Novel Femtosecond Laser Cataracts Surgery Can Restore Vision

 

If you live long enough, chances are cataracts will affect you at some point later in life. Most people develop cataracts in one or both eyes, as it is a prevalent condition. 

Vincent Diaz, MD, MBA, a Yale Medicine ophthalmologist, said, “As long as there have been humans, there have been cataracts. For thousands of years, the goal was to get the cataract out without blinding the person. Literally, that was the goal.” 

Cataracts are formed when a structure inside your eye that focuses light onto the retina (that usually provides a clear image) becomes cloudy and blocks light from passing through. This effect is caused by the degrading of lens proteins. Since the consistency changes, clarity becomes more challenging, and blurry vision is one of the earliest signs of cataracts. 

Other symptoms of cataracts can include glare and sensitivity around lights (especially while driving at night), seeing halos, or trouble reading in a dimly lit area. 

Through the years, cataract surgery has made vast improvements, and now, thanks to field advances, patients have many options, such as laser-assisted surgery and synthetic replacement lenses. 

Yvonne Wang, MD, a Yale Medicine ophthalmologist, said, “What’s great about cataract surgery now is that we not only remove the cataract, but we can restore patients’ vision. They may have been wearing prescription contacts or glasses for many years. We can now put a prescription inside their new lens and give them better vision than they ever had before.” 

Two surgical options are available to replace the intraocular lens (IOL) with a synthetic lens. They are: 

1. Basic cataract surgery: One of the most common forms of surgery worldwide, an incision is made in the eye, an ultrasonic device breaks up cataracts, and the pieces are removed. Then, an IOL is placed into the lens. 
2. Laser cataract surgery: A femtosecond laser quickly pulsates and creates incisions to soften the cataract for easier removal. The laser allows more precise incisions to take place in a shorter time frame and can allow for more accurate vision correction than the first option. 

Cataract surgery is safe and performed in an outpatient setting. After a few weeks, patients return for a second treatment on the other eye. 

Are you considering surgery for your cataracts? Contact the experts at Zen Eye Institute today to learn more.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center is now Zen Eye Institute! We offer the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Smoking: Connection to Macular Degeneration & Cataracts

 

A novel study in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and the University of Newcastle found that smokers develop age-related macular degeneration five-and-a-half years earlier than non-smokers. Moreover, people who suffer from second-hand smoke are twice as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration. 

Jude Stern, head of Knowledge Management from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness said, “Smoking increases your risk of developing serious eye conditions and permanent sight loss. Quitting smoking and having regular eye tests can help improve eye health and prevent avoidable sight loss.” 

The only way to restore vision after a cataract diagnosis is to surgically remove and replace the cloudy lens. Annually, roughly 94 million people have significant or extreme distance vision impairment or blindness due to undiagnosed cataracts. 

Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of blindness and can develop slowly without pain. 

People who use e-cigarettes are not safe, either: these devices can produce free radicals, damaging DNA and leading to cataracts or poor vision. Also, retinal function might be diminished by the use of e-cigarettes since they can reduce blood flow to the eyes, leading to an increased risk of eye cancer. 

Vinayak Prasad, head of the No Tobacco Unit at the World Health Organization said, “WHO urges everyone not to use tobacco and e-cigarettes to protect their overall health, including eye health.” 

There are several other tactics people can try to limit their risk of cataracts, including the following lifestyle changes: 

·         Quit smoking

·         Reduce alcohol consumption

·         Limit UV exposure

·         Get routine eye exams

·         Control related conditions (hypertension, obesity, chronic kidney disease, diabetes)

·         Reduce your weight

·         Ingest antioxidants (omega-3, lutein, zeaxanthin, flaxseed, bilberry, turmeric, walnuts)

Cataracts might seem inevitable, but cutting your risk can be an easy way to mitigate a diagnosis. 

Are you suffering from cataracts? Contact the experts at Zen Eye Institute to schedule a consultation today. 

Rohr Eye & Laser Center is now Zen Eye Institute! We offer the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com

FDA Seeks to Improve Patient Communication

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance to help ensure that information is available to both patients and health care professionals that clearly communicates the benefits and risks of LASIK devices. Manufacturers are prompted to include this data within their product labeling. In addition, the FDA recommends that manufacturers consider including information about how to use their devices safely and effectively and any clinical trials performed on their products.

The FDA has been concerned that patients may not get all the information they need about LASIK surgery, which can sometimes lead to complications. Patient safety is a top priority for the FDA; therefore, they brought forward this guidance to improve patient communication.

“It is important to provide patients with comprehensive labeling that clearly describes the risks involved with LASIK surgery, including potential adverse effects such as dry eye, pain and discomfort, and visual symptoms,” said Jeff Shuren, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Dr. Shuren continues, “These proposed labeling recommendations, based on extensive consultation with stakeholders and patients, are intended to present information about LASIK in language that is easy to read and understand and include images that convey visual symptoms that could occur following LASIK.”  

This draft guidance is based on the FDA's understanding of current industry practices for labeling LASIK devices and feedback from patient groups, industry representatives, and other stakeholders. The agency believes this guidance will help ensure that all the necessary information is available to the patients and health care providers to communicate without leaving any stone unturned about the benefits and risks of LASIK surgery.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com