasn't fully developed, it would splinter into small pieces.

Today, eye surgeons use Phacoemulsification to perform cataract surgery. In this process, ultrasound is used to melt the cataract strains so that they can be easily vacuumed out of your eye. An artificial lens is then implanted in your eye to enable proper focusing.

The modern surgical procedure enables ophthalmologists to perform cataract surgery much earlier in the development of the disorder. As a result, you don't have to wait on surgery until your eyesight deteriorates to the point where you can no longer drive, read, watch TV, or perform many of your favorite hobbies. Your cataracts can be removed before they start adversely affecting your daily life.

If you are considering eye surgery to correct your vision problems, you can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.

New Breakthrough in Determining the Causes of Glaucoma

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified thyroid disorder as a risk factor for glaucoma. Their study indicates that people suffering from glaucoma are almost 40% more likely to have had a thyroid disorder earlier in life.

Glaucoma is a degenerative disorder affecting the optic nerve. It is one of the main causes of blindness around the world. The thyroid produces hormones responsible for growth, protein production, and metabolism rate. When it malfunctions, the thyroid can cause increased intraocular pressure, which is a common characteristic of glaucoma.

This study has far-reaching implications for preventative glaucoma measures. It is essential for people with thyroid diseases to visit an ophthalmologist for a regular checkup. Early detection of glaucoma is the best way to minimize the degenerative effects to your eyesight.

The researchers at the University of Alabama are hoping that this new breakthrough will lead to a deeper understanding of the other causes of glaucoma, and enable future studies to improve diagnostic procedures and treatments for the disease.

If you need to schedule a preventative checkup, you can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.

Preventative Checkups Can Save Your Vision

As you get older, you run the risk of developing eye diseases that can cripple your eyesight. Many of these diseases are easily correctible if caught early. However, if untreated, some of these can lead to blindness.

To guard against degenerative eye diseases that develop later in life, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that all adults start going for regular eye checkups at age 40 even if they have perfect vision. These regular checkups can be the difference between a lifetime of healthy vision and decades of struggling with degenerative eye disorders.

Cataracts are the most common of these diseases. More than 50% of Americans will develop cataracts by age 80. They are caused by a clouding of your eye's lens. This clouding occurs when the protein fibers in your lens start to deteriorate and clump together.

If caught early, cataracts are very treatable. However, if not dealt with, cataracts can have severe consequences, and possibly even lead to blindness. Smoking, diabetes, alcoholism, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and a previous eye injury all increase your risk of cataracts. If you have any of these conditions, it is even more important to start scheduling regular preventative checkups as you approach 40.

A comprehensive eye exam can also detect the development of other disorders, such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

If you need to schedule a preventative checkup, you can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.

Horse Receives Prosthetic Eye

A horse has been given a new lease on life. As the result of a successful eye surgery, the horse once again has the chance for a career as a show horse.

The horse, KBuck, lost his eye several days after birth, most likely due to being kicked by his mother. KBuck's owner, Kelsey Chumbley, had accepted the fact that her new horse would most likely be no more than a pet. However, the successful surgery has once again given KBuck a chance as a show horse.

A mold of KBuck's hollow eye socket was used to create the prosthetic eye. It was made out of hard acrylic plastic and hand-painted to mimic the appearance of his natural eye. All details were accounted for, including the rich, blue tones of his iris and the red veins in the whites of his eye.

The prosthetic eye cost approximately $3,000. However, if KBuck can embark on a successful career as a show horse, his earnings will more than cover the expenses of the surgery. Chumbley is confident that judges will have a difficult time detecting the presence of the fake eye.

 

FDA Approves New Eye Anesthetic

There will be a new eye anesthetic available to ophthalmologists very soon. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a product from the eye care company Akorn Inc. Their topical eye anesthetic Akten has cleared its final hurdles and is ready for use.

The FDA approved its Ophthalmic Gel 3.5 percent, which can be used with LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, and refractive surgery procedures. The anesthetic will be available to eye surgeons for use by the end of October.

Approval of Akten is a very big deal. It is the first time the FDA has approved the use of a new eye anesthetic in over 40 years.

The anesthetic was originally scheduled to release earlier this year. However, the FDA had a few questions about manufacturing and control issues, and delayed their approval until these matters were corrected.

If you are considering eye surgery to correct your vision problems, you can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.

LASIK Works on Dogs Too!

So you thought LASIK was only for humans. Well think again. Eye surgery can be used to improve the quality of your pet's life as well.

Recently, a dog in India successfully underwent cataract surgery in one of its eyes. The dog, a 13-year-old Pomeranian, was always bumping into things at home. When its owner took it to the vet, the dog was diagnosed with cataract in both eyes.

Last week, an ophthalmologist surgically corrected the cataract in the dog's right eye. He removed the affected lens and repaired an intra-ocular lens. The dog received an anesthetic during the procedure and was able to go home with its owner that day. Next month, the dog will go back to the ophthalmologist to correct the cataract in its left eye.

The dog has already returned to its normal routine and is running around the house the way he always does. It seems that the surgery was extremely successful.

The most common causes of cataract problems in dogs are diabetes and old age.

Interestingly, this isn't the first time eye surgery has been performed on a dog. Recently, there were two other dogs from the same Indian town that went through similar procedures.

FDA Gets Tough on Unapproved Eye Meds

The FDA is starting to crack down on drug companies that are marketing unapproved eye medication. In particular, they are focusing on companies that are marketing unapproved ophthalmic balanced salt solutions and unapproved topical drugs made with papain. Drug companies have until November 24, 2008 to stop manufacturing these products and until January 21, 2009 to have them off the market. After these dates, the FDA will take action against the drug companies.

Both of these products have been found to have serious health consequences for people who have taken them.

Ophthalmic balanced salt solutions are used during cataract surgery to irrigate the eye. Injuries stemming from the use of unapproved versions of this solution include eye inflammation, cloudy vision, and permanent loss of visual acuity. The only companies that have received FDA approval for their balanced salt solutions are Alcon and Akorn.

Topical drug ointments made with papain have been used for the purpose of removing dead or contaminated tissue in acute and chronic lesions. Unapproved versions of this product have been found to cause hypersensitivity reactions resulting in low blood pressure and rapid heart rate. The FDA has approved this product from the following companies: Accuzyme, Allanfil, Allanzyme, Ethezyme, Gladase, Kovia, Panafil, Pap Urea, and Ziox.

If you are considering eye surgery to correct your vision problems, you can use the links at the bottom of this page to find a qualified ophthalmologist in your area.