Griffin & Reed Eye Care Vision Information

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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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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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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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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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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