The LASIK Blog

Throw Away Your Bifocals With the ReStor Implant

Joan Gellis has been wearing bifocal glasses and monovision contact lenses for the past few years.  When Joan developed cataracts, she learned that there was a possibility of eliminating both, with the implantation of the ReSTOR IOL at the time of her cataract surgery.

With the help of this multifocal implant, Joan is now able to read, work on the computer, and drive without the need for glasses or contact lenses!  Her only complaint, "I didn't do it sooner!"

Joan was kind enough to share her experience with the ReSTOR at EyeCare 20/20.

Olympian Dan Joye Enjoying His LASIK!

LASIK for the Gold member Dan Joye, of USA Luge, was in the office this week for his LASIK follow-up.  He said he is enjoying his new vision without contacts or glasses, and is looking forward to competing for the Gold in next year's winter games in Vancouver.

As a show of his appreciation, Dan presented me with the Luge suit that he wore during the 2006 Olympics in Torino!  The suit is being framed so that it can be hung in our office..

Dan also took some time to talk about his LASIK experience and his goals for the coming season.

US Healthcare run Amok: Conjunctivitis treated for a mere $2500!

I was on call this past week for my local hospital.  This means that I cover the hospital for all eye problems including emergency visits and in patient consults.  Since I do all my surgical procedures in an Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC), and since my hospital call obligations are only once a year, I have very little contact with the present day hospital environment.

Saturday afternoon, I received a call from an attending at the hospital, requesting a consult for one of his patients.  He stated that the patient had left eye pain and needed to be seen that day.  After dinner, I went to see this patient.

The patient was a 52 year old woman.  She was in the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV, receiving pain medication for her eye pain.  A brief history revealed that she had been experiencing some eye pain and light sensitivity for the past 3 days.  She decided to go to the ER when her condition had not improved on Saturday.  She was admitted to the hospital thru the ER for this eye pain!

Exam revealed hat this patient had a simple conjunctivitis with some inflammation in the front if her eye,  Treatment was simply some antibiotic and steroid eye drops.  I called the attending doc the next day REAL early, before my Sunday bike ride, knowing I would wake him up.  I told him what I found and what I recommended.  He said he would discharge the patient and have her follow up at my office this week.  I than asked him why she was admitted to the hospital.  I was hoping there might be another reason, other than the eye pain.  Wrong, she was admitted for unexplained eye pain!  I conveyed my displeasure with the attending and said goodbye.

On would think that this patient had no insurance.  It would less "expensive" for her to go the the ER and be treated for "free" than to spend $125 at an eye doctor's office and another $75 at the pharmacy for the eye drops.  But this patient did have insurance through an HMO!  The HMO will now incur the ER costs of around $500 to treat this patient, but to make matters worse was the hospital admission.  I would estimate that the total cost to the HMO to treat this woman's conjunctivitis will be in excess of $2500 as opposed to the $200 it would have cost as an out patient!   This translates into higher premiums for you and me...

I have no answers... Something is drastically wrong with the system, and it needs to be fixed fast!  What do you think??

Taking the Sting Out of Pool Water

Are you experiencing eye irritation after swimming in a pool? Irritation is typically not caused by high levels of chlorine, as most people suggest, it is often caused by poor pH levels, or water that is not chemically balanced. The human eye carries a pH of about 7.2. Exposure to pH levels significantly lower or significantly high than 7.2 will irritate the eye. That is why citrus fruits that are acidic and soaps and shampoos that are alkaline sting our eyes as well. A pool water pH of between 7.2-7.8 is recommended for ideal eye comfort and disinfection.

By testing the swimming pool water and correcting these levels daily, the problem should disappear. To keep from experiencing eye irritation while swimming, always wear goggles or a mask.

Safely Celebrating The Total Solar Eclipse

On Wednesday, July 22, 2009 there will be a total solar eclipse of the Sun. It is the longest eclipse that any of us may ever witness in this lifetime at 6 minutes and 39 seconds and will not be exceeded again until 2132. Although no part of the eclipse will be visible from the continental United States, China will be provided with the best view. The path of the totality will begin in Eastern India and will end about 2,000 miles south of Hawaii. This is the second in a series of three eclipses in one month. There was a lunar eclipse on July 7, and now the solar eclipse on the 22nd and a lunar eclipse again on August 6.

Whenever a solar eclipse is expected, there is much concern over risk of eye damage while watching the event. Danger to the eye is from heat, UV and excessive blue light. There is no damage to the eye in looking directly at the total solar eclipse, however the risk is greatest just prior to its totality or during its partial phases when the disk is present. The 1 percent of the Sun's surface that is just visible before the eclipse is 10,000 times brighter than the full moon. Staring at the sun under these circumstances can damage the retina. According to Dick Land, of the Schepens Research Institute at Harvard, the danger comes from the fact an eclipse changes the circular, too bright disk, into something interesting. The brightness is the same and still too great, but in eclipse there is a shape, a black part, and the crescent remaining of the sun. Now the normal safety feature of eye motion is defeated by the cognitive event of having a point to fixate. The two sharp cusps are points that the eye may focus upon and now the damaging image on the retina is stopped on the most sensitive neural tissue. This short stoppage begins damage from all mechanisms, too much blue light, too much UV, and too much heat. This damage is not recoverable. To observe the bright phases of the eclipse, a projected image is the safest. There are filter options, but caution should be used advises Mr. Land.

Total solar eclipses can be frightening events for people unaware of their astronomical nature, as the Sun suddenly disappears in the middle of the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes. According to Yahoo News Sourced, Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.

Whatever your views, a total solar eclipse is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy the beauty and spectacle of nature's wonder.

ReStor IOL Implantation for Cataracts 15 Years After RK

Lucy Jenkins had RK surgery back in 1994, giving her excellent vision over the years.  She recently came in to my office complaining of a decrease in visual acuity.  She was diagnosed with cataracts and was in need of surgery.  After careful consultation it was decided to implant the ReStor IOL.

Lucy underwent cataract surgery in both eyes with excellent results.  She is now able to read, work on her computer, watch TV, and drive without the need for glasses or contact lenses.  In this video, Lucy discusses her experience at EyeCare 20/20.

5 Eye "Travel Tips" for Summer Vacation

Are you ready to take that much needed summer vacation? Here are a few quick tips to help you arrive at your destination bright eyed and ready to go!

1. If you'll be traveling by air, cabin pressure and low humidity on airplanes can take its toll on most passengers, especially those who wear contact lenses. The result can be scratchy eyes, dried contact lenses and blurred vision. Be sure you take with you some artificial tears and use them liberally throughout the flight to help keep eyes lubricated.

2. Avoid alcohol consumption and caffeine as these can aggravate the effects of dry eyes.

3. Be sure you carry a back up pair of eyeglasses in case you need to remove your lenses or they are lost during your trip. Also bring a copy of your current eyeglass prescription in case you need to have a new pair made while away from home.

4. Pack plenty of solutions and cleaning products for contact lenses. Before you leave, check FAA regulations to confirm new restrictions on carry liquids in travel-on luggage.

5. Remember your sunglasses and make sure they have the proper UV protection if you will be spending prolonged time in the sun.

Bon Voyage and have a great trip! Don't forget your charger, an extra battery and extra memory card for your digital camera. Take lots of wonderful pictures and make some fantastic vacation memories wherever your travels may take you this summer.