Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’
Latisse is a relatively new cosmetic procedure that has been shown to increase the length and fullness of eyelashes. It was approved for cosmetic use in 2008 by the FDA and has since been gaining in popularity, especially with people who do not wear glasses. No matter how long and lush your eyelashes are naturally, if they are behind a pair of corrective lenses they will never be noticed. This is why people who have LASIK surgery find that Latisse is a great way to bring more attention to their eyes after their corrective procedure.
More about Latisse
Latisse is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure (much like BOTOX®, except without the injection) that provides its users with longer, fuller, more attractive eyelashes. It is a topical formula that is applied over a period of a few months. Most people begin to see results from this treatment after about 8 weeks of use, and full results after 4 months. Results from Latisse are not permanent, so treatment must be on-going or the next round of eyelashes will revert to their former length.
Benefits of Latisse
Many people are born with sparse eyelashes that bring no attention to the eyes and even mascara will do little for. These people have what’s called “eyelash hypotrichosis.” Fortunately, Latisse can help these people get the eyelashes they’ve only dreamed of. Benefits of Latisse include longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes.
Possible side-effects of Latisse
Latisse, as with any other cosmetic procedure, has pros and cons. Latisse is a relatively new drug, so it has yet to be seen whether or not there are any long-term side-effects to its use, although some of the darkening effects may be permanent. Here are some possible side-effects that have been noted so far:
- Itchy, or red eyes
- Darkened pigment in the irises
- Darkened eyelids
- Inflammation of the cornea
Latisse should only be applied to the upper eyelid and only where indicated by your doctor. Please follow the instructions as closely as possible to achieve maximum results and decrease your chances of experiencing any of these side-effects.
Is Latisse Safe if I’ve had LASIK Surgery?
Yes, Latisse is safe to use if you have had LASIK eye surgery. Most doctors will recommend waiting for a few months after you have received LASIK to begin a Latisse regimen, but only because the application might disturb the flap that is in the process of healing.
If you have any more questions about Latisse and LASIK eye surgery and you live in Chicago or Arlington Heights, Illinois, please visit the website of the Doctors for Visual Freedom to find out more about how these two procedures can change your life.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/lasik-and-latisse-1456961.html
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Choosing a LASIK eye surgeon is a decision that will last you a lifetime. The results from your LASIK surgery will last forever, so it is an investment in your future that will continue to give back to you for a long time to come. Choosing a LASIK surgeon is sometimes not as difficult as choosing a doctor for a more serious operation, but the results from a bad decision can potentially have just as devastating an effect on you life.
What to Look for in a LASIK Surgeon
Many people want the benefits of LASIK surgery, but have no idea where to start when it comes to what questions to ask to find the best surgeon for them. Here are a few things to make sure of when choosing a LASIK surgeon:
- Education: Check to see which medical school your doctor graduated from and if he/she continues to receive training in the latest LASIK eye surgery techniques and equipment.
- Licensing: You can check your doctor’s credentials on state licensing boards as well as going through the National Practitioners Data Bank to find out more about your doctor.
- Advertisements: An advertisement can be an excellent introduction to a LASIK surgeon’s practice. Advertisements will sometimes give you information on the surgeon, but it is better to do your own research to find out which surgeon is right for you.
- Board Certification: Ask your doctor if he is board certified beyond having the basic requirements to practice medicine. The American Board of Ophthalmology holds its members to a very high standard and requires them to have the latest training in their specialty.
- Referrals: Does the surgeon you are considering have a list of names of former and current patients you can contact for a personal referral? Also check to see if your surgeon has testimonials from former patients.
- Technology: There is only so much that even the most talented surgeon can accomplish without the right technology. Make sure that your doctor has invested in the latest technology. This can have a dramatic effect on the final outcome of your LASIK procedure.
- Cost: Most LASIK surgeons will try to make the procedure as affordable as they can to make it more accessible to their patients. However, the on-going training and investments in new technology require most qualified surgeons to charge a higher rate than those who would use older methods and equipment.
If you are looking for a LASIK eye surgeon in the Chicago or Arlington Heights, Illinois are, please visit the website of the Doctors for Visual Freedom to see if they have the right combination of skills, technology and pricing for you.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/how-do-you-choose-a-lasik-doctor-1456965.html
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A study published in the July 2009 issue of the journal Eye & Contact Lens: Science and Clinical Practice highlights the frequency of risks faced by contact lens users. The study, which analyzed a cross-section of contact lens users in a university practice setting (UCLA), showed that as many as half of all contact lens users experienced a contact lens-related complication. Some of these complications were vision-threatening, although most were benign. Complications were seen by users of all types of contact lenses, although users of rigid gas permeable lenses had a statistically significant reduction of risk compared to users of soft contact lenses.
The most common complications seen were papillae and giant papillary conjunctivitis. These can typically be treated and do not generally threaten vision. They typically cause infection, mucoid discharge, irritation, and blurred vision. Papillae and giant papillary conjunctivitis can lead to lens intolerance, forcing a return to glasses for best lens corrected vision.
Comparing Risks of LASIK and Contact Lenses
Although about half of contact lens users experience complications, contact lenses still compare favorably with LASIK and other forms of refractive surgery in terms of preserving your vision. Studies show that less than 1% of people receiving LASIK surgery experience a loss in best corrected vision. However, the likelihood of a loss of vision related to contact lens use is still significantly less.
At one time, contact lens use was associated with a potential for vision loss as high as 0.9%, but improvement in contact lens technology and wearing habits has reduced that risk significantly. Post-market studies required of all 30-day contact lenses approved by the FDA show that the approximate annual risk of vision-threatening microbial keratitis associated with contact lens use is 4 per 10,000 wearers, or 0.04%. If we assume a 14-year life for refractive surgeries, that amounts to a cumulative risk of about 0.6%. However, rates of infection are increased 4 times for people who wear contacts overnight, and up to 15 times for people who wear their contacts for more than two weeks.
LASIK complication rates resulting in vision loss used to be as high as 5%, but recently they have been reduced to about 1%, which is close to the rates for contact lenses. For most people, the comparable safety rate of LASIK seems better when compared to the vigilance necessary to keep contacts clean with daily, weekly, or biweekly removal and cleaning.
Safety Trends
However, in the near future, LASIK may be safer than contact lenses. LASIK has improved significantly in safety since its introduction. Advanced technology and experienced surgeons are largely responsible for the decrease in complications. As surgeons continue to gain experience and technology continues to advance, we can expect rates to continue dropping. Contact lenses, on the other hand, may be more risky in the future.
Microbial keratitis used to be caused by a relatively small number of microorganisms that were controllable with specific formulae of antibiotics. However, in recent years there have been more outbreaks associated with Acanthamoeba and fungal species. Some of this has been associated with specific contact lens solutions. Other times, it has been associated with the reduction of water quality standards by the EPA under the Bush administration. In the latter outbreak in Chicago during June to November of 2005, 40 people contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis, nearly seven times the historical rate of this type of infection.
In the future we may see more of what are described as “atypical” cases of microbial keratitis that may increase the risk of wearing contact lenses.
If you would like to learn more about the relative safety of LASIK and contact lenses, please visit the website of 20/20 Institute, with offices in Denver, Indianapolis, and Portland.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/will-lasik-be-safer-than-contacts-in-the-near-future-1369437.html