Lasik

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced the launch of a collaborative study with the National Eye Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense to examine the potential impact on quality of life from Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), a surgical procedure that uses an eximer laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea.

The goal of the LASIK Quality of Life Collaboration Project is to determine the percentage of patients with significant quality of life problems after LASIK surgery and identify predictors of these problems.

Funded by the government agencies, the project is composed of three phases. The objective of Phase 1, which began in July 2009, is to design and implement a Web?based questionnaire to assess patient-reported outcomes and evaluate quality of life issues post-LASIK, some of which may relate to the safety of the lasers used in the LASIK procedure.

Phase 2 will evaluate the quality of life and satisfaction following LASIK as reported by patients in a select, active duty population treated at the Navy Refractive Surgery Center.

Phase 3 will be a national, multi-center clinical trial and will study the impact of the procedure on quality of life following LASIK in the general population. Patient enrollment in Phases 2 and 3 have yet to begin but plans are underway. Phase 3 is expected to end in 2012.

The results of the project will help identify factors that can affect quality of life following LASIK and potentially reduce the risk of adverse effects that can impact the surgical outcome. If any of these factors are related to the safety or effectiveness of the lasers used in LASIK surgery, the FDA will evaluate whether any action is necessary. The project is part of the FDA’s ongoing effort to better monitor and improve the safety and effectiveness of the lasers used in LASIK surgery.

“This study will enhance our understanding of the risks of LASIK and could lead to a reduction in patients who experience adverse effects from the procedure,” said Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

The FDA also announced that it issued warning letters to 17 LASIK ambulatory surgical centers after inspections revealed inadequate adverse event reporting systems at all the centers. The inspections did not identify problems with the use of the LASIK devices at these facilities.

Under legislation passed in 1990, user facilities, which include nursing homes, outpatient clinics and ambulatory surgical centers, must report device-related deaths to the FDA and to the device manufacturer. They also must report device-related serious injuries to the manufacturer or to the FDA if the manufacturer is not known. Requirements include having a written protocol for adverse event reporting.

The FDA inspected ambulatory surgical facilities that perform LASIK over the past several months and additional inspections are pending. The FDA regulates ophthalmic lasers used in LASIK, including monitoring their continued safety and effectiveness by analyzing reports on their post-market use.

“Many people in the U.S. undergo LASIK procedures,” said Shuren. “Ambulatory surgical centers that perform LASIK must maintain a robust reporting system as required by law. Reporting adverse events to the FDA is critical to better understand the safety and effectiveness of ophthalmic lasers used in LASIK procedures and to enable the FDA to take appropriate actions where the lasers do not meet safety and effectiveness requirements.”
Media Inquiries: Peper Long, 301-796-4671, mary.long@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA

For more information:

The FDA’s Web site on LASIK:

http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/SurgeryandLifeSupport/LASIK/default.htm

FDA Guidance: Medical Device Reporting for User Facilities:

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/MedicalDevices/DeviceRegulationandGuidance/GuidanceDocuments/UCM095266.pdf

Yet as amazing as all this technology sounds, many people still are uncomfortable with the fact that there is a blade involved, to make the flap. Others still, find themselves not an ideal candidate for traditional LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles. For these and other patients, there are other options for vision correction.

With the IntraLase method, pulses of laser light create your corneal flap, which is then lifted so the next step of LASIK – the reshaping of your cornea – can be performed. When your LASIK treatment is over, the flap is securely repositioned into place. A qualified laser eye surgeon Los Angeles will be able to determine whether you are a good candidate for the IntraLase Method.

At the Maloney Vision Institute Dr. Robert Maloney has had many years of clinical experience correcting the vision of thousands of patients using a variety of techniques, and has personally performed over 45,000 LASIK procedures. In a nationwide survey of eye surgeons, Dr. Robert Maloney was voted one of America’s Top Ten Vision Correction Specialists. The Los Angeles LASIK specialists at Maloney Vision Institute are leading researchers in the field, and are able to offer customized vision correction options, as well as personalized vision care best suited for your individual eyes. If you’re not a good candidate for any given procedure, they’ll tell you.

Dr. Robert Maloney ABC’s extreme makeover doctor, performed over 50,000 lasik surgery. Los angeles best laser eye center, voted top 10 in USA. for more details visit us : http://www.maloneyvision.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/option-for-bladefree-lasik-surgery-976383.html

What Makes a Someone a Potential LASIK Patient?

According to the Duke University Center for Vision Correction (Winston-Salem, NC), an ideal LASIK candidate should:

• Be at least 18 years old; however, sometimes one will need to be over 21 due to the nature of the procedure. (Age requirement is set by the FDA)
• Have a stable refractive prescription
• There are no significant eye diseases
• One does not have any systematic conditions like lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, or severe rheumatoid arthritis.
• In addition, LASIK is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

When it has been determined that one is a candidate for LASIK, it is necessary to select a qualified surgeon. This can be done by talking to friends, family and coworkers as well as getting the eye doctor’s recommendation. Once one has narrowed down a list of surgeons, there are some additional questions that should be asked of each prospect.

10 Questions to Ask a Prospective LASIK Surgeon

• How many LASIK procedures have been successfully completed? A minimum of 1,000 is the FDA recommendation.
• Is the laser FDA approved and how often is it recalibrated?  The laser should be FDA approved and made in America. Also, the laser should be recalibrated after every 4th use (if not before).
• What percentages of their patients have 20/20 or 20/40 vision after LASIK? These numbers should be high, with 20/40 being the higher percentage.
• How often is the microkeratome incisor changed? These should be changed after every procedure.
• Is there any advanced technology or state of the art equipment used that makes this office unique? Wavefront guided technology is highly valued.
• Has the surgeon ever been involved in a malpractice suit? 1-2 is acceptable-depending on the circumstances, but if there is more than that, one should look elsewhere.
• Has the surgeon ever lost their license? If so, move on.
• How long has the surgeon been doing LASIK surgery? One should find a surgeon who has been performing LASIK for a minimum of 3 years.
• Is the surgeon a member of at least one national organization and one local/state group of LASIK surgeons? A surgeon who is a part of a group is going to be more aware of new techniques, procedures and concerns than one who does not interact with others LASIK surgeons.
• Discus payment arrangements in advance.

LASIK surgery is a fantastic way to “see into the future”. Nevertheless, it is not a something to take lightly. Doing some research and taking one’s time is a great way to ensure that LASIK will provide all that one is looking for.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/lasik-surgery-and-you-how-to-select-a-lasik-surgeon-973082.html

Our patients receive the most advanced treatments for cataracts and glaucoma. However, if you have been having trouble with your eyes and have been examining them closely, you may notice your eyes appearing more tired with age.

Of if you have undergone surgery that has minimized or even eliminated your need for glasses, you may now be more aware of fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes that once hid behind your glasses.

Because of this, we also offer BOTOX® Cosmetic. BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are the ideal non-surgical method for softening facial lines and deep creases caused by:

• Age
• Smiling
• Frowning

How it works

BOTOX® stands for botulinum toxin, a natural protein that inhibits the contraction of facial muscles, working to paralyze the muscles responsible for your wrinkles. The result is a relaxed, smoothed, and more youthful facial appearance. This procedure is proven to be especially effective for the reduction of:

• Horizontal wrinkles across your forehead
• Frown lines that develop in the creases between your eyebrows
• Crow’s feet or “laugh lines” that develop at the edges of your eyes

BOTOX® treatments have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for persons aged 18 to 65. The procedure is safe and does not lead to long-term paralysis in your face and neck.

Beyond wrinkles

Though you have probably only heard of BOTOX® treatments used to treat wrinkles, there are other benefits of these injections. Studies also reveal that these treatments can help alleviate:

• Migraine headaches
• Excessive sweating
• Muscle spasms

Other uses include:

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm is a condition where one or both of your eyelids spasm in an uncontrollable repetition. This involuntary movement can result in temporary vision loss and be especially dangerous when driving or operating heavy machinery. The cause of blepharospasm is not known, but some experts think it may be linked to high stress levels and chronic fatigue.

When BOTOX® is injected into the upper eyelids, this condition can be controlled.

Hemifacial spasms

Hemifacial spasms are forceful, uncontrollable spasms in parts of your face. This condition may be caused by a tumor or by compression in your facial nerves.

BOTOX® injections can treat these spasms until other surgery can be performed. However, if the underlying cause for these hemifacial spasms can not be determined, BOTOX® treatments may be performed every three to six months for control purposes.

If you have noticed the presence of wrinkles or lines and want a non-surgical way to get rid of them, please call our Orange County Office or schedule your appointment online today. Orange County ophthalmologist Dr. Khanna can help restore your youthful appearance in just one visit. Please contact us today.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/benefits-of-lasik-surgeons-offering-botox-treatments-944682.html

“Professional baseball players demand better vision than any other sport.  The ability to read pitches, locate fly balls against a bright sky, or quickly react to streaking line drives is critical to the team’s success.  Our goal was to ensure that every player stepped on the field this season with 20/20 vision or better.”

Perhaps those vision screenings helped more than expected. The Dodgers recently won their 13th straight home victory. Even through the recent shock of losing super slugger Manny Ramirez to a 50 game suspension, Dr. Maloney and staff of the Maloney Vision Institute – providing patients in Los Angeles LASIK vision correction and other custom options – are confident in the team and wish them luck for a great 2009 season.

For more information on Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery by the experts at Maloney Vision Institute visit their website or call 877-999-EYES. For more info and photos from the Dodgers Spring Training visit http://maloneyvision.com/why/manny-ramirez.html.

This past spring, Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeon Dr. Robert Maloney and staff traveled to Glendale, AZ to perform Vision Screenings on over 100 baseball players for the Los Angeles Dodgers and their 5 minor league teams.

“Professional baseball players demand better vision than any other sport.  The ability to read pitches, locate fly balls against a bright sky, or quickly react to streaking line drives is critical to the team’s success.  Our goal was to ensure that every player stepped on the field this season with 20/20 vision or better.”

Perhaps those vision screenings helped more than expected. The Dodgers recently won their 13th straight home victory. Even through the recent shock of losing super slugger Manny Ramirez to a 50 game suspension, Dr. Maloney and staff of the Maloney Vision Institute – providing patients in Los Angeles LASIK vision correction and other custom options – are confident in the team and wish them luck for a great 2009 season.

For more information on Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery by the experts at Maloney Vision Institute visit their website or call 877-999-EYES. For more info and photos from the Dodgers Spring Training visit http://maloneyvision.com/why/manny-ramirez.html.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Dr. Robert Maloney ABC’s extreme makeover doctor, performed over 50,000 lasik surgery. Los angeles best laser eye center, voted top 10 in USA. for more details visit us : http://www.maloneyvision.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/local-los-angeles-lasik-surgeon-visits-the-dodgers-during-spring-training-918364.html

There are many advantages to using reading glasses, they are portable, and you can put them on or remove them as needed. Reading glasses perform their job well. They allow you to see things at close range, and are good for activities like sewing, reading, model building, or anything involving your near vision. As you age, your ability to focus on things nearby worsens, a condition called presbyopia. They are less convenient when you find yourself switching glasses for near and distance vision, or having to change magnifying strength or even your prescription frequently. A major tipping point leading people to finally elect LASIK is when they have to switch to progressive lenses.

There are numerous types of laser refractive surgery from which to chose, including photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, and Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASEK). Since both reading glasses and LASIK help improve vision, there must be a point at which people decide to undergo the procedure and put away their reading glasses. The choice between convenience and the expense of the surgery is one of the main considerations people must make when deciding on surgery.

Some studies indicate that when you add up the total cost of your ophthalmologist visits, the price of your glasses and frames, prescription sunglasses and all the sundry accessories that go with wearing glasses, you could pay for a laser refractive surgery in approximately three years. The cost and inconvenience of wearing and maintaining contact lenses is even greater.

Approximately one million people per year elect to undergo LASIK vision correction in the hope that they will have permanent vision correction. Anywhere from 54 to 84 percent of people experience satisfactory results, depending on which studies you read. A high number of patients have their vision corrected to 20/40 vision, which is good enough to pass most drivers’ license exams, and many are corrected to 20/20 vision.

Like all surgical procedures, LASIK and other laser refractive surgeries have certain risks and complications. The majority of people who are dissatisfied with their LASIK results went into the procedure with unrealistic expectations and actually experience good vision correction. A few people experience problems with night vision issues, infection, or improperly healed corneal flaps, but the percentages are small and can be greatly reduced by finding a highly qualified laser vision surgeon in your area.

If you are tired of your reading glasses and are looking for a permanent vision correction option, don’t let the cost of the procedure hold you back. The procedure can pay for itself in just a few years. Many vision centers offer other financing options that can help you spread out the payments. While most insurance companies do not cover laser vision correction, many companies offer cafeteria plans with medical savings accounts that can be used to defray some, if not all of the costs. It is important to find an experienced laser vision specialist who is qualified to use the latest laser technology.

If you are in the San Diego, Scripps Ranch, or La Jolla, California area, please contact Dr. Paul Huynh for an initial LASIK consultation.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/reading-glasses-vs-lasik-903494.html

IntraLASIK is a laser eye correction technology that creates the corneal flap with the computer
controlled, state-of-the-art IntraLase™ FS laser. The IntraLase FS allows a cool laser light to
pass completely through the corneal surface without potential harm to the outer tissue. The
laser light then travels to the exact computer-programmed location within the eye. Then
following precise specifications for accurate vision correction, the cornea is then gently
reshaped by a laser eye surgeon Orange County sources tell us.

The intralase creates a perfect corneal flap without a blade. By eliminating the surgical blade,
the IntraLase greatly improves the accuracy and precision of the creation of the flap, and
enhances patient satisfaction. The risk of infections and complication related to the flap are
greatly reduced.  For many years in  Orange County laser eye surgeons have successfully
performed these kinds of Lasik vision correction procedures.

The second step of LASIK uses the Visx Star excimer laser to correct the prescription. In
traditional LASIK, only standard prescriptions such as those for glasses or contact lenses can
be corrected. With the introduction of WaveFront Mapping technology and CustomVue, laser
eye surgeons are now able to correct not only the standard prescriptions, but also most of the
imperfections in the entire visual system. Wavefront™ allows for complete personalized
measurements of the entire visual system. After each eye is evaluated, the computer goes
through more than 1 million computations and designs a personalized patient surgical plan.

Dr. Ghosheh reviews this plan and has the option to make adjustments in the treatment plan if
needed. The plan is then directly loaded into the computer of the VISX® Star S4 Excimer Laser
with Active Track.  

From correcting vision to removing a persistent cataract Orange County surgery specialists in your area can help you see better and enjoy life the way it was meant to be seen.

Dr.R.K.Ghosheh is a board-certified ophthalmologist and refractive surgery specialist with extensive experience in laser vision correction, cataract surgery and corneal transplantation. He established Ophthalmology Laser Center in 1985, and since then, has performed more than 40,000 laser vision correction procedures, placing him at the top of his field. More than 90 percent of Dr. Ghosheh’s patients are referrals from satisfied clients.For more details please visit http://www.laserforeyes.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/high-definition-lasik-latest-trends-in-laser-vision-correction-903152.html

Some Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery patients have admitted, having worn glasses almost their entire life, they are often not recognized. Glasses have become their signature look.Take the celebrity patient of Dr. Maloney’s TV game show host Drew Carey. Having undergone LASIK years ago with Dr. Maloney, he still wears glasses on his show, or when in character, because they became part of his signature look.

Other LASIK Los Angeles patients admit, they do not need glasses to see anymore, but they like the designer frames that have even recently graced the models of New York fashion week, and celebrity endorsements for high-end fashion eyewear. They like that people stop them and ask, “Where did you get your glasses?” as well as the fact that they can take them off later, and still have perfect vision.

One young Los Angeles business woman told the Wall Street Journal recently, she wears contacts and non-prescription frames simultaneously. After seeing the trend in fashion eyewear, she picked up several pairs of less expensive, colorful frames, and wears them in turns depending on her outfit. She hopes to get Los Angeles LASIK surgery with Dr. Maloney soon, but in the meantime, she enjoys the look that wearing glasses gives her, especially during business meetings. “Wearing glasses helps her look more like “boss lady” in meetings, she says, and it’s cheaper than buying loads of designer prescription frames.”

Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeon Dr. Robert Maloney has run into a few previous patients of laser vision correction wearing glasses. At first alarmed, Dr. Maloney came to learn that their vision was perfect, but that they chose to wear non-prescription frames as a fashion statement.

Some Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery patients have admitted, having worn glasses almost their entire life, they are often not recognized. Glasses have become their signature look.Take the celebrity patient of Dr. Maloney’s TV game show host Drew Carey. Having undergone LASIK years ago with Dr. Maloney, he still wears glasses on his show, or when in character, because they became part of his signature look.

Other LASIK Los Angeles patients admit, they do not need glasses to see anymore, but they like the designer frames that have even recently graced the models of New York fashion week, and celebrity endorsements for high-end fashion eyewear. They like that people stop them and ask, “Where did you get your glasses?” as well as the fact that they can take them off later, and still have perfect vision.

One young Los Angeles business woman told the Wall Street Journal recently, she wears contacts and non-prescription frames simultaneously. After seeing the trend in fashion eyewear, she picked up several pairs of less expensive, colorful frames, and wears them in turns depending on her outfit. She hopes to get Los Angeles LASIK surgery with Dr. Maloney soon, but in the meantime, she enjoys the look that wearing glasses gives her, especially during business meetings. “Wearing glasses helps her look more like “boss lady” in meetings, she says, and it’s cheaper than buying loads of designer prescription frames.”

Dr. Robert Maloney ABC’s extreme makeover doctor, performed over 50,000 lasik surgery. Los angeles best laser eye center, voted top 10 in USA. for more details visit us : http://www.maloneyvision.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/choosing-to-wear-non-prescription-glasses-after-lasik-859369.html