Cataract Surgeons in Fort Lauderdale Say Aging Eyes May Impact Body's Internal Clock

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - May 24, 2012) - Several recent studies in ophthalmology and biological rhythms may have linked aging eyes with a number of health concerns ranging from memory loss, insomnia, and depression to high cholesterol, obesity, inactive lifestyle, and even heart disease. Fort Lauderdale cataract surgeons Drs. Marc Bosem and Barry Concool at the CorrectVision Laser Institute say the gradual yellowing of the eye's lens and the narrowing of the pupil over time have been found to disturb circadian rhythm, which can ultimately lead to a range of medical complications due to its effect on the body's regulatory and hormonal function. At their center for LASIK and cataract surgery in Fort Lauderdale, Drs. Bosem and Concool say they have been recommending patients undergo eye exams if they experience certain symptoms such as sleep loss to detect the possibility of cataracts.

Dr. Bosem says the body's internal clock, helping it to start up in the morning and wind down at night, is regulated by blue light through photoreceptive cells that absorb sunlight and transmit messages to a part of the brain that governs circadian rhythm and releases the hormones melatonin and cortisol for proper function. However, as eyes age, he says their ability to receive blue light is diminished and the brain receives less of the messages it needs to control the internal clock. Dr. Bosem says cataract surgery works to replace the natural lens in the eye so that blue light reception is facilitated and can encourage the brain to react quicker and even improve one's overall mood.

source: Marketwire

LASIK vs. Wavefront LASIK

SAN JOSE, CA, May 02, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Most laser eye surgeons offer several options for LASIK . Traditional LASIK has been used for nearly 30 years to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. This time has provided eye surgeons with a lot of information about safety, potential complications, and good techniques, making tradition LASIK a proven effective way to provide crystal clear vision.

By contrast wavefront LASIK is a relatively new advancement. This means that this technique does not have as much historical data to back up its benefits. However, since its introduction, wavefront LASIK has shown to have remarkable benefits over traditional LASIK and is able to produce more reliable and consistent results.

The main difference between LASIK and wavefront LASIK is technology. With traditional LASIK, your eye surgeon will use either a microkeratome or femtosecond laser to create a flap in your cornea. Once the flap is created your eye surgeon will use an eximer laser to gently reshape your cornea based on calculation made prior to your surgery.

With wavefront LASIK, computer imaging is used to create a detailed map of your eye. This information is fed to the laser as it reshapes your cornea, providing even the smallest details about your aberration and eye movements. This allows your eye surgeon to provide precision correction.

source: Businessreview.com Press Release

Abbott Receives U.S. FDA Clearance to Use iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser Technology for Arcuate Incisions in Cataract Surgery

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., April 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance to use its iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser to create bow-shaped or curved arcuate incisions in corneal surgery, including cataract surgery.

The iFS Laser is currently used to create LASIK flaps and other corneal incisions in the eye and is the fifth generation of IntraLase technology, which has been used in more than 5 million procedures worldwide.

Nearly 3 million patients undergo cataract surgery each year in the United States. With this new clearance, the iFS Laser now gives surgeons the ability to make precise, bladeless arcuate incisions during surgery and customize the incision for each individual patient.

Factors such as placement, length, depth and radius of curvature can influence the surgeon's desired change to the cornea. These parameters can be difficult to control through traditional incisions made by hand using surgical knives. Now, using the iFS Laser, arcuate incisions can be performed with greater precision, predictability and customization than is possible with a manual technique. 

source: PR Newswire

Does Eye Dryness After LASIK Affect Vision?

Chicago, IL (Profitable.com) In LASIK trials conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it was found that as many as 50 percent of LASIK recipients experience an increase in eye dryness during the LASIK recovery period. In most cases, this is a temporary discomfort that can easily be controlled with the use of artificial tears. According to these FDA trials, 20 percent of patients continued to experience dry eyes after six months. In these instances, punctual plugs and medications may be required in addition to artificial tears.

However, nearly all instances of dry eyes diminish within one year of LASIK surgery. The vast majority of LASIK complications are temporary and will resolve on their own given enough time.

When you experience dry eyes after LASIK, your vision may be intermittently blurry. This is one of the advantages of artificial tear drops, as they will keep your eyes lubricated, and assist in providing clear vision.

Dry, irritated, scratchy eyes are actually a common reason people seek LASIK treatment. People who suffer from chronic dry eyes may not be able to comfortably wear contact lenses, making LASIK an ideal alternative. If your dry eyes are severe, your doctor may suggest that you are not an ideal candidate for LASIK, since this procedure has the potential to aggravate dry eye syndrome for a short period of time. However, many patients have found the temporary discomfort well worth the final results. This is a decision best made between you and your ophthalmologist.

source: Profitable.com

Is Bladeless LASIK the "Gold Standard"?

CHICAGO, IL, January 01, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Calling anything the "gold standard" is subjective. Most eye doctors offer their patients a choice when it comes to LASIK because they understand that the needs of each patient are unique. In studies, it has been found that the results offered by both types of LASIK are identical, making the primary difference an increased number of people who can receive LASIK due to all laser technology.

Understanding Traditional vs. Bladeless LASIK
No matter what type of LASIK you have, a flap will need to be made in your cornea allowing your eye doctor to reshape your eye. With traditional LASIK, this is done with a precision surgical instrument called a microkeratome. For bladeless, or all laser LASIK, this is done with a laser. Some doctors take offense to the term "bladeless" as it can imply that there is no need for creating an incision, and that traditional LASIK is somehow a frightening procedure. In truth, both of these procedures require an incision, and both of them are safe, effective, and painless.

This is not to say there aren't any differences between all-laser and traditional LASIK. Lasers are extremely precise, which means people with thinner corneas who are not candidates for traditional LASIK can often have a bladeless LASIK procedure. Due to the precision of the laser, the creation of the flap may also be more even. While there is still no empirical data to support the claim that a bladeless LASIK flap reduces risks for complications, many doctors recommend it due to anecdotal evidence.

source: 24-7 press release

Avedro Announces CE Approval for Lasik Xtra(TM)

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan 04, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Avedro, Inc. announced today that the Company's proprietary Lasik Xtra procedure has received CE Approval. Lasik Xtra is a two minute procedure used in conjunction with standard Lasik to restore the biomechanical integrity and strength to the cornea after a Lasik procedure. Lasik Xtra has been successfully used in thousands of Lasik surgeries outside the US.

"Cross-linking within a LASIK procedure using Lasik Xtra is simple, fast and safe," said A. John Kanellopoulos, MD, a leading refractive surgeon and member of Avedro's Medical Advisory Board. "In studies we'll be reporting at ASCRS in April we've found that after almost two years of follow-up, hyperopes appear to have a completely different clinical course if we employ prophylactic cross-linking in their LASIK procedures. Hyperopic LASIK typically regresses more than myopic LASIK."

Lasik Xtra combines VibeX(TM) (riboflavin ophthalmic solution) with its KXL(TM) System (UVA irradiation) to achieve accelerated corneal cross-linking during a Lasik procedure. "Avedro has the only cross-linking products specifically CE approved for performing Lasik Xtra and we are pleased to offer those products to a growing number of ophthalmologists and their Lasik patients outside the US," said David Muller, CEO of Avedro.

source: Avedro

More Options Available for Those Looking to Have LASIK in 2012

Those looking to have their vision surgically corrected often assume that means they will undergo LASIK surgery. However, thanks to new technology and procedures, there are now multiple options available to surgically correct one’s vision. Those looking to rid themselves of glasses or contact lenses may be confused as to which option, if any, is best for them. Hoopes Vision, a practice offering LASIK in Salt Lake City, Utah as well as other forms of vision correction surgery, is reminding those looking into LASIK surgery to explore all options before committing to have their vision surgically altered.

It is important to visit a facility with surgeons who are experienced and comfortable with a wide range of surgical vision correction options when investigating vision correction surgery. According to Phillip C. Hoopes, MD, chief surgeon at Hoopes Vision and the most experienced LASIK surgeon in Utah, “When determining which form of vision correction surgery is best for an individual, the surgeon must consider the age and health of the patient, degree of refractive prescription to be treated, the patient’s individual vision requirements, and the anatomy of the patient’s eye. Laser vision correction is a popular choice, but some people will be better off with a lens implant. In some cases no current form of vision correction surgery is appropriate.”

source: PR Web