All-laser Cataract Surgery

This year's ASCRS/ASOA meeting was the first time in many years that I was able to attend a number of courses (other than my own), and spend time on the exhibition floor with many of the vendors and get a broader feel for the industry beyond LASIK website marketing and design.

One technology that appears to be on the horizon is all-laser cataract surgery. Augusta, Georgia LASIK and cataract surgeon, Howard Brucker, MD. Introduced me to this emerging technology and the surgical benefits for the doctor and patient.

-more consistent incision length
-more consistant incision angle
-more precise incision than a blade for quicker healing
-more efficient and precise extraction of cataract lens
-more predictable insertion of the new lens

Overall, safety and efficiency may make this the way cataract surgery will be performed in the near future. This may also be part of what can drive the consumer market for the lifestyle and safety of premium lens surgery.

I believe I heard the time frame for FDA approval of this technology may be as soon as October. If that is the case, then the timing for marketing it may coincide with year-end Medicare deductables being met. May be a good time to start considering your cataract/premium lens marketing efforts.

Large Pupils May Rule Out LASIK Candidacy

Most discussions about being a candidate for LASIK surgery center on the condition of your cornea. There is a good reason for this. LASIK is a surgical procedure that reshapes your cornea in order to correct refractive errors in your vision. Consequently, people with corneas that are too thin, too steep, or too irregularly shaped may experience a greater likelihood of complications from LASIK, ruling them out as candidates for the procedure.

However, another factor affecting LASIK candidacy that is much less frequently talked about is the size of your pupils. Your pupil is the opening in the center of the iris that lets light into your eye. The size of your pupil changes based on the lighting conditions present at any given time. In bright light, your pupils will get smaller, allowing less light to penetrate. In low light conditions, your pupils will grow larger so that more light can pass into your eye.

Under normal lighting conditions, the diameter of an average sized pupil is 3 millimeters. However, the majority of pupils fall under a wider range, generally 2 millimeters to 6 millimeters. Those with pupils that naturally fall in the larger end of this range during normal lighting conditions may experience a greater chance of LASIK complications.

Frequently, people with large pupils have a greater risk of developing halos after LASIK. This could pose a particular problem when driving at night. At your initial consultation, your LASIK surgeon will evaluate a variety of factors, including the size of your pupils, before determining whether you are a suitable candidate for LASIK.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced LASIK surgeon in your area.

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Green Tea May Protect Eyes from Glaucoma and Other Diseases

Earlier this week, the American Chemical Society released a study indicating that the healthful substances found in green tea may benefit the long term health of your eyes. According to the study, the powerful antioxidants in green tea penetrate eye tissues. Therefore, it is highly possible that green tea may protect against a variety of serious eye diseases, including glaucoma.

Researchers have listed green tea "catechins" as part of the group of antioxidants which may protect your eyes from disease. These include:

• Vitamin C
  
• Vitamin E
  
• Lutein
  
• Zeaxanthin
  

This is the first study to demonstrate that the catechins in green tea actually pass from the stomach through the blood stream, ultimately getting absorbed by tissues in the eye. These studies, which analyzed the eye tissues of rats that consumed green tea, demonstrated that their eye structures absorbed substantial amounts of these catechins.

The rats participating in the study experienced a reduction of harmful oxidative stress in their eyes for as long as 20 hours. This has led researchers to conclude that regular consumption of green tea may be an excellent way to reduce oxidative stress in the eye.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in elderly Americans. It is caused by an increase in intraocular pressure which ultimately does permanent damage to the retina. This study may provide people with an easy, healthy, and inexpensive method to help prevent the development of glaucoma.

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced ophthalmologist near you.

Preparing for LASIK Surgery

There are several important steps to take when preparing for LASIK
surgery to ensure your procedure goes as smoothly as possible. At your initial consultation, your LASIK surgeon should review these points with you in detail. If you have any questions about how to prepare for LASIK, make sure to ask your surgeon at this time.

Please keep the following points in mind when preparing for LASIK:

• Stop wearing contact lenses - You will need to stop wearing your contact lenses for at least two weeks prior to surgery. The actual time period may vary depending on the type of contact lenses you wear and how long you have been wearing them.
  
• Stop wearing makeup - Makeup, lotions, perfumes, and creams can get into your eyes, increasing the chance of infection. Therefore, refrain from using these items prior to surgery.
  
• Take time off from work - Make sure to inform you employer that you will need several days off following your LASIK procedure to allow your eyes time to properly heal.
  
• Arrange for a ride home following surgery - You will not be able to drive after your LASIK procedure. Therefore, you will need to arrange for someone to give you a ride home. If your ride plans to wait while you undergo surgery, make sure he knows it may take several hours before you are ready to leave.
  
• Know the cost of your surgery - LASIK is generally considered an elective procedure, and most insurance carriers will not cover the cost of your surgery. Make sure you are fully aware of all of the expenses associated with your procedure before moving forward.
  

Please contact the LASIK Directory today to find an experienced LASIK surgeon in your area.

LASIK Risks

LASIK
surgery is a very effective way to correct refractive errors in vision such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The procedure is extremely safe, and it enjoys one of the highest success rates of any surgical procedure.

However, as with any surgery, there is always the risk of complications. The following list highlights some of the most common risks associated with LASIK. It is important to discuss these risks with your LASIK surgeon before deciding whether to undergo surgery:

• Dry Eye Syndrome - Some LASIK patients have difficulty producing tears following LASIK. This can be treated with eye drops or punctal eye plugs.
  
• Under- or Over-Correction - LASIK surgery uses a laser to reshape your cornea, enabling light to properly focus on your retina. Occasionally, this corneal reshaping either over-corrects or under-corrects for your refractive error. This can generally be fixed with a touch-up procedure.
  
• Imperfect Vision - Not all LASIK patients end up with 20/20 vision following surgery. If you have a very strong prescription, it is likely that while your vision will be vastly improved, you may still need glasses following your surgery.
  
• Higher Order Aberrations - Some LASIK patients experience higher order aberrations such as glare, halos, or starbursts during night vision.
  
• Inflammation and Infection - As with any surgical procedure, there is always the risk of inflammation or infection. Your LASIK surgeon will give you careful instructions regarding follow-up care to reduce this risk.
  

Please contact the LASIK Directory to find an experienced LASIK surgeon in your area.