How to Choose the Right Eye Care Specialist

 By Kristen Mozayeni  |  

 

    

 

What type of eye care specialist are you looking for?

Are you considering LASIK? If so, you want to look for a specialist who is an Ophthalmologist and specializes in LASIK eye surgery. While not all Ophthalmologists are LASIK surgeons, all LASIK surgeons are Ophthalmologists. Factors you should consider when looking for a LASIK consultation include:

1. Visit your eye doctor for a complete consultation to find out if you are an ideal LASIK candidate.
2. Ensure you do not fall for a "bait and switch" tactic that offers a LASIK eye surgery "discount."

These are more than likely full of hidden fees and substandard safety procedures.

Due to the price of LASIK eye surgery, people can succumb to tempting "discounts." These offers are usually too good to be true and can include hidden fees that end up costing you as much, if not more, than the actual surgery price. Furthermore, "discount" laser vision correction runs the risk of being less safe than practices that are upfront with costs.

Does your first eye care specialist choice use safe, up-to-date technology?

Ensure your doctor uses the lastest, FDA-approved technology. Quality eye care specialists will examine your eyes with state-of-the-art equipment that provides a wealth of ocular information. For instance, the Pentacam mapping system thoroughly examines your corneal structure in several ways so your doctor can determine if you are a good LASIK candidate. When choosing a specialist, keep updated technology in mind. Research the standard eye examination equipment they use to see if it will provide you with a safe and in-depth assessment. In addition, visit an eye care doctor who will discuss their findings with you in detail.

Are you diabetic and looking for an eye doctor to manage your vision needs?
If you or a family member have diabetes, visit either an Optometrist or an Ophthalmologist for complete eye care. Select a well-trained eye care specialist who has specific experience in diabetic eye care.

Have you been diagnosed with Keratoconus?

Keratoconus patients should find someone who is an Ophthalmologist actively following current FDA studies on corneal cross-linking, a less invasive, future Keratoconus treatment. In all likelihood, these will be cornea specialists, as Keratoconus is a corneal disease.

Whether you're looking to undergo vision correction surgery, are searching for a reputable specialist for general eye care needs or are looking to handle a disease that affects your eye health, always watch for the following:

• Verify the doctors credentials
• Ask your friends and family
• Read online reviews
• Verify pricing and make sure you understand it.

Above all else, the most important thing to do is find a reputable, certified specialist who meets your unique patient needs. In doing this, you and your family will be well on your way to receiving top shelf eye care from a caring office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_Mozayeni

Is Lasik Eye Surgery Safe For Kids? 

By Dawn Bradshaw  

The topic of Lasik eye surgery and its effectiveness in vision correction for children is a highly debated one. According to the FDA, Lasik should be performed only on people above 18 years of age. The other criteria for performing Lasik is that, the vision condition of the patient should be stable for the past year, which is often difficult for children that are having issues with their vision. Because of this, Lasik surgery is normally not recommended for kids.

What does the medical community say?
Lasik surgery can offer superb results in correcting vision issues even in children. Some, prominent ophthalmologists believe that Lasik can be used for children who cannot wear glasses or contact lenses. This is performed particularly for those children who are not able to read or write properly due to poor vision. There is a direct connection between the eyes and the brain, and the development process of this connection continues until children reach age 7 to 8 and this development process might be hindered by LASIK surgery. On the other hand, according to some eye specialists, maximizing the vision of the eye before the developmental process is complete is vital to ensure that the children have complete vision.

Why Lasik might be ineffective for kids?
The Lasik surgery procedure involves creating a corneal flap, and then using a laser to reshape the cornea. Reshaping the cornea corrects the inability of the cornea to focus incoming light directly onto the lens. However, as a child, the cornea, and lens of the eye is also expected to grow and change their shape naturally. So, if Lasik is performed on a child, the cornea might grow into a different shape again as they grow, making the previous process ineffective. Performing Lasik for children should only be performed for severe cases where it is the only option available for vision correction.

Children can be affected by numerous eye disorders. With proper treatment, these eye problems can be corrected, but they need to be diagnosed at an early age. By performing an eye examination, a skilled ophthalmologist can determine whether your child will be able to see without glasses or lenses in the near future or not. Nowadays, medical science has advanced and most children's eye problems can be solved by the use of different medications or surgeries. With the progress of these new technologies, many critical problems like retinopathy, pediatric glaucoma, cataracts, ptosis and many other abnormal visual imbalances are now being treated and corrected successfully.
 

The physicians at Ophthalmology Associates have offered eye care services in Fort Worth, HEB, Weatherford, and Granbury for over 40 years. For more information call us at (817) 332-2020 or Contact Us Online to request an appointment by simply filling out the on-line form. It's a beautiful world, you deserve to see it well!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Bradshaw

How to Know If You Qualify for Lasik Surgery

By Chris P. Tan  |   Submitted On December 27, 2013  
  
Lasik (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) surgery is a procedure that can help many individuals who have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism regain back their lost vision. Before the surgery can take place, potential candidates need to undergo various tests to determine lasik surgery compatibility. These tests are not only painless but necessary as approximately 30% of people are not good candidates for lasik surgery.

Individuals who are scheduled for lasik surgery compatibility tests are asked to refrain from wearing their soft contacts for 48 hours or their hard contacts for one week before testing as contacts can alter the shape of the cornea, possibly affecting test results. The testing also involves dilating the pupils, so patients should arrange for transportation following the examination.

Tomography of the cornea
Tomography of the cornea, also known as optical coherence tomography (OCT), allows the ophthalmologist to thoroughly evaluate the anatomy of the cornea. The term "tomography" refers to the ability of the test to provide the clinician with sectional images of the cornea. This test is completely noninvasive, which means no contact is made with the eye. Instead, images of the cornea are produced using reflected light (near infrared light) from the eye's tissues.

Within just a few seconds, the ophthalmologist can get accurate three-dimensional images of the cornea that help determine whether the patient is a candidate for lasik surgery. Among the measurements taken is the coefficient of variation, which can reveal how much cell loss has occurred in the cornea. This information is critical for surgeons from which to base their decision.

Visual acuity and refraction examination
These quick tests are common during an optometry examination. A visual acuity test involves reading letters on a chart (Snellen chart) that is 20 feet away while covering one eye first before the other.

The refraction examination goes hand in hand with the visual acuity test. Also known as a vision test, the refraction test tells the doctor what prescription individuals need to achieve 20/20 vision. To conduct the test, individuals sit in a chair 20 feet away from the Snellen chart and look through a device that contains various lenses. The doctor changes the lenses and asks patients which ones allow them to see the letters most clearly.

Ophthalmology examination
The ophthalmology exam involves several quick tests. One is dilation of the pupils, which allows the ophthalmologist to evaluate the health of the retina and the optic nerve. Another is a measure of the intraocular pressure of the eyes. This test, known as tonometry, can be done in several different ways.

The most common way is for patients to stare through an examination device while the doctor applies a rapid puff of air to the eye. The machine can determine eye pressure by measuring the light reflections off the eye.

Some doctors use a slit lamp. In this test, eye drops are administered to numb the eyes and a strip of paper containing dye is gently tapped on the cornea. Patients are then told to look through a device called a slit lamp. The doctor adjusts the tip of the tonometer until it barely touches the cornea to get a reading. Another test is done to check whether patients have an adequate amount of tears. After numbing the eyes, a tiny strip of paper is placed inside the lower eyelids.

After several minutes, the doctor removes the paper to determine how much moisture the eyes can produce. The results of these tests, plus additional information about a patient's overall health, are all taken into consideration when determining whether an individual is a candidate for lasik surgery.

Chris Tan is an expert on the latest advancements in eye surgeries such as Lasik Eye Surgery and the procedures that go hand in hand with them. He has also written many insightful articles about eye care, lasik side effects, its cost, and shared helpful tips pertaining to eye care. He recommends ClearVision Eye Clinic and LASIK Center, if you are ever in need of such services as they practice the utmost care in safety procedures during operations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_P._Tan

Vision Conditions: LASIK Eye Surgery and Other Treatment Options

By Kristen Mozayeni           

 

    

Astigmatism
A very common eye condition, astigmatism occurs when someone's cornea is irregularly shaped, not allowing the retina to properly focus on light. Many people with astigmatism believe LASIK eye surgery is not a possibility for them. This is not true. If a LASIK specialist has invested in recent technology, then having astigmatism does NOT make you a non-candidate. Patients who desire to reduce their dependence on and possibly get rid of their eyeglasses or contacts should visit a reputable LASIK specialist to determine whether or not their eyes are suitable for LASIK eye surgery. During a LASIK consultation, you should expect the following at a minimum: a scan of your cornea, checking of your peripheral vision, pupil reaction, eye dominance, tear production, your entire health history (not just your eyes) and you should meet your surgeon on this day as well.

Reading Vision Correction
As we age, our internal eye lenses gradually get harder, losing the ability to change shape automatically and focus up close. Typically noticeable by 45, presbyopia (farsightedness or loss of close-up vision) is often correctable via LASIK eye surgery or other, non-surgical methods. LASIK options such as Monovision or Presby-LASIK can reshape the cornea so light once again bends correctly, allowing proper retinal focusing. For those not suitable for LASIK eye surgery, numerous solutions treat presbyopia, including:

• Bifocal glasses
• Multifocal glasses
• Monovision contacts
• Reading glasses

Distance Vision Correction
Many people are myopic, meaning that they can't see far away. This can happen at many stages of life, and in many cases, it is inherited. The good thing about myopia is that it is easy to fix. When someone is myopic, it means the surface of the cornea (the front of the eye) is too steep and light gets focused slightly in front of the retina. LASIK eye surgery is the process of reshaping the cornea to correct distance vision issues. Afterward, the eye can correctly bend light again, restoring clear vision. Patients deemed good LASIK candidates should look carefully at their surgeon's experience, level of patient care and technology. If your surgeon thinks you are a good candidate, then your surgeon can also recommend all-laser blade free LASIK or all laser blade-free PRK. In cases where individuals are not suitable candidates, they can be treated with a prescription for contacts and/or glasses to correct their distance vision.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition that diabetic patients must monitor carefully. Untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness and therefore should be closely monitored. Many times affecting both eyes, diabetic retinopathy is present in roughly 40% of Type I diabetes cases and 20% of Type II cases. Other than keeping blood sugar levels as close to homeostasis as possible, diabetics need to visit their eye care specialist regularly to keep check on their visual status. When caught in its early stages, diabetic retinopathy is much easier to manage and treat. A comprehensive eye exam can unearth diabetic retinopathy while quality diabetic eye care can maximize retinal health. Diabetic retinopathy does not automatically make you a non-candidate for LASIK. Diabetic patients should be carefully evaluated by a qualified LASIK specialist to determine if they are a candidate. Your diabetic history should be an integral part of that evaluation process and discussion about the best solution for vision correction.

Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea becomes abnormally thin, bulges like a cone and becomes distorted. This causes significant visual distortion. In the early stages of keratoconus, patients typically can be fitted with contacts that will give them acceptable vision. However, if the keratoconus does not stabilize and continues to worsen, a corneal transplant is ultimately required. Keratoconus patients are NOT LASIK candidates. LASIK can actually accelerate keratoconus.
There is excellent and exciting news on the horizon for keratoconus patients. Corneal Cross-Linking (CXL), which has been performed in Europe since 1997, has been in clinical trials in the United States. It is possible the procedure will be approved by the FDA by mid-2014, offering hope to those suffering from keratoconus. While CXL may not cure this disease, corneal cross linking may be the key in slowing keratoconus progression and reducing the chances of needing a corneal transplant. It is expected that there will be some keratoconus patients that may be LASIK candidates after successful corneal cross linking. This is something that should be discussed with a LASIK specialist who is also performing corneal cross linking when available.

Check out our blog at: http://www.providenceeye.com/blog/ to learn more about vision conditions, advanced LASIK technology and complete eye care treatments. Or, feel free to contact us to schedule a complimentary eye examination if you're interested in LASIK eye surgery: http://www.providenceeye.com/contact-us.php. Thanks for reading!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_Mozayeni