More Evidence of the Benefits of LASIK

An article in the April issue of the Journal "Ophthalmology" highlights the benefits of new LASIK technology. The article described visual performance in simulated night driving conditions using two different LASIK technologies. One group of patients had conventional LASIK with a microkeratome the other group of patients had an all-laser Wafefront guided LASIK (custom, femtosecond flap)
The authors concluded that Wavefront-guided LASIK to correct myopia combined with a femtosecond laser flap significantly improved mean night driving visual performance and was significantly better than conventional LASIK using a mechanical keratome.
Potential LASIK patients may want to educate themselves on the distinction between different LASIK technologies to insure the best outcome. Think twice before trusting your eyes to a LASIK discounter who advertises a bare bones "out the door" price.
I can help you sort through the maze of articles and different studies. Readers are welcome to come in for a free LASIK consult. We even offer convenient evening hours. Concerned about cost? We participate in all insurance LASIK programs and offer interest free financing for up to 24 months.
Abstract of the article available by clicking on the link.
http://www.ophsource.org/periodicals/ophtha/article/S0161-6420(08)01338-9/abstract

Glaucoma and Alzheimer's Disease

Open-angle glaucoma patients are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease over time, a review of 12 years of Medicare claims found.
Researchers presented their findings at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology meeting recently. To come to their conclusion, the investigators followed a group of glaucoma patients and compared them to a similar group of patients without glaucoma. The glaucoma patients were much more likely to eventually develop Alzheimer's disease.
http://www.osnsupersite.com/view.aspx?rid=39524

Changing Eye Color

An ophthalmologist in Panama is currently implanting a colored implant in patients to change eye color. The cost is approximately $8000 plus airfare and accommodations. These implants may be of value to patients with albinism (lack of color) but patients who are receiving these for purely cosmetic reasons are cautioned about potential long term side effects. The lenses have the potential to cause cataract, glaucoma, corneal decompensation, infection and irreversible blindness. They are currently not approved for use in the US.

Changes in Corneal Thickness after LASIK and PRK

Correcting vision by LASIK or PRK involves removal of corneal tissue. Therefore, the cornea is thinner after the procedure than before. Investigators in Denmark wanted to study what happens to the cornea in the months after refractive surgery. They followed patients for 36 months after LASIK or PRK and found a thickening in both the top (epithelial) layer and deeper (stromal) layers in the months after refractive surgery. Doctors and patients can feel more at ease knowing that the cornea does not continue to thin in later years after LASIK.

Preexisting Psychiatric and Personality Disorders Can be a Major Source of Dissatisfaction After LASIK

A recent study done at the US Navy Refractive Center in San Diego was performed to determine the source of patient dissatisfaction after LASIK. The study confirmed that the overwhelming majority of patients were satisfied with the results of their LASIK surgery. An important predictor of dissatisfaction was the preexistence of psychiatric and personality disorders. Specifically mentioned was the presence of depression or a negative outlook. This study points out the importance of screening patients for these disorders and for patients to have realistic expectations. http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAO/7323

Measurement of Depth of Intacs

A recent article explores the use of Intacs in keratoconus:

Measurement of Depth of Intacs Implanted Via Femtosecond Laser Using Pentacam
Journal of Refractive Surgery Vol. 25 No. 4 April 2009

Günhal Kamburoglu, MD; Aylin Ertan, MD and Osman Saraçbasi, PhD

Thirty-two eyes of 23 keratoconic patients receiving Intacs intrastromal corneal ring segments implanted by femtosecond laser were included in the study. The depth of intracorneal channel and Intacs segments were measured for 7 predetermined points at 1 week and 1 year postoperatively using Scheimpflug images.
Mean achieved intrastromal channel depth exceeded the intended parameter by 6.5 µm to 69.0 µm. The standard deviation varied between ±13.5 µm and ±44.2 µm. The segment depth decreased at the end of the first postoperative year in all measured points, and the change was statistically significant at the superior, inferior, and temporal sides of the Intacs. The degree of change was not correlated with size of the Intacs, preoperative central corneal thickness, and mean keratometric values.

CONCLUSIONS
Intacs started out deeper than intended and tended to shallow over time. I had one patient who had erosion of their Intac segment into their anterior chamber which may have been a result of deeper than intended placement. This study has important implications for surgeons who perform Intacs in the treatment of keratoconus.

Ride for the Cure Today

Today (Sunday) we are helping sponsor Ride for the Cure. The motorcycle ride begins at C and C Cycles and ends at Scooters Bar and Grill. http://rideforthecure.us for more info. Hope you can join us in helping find a cure for breast cancer. Next week we will be involved in the Fallen Heroes Run. More info to follow.