Which Vision Correction Surgery is best for you?

For many living in Los Angeles, wearing glasses or contacts is still a part of everyday life. Older people especially, who have lived with imperfect sight all their life, are not as willing to make a change in their lifestyle and get vision correction surgery. Baby boomers who may not have had bad vision are starting to notice their eyes weakening. It is getting progressively difficult to see far distances or read small lettering close-up. What these people may not know, is that there are many options they can look into for vision correction, in order to start seeing perfectly without the use of contacts, glasses, or bifocals. Perhaps the most common option is LASIK Los Angeles ophthalmologists will tell you however, this is not the only option.

There are two main focusing structures of the eye, the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the outer clear tissue over the center of the eye whose shape and focusing ability can be improved with procedures like LASIK, the best known of the vision correction procedures. Over the past decade, millions of people have been able to leave their glasses behind thanks to this advancement in vision correction. The improvements in LASIK surgery over that time have been breathtaking.

Two new technologies have caused a resurgence of LASIK. Custom LASIK involves mapping a detailed optical “fingerprint” of the eye and using it to guide the laser. “Custom LASIK gives better night vision and sharper clarity of vision than the traditional LASIK procedure,” says Dr. Robert Maloney, director of the Maloney Vision Institute and the first surgeon to perform LASIK in Western North America.

Complementing custom LASIK is Intralase “all-laser” LASIK, in which the flap is made with an ultra fast laser instead of the traditional machine. “All lasers” LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles patients agree, the fear of having a flap cut on the eye is completely eliminated with this technology.

But, LASIK can’t correct high levels of nearsightedness or farsightedness, and it can’t correct people with thin corneas (LASIK can weaken a thin cornea). For people with thin corneas or weak corneas, “flapless LASIK”, also called PRK, is the way to go.

The Implantable Contact Lens is another option for vision correction surgery in Los Angeles. This is a special lens that is inserted permanently inside the eye. Unlike ordinary contact lenses, it never needs to be cleaned or changed, and lasts a lifetime. While the Implantable Contact Lens would give great distance vision, it wouldn’t eliminate reading glasses for some, because the natural lens weakens with age.

The human eye’s natural lens is flexible in young people. This allows the lens to change focus, much as a camera lens can focus on distant mountains and a close up baby’s face. Unfortunately, as we get older, the natural lens hardens, impairing its ability to focus up close. This process of hardening of the lens is called “presbyopia”, and it happens to every human on the planet.

Many new Los Angeles vision correction surgery options are available to patients, and the quality of vision is better than ever. But it is not a one size fits all. Patients need to do their research and consider all their choices.

What you need to know about LASIK

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis. The LASIK procedure has been performed in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles for many years and has been perfected using the latest in technology. Laser vision correction has even expanded in the past few years, as newer technology opened doors for even more people to rid themselves of glasses and contact lenses. For qualified candidates of LASIK Los Angeles patients, laser eye surgery corrects different eye defects such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia.

How much does Lasik Eye Surgery costs in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery varies from surgeon to surgeon. Some techniques require more advanced technology and equipment, so it may be more expansive than the traditional technique. For example, IntraLase is a newly developed technology that uses a laser beam to create a corneal flap instead of using a metal blade. This technique (also known as Blade-Free LASIK, or All-Laser LASIK) raises the costs of the LASIK surgery by about $300 per eye.

In Los Angeles LASIK surgery costs vary from $1000 to $2500-$3000 depending on the LASIK eye surgery center and surgeon. If you are looking for the best (and most expensive) LASIK surgery center Los Angeles & Beverly Hills are the places to go.

What are the other alternatives?

Some of the alternatives for LASIK eye surgery are PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis). LASEK is a newer procedure similar to PRK. If no type of laser eye surgery is an option at all, then you may want to look into implantable contact lenses. The Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) can correct a wide range of myopia without removing or destroying the cornea’s delicate tissue. The lens is made of an advanced biocompatible material called Collamer. Because the Visian ICL is placed inside the eye, refractive outcomes and optical performance are consistent. The result is excellent quality of vision.

Lasik complications

Every surgery has risks and LASIK eye surgery is no different. Here are some frequently reported complications of LASIK:

- Overcorrection or undercorrection

- Dry eye

- Infection

- Double vision

Although there are some risks involved, patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated to about 3%.

The iLASIK Procedure

If you’ve been researching LASIK Los Angeles prospective patients should know there are more than 5,000 brands of LASIK. And most likely the dizzying array of technologies and clinical outcomes has left you more blurry-eyed than usual. The iLASIK Procedure brings it all into focus by simply combining the most advanced LASIK technologies for you.

Only the iLASIK Procedure is 100% custom-fit to you and your eyes from start to finish using the two-laser approach that has been shown to improve clinical results for more patients than the single-laser platform of older LASIK surgery Los Angeles techniques.

Step One: The iLASIK Procedure’s advancements address the uniqueness of your two eyes, from the distinctive curvature of your corneas, to the microscopic nuances of your anatomy, with the goal of delivering the exact correction you need. Iris Registration and WaveScan 3D Mapping create a blueprint (or fingerprint) of your eye, allowing your surgeon to custom-fit the entire iLASIK Procedure for each of your eyes.

Step Two: Your exact measurements and vision correction requirements are programmed in to guide the two lasers. The first, an ultra-fast laser creates a thin corneal flap, which is then folded back to allow the second laser to correct your vision. Individualized to you, this combination delivers outstanding safety through reduced flap complications1. It takes just minutes for a quick, virtually painless procedure with immediate results.

Step Three: Final post-op visits are conducted and then you are free to resume your active lifestyle, with the potential for 20/20* or better vision.

* Results may vary. 98% of mild-to-moderately nearsighted patients participating in the CustomVue Clinical Trials could see 20/20 or better one year after treatment.

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can only be performed by a trained physician and is specified for reduction or elimination of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism as indicated within the product labeling. In Los Angeles LASIK surgery is contraindicated for patients: a) with collagen vascular, autoimmune, or immunodeficiency diseases; b) who are pregnant or nursing women; c) with signs of keratoconus or abnormal corneal topography; d) who are taking one or both of the following medications: Isotretinoin (Accutane) and Amiodarone hydrochloride (Cordarone). Potential side effects to laser refractive surgery may include glare, dry eye, as well as other visual anomalies. LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles requires the use of a microkeratome that cuts a flap on the surface of the cornea, potential side effects may include flap related complications. Consult with your eye care professional and Patient Information Booklet regarding the potential risks and benefits for laser refractive surgery, results may vary for each individual patient.

Restricted Device: U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale, distribution, and use by or on the order of a physician or other licensed eye care practitioner. U.S. Federal Law restricts the use of this device to practitioners who have been trained in its calibration and operation and who have experience in the surgical treatment and management of refractive errors.

Recovery Process for LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK Los Angeles centers often boast immediate results after surgery. It is important to know that while the surgery itself may only last 5-10 minutes, the recovery time is a necessary process for healing and to gain the best results. Results vary from doctor to doctor, patient to patient.

It may take some patients up to 6 months to fully recovery from LASIK surgery Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Patience is required by people who undergo LASIK, as clarity of vision after surgery will depend on the procedure used, your refractive error, and post-operative complications, if any. Most patients are incredibly happy with the results from LASIK. Should you follow the correct steps and take the utmost care after the surgery, you too will be able to enjoy life without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.

Some minor vision anomalies are normal post surgery. For a short period of time after LASIK it is often reported one experiences ghosts, halos, starbursts, regular or irregular astigmatism, and reduction in clarity. Over time, from as little as a few weeks to as much as six months, these complications generally dissipate as the eyes fully adjust and heal. If these complications continue beyond six months, it is important to see a doctor to determine whether the effects will be permanent.

The general process for LASIK and similar types of laser vision correction Los Angeles surgeries are:

* Day 1 post op. – Most people are able to return to their normal daily routine. It is necessary to follow the doctor’s instructions, including the use of antibiotics, steroids and other drugs preventing dry eye syndrome. You should avoid rubbing your eyes, or getting water, soap, or shampoo directly in the eyes (for example in the shower). Working on the computer, watching television and reading is acceptable, provided that the eyes are kept lubricated, and there is no excessive strain on the eyes. Moderate exercising is ok, but you should avoid getting sweat in the eyes.

* One week post op. – It is still advised to avoid touching or rubbing the eyes. Pools, hot tubs and whirlpools should also be avoided. Follow your doctor’s specifications for using lotions, creams, eye makeup, etc.

* Three weeks post op. – Outdoor activities may be resumed, with proper care and protection for the eyes (sunglasses, goggles, etc.).

* 3 to 6 months post op. – This is generally the appropriate amount of time for your vision to stabilize. The health of your vision is directly dependent on following the utmost care instructions given by your doctor in order to heal properly. Should any complications or anomalies still be present, it is important that you tell your doctor.

To learn more about Los Angeles LASIK surgery, and to see if you may be a candidate, visit your local ophthalmologist for more information.

What is LASIK Revision Surgery?

In Los Angeles LASIK surgery is a very common procedure for vision correction. LASIK is a tried and tested procedure that has resulted in thousands of happy customers, glad to give up the use of contacts and glasses. The majority of people who receive LASIK report that they are satisfied with the results and report little to no complications.

However, as with most surgeries, there are always certain risks involved. Nothing in life is 100% risk free and this equally applies to laser eye surgery Los Angeles and beyond. LASIK is safe but complications do occur in a small minority of cases.

Some LASIK risks which have been reported are:

• Infection
• Poor night vision (see halos or ‘starbursts’ around lights at night time)
• Forward bulging of the centre of the cornea (Ectasia)
• Haze
• Dry eyes
• Problems directly related to the epithelium flap

In some cases, patients who have turned to cheap or “discount” LASIK surgeries are more susceptible to complications. This is because either the doctor is not very experienced, or the technology used is out of date, and not as accurate.

Los Angeles LASIK specialist, Dr. Robert Maloney, of the Maloney Vision Institute in Bevelry Hills specializes in managing complications from vision correction surgery. He has had many patients come to him who had complications from a vision correction procedure done elsewhere, and had suffered from these complications for months or even years. LASIK revision surgery is an option for those who have had complications, or have had their vision change overtime, and need an adjustment.

Some techniques used to treat vision correction surgery complications include Custom-CAP and therapeutic Wavefront Guided LASIK.

Custom Contoured Ablation Pattern (Custom-CAP)

Custom-CAP is a laser procedure that uses a special computer program to design an ablation (tissue removal) pattern to correct irregularities in the surface of the cornea that were caused by earlier surgeries, such as improperly performed LASIK. This can correct the visual symptoms that were caused by the surface irregularities.

Therapeutic Wavefront Guided LASIK

This new technique may correct imperfections in eyes caused by prior vision correction surgery. Wavefront analysis of the eye yields the precise focusing errors that are then corrected by custom laser guidance.

For more information and to see if you may be a candidate for LASIK revision surgery, please visit www.maloneyvision.com or call 877-999-EYES.

New Technology Boosts Odds of Repairing Damaged Eyes; Happy Ending for Napa Man

 New technology now gives hope of fully corrected vision to people whose eyesight was unintentionally damaged by eye surgeons inexperienced in laser eye surgery when it was introduced several years ago.

Lee Philipson, the Assistant District Attorney for Napa County, Calif., is one example of a person whose vision in his left eye was severely distorted by LASIK eye surgery Los Angeleseight years ago.

 ”It felt like I was trying to see while standing under the shower,” Mr. Philipson said after the failed procedure.

But with the help of the new, state-of-the-art Wavefront mapping technology at the Maloney Vision Institute, Mr. Philipson’s vision has been restored and is now 20/25. It is one of the most gratifying outcomes in Dr. Robert Maloney’s 20-year ophthalmology career as a Los Angeles LASIK surgeon.

Wavefront technology comes from the process of adaptive optics, first proposed by scientists in 1953. Adaptive optics allows astronomers to compensate for the light distortions in the atmosphere. Further studies in adaptive optics became available from declassified information developed for the so-called Star Wars missile defense shield.

In Mr. Philipson’s case, the Wavefront technology has enabled him to once again live a normal life and with excellent vision. Mr. Philipson, who grew up in Southern California and graduated from UCLA, said the Napa area surgeon he chose generally was well thought of and “a very likable person.” But he says he should have done more to check the doctor’s experience and qualifications.

The new VISX Wavefront system is the latest major advancement in ophthalmology. In contrast to conventional Lasik treatments which measure one point in the eye, the Wavefront guided laser vision correction Los Angeles system enables eye surgeons to digitally map 200 points on the eye. It gives the surgeon an extraordinarily detailed topographical picture with which to perform either Lasik or photorefractive keratectomy, commonly known as PRK.

 “The Lasik procedure on the right eye went fine. But the doctor made a very bad flap on my left eye. He put the flap back down and told me to come back in three months when it healed,” he said. But during the intervening three months, Mr. Philipson’s left eye developed epithelial cells that the doctor failed to detect when it was time to have the LASIK Los Angeles procedure completed.

 The after-effects were tragic for Mr. Philipson and marked the beginning of years of frustration and blurry vision. Mr. Philipson immediately began a search to find a qualified surgeon who could repair the damaged left eye. That search led him to the Maloney Vision Institute.

 “When I first met with Dr. Maloney he worked on my eye and improved my vision enough so I no longer felt I was in the shower – a huge improvement. But he also told me that there was little else that could be done until new technology arrived that would take care of my problem. That gave me hope,” he said.

 On May 17 Mr. Philipson again visited Dr. Maloney, who was an FDA investigator on the new Wavefront technology that now was approved for use. For Mr. Philipson the new technology delivered on its promise. The procedure was enormously successful.

 “Wavefront technology enables physicians to customize eye prescriptions for individuals with greater precision than ever before,” Dr. Maloney said.

 For the average patient seeking vision correction, Wavefront allows doctors to boost vision beyond 20/20.

 “Let me put it this way,” Mr। Philipson said. “For eight years I could not ignore my vision. I thought about it all the time. I don’t even think about it now. With both eyes open my vision is 20/15.

 “I have no doubt that Dr। Maloney saved the vision in my left eye,” Mr. Philipson said. “He’s such a kind, decent, compassionate man. If lawyers were like that there wouldn’t be a whole lot of lawyer jokes. He’s a lifesaver as far as I’m concerned.”

 Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Annual Eye Exams Enable Detection of Dozens of Vision, Health Problems.

Your eyes are your windows to the world. But to your eye doctor they’re also windows to your overall health.

“The eyes are one of the body’s most amazing organs. They reveal a great deal to an eye doctor who not only can detect early signs of cataract and macular degeneration but symptoms of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol and even multiple sclerosis,” says Dr. Farid Eghbali, associate doctor at the Maloney Vision Institute, the premier Los Angeles laser eye surgery center.

Even if your vision is excellent or you’ve had vision correction surgery such as Los Angeles LASIK, a comprehensive eye exam once a year is recommended strongly, especially for adults, for early detection of both eye diseases and other health problems, Dr. Eghbali said.

What is a comprehensive eye exam and what can it reveal?

To begin with, said Dr. Eghbali, “The doctor will thoroughly review your family and personal health history. Your eyes will be tested to determine how clearly you see. Your eye pressure and field of vision will be tested to diagnose glaucoma. After your eyes have been dilated, we will be able to look inside your eyes for signs of a wide range of health problems.”

For example, he said, approximately 16 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, nearly 5 million are unaware they have diabetes which goes undiagnosed.

Vision loss leading to blindness occurs in as many as 24,000 diabetic patients every year. Visual impairment does not develop until the disease has advanced into its later stages. At this point, not even surgical vision correction Los Angeles can reverse vision loss. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind than are people without diabetes. However early signs of diabetic eye disease can be readily seen with an annual dilated pupil eye examination.

Not only is diabetic eye disease easily detected through an annual dilated eye examination but, when discovered in time, severe vision loss or blindness can be prevented. Diabetes also increases the risk of glaucoma, which has no warning signs, by 300 percent. Having regular eye examinations and being aware of the risk is among the best preventive measures you can take, Dr. Eghbali said.

If you need a recommendation of a general eye doctor or a Los Angeles LASIK surgeon in your area please visit our website at www.maloneyvision.com for the list of our affiliated doctors or call us at 310-208-3937.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.