Griffin & Reed Eye Care Vision Information

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benbcraig

 

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Safety and LASIK A patient's safety is the eye doctor's first priority in laser vision correction. Not only must the health of the eyes and the health of the patient be considered while critical standards of eligibility must be met. Eye testing with non-routine scans and devices help to inform patients of their eligibility for laser eye surgery, ensuring the safest possible choice for each patient.

Since laser vision correction involves the cornea, the health and integrity of the cornea is critical for safe and predictable outcomes. Previously, doctors only had scans such as corneal topography, as a method of measuring the shape of the cornea. While topography scans are capable of showing possible problem areas, they are limited to a front surface view of the cornea only. Subtle abnormalities of posterior surface, or back, of the cornea are impossible to measure with conventional instruments. These subtle abnormalities are often responsible for unpredictable and sometimes very poor visual outcomes after laser eye surgery.

The inability to generate exact measurements has been the frustration of many eye care professionals. Worse yet, patients were sometimes told they were not candidates for LASIK based on incorrect information. Even more critically, some patients who were poor candidates for LASIK surgery underwent the procedure, due to unreliable measurements.

To the relief of eye care professionals, Germany's Oculus company developed the Pentacam, heralded as the Next Wave in Comprehensive Eye Scanner Technology.

Sacramento LASIK eye surgeons Griffin & Reed Eye Care believe that the Pentacam is the ultimate diagnostic tool for laser vision correction. Utilizing a sophisticated Scheipmflug camera system that scans the anterior eye (cornea, anterior chamber, iris, and lens), the Pentacam takes up to 25,000 measured data points in a scan time of 2 seconds per eye. From all this data a 3D model of the eye is constructed that can be viewed and analyzed by the doctor, allowing viewing of the eye from 25 different angles with a three dimensional analysis of all the structures mentioned above. (www.oculususa.com)

Most importantly for potential LASIK patients, it allows doctors a precise elevation map of the back surface of the cornea, unparalleled by any previous technology, so that recommendations can be made for the safest possible laser vision correction.

The 3D capability of the image allows doctors to determine if lens implants for very nearsighted or farsighted patients might be a better option than laser surgery. Doctors can also grade the level of cataract development in the lens of the eye and follow its progress with subsequent scans.

For patients who have undergone previous laser vision correction who are in need of cataract surgery, doctors can more accurately calculate the lens implant replacement power with the true corneal curvature measurements provided by the Pentacam.

In addition some corneal conditions such as keratoconus, pellucid degeneration, or corneal ectasia can be monitored for stability or progression with the Pentacam. This allows surgeons to help these patients with the best contact lens or other vision correction option for their particular need.

Griffin & Reed Eye Care is the first ophthalmology group in the greater Sacramento area to offer patients the benefits of the Pentacam. The enthusiasm of these Sacramento LASIK surgeons for this advanced eye care device means that many patients contemplating laser eye surgery or lens replacement surgery can receive the safest and most accurate treatment choices. In the opinion of the eye care professionals at Griffin & Reed Eye Care, there is no instrument more detailed, accurate, and helpful as a diagnostic device in determining a patient's candidacy for laser vision correction than the Pentacam.

Labels: lasik, lasik eye surgery, safety, vision correction

Patti

 

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Roseville Practice Open Hello everyone.

We are pleased to announce that our permanent Roseville practice is now up and running. It is easy to find in the Sutter Roseville Medical Center at the end of North Sunrise. We are in building number 5 on the second floor. The same eye vision care services offered at our Sacramento location are now available in Placer County. Many patients are already commenting on how much they enjoy the new close proximity of the care we offer our patients. If you are interested in making an appointment in Roseville, you can reach that office direct by calling 784-2020 or by calling our Sacramento location at 485-2020.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Brad Mitchell
COO

Labels: eye surgery, lasik, Roseville, vision correction

Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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ReStor clinical results AcrySof ReSTOR lens is a breakthrough in vision surgery, allowing patients who have had cataract surgery to stop wearing glasses. The AcrySof ReSTOR intraocular lens (IOL), improves vision up close, far away and at all distances in-between, so that cataract patients can once again enjoy life without the bother of corrective lenses.

If you've been told you have cataracts, it may sound frightening. But statistics show cataract surgery is very safe, effective and successful. Once you and your doctor have made the decision to go forward with cataract surgery, you'll need to decide on the correct intraocular lens (IOL) that is best for you. Your doctor will measure your eye to determine this.

The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is an advanced type of multifocal IOL that may be exactly what you need. During clinical studies, four out of five patients with the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL reported never needing to wear glasses following cataract surgery, compared to only 1 out of 10 patients with monofocal lenses. This is the highest level of freedom from corrective lenses ever demonstrated in an IOL clinical trial. In fact, nearly 94% of the study subjects were so satisfied with their new vision, they emthusiastically stated they would have the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL implanted again if necessary.

If you're facing cataract surgery, be sure to talk to your eye doctor or the Sacramento LASIK eye surgeons at Griffin & Reed Eye Care about AcrySof ReSTOR IOL.

Labels: cataract surgery, cataracts, ICL, implantable contact lens, intraocular lens, IOL, ReSTOR, vision correction

Patti

 

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How is the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL different from monofocal lenses? If you're considering the prospect of cataract surgery, you've probably discussed your options with your eye doctor. Perhaps he or she has mentioned the 'monofocal lens' as one type of intraocular lens (IOL) that could be used. But what really is the difference between monofocal lenses and the AcrySof(R) ReSTOR(R) IOL?

Monofocal IOLs focus on one distance only, meaning that even after your cataract surgery, you will likely need glasses to see far away or close up - perhaps even both. The AcrySof ReSTOR IOL focuses on both distance and close up objects, meaning you might be able to enjoy a lifestyle that is glasses-free, regardless of your visual acuity issues.

When discussing your cataract surgery options with your eye doctor, be sure to ask whether you are a suitable candidate for the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL. If freedom from glasses is at the top of your wish list, the AcrySof ReSTOR IOL is often the best choice in allowing better distance and up close vision without glasses.

A wealth of information can be found by visiting the Sacramento LASIK web site of Griffin & Reed Eye Care. This group of highly trained pysicians knows that laser vision correction can be very confusing due to all of the hype and misinformation that exists. Their goal is not to see how many surgeries they can perform but how they can best assist you in understanding the best options for treating your eyes.

Labels: cataracts, catract surgery, IOL, ReSTOR, vision correction

Patti

 

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How Does the LASIK Flap Heal? If you've ever lost your glasses only to find them perched on your head, you've probably considered LASIK surgery. But the idea of having a doctor perform such a delicate procedure on a body part as precious as your eyes may be keeping you from taking advantage of this amazing technology.

For most of us, some type of visual issue, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, means we need corrective lenses. But the time-tested technology of LASIK, along with the fine-tuned surgical skill of highly trained ophthalmologists, like the eye care professionals at Sacramento LASIK surgery group Griffin & Reed Eye Care, makes LASIK one of the safest, most effective eye treatments available.

Traditional LASIK surgery is used principally for individuals who are very shortsighted (nearsighted) or very longsighted (farsighted). LASIK surgery uses ultraviolet beams of excimer lasers to correct visual acuity.

At Griffin & Reed Eye Care, the state-of-the-art VISX Star S4 IR Excimer Laser produces a cool ultraviolet light, removing a small amount of corneal tissue - typically less than the thickness of a human hair - and allowing light to be more sharply focused on the retina. Then, the flap is gently folded back to expose the next level of tissue, called the stroma. The laser is directed precisely onto the stroma, vaporizing tiny areas and removing the irregularities causing your defective vision. The flap is replaced and the eye generally heals itself in a day or two.

Many wonder whether the flap ever really heals completely. Even though your Sacramento LASIK professional can potentially raise the flap again in future procedures if necessary, this is not a problem for those who have the LASIK procedure, as they do not feel the flap. So although it is never truly "healed", the flap stays in position during healing, remaining so throughout the next 30 days it takes to completely heal, and beyond.

Labels: lasik, lasik eye surgery, vision correction

Patti

 

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UC Davis Children's Hospital Fundraiser We recently had the opportunity to help once again kick off the UC Davis Children's Hospital fundraiser on Entercom radio with the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show during their 29 hour straight RAD-a-thon. We are honored to have the opportunity to give back to the community with efforts such as this with the UC Davis Children's Hospital. From 7-8AM we matched all donations that came in during the Rob, Arnie and Dawn show. It was a great opportunity to answer questions some listeners had about laser vision correction and help out with a great cause. We are pleased that the matching hour was, once again, the best hour during the event bringing in over $16,000 for the hospital. We look forward to next year! Below is a picture taken during the matching hour.

Labels: charity, lasik, vision correction

LesaH

 

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Floaters - What Are They and Why They Occur Floaters are small specks in your field of vision. You might see them when you look at a plain background, like a blank wall. The vitreous humor of your eye- the clear gel that fills the inside of your eye - is where floaters originate, in the form of tiny bits of gel or cells. You aren't actually seeing these bits, but are really seeing their shadows as they are cast on your eye's retina, which is light sensitive. As your eye moves, the floater moves too, because it is inside your eye.

Older people at risk for detached retina sometimes see flashes of light, an early warning sign.

Migraine sufferers see flashes of light that look like jagged lines that last as long as 10-20 minutes. These are caused by the migraine, a blood vessel spasm in the brain. This symptom is often followed by a severe, debilitating headache and nausea.

Middle-aged people who are nearsighted, or have had cataract surgery, YAG laser eye surgery or inflammation of the eye are more likely to have floaters.

Floaters are generally no cause for alarm. However, if you see many floaters all of a sudden and experience light flashes or other visual disturbances, this could indicate retinal detachment or other serious eye problems for which you should contact your doctor immediately.

Labels: cataract surgery, cataracts, eye surgery, IOL, lasik

Patti

 

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Custom LASIK - is there a difference and when do you recommend it? Custom laser vision correction, using sophisticated iris tracking, is the latest advance in the field of laser vision correction. We all have unique imperfections in our eyes, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, sometimes in combination. Irregularities happen because of the way our eye bends light, and these unique imperfections are known by eye care professionals as 'wavefront abnormalities'.

With the very latest CustomVue or Wavefront treatments, Sacramento LASIK eye care professionals can treat what glasses and contact lenses correct as well as the unique abnormalities that cannot be corrected with corrective lenses.

Within the field of LASIK surgery, surgeons sometimes must retreat patients whose LASIK procedure did not provide optimum results. Surgeons work hard to keep their retreatment rates low and automatically recommend the more expensive CustomVue or Wavefront treatments to their patients when, in actuality, traditional LASIK might work just as well. This is done in an effort to reduce the surgeon's retreatment rate, because the patient has as much as a 35% better chance of achieving 20/25 vision with custom LASIK.

Approximately one third of all nearsighted and astigmatic patients truly do need custom laser vision correction, which offers these specific patients more benefits. The best way for you to know about all of your options is to discuss every available treatment and its costs with your LASIK professional so you can be an informed and educated patient when making the decision that is right for you.

Labels: customvue, eye surgery, lasik, lasik eye surgery, vision correction, wavefront

Patti

 

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Age = cataracts and presbyopia As we age, changes occur in our vision that may lead to a number of conditions, such as cataracts and presbyopia.

A cataract is an opaque or cloudy area that forms within the eye's lens, making vision difficult. Cataracts occur with aging or trauma. The treatment for cataracts is to remove the lens and implant an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL).

Presbyopia is an age-related vision impairment. As the tiny muscles controlling the crystalline lens become weaker, the lens cannot be shaped to accommodate changes in distance. Vision becomes blurry for near objects and the individual ends up needing reading glasses. While presbyopia cannot be treated by LASIK, an intraocular lens, also called an artificial lens, can solve the problem.

The IOL is implanted in the eye to replace the natural crystalline lens. The newest types of intraocular lenses are multifocal, helping patients to see both near and far.

While none of us enjoys the changes in our vision that occur as we become older, it's comforting to know medical science has found ways to correct some of these issues so we can continue to lead healthy and productive lives.

If you are experiencing vision changes or it's time for a thorough eye exam, visit the eye care professionals at Griffin & Reed Eye Care, specialists in visual care and leading providers of Sacramento LASIK.

More About presbyopia
Presbyopia is the inability to adjust vision to see close up due to weakening eye muscles and loss of eye flexibility. It happens to everyone to some degree as we age.

Around the age of 40, some people notice they cannot see as well close up as they once could. Their eyes feel more tired when they read, do needlepoint or work on the computer, and they may choose reading glasses to help with their failing vision.

While presbyopia is commonly treated with prescription eyewear, (bifocals, progressive lenses, or reading glasses) other treatments are available:

• Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) corrects presbyopia and creates monovision, adjusting one eye for near vision and the other eye for distance vision.
• ReStor and ReZoom are also intraocular replacement procedures with the added benefit of preventing cataracts in the future.

Brand new procedures, not yet approved by the FDA, may soon be available as well. Your Sacramento LASIK professional can tell you more about these promising options.

If you're over 40 years old, be sure that every visit to your eye doctor includes presbyopia testing. If it's been some time since you've had a thorough eye examination, schedule one today to give yourself the chance to see the world in a new light!

Labels: cataracts, CK, intraocular lens, IOL, lasik, presbyopia, ReSTOR, vision correction

Patti

 

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Who makes a good lasik candidate? If you're considering LASIK surgery, you'll meet with an experienced ophthalmologist to check your vision and review your medical history. The ophthalmologist will discuss traditional and custom LASIK options.

The requirements for LASIK are:

• Over 18
• Good overall health
• Good vision health
• Vision errors within the FDA's approved range
• Stable eyesight for 18-24 months

Before your LASIK procedure begins, you will receive a thorough eye examination, in which the amount of refractive error and corneal thickness will be measured to determine your risk of tear problems and unstable vision.

Several existing medical conditions can create poor results, such as rheumatoid arthritis, advanced glaucoma, keratoconus, untreated cataracts, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and autoimmune disorders. Age and vision stability are also key when considering LASIK.

Many over 40 years of age require reading glasses and can see at a distance but not up close ('hyperopia'). For nearsighted individuals, the problem is reversed. They wear glasses to see far away, and remove them to see close up ('myopia'). But LASIK will change all of that and, for most nearsighted individuals who do not wish to adjust their close up vision, monovision is an option. In this procedure only one eye is corrected for distance and the other for close up vision, reducing the need for reading glasses.

LASIK risks include:

• Insufficient corneal tissue- resulting in a less-than-optimal result
• Regression- requiring a second procedure
• Glare or haloes - seen around objects at night
• Dry eyes- caused by regenerating sensory nerves

Avoid choosing a LASIK surgeon based on price alone. Many who offer low prices perform surgery all day, every day in order to meet their bottom lines. These physicians won't have the time to be concerned with your individual circumstances, so avoid price shopping for something as precious as your sight. Instead, choose a LASIK surgeon with proven training and experience, like the professionals at Sacramento LASIK group Griffin & Reed Eye Care.

Labels: eye surgery, lasik, lasik eye surgery, vision correction

Patti

 

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Eye Exercises and Presbyopia Recently, Nintendo has been promoting a new game package for its handheld DS system. The package, called Flash Focus, is a series of exercises for your eyes, ostensibly to stave off vision loss that occurs as we age. Very popular in Japan, Nintendo is hoping to target a different sector of the American market with this product. The question is: if you want better vision, can eye exercises help?

When we are young, our healthy eyes work well in seeing both near and far. As the eyes age, problems with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia may begin to appear. And while eye exercises might seem like a logical way to improve vision strength, in reality they seem to be of little value.

Presbyopia is of particular concern to older individuals. Although no one knows the exact cause of the disease, It has also been postulated that a weakness in the muscles makes them unable to compress and bend the lens as necessary to make it focus on objects at different distances. However, since eye exercises seem to be of little use in correcting the disease, it seems unlikely that the muscles are the problem. The most common theory for the cause of presbyopia is that the lens loses elasticity, making it harder for the muscles to bend it to focus up close. Fortunately, remedies exist.

Many people wear reading glasses to cope with presbyopia. Thankfully, modern technology now offers the intraocular lens, also called an artificial lens, to solve this aggravating vision problem.

The intraocular lens works when implanted in the eye, replacing the stiffened crystalline lens. Intraocular lenses can be multifocal so that patients are able to see both up close and at a distance.

If you're struggling with presbyopia, why continue when the problem can be solved so quickly and easily? The Sacramento LASIK surgeons at Griffin & Reed Eye Care would be happy to discuss your vision needs in a private consultation.

Labels: astigmatism, farsightedness, lasik, myopia, nearsightedness, presbyopia, vision correction

Patti

 

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Roseville Expansion Going Well Thanks to all of the patients deciding to visit us in Roseville. If you haven't heard, our surgeons are now seeing patients in Roseville and Sacramento. If you are thinking about having LASIK and would like to have a free LASIK evaluation with one of our surgeons, I invite you to give us a call or contact Jami through the link on the right side of your screen. Thanks for visiting our site.

Brad

Labels: eye surgery, lasik, Roseville, vision correction

Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Griffin & Reed Eye Care on KOVR 13

Tune in this Sunday night to KOVR 13 and watch Kurtis Ming's segment, Buy It and Try It. Channel 13 contacted us for our help in testing a popular product on the market called, The Lens Doctor. This product claims to fix scratches on your glasses and restore them to like new condition. We performed multiple tests so tune in to see how it performed. If you miss the story on Sunday, you can go here to watch it online at http://cbs13.com/buyandtry. I included a few photos above from when they were taping for the story.

Brad

Labels: eye surgery, lasik

Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Roseville Expansion For quite a while patients have been requesting that we expand our services to include the Roseville area. We are happy to announce that this will finally become a reality. Effective today, we will begin seeing patients in Roseville for LASIK. If you would like to have your free LASIK evaluation performed by Dr. Reed in Roseville, please contact our LASIK department and they would be happy to schedule your appointment. More exciting news to come in regard to Roseville!

Thank you for stopping by.

Brad Mitchell
COO
Griffin & Reed Eye Care

Labels: eye surgery, lasik, lasik eye surgery, Roseville, vision correction

Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Air Force changes policy on LASIK Refractive surgery program policy changes

5/24/2007 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force officials have changed the policy to allow people applying for aviation and aviation-related jobs to have had LASIK surgery. The change became effective May 21. The change also removes the altitude and high-performance aircraft restrictions for people who have had LASIK.

The decision to make these changes was based on studies that showed there was little to no effect on LASIK-treated eyes when subjected to the wind blast experienced during aircraft ejection or exposure to high altitude.

Due to stresses placed on the eyes during flight combined with the active lifestyle of military members, the recommended refractive surgeries are Wave Front Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy, or WFG-PRK, and Wave Front Guided Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, know as WFG-LASIK, using the femtosecond laser. The eyes are more trauma resistant after surgery using one of these methods compared to other forms of refractive surgeries.

With all refractive surgeries, there is no guarantee of "perfect" sight after undergoing the procedures. Individuals must still meet the standards prescribed in AFI 48-123, Medical Examination and Standards, for entrance into the Air Force and aviation and special-duty positions.

Additional information and guidance can be found at the AF Knowledge Exchange by accessing the restricted "Dot Mil" site: https://kx.afms.mil/USAF-RS or public access:
http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/USAF-RS

Labels: eye surgery, lasik, lasik eye surgery, refractive surgery, wave front surgery

Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Urgent LASIK News A commonly used laser in the US for LASIK has been recalled. We do NOT use this laser but are providing this information as a public service. Please see the FDA website below for information on the LADAR6000 recall.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-022107.html
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Alcon Refractive Horizons LADAR6000 Excimer Laser System
Audience: Ophthalmologists, patients

[Posted 06/05/2007] Alcon Refractive Horizons and FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients of a Class I Recall of the LADAR6000 Excimer Laser System for CustomCornea algorithm for myopia with astigmatism (M3) and myopia without astigmatism (A7). This system is used for LASIK and wave-front guided LASIK treatment for the reduction or elimination of mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia) with or without astigmatism or for mixed astigmatism in patients who are 21 years of age or older with documented stability of refraction for the prior 12 months.

The product was recalled because use of the Alcon Refractive Horizons CustomCornea algorithm for myopia with and without astigmatism with the LADAR6000 Excimer Laser caused corneal abnormalities ("central islands") and decreased visual sharpness (visual acuity) in patients. These "central islands" may not be correctable with lasers and the decrease in visual acuity may not be correctable with glasses or contact lenses. Patients with questions should call the company at 1-877-523-2784. [June 05, 2007 - Recall Notice - FDA]
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The previous version LADAR laser, the LADAR4000, also experienced an FDA recall (Recall # Z-1147-06). Several doctors in the area use the LADAR4000 and LADAR6000 or did use these lasers and claimed they were equal to or better than the Visx Star S4 - IR that we use in our practice. As always, we provide information to our patients and let them make their own conclusions. We have always used and will ONLY use the most current generation of Visx laser. It is truly superior and when combined with our proprietary programming generates the best possible results for our patients.

Thank you for visiting lasikworld.com

Brad Mitchell
COO
Griffin & Reed Eye Care

Labels: lasik, lasik eye surgery, vision correction

Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Updates to our website and free evaluations We recently updated and refined several areas of our website such as 20 Questions to Consider While Researching Laser Vision Correction, Why We Are Clearly Different and our Virtual LASIK Seminar videos. In an effort to continue to differentiate our practice and continue to put the patient first, our surgeons now offer free LASIK consultations. In today's market of corporate LASIK chains and centers operating more like surgery mills than medical practices, we wanted to offer our patients something unique in addition to our safety protocols and proprietary programming of our Visx Star S4 IR laser.

We realize that fear is a logical obstacle that most need to overcome prior to having LASIK surgery. We determined that the best way to address this after providing as much candid information about LASIK surgery as possible on our website, was to alter our evaluations so they are always with our surgeons from the very beginning. You can read about our surgeons here and get to know them a little prior to making your appointment. If you have any comments or suggestions, I would welcome your input. Feel free to email me personally here.

Thank you for stopping by.
Brad Mitchell
COO
Griffin & Reed Eye Care Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Updates scheduled for lasikworld.com Hello and thank you for visiting our site. We are currently in the process of updating our 20 Questions to Consider While Researching Laser Vision Correction page and the Why We Are Clearly Different page of our website. Those changes should be published within the next 2 weeks.

New Retinal imaging equipment is also being purchased in order to continue offering the latest technology to our patients. This equipment will be very valuable for all patients in helping to determine the health of their eyes. Information on this equipment will be added on lasikworld.com shortly.

I'm glad our website is being received so well. Last week, we had patients calling from TN and Ohio wanting to come to us for LASIK surgery due to the information contained here. Our objective was and is to be as open and as transparent as possible. Any suggestions are always welcome.

Please feel free to read what previous patients have said about us in our testimonials section.

Sincerely,
Brad Mitchell
COO
Griffin & Reed Eye Care Griffin & Reed Eye Care

 

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Welcome to our vision correction blog. We will use this space to relate the latest information from Griffin & Reed Eye Care. You'll find new information about LASIK, ReSTOR®, and Cataracts, and we'll answer some of the most common questions about the challenges that people face and how vision correction can help them to overcome those challenges. Please check back each week for the latest from the Griffin & Reed Eye Care blog. D. Brent Reed, M.D.

 

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