Posts Tagged ‘Dr. Caster’

Refractive Surgery Eliminates Glasses for Many Astigmatic Patients

Thanks to continued advances in laser eye surgery, refractive surgery tools and techniques, glasses and contact lenses are fast becoming obsolete for many patients with astigmatism. Patients with undetected astigmatism often experience headaches, fatigue, eyestrain and blurred vision at all distances. Because astigmatism may not be recognized as the cause of these symptoms, this condition may go undiagnosed and continue to affect sufferers. Astigmatism can also be present in children, affecting their ability to see well in school and while playing sports.

Characterized by an irregular curvature of the cornea, astigmatism can be detected by regular eye examinations and successfully treated using procedures such as laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), laser thermokeratoplasy (LTK) and astigmatic keratotomy (AK; Table 1). An ophthalmologist can determine which type of procedure will work best for each patient.

Worldwide, >17 million people have undergone laser refractive surgery, and refractive surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the United States and by Beverly Hills LASIK surgeons. The newest laser-assisted procedures are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat up to 6 diopters (D) of astigmatism correction, which includes roughly 98% of all astigmatism patients. Advances in laser technology continue to improve treatment outcomes.

Guttman reported on a recent study by Barraquer, a private practitioner in Colombia, of 364 astigmatic myopic patients treated with a new generation “flying spot” excimer laser. Barraquer reported postoperative best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in 99% of treated eyes at 3 months. Astigmatic correction was achieved to within ±0.50 D in 92% of eyes.

Remember that for patients in or around Beverly Hills LASIK was used after the detection of astigmatism to treat it in its early and advanced stages. Because children may also have astigmatism, it is important that eye examinations be scheduled at regular intervals to detect any astigmatism early on.

Guttman C. Laser yields safe, predictable correction for astigmatism. Ophthalmology Times, Advanstar Communications, January 1, 2008;36.

Andrew I. Caster, M.D. has performed over fourteen thousand procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Caster is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable Lasik surgeons in the United States. Los Angeles Magazine selected Dr. caster as “The Best Lasik Surgeon in Los Angeles” and W Magazine listed him as one of two top Lasik surgeons in the United States. For more information please visit: http://www.castervision.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/refractive-surgery-eliminates-glasses-for-many-astigmatic-patients-1597619.html

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What Makes A Good Lasik Candidate?

As one of the most common outpatient vision correction procedures, Lasik surgery is a relatively straightforward process with the treatment itself taking only minutes. Los Angeles eye surgeons and surgeons in the world perform Lasik surgery on approximately one million eyes every year and it is no different than any other surgery

Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (Lasik) is intended to eliminate or reduce dependency on eyeglasses or contacts. Beverly Hills Lasik surgery has become more and more popular as the decades progress but still Laser Eye Surgery is not for everyone. Alternative surgery procedures like PRK and Lasik are excellent alternatives to glasses and contact lenses for patients suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism as well as a wide range of other vision conditions.

A procedure like this can permanently reshape the cornea, which is the clear covering of the front of the eye with the help of a laser. Most patients do not report any problems after the Los Angeles Lasik laser surgery. There are a wide variety of different optical lasers used in this procedure but common for all of them is that the laser will remove some tissue from the cornea.

Patients who have reached or are close to reaching the age of 40 should consider that their vision may be affected by conditions that cannot be treated with Lasik surgery, such as presbyopia. Patients with certain medical conditions or taking certain medications should not choose Lasik surgery because of the implication that it might give, according to top professional Beverly Hills Lasik surgeons. If you’re pregnant or nursing you will fall out of the ideal candidate classification and as it is advised to wait before considering laser vision correction. Patients with a condition called keratoconus are ineligible for the procedure and so are patients who have high levels of refractive error. Both parties are at a slightly higher risk for post-surgical astigmatism.

Laser vision correction surgery is an extraordinary procedure that has helped thousands of people see better and is an exciting opportunity for anyone who suffers from vision problems. Lasik surgery is the preferred vision correction surgery these days, despite its high cost. This type of surgery is however generally not the best option for older patients suffering from age-related conditions. Often these conditions can’t be treated with the Lasik procedure. To learn more about Lasik and laser eye surgery, contact you local Lasik eye specialists to learn more.

Andrew I. Caster, M.D. has performed over fourteen thousand procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Caster is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable Lasik surgeons in the United States. Los Angeles Magazine selected Dr. caster as “The Best Lasik Surgeon in Los Angeles” and W Magazine listed him as one of two top Lasik surgeons in the United States. For more information please visit: http://www.castervision.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/what-makes-a-good-lasik-candidate-1530208.html

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Answers: Advanced Surface Treatment LASIK Without A Flap

Many of my friends have had Lasik. Why do you sometimes recommend “Lasik without a flap”?

According to a top qualified Los Angeles eye surgeon, there are certain people for whom “Lasik without a flap” is the preferred technique. In the following situations, “Lasik without a flap” is the safer choice: moderate to extreme dry eyes, very thin corneas, thin corneas combined with large corrections, irregular topography (curvature test) that may indicate an inherent weakness in the cornea, or hobbies or professions (such as boxing) where there is a very high likelihood of being hit in the eye. Safety needs to be our most important consideration, and for these certain people, “Lasik without a flap” is safest.

What Are The Disadvantages Of “Los Angeles Lasik Without A Flap”?

There are two disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that “Lasik without a flap” takes longer to heal. The vision is often around 20/40 to 20/50 during the first week. 20/40 vision is required to legally drive a car. You will certainly have adequate “walking around” vision to perform most daily tasks, but it is certainly possible that you will not see well enough to legally drive or see clearly enough to work at a computer or read extensively during the first week. Although most people choose to have both eyes treated on the same day, some people choose to have “Lasik without a flap” one eye at a time, and then they can work during the first week while the eye is healing. With Lasik, most people return to work the very next day. The second disadvantage is on and off discomfort during the first week, which is very well controlled with “comfort” drops as well as anti-inflammatory pills.

Do you perform other forms of laser vision correction in addition to
“Lasik without a flap”?
Among the many services provided by your experience Lasik doctor Los Angeles patients have all the variations of laser vision correction, including Lasik, IntraLasik (Lasik with a laser flap), and “Lasik without a flap” available as possible laser eye correction options.

I want the Custom Wavefront treatment. Can I have that with “Lasik without a flap”?
Yes, we can perform the Custom Wavefront treatment with Lasik, IntraLasik, and “Lasik without a flap”.

How is “Lasik without a flap” performed?
As explained by a top Lasik surgeon Los Angeles without a flap uses the exact same laser as Lasik or IntraLasik. However, instead of creating a flap (which is the thickness of a human hair) and then performing the treatment on the part of the eye under the flap, the treatment is performed near the surface of the eye. This is why this technique is often referred to as Advanced Surface Treatment. The thin layer of material covering the surface, which is very soft, is wiped away, and the laser treatment is then applied to the firmer material underneath.

Which gives better results: Lasik, IntraLasik, or “Lasik without a flap”?
In our hands, the final vision is the same with each of these variations. Lasik provides the most rapid return to excellent vision, followed by IntraLasik, and then “Lasik without a flap”. We want to make the recovery as easy and quick for you as possible, but our main concern is which technique will be the safest technique for your particular situation.

What care is required after “Lasik without a flap”?
A special contact lens, which we put in and later take out, is worn for 5-7 days. You will need to take antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops, and we will give you anti-inflammatory pills.

Is “Lasik without a flap” very common?
About 10% of the laser treatments in the United States are “Lasik without a flap”. It has been performed since 1995, and very significant improvements have taken place over the years. Advanced Surface Treatment is becoming more popular each year, as doctors understand that for certain groups of people it is the safest choice.

(ArticlesBase ID #1220026)

Andrew I. Caster, M.D. has performed over fourteen thousand procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Caster is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable Lasik surgeons in the United States. Los Angeles Magazine selected Dr. caster as “The Best Lasik Surgeon in Los Angeles” and W Magazine listed him as one of two top Lasik surgeons in the United States. For more information please visit: http://www.castervision.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/answers-advanced-surface-treatment-lasik-without-a-flap-1220026.html

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What to Expect During LASIK Eye Surgery?

What to expect before, during, and after surgery will vary from doctor to doctor and patient to patient.  The US FDA provides a compilation of patient information developed by manufacturers and healthcare professionals, but cannot replace the dialogue you should have with your Beverly Hills Lasik surgeon.  Read this information carefully and with the checklist, discuss your expectations with your doctor.

The surgery itself should take less than 30 minutes. You will lie on your back in a reclining chair in an exam room containing the laser system. The laser system includes a large machine with a microscope attached to it and a computer screen.

A numbing drop will be placed in your eye by a skilled Lasik surgeon Los Angeles laser eye surgery experts tell us, the area around your eye will be cleaned, and an instrument called a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open.

Your doctor may use a mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) to cut a flap in the cornea. If a mechanical microkeratome is used, a ring will be placed on your eye and very high pressures will be applied to create suction to the cornea. Your vision will dim while the suction ring is on and you may feel the pressure and experience some discomfort during this part of the procedure. The microkeratome, a cutting instrument, is attached to the suction ring. Your doctor will use the blade of the microkeratome to cut a flap in your cornea. Microkeratome blades are meant to be used only once and then thrown out. The microkeratome and the suction ring are then removed.

According to a top Lasik doctor Los Angeles laser eye specialists may use a laser keratome (a laser device), instead of a mechanical microkeratome, to cut a flap on the cornea. If a laser keratome is used, the cornea is flattened with a clear plastic plate. Your vision will dim and you may feel the pressure and experience some discomfort during this part of the procedure. Laser energy is focused inside the cornea tissue, creating thousands of small bubbles of gas and water that expand and connect to separate the tissue underneath the cornea surface, creating a flap. The plate is then removed.

You will be able to see, but you will experience fluctuating degrees of blurred vision during the rest of the procedure. The doctor will then lift the flap and fold it back on its hinge, and dry the exposed tissue. The laser will be positioned over your eye and you will be asked to stare at a light. This is not the laser used to remove tissue from the cornea. This light is to help you keep your eye fixed on one spot once the laser comes on.

When your eye is in the correct position, your doctor will start the laser. At this point in the surgery, you may become aware of new sounds and smells. The pulse of the laser makes a ticking sound. As the laser removes corneal tissue, some people have reported a smell similar to burning hair. A computer controls the amount of laser energy delivered to your eye. Before the start of surgery, your Beverly Hills Lasik eye doctor will have programmed the computer to vaporize a particular amount of tissue based on the measurements taken at your initial evaluation. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position.

A shield should be placed over your eye at the end of the procedure as protection, since no stitches are used to hold the flap in place. It is important for you to wear this shield to prevent you from rubbing your eye and putting pressure on your eye while you sleep, and to protect your eye from accidentally being hit or poked until the flap has healed.

Andrew I. Caster, M.D. has performed over fourteen thousand procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Caster is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable Lasik surgeons in the United States. Los Angeles Magazine selected Dr. caster as “The Best Lasik Surgeon in Los Angeles” and W Magazine listed him as one of two top Lasik surgeons in the United States. For more information please visit: http://www.castervision.com/

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/what-to-expect-during-lasik-eye-surgery-1113003.html

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