Archive for September, 2008

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People often think of their eyes as a separate part of their body.  Eyes are often “just there” and people do not ever think of actually becoming pro-active in the care of their eyes.

Just as we exercise parts of our bodies, and just as we try to feed our bodies healthy food and even specific supplements, so we must do for our eyes.  There are natural eye vitamins that are made specifically for your eyes.

Now, it is true, that you cannot fix all your eye problems / diseases, the same as you can not work off all of your other body problems and diseases.  But, you work with what you CAN help.

Contacts are a great invention for the right person.  Your eye health status may preclude the wearing of contacts. Then you are stuck with wearing glasses.  And, if you are only wearing them to improve your sight, then natural vision therapy may be another option for you.

If you are living in a stressful situation, then your eyes will reflect this.  Eyes can be very sensitive to stress. Eye stress can cause many vision problems.

If you find that your reading glasses are starting to get stronger and stronger, go to the eye doctor.  You may be in the early stages of macular degeneration!

There are ways to improve your eyesight.  Natural vision therapy includes alternative health care for your eyes.  Natural vitamin is one alternative. Natural remedies have proven themselves in many ways. Holistic health in partnership with professional doctors is a strong combination.

And remember, that you should always check with a professional.  This article is not meant for diagnosis or treatment.  Simply to enlighten you to other natural and holistic alternatives.

Laser eye surgery may not always  be what you need, or want.  Check out all your options before you commit to this treatment.

Eye infections can be very serious, so do not fool around if you think you have this condition.  Go to the eye doctor right away.

Eye exercises are a great way to help improve your vision.  And, they can help in managing stress.  Becoming pro-active in your eye care is very important.

Most eye exams use the snellen eye chart to test your vision.

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Contacts and glasses may not be needed if you practive natural vision improvement.  Your eyes are meant to be exercised as much as the rest of your body.  Think of your eye as a part of your whole body, and not an extension of it.  Contact lenses are good if they are for “you”.  However, natural vision therapy may help you to even get rid of those. We think we see what there is…but, we don’t.  Eye illusions, or optical illusions are everwhere in our daily lives.

Reading glasses are a great help, but be careful, needing glasses may be a sign of macular degeneration.  Check it out!  Eye glasses are a wonderful help but, do not use them as a crutch.  The same with laser surgery.  There are natural ways to help improve your eye sight.

The human eye is more complex than the biggest computer in the world.  Think about that.  Eye charts - or - snellen eye chart are used to measure the strenght of our eyesight.

There are many different eye problems, and some you can help improve and even get rid of, others you cannot. Eye infections can be simple, but, they can also be very serious.  Always check with an eye professional!

Laser eye surgery has become ver popular, but, when something goes wrong with this, it is devastating.  You need to think long and hard if you want to take this chance.

Some eye problems you can help are: lazy eye and dry eye.  However do yourself the favor and always see an eye doctor.

Eye surgery can  be used to improve your vision.  (Not laser surgery)  For the more serious problems there are now advanced surgeries to help you improve your sight.
Eye exercises help improve your vision.  Your eyes are like your body…they need exercise!

Eye health should be a very deep concern for you.  Especially as you age.  Catch the problems before they become too serious. Natural vitamins are available. These are vitamins chosen specifically for your eyes.

Stress can cause tremendous eye strain. It sounds simple, I know, but you need to control and get a handle on your stress.  There are ways to help your eyes during stressful times.  This is a whole different topic.

ps always check with an eye professional for any eye issues!

If your vision is imperfect, then you have probably considered lasik eye surgery at one point or another. Most people who are in this situation often pass this option up, however, because it seems expensive and time consuming. What people don’t understand is that this surgery is not nearly as expensive and they think.

Indeed, in comparison to the expense of an annual change of eyeglasses or contact lenses, as well as the accompanying visits to your ophthalmologist, lasik eye surgery is not very expensive. You can spend a great deal of money throughout your life if you wear spectacles of any kind. And as you age, and your sight experiences deterioration, the cost involved only increases.

If you see the situation this way, laser vision correction appears to be one of the greatest things you can ever do. Many benefits come from this process, and the most vital is that you’ll truly save money over the duration of your life. Once you’ve had lasik eye surgery, you won’t have to worry any more about the costs of contacts or glasses.

This means that this form of vision correction might actually be the cheapest route to take. There are tons of deals going on through various eye doctors and professionals. If you get your surgery during one of these deals, you stand to save even more money. Call around your local area to see what doctors are offering there.

Because your vision is not something that you can ignore, you must put out some money for this at some point. If you want to drive, read, or participate in other activities in your daily life, then you need to be able to see. It is vital to your overall standard of living, that you know how to see both close up and far away.

On comparing lasik eye surgery with glasses and contacts you will find there is not much difference in their cost. The fact that you have to pay for the surgery upfront does not mean that over a period of your life time you will not be spending as much or even more otherwise.

LASIK is becoming a confusing topic among consumers thinking of this highly technical lasik eye surgery. Dr. Martinez of Bethesda Maryland has produced a FREE report titled: “How LASIK & PRK Can Help You See Clearly. Visit http://www.lasik-pages.com to get the insider details.

Questions about Lasik eye surgery

Many people that wear glasses or contact lenses have listened to the claims of how Lasik can give them perfect vision.  They have also heard great Lasik success stories, as well as stories from people that were not sure they had given the decision enough thought.  This guide lists the most common questions asked by people who are considering Lasik vision correction, and answers given by reputable physicians.

The first and most important question asked about Lasik is, not surprisingly, “Is Lasik safe?”  The answer is that it is normally quite a safe procedure, with success rates above 95 percent for good, experienced Lasik surgeons, and 90 percent average over all physicians that perform the Lasik procedure.  This statistic about Lasik success assumes that the patient is a good candidate for Lasik surgery.  The requirements have some specific details and should be gone over with the physician that will perform the Lasik procedure.

It is a very good idea to ask the Lasik physician which patients he has declined to perform the Lasik procedure on, to make sure that the particular physician has and operates with good standards.  Any Lasik practitioner that tries to imply that everyone that comes in to his office is a good candidate for Lasik vision correction should be viewed with some skepticism.  In any case, it is wise to interview several different physicians that perform the Lasik procedure before deciding on one.

A second frequently asked question about Lasik is “What are the possible complications from Lasik surgery?”  Common side effects are starbursts or halos when looking at a light, sensitivity to light and difficulty with glare and night vision, and some sensation that a foreign body is in the eye.  Most of these effects will pass within a few days after the Lasik procedure.  Between 1 and 3 percent of patients will have a lasting side effect such as halos or some vision fluctuation.

It is a very good idea to discuss your particular situation with the Lasik physician to determine if you might be prone to any complications.  There are also variants of the standard Lasik procedure, one of which uses additional waveforms to map out an individual eye, or techniques that only use lasers rather than a scalpel and a laser.

One question we all hesitate to ask is “Will the Lasik procedure be painful?”  Since our eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, it is comforting to know that having Lasik vision correction is usually nearly painless.  There is often some mild discomfort after the procedure, but this is effectively controlled with medication.

“Will I have 20/20 vision once the Lasik correction is done?”  Though many patients do get nearly perfect vision, not all patients have their vision totally corrected.  You can definitely expect to have improved vision and minimized dependency on any glasses or contacts.

“What is the cost and how do I pay?”  A typical Lasik surgeon charges between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the patient and the surgeon.  However, a Lasik physician should be selected on experience level and track record, not on the lowest price.  Insurance rarely covers the cost of Lasik, but many Lasik centers have a type of financing program offered to their clients.

Consider Lasik eye surgery as one way to significantly improve the quality of your life.

Lasik Eye Surgery or ICL?

A number of people who are considering the Lasik procedure to correct their nearsightedness or farsightedness have of some potential problems of Lasik, and are wondering if there are other options.  Though more than 95 percent of the Lasik patients have a very successful procedure without any major side effects, there are choices for people who wish to improve their vision.  Let’s compare two, and discuss these choices with a reputable ophthalmologist.

Traditional Lasik surgery uses a scalpel to create a small flap in the eye, and then a laser reshapes the eye in order to focus accurately.  There are two more recent forms of Lasik, one that entirely uses a laser and does away with the scalpel.  Another variation uses a three dimension waveform for people with unusual eye shapes, and both of these are worth discussing with your ophthalmologist.

Those people with very thin corneas or other issues that make Lasik not a good candidate for their particular case can consider implantable contact lens surgery.  This is known as ICL in the eye surgeon’s lingo, and is a good alternative to Lasik to permanently correct vision.  These lenses function in exactly the same way as removable lenses, except that they remain permanently in the eye.  Like Lasik, they reshape the eye in order for it to focus accurately.  The patient will not feel the lens once the operation has been performed.

Lasik and ICL are similar in several ways.  Lasik can improve vision affected by nearsightedness and astigmatism, and ICL can improve these vision deficiencies also.  Both Lasik and ICL also have some of the same risks, one of these being that the correction is not accurate after the first operation is done.  Lasik is a much more frequently performed procedure, and less than 3 percent (according to the FDA) of these patients need to undergo additional surgery to further correct vision after the first Lasik procedure is done.

Like any operation, there is a chance of infection in either a Lasik procedure or an ICL operation.  Good post-operative care by the patient will minimize this and regular checkups at the Lasik or eye care center will nearly always clear this up without further complication.  In a small percentage of the cases, either Lasik or ICL patients may not achieve perfect vision and may need to continue to wear corrective eyewear, though usually not at the same strength as the original eyewear.

One advantage of ICL over Lasik is that ICL is a reversible procedure, where the implanted lens can be removed later if that becomes necessary.  Lasik involves the reshaping of the cornea to bring objects accurately into focus, and is permanent.  However, for a typical, healthy patient either Lasik eye surgery or ICL will generally bring about the desired improvement in vision.

Lasik is generally a less invasive procedure, and this is reflected in the current cost of the operation.  The current price for a Lasik procedure is between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the type of procedure and the presiding physician.  A typical price for ICL is between $1500 and $3000 per eye.  Do some investigation into the options offered, and select the eye care procedure that is best for your personal case.

Solving a Lasik Post Op Problem

I had Lasik vision correction surgery two years ago, and am quite glad I did.  I think that my Lasik story might be helpful to some that consider that they might not be a perfect Lasik client, and are concerned about side effects after the Lasik procedure.  I did have a significant side effect after my Lasik operation, but have weathered it well, and still recommend the operation highly.

My operation went exactly as described, with no pain or real discomfort at all.  My Lasik physician was clear, stating each step that he completed so that I would know the Lasik procedure was proceeding as expected, and more quickly than I had imagined.  I know that all of the discussion I had earlier with the Lasik professionals stated the operation generally took less than twenty minutes, but I was still surprised.  

At the end of the operation, my Lasik doctor replaced the flap to its correct position in my eye and covered it with some kind of clear goop.  Even at that time I could notice a distinct improvement in my vision.  I was instructed to wear goggles over my eyes for five nights in order to prevent me rubbing my eyes while I was sleeping.  I guess they assumed that any good Lasik patient would not do that when awake.  

In addition, I followed all post-op Lasik procedure instruction to the letter.  I slept immediately after the Lasik procedure was done (after I made it home, of course), used the eye drops religiously, and did not try to strain my eyes by reading everything that I could.  I was amazed the immediate improvement in vision that Lasik makes, just as if there was a set of weightless contact lenses.  Very impressive.

My biggest problem in Lasik procedure recovery was a result of epithelial erosion.  The flap that is made in the eye during the Lasik procedure is made from epithelial cells.  Once the flap is replaced at the end of the Lasik procedure, these cells start to regenerate in order to fill in the line where the flap has been cut.  All of this is normal post-op Lasik healing.  However, in my case the cells would grow fine, but at night my eyes tended to dry out when I was asleep.  So, when I woke up, my eyelid would pull up some of the new cells from their place where they belonged, where if my eye was sufficiently moist they would have stayed in place.

I told this to my Lasik eye surgeon, who said this side effect just makes healing a little longer and it was not a serious side effect.  When I went for a checkup to the Lasik center (which I highly recommend any time a Lasik client has any post-op worries or questions) they decided that I needed a thicker, more jelly like version of the eye drops to use at night.  This worked well, and the rest of my post-Lasik recovery went well.  
I am a strong advocate of the Lasik vision correction procedure.  I also strongly suggest interviewing a number of positions, and do not put low cost as the highest priority.  Your eyes are very important, and a highly competent Lasik physician is the most important factor.

Lasik Surgery - a personal view

I have noticed that more people I work with are talking about, or undergoing, the Lasik vision correction procedure.  I don’t know really know why Lasik has suddenly become more popular in my company, but I do know that there are a number of rumors about Lasik that I am not sure are true.  Let me just talk about my long term experience with Lasik.

It has been more than eight years since I had the Lasik procedure, so I was one of the early and brave pioneers!  Perhaps I wasn’t that brave when considering Lasik, for my vision in each eye was worse than -9.  Even now, Lasik physicians consider that a very strong case and do caution prospective clients that the Lasik process will likely improve their vision, but may not eliminate the total need for glasses.

The Lasik operation itself had mild pressure and some unusual feelings, but no real discomfort or pain.  This is still true in modern Lasik procedures, and hopefully they are even better at keeping the client comfortable.  I do notice that now Lasik physicians also give a mild sedative mainly for psychological reasons, which I think I would have appreciated back then.

Two or three days after the Lasik operation I was astounded to find I had VERY clear vision in each eye, at least 20/20.  Considering my previous prescription, you can imagine how fervently I thanked my Lasik physician.  However, I did also have temporary symptoms of considerable dryness in each eye (which was helped by eye drops), and also halos around lights at night.

A few months after the Lasik procedure I noticed my vision changing a bit, though very slightly.  The best way I can describe it is that the crisp edges no longer looked exceedingly crisp, but each object still seemed to be in focus.  At my one year Lasik correction anniversary my physician said that one eye was still at 20/20, but the other had changed slightly to 20/40.  However, I was still a great statistic for the Lasik correction procedure, and we were both still happy with the results.

In the years between the original Lasik procedure and now, my vision is still 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other.  I do have a pair of glasses and one contact lens for that eye, but rarely bother with them unless I am doing something like watching a movie.  My long track record after the Lasik procedure has given hope to a number of other people in my office.  I do want to say though that I was over 35 when I had the operation, and my Lasik physician said that the stability of my eyes and my age were good indicators that the Lasik results would be long term.

I hope this encourages people with bad vision to talk to a local Lasik physician about scheduling a Lasik procedure.  Find a physician that has a good track record, and one that you trust, and I hope that your long term Lasik results will be as good as mine!

What is the Initial Lasik Eye Exam Like?

The first significant step before the Lasik surgery is to have a comprehensive eye examination, in order to be sure that you are a good candidate for the Lasik procedure.  A map of your eye will be created during this exam.  This map is used in order for the Lasik physician to determine how to reshape your eye to give you the clearest post-operative vision possible.

This eye exam will do several things.  Your eyes will be dilated in order to see if there are any irregularities within the eye itself.  The thickness of the cornea will be measured, and a precise map of the cornea will be generated.  The “refractive error” (or the reason why your vision isn’t currently perfect) will be accurately analyzed in order for the Lasik procedure to get the best results possible.  Finally, how your eyes generate tears will be closely looked at, as good tear production is essential for the health of every eye.

Before or after these measurements, the Lasik physician will discuss your past medical history to see any previous operations or any ongoing health problems.  A few chronic conditions may make the Lasik procedure not a good option for some people, and also women currently expecting should wait for some time after delivery.  The physician also will discuss the expectations the Lasik client has about the operation and subsequent changes in their lifestyle.

Though most people pass through this Lasik eye exam with flying colors, be prepared for some suggestions or serious discussion.  Your eye map may indicate that a newer form of Lasik procedure might be better, such as one that generates a three dimensional waveform for each eye.  Tear production issues may indicate that the Lasik procedure is not the best option for you, and the Lasik physician may recommend another solution.

If all goes well and the Lasik procedure is scheduled, the physician will review the treatment plan and what the client should do to prepare for the Lasik surgery.  This plan may vary slightly between patients, but in general will look something like the schedule below.  Always follow the recommendations of your Lasik physician closely.
First, contact lenses should be avoided for several weeks prior to Lasik vision correction, since contacts can slightly affect the shape of your cornea.  It is important to let your eyes rest in order to get the most accurate Lasik vision improvement possible.  Hard contacts should be avoided for a month, soft contacts for at least two weeks.

Stop using any lotions, makeup, or anything else that could possibly get into the eye the day or two before surgery.  It is important to have your eyes as rested as possible before the Lasik operation.  Also, arrange for someone else to drive you home after the Lasik procedure itself.

These are the most common steps to prepare you for an easy and successful Lasik procedure.  Make sure you give the doctor all information needed for your case, and follow his directions closely.  The Lasik eye surgery will give you a new outlook in life!

Information on Corrective Eye Surgery

Several types of correct eye surgery exist today and these different types of corrective eye surgery fall under two main categories: Excimer Laser procedures and Non-Excimer laser procedures. As is the case with other conditions that affect the body, major technological advances have been made in recent years in the field of corrective eye surgery. The following is a brief introduction to the two categories.

Excimer Laser Procedures

An Excimer laser is a tool that was approved for the treatment of nearsightedness ranging in severity from mild to moderate. Use of the Excimer laser is complicated and it’s important to work with ophthalmologists who are both trained in the surgical procedure and who have demonstrated the ability to properly operate and calibrate this precision instrument.

The Excimer Laser was originally approved for PKR, or Photorefractive Keratectomy and its usage was later expanded for LASIK procedures, or Laser in situ Keratomileusis. With PKR, the cornea is reshaped by eliminating excess tissue from the cornea’s outer surface. With each computer calculated lightening-fast laser pulse, a microscopic ultraviolet light beam removes the excess tissue. After only a few minutes and the application of local anesthesia, the procedure is over. In just a day or so, patients can resume normal activity.

In a LASIK procedure, the eye doctor rather than the laser’s built-in computer determines where incisions will be made and how much tissue will be removed. This is a more complex and invasive procedure and it is one that is recommended for more severe refractive conditions. Using a microkeratome (a knife), the eye surgeon slices and then pulls back a flap of the tissue covering the cornea. With the tissue out of the way, the laser is then used to remove tissue and reshape the cornea. The flap is put back into place and the patient typically can see well enough to drive home after the procedure. LASEK and epi-LASIK are variations of the LASIK procedure.

Non Excimer Laser Procedures

These are procedures that rely on artificial implants, surgery and reshaping to correct eye problems. Lens implants are effective for individuals who have cataracts, nearsightedness and farsightedness. Intraocular lenses or IOLs are used as replacements for the damaged cloudy lenses caused by cataracts. New and improved artificial lenses now incorporate the use of hinges that allow the eye to move and act like a real lens.

Other types of implantable contact lens can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. They act much like removable contact lenses but require no maintenance and wearers cannot feel these lenses and implants.

Thermokeratoplasty involves the use of heat to manipulate the collagen within the cornea. In doing so, refractive errors can be corrected in a matter of minutes. There are two types of Thermokeratoplasty procedures. Laser thermal keratoplasty or LTK involves the use of holmium YAG laser and CK or conductive keratoplasty involves use of radiofrequency waves.

Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) involves cutting the cornea in order to reshape it. However, its use has diminished since laser treatments involve less risk and are far more effective at reshaping the cornea.

Information on LASEK Laser Eye Surgery

LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) laser eye surgery takes the most beneficial elements of two other types of laser eye surgery and combines them into one very effective surgical procedure. These other two laser eye surgeries are LASIK and PRK.

Unlike the LASIK procedure which involves using a sharp blade to slice off the top of the cornea, LASEK uses a solution consisting of diluted alcohol to loosen a thin layer from the epithelium so that it can be moved off to the side.

Benefits of LASEK laser eye surgery

One benefit of LASEK laser eye surgery is that it eliminates the risks associated with the corneal flap. With LASIK surgery, a very sharp blade called a microkeratome is used to cut the corneal flap. There have been cases in which the flap was cut too deeply or cut off completely instead of leaving it attached with a hinge, both of which are capable of causing any number of serious vision problems.

Healing is faster with LASEK because there is no cutting and because the epithelial flap can be used somewhat as a natural bandage after the procedure is finished. And unlike PRK, the chances of developing a glare after the operation are greatly diminished when using LASEK.

Risks/disadvantages

Risks associated with LASEK laser eye surgery are greatly diminished mainly due to the fact that no sharp device is being used to cut the cornea. There is some pain but it is minimal and is most often treated with over the counter medicines. Also, it is not possible to guarantee any type of vision results and glare, halos and dry eyes are potential side effects.

The LASEK procedure

Prior to the LASEK procedure, a patient must provide the eye surgeon with a complete medical history. Eye tests and other diagnostic procedures are undertaken to ensure the patient is a good candidate for LASEK laser eye surgery. On the day of the procedure, the eye is cleaned and prepped and an eye drop to numb the eye is administered. A special tool will hold the eyelids in place, preventing them from blinking.

The diluted alcohol solution is applied, the epithelium loosens, and it is gently pushed out of the way. The pre-calculated beams of ultra violet light are then pulsed onto the cornea and in just a minute or so, the procedure is complete.

Most patients will have blurred vision at first and won’t be able to drive home from the procedure. Most need a day or two to rest. Vision will vary over the ensuing months.

For best results, always use an eye surgeon who has experience with the LASEK laser eye surgery procedure. Never be afraid to ask a surgeon you’re considering for the names and contact information of previous patients. If you get a list of contacts, be sure to call and ask about their experiences.