Posts Tagged ‘ophthalmologist’
Yes, former LASIK patients can be treated for cataracts. The success of cataract treatment after LASIK depends heavily upon accurate calculations of pre-LASIK and present corneal measurements. The most exacting viewpoint suggests that patients who need cataract treatment after a prior LASIK treatment would be best treated by an ophthalmologist who is very experienced in both procedures.
Your ophthalmologist’s LASIK and cataract surgery experience combine to help him understand how one procedure affects the other. Because LASIK alters the shape of the cornea it changes the way light bends as it enters the eye. The measurements for determining the best IOL for your cataract replacement depend upon accurate methods that consider the current corneal power of each eye as well as the original corneal power prior to LASIK.
As you would expect, your ophthalmologist must do a full exam to evaluate you for cataract surgery. Because you have had LASIK previously, he or she will have to do a number of calculations specific to your LASIK surgery, and will analyze the results as they apply to your eyes. The results of these calculations will help him choose the highest power IOL that will give you the clearest vision, without creating any farsightedness or nearsightedness.
Choosing an IOL
Choice of IOLs is another factor in achieving the best outcomes for cataract patients who have had LASIK previously. For example, one study showed no significant difference in distance and near vision in patients who had received either spherical or aspherical IOLs, but there were slightly better results in intermediate vision in those receiving the aspherical IOL.
Since the highest power IOL that doesn’t cause refractive errors depends upon your ophthalmologist’s ability to perform the necessary calculations precisely, include this in the questions you’ll bring to your consultation visit. You will want to know many things about your surgery, recovery, long term results and much more. The answers can be overwhelming as there is much to learn.
But, you also want assurance that your ophthalmologist has experience necessary to give you great results from your post-LASIK cataract surgery, as this procedure has many unique aspects that are not an issue with either LASIK or cataract surgery alone.
Plan Ahead
You can help your ophthalmologist in several ways. If you have copies of your medical records from your LASIK surgery, or can get them from your previous ophthalmologist, do so. If you are preparing to have LASIK ask for a copy of all your records, especially your measurements, and keep them in case you need them in the future. If you need both LASIK and cataract surgery now, you may find your best solution is with cataract treatment alone. Your ophthalmologist can tell you what your best set of options would be.
If you’d like to learn more about having cataract treatment after LASIK, please visit the website of Susskind & Almallah, P.A., ophthalmologists serving patients in and around Monmouth or Ocean Counties, New Jersey.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/cataract-treatment-after-lasik-1307967.html
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What Is LASIK?
LASIK procedures are designed to minimize, or even eliminate, a patient’s need to rely on corrective lenses such as glasses or contacts. Called refractive surgery, LASIK works to restore focusing power to the eye by reshaping the cornea so that it better aligns with the rest of the eye.
Ophthalmologists conduct LASIK by following these steps:
- Diagnosing the nature of the cornea’s imperfection prior to surgery (for example, by determining if the patient is myopic – or nearsighted – or has an astigmatism)
- Administering numbing drops and ensuring the eye remains in place
- Using a small, sterile blade to create a flap in the cornea (or, alternately, using a laser device to create the flap)
- Lifting the newly created flap
- Using a laser to remove corneal tissue
- Putting the flap back into place and shielding the eye
How Is SBK Different from LASIK?
Today, LASIK remains the established and most common refractive surgery; however, the procedure is not without some risk to the patient. For example, post-surgery, some patients report having persistent dry eyes. In more extreme cases there may be a distortion and bulging of the cornea. SBK, however, attempts to retain the high success rate of LASIK procedures while offering patients a more comfortable post-operative period.
SBK differs from LASIK in the following ways:
- The ophthalmologist uses a femtosecond laser to create a thinner corneal flap than those found in LASIK procedures. For context, LASIK flaps tend to be between 120 to 160 microns thick, whereas SBK flaps are only 110 microns thick.
- The created flap is smaller in diameter than a typical LASIK flap, which minimizes damage to corneal nerve endings. Nerve damage is a probable cause of post-operative dry eye in LASIK patients.
Factors Patients Should Consider
Ultimately, which refractive surgical procedure you use is a personal decision done in close consultation with a licensed ophthalmologist. Other procedures, such as epi-LASIK, LASEK, or PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) are available depending on your needs. When you meet with an ophthalmologist, he or she will offer guidance depending on your history and preferences, as well as on the nature of your cornea’s imperfection.
If you live in the Seattle area and would like to schedule a complimentary LASIK or SBK consultation, please contact the licensed ophthalmologists at the Bellevue LASIK & Cornea Center today.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/lasik-vs-sbk-which-is-the-better-option-for-you-1283666.html
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If you have rosacea and suffer from eye problems such as irritation, inflammation, decreased vision, or conjunctivitis, you could be suffering from ocular rosacea and should seek treatment from your doctor.
In order for an ophthalmologist to make a diagnosis, they will need to examine your symptoms, and your treatment will depend on the symptoms and the severity of the disease.
Why do you need an ophthalmologist as opposed to an optometrist to diagnose your ocular rosacea symptoms?
Ophthalmologists are different from optometrists in their training and in what they can diagnose and treat.
An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor, and licensed to practice medicine and surgery, and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Ophthalmologists are required to complete:
Four years of college and four years of medical school
One year of internship
At least three years of residency (hospital-based training) in the diagnosis and
medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders
An optometrist is licensed to practice optometry and determine the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses, prescribe optical correction and screen for abnormalities of the eye. In some states they can prescribe a limited number of drugs to help diagnose and treat certain eye conditions, but they do not generally perform surgery.
Optometrists attend two to four years of college and four years of optometric college.
Ocular Rosacea eye problems – ocular rosace symptoms
- Red, dry, itching, or burning eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- The feeling of grittiness in the eyes
- Blurred vision or other vision problems
- Eyelids that become inflamed and swollen
Some people with ocular rosacea have reported that certain triggers can cause their condition to be worse. The triggers include:
- Heat (including hot baths)
- Heavy exercise
- Sunlight
- Wind exposure
- Very cold temperatures
- Hot or spicy foods and drinks
- Drinking alcohol
- Menopause
- Emotional stress
- Humidity
Ocular Rosacea Treatment
Ocular rosacea symptoms are usually treated with oral antibiotics, such as tetracycline or doxycycline. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops to increase tear production. They may also recommend that you use a humidifier or prescribe silicone plugs to close the tear drainage ducts – especially if you live in a dry climate.
Although there is no cure for ocular rosacea, the good news is that it can be treated in order to alleviate and lessen the symptoms.
Other ocular rosacea treatments may include:
Keep eyelids and eye lashes clean
ocular rosacea treatment
Wash the eyelids daily with diluted baby shampoo on a warm wet washcloth to
help keep the tear glands clear and unblocked. Place a hot compress on your eyes
for five minutes before the diluted baby shampoo is used to gently clean the
corners of the eyes.
Use hot compress
Apply a warm moist washcloth to the eyes several times a day. This will
be helpful for the infection.
Remove eye make up
Remove all eye make up before going to bed, and scrub the lashes very gently
using diluted baby shampoo.
Replace eye makeup
Doctors recommend replacing eye makeup every three to four months as there is a good chance of bacterial growth from the applicator after using it on your eyelids.
By replacing your eye makeup you can easily solve the problem of flaring or worsening of ocular rosacea symptoms.
New concepts for ocular rosacea treatment
Some doctors believe natural treatments are your best options because they work better, and they don’t have the serious side effects of conventional rosacea medicines. For many people, using the right natural treatments will provide long term relief from ocular and rosacea.
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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/what-is-ocular-rosacea-also-known-as-rosacea-eyes-1238900.html
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Having worn glasses for ten years, I learned about the Dr. Bates Method of Vision Training from a friend. I didn’t know there was anything one could do about wearing glasses. I never liked them, but was unaware of any alternative until I heard about the Dr. Bates Method. I went through the vision training process of physical therapy for the eyes, normalized my vision and went on to become a teacher of the method. I have coined the term Eye-Robics because that is exactly what physical therapy is, getting the eyes into motion, to function and into its’ natural normal flexible state.
If Eyes Can Get Worse, They Can Get Better
Have you ever given it any thought that that if your eyes can get worse (not see clearly) they can get better (see clearly again). Our bodies were made to heal. This is what ophthalmologist Dr. Wm H. Bates discovered over 90 year ago. He asked,”If glasses are correct why do they continually need to be strengthened, while the eyes under their influence have been weakened?” Glasses are a crutch, and not intended to be used for a lifetime. As with all crutches, their purpose is to allow you to function (see to drive etc.) until your own muscles are strengthened and you no longer need the crutch.
In the Eye-Robics vision training process this is exactly what we do. If a person has a strong prescription we have them wear a weaker prescription (safe for driving) for where ever they are visually. This allows the eyes to function more under the lens and allows continued progress in getting healthier and clearer vision; you treat your glasses like a pair of crutches, using them when you need to see for safety etc. and leaving them off other times to allow the eyes to loosen up and function. As the vision improves, a lesser prescription is needed and the person goes into a healthy spiral of weaker and weaker glasses until none are needed. The number of prescription changes varies with the persons need for clarity in their profession and the strength of the prescription. Someone with a mild prescription may never need a weaker prescription. A strong prescription may need two or three changes.
There is a way to keep your eyes healthy and fit, even if you have glaucoma, or cataracts along with whatever reason you originally went into glasses, such as myopia (nearsightedness), presbyopia (farsightedness), astigmatism or any other eye problem even strabismus or a phoria..
Eyes Can Learn To Be Healthy And Function For A Lifetime
What does it mean to have healthy eyes? If your vision is 20/20 and the demands on your eyes are not causing you physical strain and discomfort in your eyes, head, neck and back, then you have healthy eyes. If you are not seeing clearly and experience getting stronger and stronger lenses every year or two, have glaucoma, cataracts, astigmatism or any other eye problems then you need to consider a healthier alternative.
If you look around you and in care homes, you will find that the “Golden Years” are not so “Golden”. So many older people have glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, ptosis (drooping eyelid), etc. Most all of these conditions are a result of stress which causes lack of functioning and circulation over time. This condition over a period of time causes deterioration. The medical profession calls it old age, but eyes can learn how to be healthier and function for a lifetime.
The Cause And Cure Of Vision Problems
Dr. Wm. H. Bates, ophthalmologist, pioneered vision therapy in the early1900′s; he discovered the cause and the cure of vision problems. He discovered that tension in the mind interfered with the involuntary focusing muscles of the eye. In the normal eye whether you look near or far, the eye automatically focuses where you put your attention. This is called eye-mind coordination. We see with our mind first directing our attention. Vision is 9/10 mental and 1/10 physical. The eyes are tools of the mind.
Just as ulcers and heart attacks are caused by prolonged stress (psycho somatic illness), so is the vision affected by stress. These stresses are always accompanied by changes: people moving, changing schools, a divorce, a death, career changes, a difficult relationship. These changes create stress and an element of the unknown which evokes fear. This fear is usually repressed as a survival mechanism and never dealt with again.
Learn To Relax
As opposed to a medical or mechanical approach, this vision training is based on the principle of relaxation. It teaches specific techniques and skills for relaxing mental stress, releasing muscle tension and restoring muscle flexibility. It releases the strain that keeps you from seeing clearly and re-educates the mind and body in good seeing habits again. You once saw clearly. Relearning is five times faster than learning.
It’s easy, safe, fun and it’s for everyone, regardless of age or strength of glasses (prescription). The Dr. Bates Method which I call Eye-Robics is physical therapy for the eyes. The process allows the muscles to return to functioning and therefore a healthy state allowing good circulation.
Benefits
The benefits are tremendous stress reduction on the autonomic nervous system. Dr. Bates says, ”All vision problems are nerve problems”. So the solution/cure for glaucoma, cataracts and all eye problems is this natural physical therapy process called Eye-Robics. Healthy eyes do not have eye problems. This natural process teaches you how to have fit and normal vision again and gives you the tools to keep your eyes healthy and fit for the rest of your life. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure but it does not matter where you are visually, you start from where you are.
A journey is not taken until the first step, then its one step at a time. It is a wise man who is willing to improve his/her state of being when a brighter path is shown.
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Before we get into it, I’d like to clarify something right off the bat… if you have difficulties in dealing with the truth if it’s uncomfortable, you might as well stop reading now. If you, on the other hand, are dying to find out where high myopia comes from, and especially what you can do about it, so that it stops getting worse and worse every eye exam, you are in the right place.
Still with me? Great, I promise I won’t let you down!
The truth can be confronting at times and even more so when the “authorities” in the field hiding it from us, either out of ignorance, or out of profit thinking.
High Myopia & The Ophthalmic Industry
You see, when you go to an optometrist or eye surgeon and ask for the reason of your high myopia, they usually tell you that your lens is shaped too steeply, so you need to wear glasses or undertake surgery. So, I’m asking, should we trust them blindly, just because they studied for many years, or should we maybe get a second opinion?
The scholars of this world have believed for centuries what the catholic church wanted us to believe is true, so they were wrong, even though they were the most educated. Not because they were bad people, but because it didn’t suit the catholic church and it’s interests to listen to science.
Theories About The Causes Of Myopia
Unfortunately the ophthalmic industry, just like the catholic church a couple of centuries back, has interests that don’t encourage them to teach students the truth. At universities they still teach a theory about eye problems that was established by German physicist Hermann Helmholtz, rather than the much more accurate and modern theory of one of their own, ophthalmologist Dr William Bates.
So the reason why your eyes get worse and worse with glasses over the years has to do with the whole industry subscribing to the wrong theory. If they were right and glasses, contacts, or eye surgery would truly improve your vision and not just function as a crutch, wouldn’t you get weaker and weaker glasses prescribed, until they are gone?
Well, I haven’t heard that in a while…
True Causes For High Myopia
You have to understand that there are multiple reasons for high myopia. Some are physiological, and many are psychological. The physiological reasons are not the shape of the lens. That’s just the symptom of all the underlying reasons.
High myopia is often a result of bad posture, which restricts proper blood circulation throughout the body, and therefore doesn’t deliver appropriate amounts of oxygen and nutrients to the eye muscles. Together with already existing strain on the eye muscles that determine the shape of the eyeball, the lack of oxygen increases the tightness and strains the muscles even more.
The strain on these eye muscles flattens out eyeball, extending it like a zoom on a photo camera, and because the eyeball is full of liquid, it changes the shape of the lens. In other words, the lens gets pushed out, bends more than it should, and therefore is shaped more steeply. The more tension on the eye muscles, the more the eyeball is extended, and in turn the more myopia you get.
Treatments For High Myopia
High myopia can only be treated by getting rid of the tension in the eye muscles. To do so successfully and long-term you have to find out where the tension comes from, ie you have to determine the underlying causes for myopia. You can do that by yourself, totally naturally, you just need to become aware of how to do it.
Glasses, on the other hand, will never release the tension of the eye muscles, on the contrary, over time they will increase it, and that’s why you need stronger glasses.
Sadly, if you ask your optometrist or eye surgeon about the eye muscles and the influence on the shape of the lens they will tell you that it’s not true. They think that only one muscle around the lens is responsible for its shape. So if you ask, and you get that answer, ask them why others improve their vision naturally with natural vision correction methods (which are supposedly shenanigans and cost only a hundred bucks one time) and need weaker and weaker glasses until they are gone, but you, using the “correct” approach, get more high myopia and need stronger and stronger glasses (and spend a hundred dollars or more a year!).
You’ll be surprise how much they’ll stutter on mumble something that doesn’t make sense…
Next time we’ll have a look into some of the psychological factors that cause high myopia, and are the underlying reason for the eye muscles to tighten up in the first place.
Evgania Mehler helps people with high myopia to improve their vision & gain perfect eyesight with her natural myopia correction method that goes far beyond ordinary eye exercises, even if they are almost blind. To find out more go to http://www.Unleash-Your-Vision.com.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/high-myopia-what-causes-myopia-1161485.html
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