Category: LASIK

Climbing Mountains After LASIK

Chris Edwards 0 Comment LASIK , , , , , ,

For those of us who love mountain climbing LASIKvision correction can be a scary topic. So what about all the rumors of problems related to mountain climbing and vision correction? There was a bit of a problem with a few climbers when it came to RK vision correction and mountain climbing. RK vision correction is a procedure that was primarily performed in the 1980’s and 1990’s.  RK vision correction involved tiny incisions in the outer lens of the eye (cornea). The extenuating circumstances? They didn’t inform their doctor they would be climbing (Mt. Everest) nor did they inform the guide they had a procedure- a couple of “no-no’s” in the realm of climbing. The problem with RK incisions is that high elevation can cause pressure on the eye and the RK incisions would flex causes the vision to become blurry.

So what height is great to climb after you have vision correction procedures? To be honest whether your at 18,000ft on the Mexican Volcanoes, or at 29,000ft to the top of Mt. Everest you should have minimal effects from modern vision correction procedures, such as LASIK, PRK or Insertable Contact Lenses. The approximate time to wait is generally 2 weeks. But be sure to talk it over with your eye care professional.

The Most Common Procedures:
  • Custom Wavefront LASIK
  • No Cut LASEK
  • PRK
  • Visian ICL
The Most Common Complications:
  • Dry eyes
  • Vision Fluctuation During Healing Period

Even if you are still questioning the idea of mountain climbing after LASIK a quick conversation with your eye care professional can help put the aftercare in perspective. Remember that it takes at least two weeks of recovery time in most cases before you should climb. See your eye care professional to be sure. Ensure that this is something you are interested in doing should be top priority. Making sure that you will be able to do the things you love with your new vision comes next.

So whether you are interested in climbing the 22,500 ft of the Aconcogua or you want to make it only half the way to the top of the Mexican Volcanoes check out what vision correction procedure will best suit you and your situation.

For more information regarding LASIK visit: http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/

Advancing Treatments for Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Chris Edwards 0 Comment Farsightedness, LASIK, Reading Vision , , , , , , , , , ,

Finding the Benefits of NearVision CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) for Hyperopia/Farsightedness

Most patient’s over 40 begin to lose the ability to read without the use of reading glasses.  Many patients feel like reading glasses are “a weight around their neck”.

CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) helps to reduce the need for reading glasses for patients over the age of 40.

CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) is often referred to as NearVision CK. This is because the procedure improves the near vision in the non-dominant eye.

NearVision CK is done in the doctor’s office and requires only 5 minutes per eye. The procedure is minimally invasive and does not carry the risks of LASIK eye surgery. Patients can return to work and driving usually within 1 day.

Patients sometime ask, what’s the catch – a 5 minute procedure sounds too easy. Here is the rub, although NearVision CK improves a patient’s near vision immediately, the effect wears off as the eye continues to age.  The treatment may need to be repeated every 3-5 years.

Healing is easy, there are relatively few complaints.  Occasional patients might note during healing: slight irritation and glare from light sources at night.

Top Benefits of NearVision CK:

 Reduced recovery time compared to LASIK
 Reduced procedure time compared to LASIK
 Less invasive than LASIK – increases safety
 It can be completed in the doctor’s office
 Only takes 5 minutes per eye
 See Results relatively quickly

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in reading vision treatments and other procedures.

For more information regarding CK and reducing your need for reading glasses visit:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/ck_ltk_eye_surgery.htm

Effects of High Altitudes After LASIK?

Chris Edwards 0 Comment LASIK , , , , , , , , , , ,

For those who love the wilderness ensuring our eyes are at 100% is top priority. The worry of vision correction can be a scary thought. There are many procedures that have benefited us in the past and even more in the present. So how do we know which ones are safe, and what effects it will have after-wards?

In the past RK or Radial Keratoplasty was a wide spread treatment much like today’s LASIK procedure. This was a concern for Mountain climbers because of the scare on Mt. Everest. Since then procedures have changed and now LASIK has become a more advanced and successful procedure in the world of vision correction. Continual climbing or reaching high altitudes over 16,000ft can cause mild symptoms like dry eyes. But most climbers have no significant changes.

LASIK

The LASIK procedure has more accurate lasers, and provide a better clarity to the patients vision. In the past the RK procedure used tiny incisions to reshape the eye and improve the vision, it’s accuracy was dependent more on the doctor holding the surgical instrument. The problem with RK and altitude is that the incisions seem to almost flex at high altitudes cause the vision to change. Research over the past 2 decades has allowed us to use better more capable lasers, as in custom wavefront LASIK. Other LASIK procedures are All Laser LASIK, and PRK.

Benefits of LASIK in High Altitudes:

 LASIK improves clarity
 Quick recovery after LASIK procedures
 Can return to climbing in as little as 2 weeks after procedure
 Less risk of fluctuation to the cornea after LASIK versus RK
 Little pain

If you are worried about whether or not you can return to climbing after LASIK, that shouldn’t be an issue. LASIK will give you a clearer view of the world around you in the air or on the ground. Remember improving your quality of vision will improve your quality of life.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in LASIK treatment and other procedures.

For more information on Dr. Brian’s LASIK procedure visit http://www.allaboutvision.com/lasik-surgeons/los-angeles-boxer-wachler.htm

The 9 most important topics you need to know about LASIK are covered in the LASIK CONSUMER REPORT. Because of it’s “straight-talk”, informative approach, the REPORT is one of the most trusted consumer publications on LASIK: http://lasikconsumerreport.com/lcr.html

To learn more on Altitude & LASIK visit: http://www.basecampmd.com/expguide/snowblind.shtml

Should You Consider LASIK Vision Correction

Chris Edwards 0 Comment LASIK , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The most common reasons for blurry vision are nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. All three of these problems can be easily fixed with LASIK.

While contacts and glasses can sometimes do the trick, they sometimes get in the way of activities and require upkeep that many would like to avoid.

For other patients who simply do not want to have to wear glasses or use contact, they may resort to LASIK as well.

LASIK is an eye treatment that is used to correct an individual’s vision. A laser is used to reshape the outer cornea.

Before your procedure, you are going to need to be evaluated by your doctor to see if you are a good candidate.

The good news is this procedure only takes about 20 minutes.

First, numbing drops will be placed in your eyes, and a eyelid holder will be placed in between your eyelids to hold your eyes open. Your doctor will then use a special instrument to make a tiny flap in your cornea. The cornea flap will then folded back so the laser can reshape the inner cornea to improve your vision.  It is like the laser is sculpturing the prescription onto the inner cornea. During the procedure, you will be comfortable and mostly only be aware of flashings lights on the microscope.  You may experience burning sensations after the procedure but it will subside within a few hours. Overall most patients say the procedure was easier than a visit to the dentist.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in LASIK treatment and other procedures.

For more information on Dr. Brian’s LASIK procedure visit http://www.allaboutvision.com/lasik-surgeons/los-angeles-boxer-wachler.htm

 

Do You Need An Alternative to Traditional LASIK?

Chris Edwards 0 Comment LASIK , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you have been rejected for the LASIK procedure in the past there may be an alternative treatment for you today.

The No Cut LASEK procedure is not new but is less well known compared to LASIK, but it yields great results.

The No Cut LASEK procedure allows those with larger pupils, or thinner corneas to have the procedure unlike with traditional LASIK. The No Cut LASEK procedure can also repair damage caused by previous procedures.

Below are 3 benefits of the No Cut LASEK treatment:

No Cutting – Unlike other procedures the LASEK procedure doesn’t require any cutting therefore there is less risk.

Less invasive than LASIK – no flap creation required, helps reduce the risk of halos and provides option for thin corneas to have treatment.

Short procedure time- The LASEK procedure is much easier and requires less procedure time. Generally between 5-10 minutes per eye.

With the No Cut LASEK procedure it allows others who didn’t have the alternative new options. The No Cut LASEK procedure also helps Astigmatism, Nearsightedness, and Farsightedness. The benefits of having this procedure far outweigh the risks of other procedures when they have larger pupils or thin conreas and it allows many more people to get the treatment they desire.

Advancements in treatments for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are on the rise. Alternatives for better quality of vision are a possibility for most of the population.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in LASIK treatment and other procedures.

For more information on Dr. Brian’s LASIK procedure visit http://www.allaboutvision.com/lasik-surgeons/los-angeles-boxer-wachler.htm

Climbing Mountains After LASIK

Chris Edwards 0 Comment LASIK , , , , , ,

For those of us who love mountain climbing, vision correction can be a scary topic. So what about all the rumors of problems related to Mountain climbing and vision correction? There was a bit of a problem with a few climbers when it came to RK vision correction and mountain climbing. The extenuating circumstances; they didn’t inform their doctor they would be climbing (Mt. Everest) nor did they inform the guide they had a procedure- a couple of “no-no’s” in the realm of climbing.  RK is the one vision correction procedure that can be impacted by high altitude.

So what height is too great to climb after you have LASIK vision correction procedures? To be honest whether you’re at 18,000ft on the MexicanVolcanoes, or at 29,000ft to the top of Mt. Everest you should have minimal effects from your LASIK vision correction procedure. The approximate time to wait for climbing after LASIK is generally 2 weeks. But be sure to talk it over with your eye care professional.

The Most Common Procedures:

 Custom Wavefront LASIK
 Epi-On LASIK
 PRK

The Most Common Complications:

 Dry eyes
 Lack of Oxygen to the Cornea
 Fluctuation of Vision

Even if you are still questioning the idea of mountain climbing after LASIK a quick conversation with your eye care professional can help put the aftercare in perspective. Remember that it takes at least two weeks of recovery time in most cases before you should climb. See your eye care professional to be sure. Something you are interested in doing should be top priority. Making sure that you will be able to do the things you love with your new vision comes next.

So whether you are interested in climbing the 22,500 ft of the Aconcogua or you want to make it only half the way to the top of the Mexican Volcanoes check out what vision correction procedure will best suit you and your situation.

For more information regarding LASIK visit: http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik.htm

Help with correcting astigmastim

Chris Edwards 0 Comment LASIK

Astigmatism while a condition that many suffer through there are several treatments available. Astigmatism affects each of us in a different way and determined by your eye care professional on what degree a person is suffering will determine whether or not a corrective refractive surgery is needed. There are several treatments for astigmatism while most patients receive glasses or contact lenses in different levels, some have severe astigmatism and need more than that to have an optimal quality of vision.

Below are some treatments and what to expect:

Glasses:

Glasses are a typical starting point for someone with astigmatism. Glasses can be used for many years without a change in your eye sight. However if you are diagnosed with an astigmatism it is wise to get an annual eye exam, or more frequent eye exam when you have changes in your vision.

Contact Lenses:

Some patients struggle with use of glasses and maintenance of glasses. However the contact lenses offer some comfort. The contact lenses can be used with a certain degree of astigmatism, however if the astigmatism gets worse other treatment options may be needed.

Vision Correction Surgery:

One of the refractive eye surgeries that can help those with astigmatism is LASIK. LASIK provide a person with an irregular cornea a clearer picture. This means that it can allow those who have an irregular shaped cornea a new smoother and more curved cornea. When the corneas shape is changed it allows the person a clearer image rather than a doubled or blurred view. It also can free someone from wearing glasses or contact lenses. While it doesn’t guarantee that you will not need glasses or contact lenses it can reduce some of the need for them.

Vision correction surgery is up to you and your eye care professionals. If you have more question about the treatments ask your doctor if it is right for you.

A BRIEF NOTE ABOUT DR. BRIAN

Throughout his highly respected career, cornea specialist Dr. Brian has never wavered with his integrity and dedication to always do the best for each and every patient - even in the face of adversity and peer pressure. Case in point: when he developed a procedure to treat a cornea condition known as Keratoconus. While other eye surgeons were entrenched in performing invasive and painful cornea transplants, Dr. Brian invented a new non-invasive procedure that prevented needing cornea transplants. He was shocked by the medical establishment being unwelcoming to his innovation because, as he later found out, his new procedure was preventing other eye surgeons from performing their lucrative cornea transplants. Dr. Brian persisted, went against the grain and didn't give up because he believed in himself and in his procedure as it was in the best interest of patients. Eventually, he crossed paths with U.S. Olympic bobsled driver Steven Holcomb who had Keratoconus and became so depressed over it that he tried to commit suicide. Luckily, he survived. The United States Olympic team and his coaches found Dr. Brian and sent Steven to see him. Dr. Brian restored his vision to 20/20 which enabled Steven later win a historic Olympic gold medal for United States in bobsled - the first in 62 years! As a result, Dr. Brian was later invited to give a prestigious TEDx talk about his integrity and dedication to patients. You can watch his moving and inspiring TEDx talk here.

Vision Correction in Los Angeles