Doctors for Visual Freedom
February 6th, 2012
Contact lenses are such a normal part of many people’s daily lives that we tend to assume they are perfectly safe. This is not necessarily the case. In reality, contact lenses can pose several threats to the health of your eyes – more risks overall than LASIK eye surgery. According to the FDA, contact lenses can potentially cause irritation or infection in your eyes. Such conditions can develop quickly, and in some cases, lead to blindness.
Other potential hazards of contact lenses include:
- Corneal scarring
- Corneal ulcers
- New blood vessel growth in the cornea
- Irregular astigmatism
Careful use of contact lenses that is monitored by an experienced ophthalmologist can help patients avoid these issues. However, more and more people are seeking out LASIK eye surgery to free themselves of their dependence on contact lenses for good. When you choose LASIK, you are not only opening the door to Visual Freedom, but you are protecting your eyes from the potential injuries and infections that can be caused by contact lenses.
If you would like to learn more about LASIK safety, please contact our Chicago LASIK surgeons today to schedule a free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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February 2nd, 2012
The Synchrony lens is a new type of intraocular lens (IOL) that is designed to treat cataracts and certain refractive disorders, such as presbyopia. Unlike the Crystalens, which was the previous standard for accommodating IOLs, the Synchrony lens has two lenses instead of one – both of which move closer or further apart to adjust and change focus. The Synchrony lens also successfully moves within the eye’s original lens capsule, providing for maximum focusing power.
Multifocal lenses – such as ReZoom, ReStor, and Technis – often cause a small degree of degradation in a patient’s vision quality, since they have more than one focal point, which requires images to be split. This forces your brain to sort out multiple images as it tries to determine whether you need to see far away or up close. The Synchrony lens avoids this problem by having only a single point of focus.
Recent studies have shown positive results in both near and distance vision for patients who had the Synchrony lens implanted. Although this revolutionary new IOL is still awaiting FDA approval in the United States, it is already in use in Europe, Australia, and South America with positive results.
Dr. Golden says that the Synchrony lens is the first accommodating IOL that he would want implanted in his own eye, since it provides excellent near and distance vision. Once it receives FDA approval, he looks forward to recommending the Synchrony lens to patients.
If you would like to learn more about intraocular lenses and other strategies for vision correction, please contact our experienced Chicago eye doctors today. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 31st, 2012
If you wear your contact lenses beyond the appropriate length of time every day, you can develop a condition known as contact lens over wear syndrome (OWS). Over wear syndrome can lead to tearing, eye pain, redness, and decreased vision quality in patients. OWS is most often the result of people wearing their contacts while they sleep, or neglecting to replace them with fresh contact lenses at the prescribed intervals. OWS can be painful and results in decreased vision. When unaddressed, this condition can lead to eye infections, the growth of vessels in to the normally clear cornea and potentially permanent loss of best corrected vision.
Over wear syndrome is ultimately caused by your corneas not getting enough oxygen. When contact lenses are worn excessively, the body’s reaction is to produce blood vessels to help bring oxygen to the cornea. These blood vessels can alter the shape of the cornea and may leak leaving deposits.
Contact lenses can pose several risks for patients who are not cautious. LASIK eye surgery is an excellent option to free patients from a daily dependence on contacts, but if you have over wear syndrome, you may need to be out of your contacts in order to resolve this condition before you have LASIK performed. Our experienced Chicago ophthalmology team can help you recover from contact lens over wear syndrome and bring your eyes back to optimal health in preparation for Laser Vision Correction.
If you have further questions about contact lenses, OWS, or LASIK, please contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 30th, 2012
Conductive Keratoplasty – usually referred to as CK or NearVision CK – is an alternative vision correction procedure that does not use a laser. NearVision CK was specifically developed for patients who have good distance vision – either naturally, or after Laser Vision Correction – and are now looking to find freedom from reading glasses.
CK is a safe procedure that uses radio energy to reshape the cornea allowing for greater near vision. A probe touches the cornea eight times and in just a minute or two, the procedure is finished. There are no restrictions after surgery and people can immediately return to their normal activity. Some patients complain of a scratchy and sore feeling in theirs eyes for about 24 hours. In the same way that Botox is a treatment for wrinkles, CK is a treatment for the aging eyes of presbyopia. Everyone is different, but in general CK lasts several years and in most cases can be repeated three times. Dr. Golden had CK in 2004 for the elimination of his reading glasses and enjoyed the Visual Freedom that it brought for five years.
Candidates for CK must be:
- At least 45 years of age.
- Have good vision for distance either naturally or after Laser Refractive Surgery.
- Have a desire to reduce or eliminate your dependence on reading glasses.
Not everyone is a good CK candidate and the best way to find out is to schedule your free consultation. Contact our experienced Chicago ophthalmologists today to schedule a consultation. No matter what your vision problems are, we can help you find a solution.
Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 29th, 2012
Dry eye syndrome is a common side effect of LASIK eye surgery that can be easily controlled through the use of artificial tears and other eye therapies. While dryness of the eyes can sometimes result in light sensitivity (known as “photophobia”) and night time glare, it is more probable that LASIK patients are experiencing a separate side effect known as transient light sensitivity (TLS) which is a common problem in those that have all laser flaps made with the IntraLase™.
TLS is described by patients as pain with light. It is usually treated with intensive steroid drops, but may take several weeks to improve. There are various theories of the cause including swelling of the flap, irregularity of the flap interface and inflammation at the juncture of the flap and the bed. This is not a complication seen by Dr. Golden’s patients as he uses the less traumatic method of producing a flap with a microkeratome.
The vast majority of LASIK side effects are temporary and improve on their own over time, but Dr. Golden can provide medications to assist with healing and comfort. As always, close follow-up with our office after your LASIK procedure will ensure that any unusual side effects are quickly and effectively addressed.
If you have further questions about dry eyes, light sensitivity, and LASIK, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK surgeons today to schedule your free LASIK screening. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 28th, 2012
Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by overactivity of your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is responsible for releasing the hormones that control your body’s metabolism. An unbalanced metabolism can lead to a wide range of symptoms – affecting your mood, weight, physical energy level, and even your eyes.
Some of the eye-related symptoms caused by Graves disease include:
- Dry eyes
- Exophthalmos (eyeballs that protrude)
Because of these symptoms, patients with Graves disease may not be optimal candidates for LASIK eye surgery. LASIK has the potential to aggravate dry eye syndrome, compounding the symptoms caused by Graves. While dry eye symptoms can be controlled under normal circumstances, a severe case can prevent you from being a LASIK candidate.
Additionally, the tissue and muscles behind your eye can swell in patients with Graves disease, forcing the eye forward. This results in a wider opening of the eyelids and less blinking overall, which can make healing after LASIK difficult.
Not all patients with thyroid medical issues are immediately disqualified from LASIK, but we advise you to wait until your Graves disease is stable before considering Laser Vision Correction.
If you have further questions about LASIK, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye surgeons today to schedule a free screening. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 27th, 2012
Many patients are rightly suspicious of discount laser centers that offer LASIK eye surgery at extremely low prices. Something that sounds too good to be true, usually is. How can these bargain LASIK centers afford to perform state-of-the-art LASIK procedures at $599/eye? The most basic answer is: they can’t and they don’t. What is commonly offered is an older LASIK procedure that is performed using outdated, less expensive technology.
However, even the low-cost LASIK centers that are equipped with newer technology rarely live up to their promise of savings. For example, the “discount” pricing often does not include pre-operative care, post-operative care, or fees for each refractive disorder you have (and the level of its severity). When all of this is added up, the true price for discount LASIK often ends up being well over what it is worth.
Discount LASIK centers around the United States are constantly shutting down, because this type of business model is ultimately unsustainable. If you are considering LASIK surgery, the technology, surgeon, and surrounding care will all make a huge impact on the quality of your treatment. In the end, don’t you want your LASIK surgeon to still be available a year or three down the road?
Our experienced Chicago LASIK eye surgeons at Doctors For Visual Freedom have been performing Laser Vision Correction for decades. Contact us today for your free LASIK screening, and ask us about our convenient financing plans. We have two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 26th, 2012
Astigmatism is a common eye disorder that occurs when a person’s cornea is misshapen. Ideally, your cornea should be shaped like a sphere or globe. In eyes with astigmatism, however, the cornea is shaped more like the surface of an egg or a football. The ideal spherical eye shape causes all light to converge at a single point at the back of your retina, but those with astigmatism have two different focal points resulting in blurred vision. Astigmatism can be seen by itself or in combination with myopia (nearsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness).
Unlike patients with myopia alone, who may only need eyewear when performing certain activities, patients with large amounts of astigmatism usually require correction with glasses or contact lenses at all times. Thankfully, modern LASIK technology and techniques can treat even large amounts of astigmatism, freeing patients from their constant reliance on cumbersome eyewear.
At Doctors For Visual Freedom, we will perform a thorough examination of your eyes to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for LASIK. The type of astigmatism you have and the severity of your disorder will both be factors in determining whether or not LASIK is the best treatment method for you. If you are not an ideal candidate for LASIK, an alternative type of Laser Vision Correction may be a better option for you, such as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
If you have further questions about what LASIK can accomplish for you, please contact our Chicago LASIK surgeons today to schedule your free screening. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 25th, 2012
Clear Lens Exchange (CLE) is a procedure designed to correct both near vision and distance vision for patients who want to reduce their dependency on glasses and contact lenses. CLE is an intraocular procedure that is similar to cataract surgery, since it involves removing the natural lens of your eye and replacing it with an artificial one. In a cataract, the natural lens is cloudy. In Clear Lens Exchange, the natural lens is removed before it develops a cataract.
The artificial lens that is most commonly used with CLE replace to your natural lens is called a Multifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL). This lens may allow you to have good vision for near and far objects without the need for glasses. During the CLE procedure, a tiny ultrasound probe is used to break up and remove the lens of the eye. The Intraocular lens is then placed permanently in the location of the previous natural lens.
Because Clear Lens Exchange is a procedure performed inside of the eye, it comes with substantially increased risk when compared to LASIK. Infection or bleeding can lead to loss of the eye whereas devastating complications with LASIK leading to blindness are less than one in one million. On the other hand, everyone who lives long enough will develop cataracts and CLE is a way to prevent the need for cataract surgery. Potential complications of Multifocal Implants include decreased depth perception and haloes around lights at night. Clear Lens Exchange is generally only recommended for patients who are not good candidates for Laser Vision Correction or those nearing the time for cataract extraction.
When you come in for an evaluation for Refractive Surgery, we will discuss all of the viable options with you. CLE with a multifocal intraocular lens can be a great option for some and then those so corrected have the ability for good near and far vision in the same eye.
To find out if you are a candidate for Clear Lens Exchange, please contact our experienced Chicago eye doctors today to schedule a free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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January 24th, 2012
Many patients are understandably confused about the difference between LASIK eye surgery and another procedure called LASEK. Essentially, LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) is a version of Advanced Surface Ablation or PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy).
The differences between LASIK, PRK, and LASEK can be summarized as follows:
- During LASIK surgery, a thin corneal flap is cut into your eye’s surface and then lifted so the laser can re-shape your eye for optimal vision correction. Once the treatment has been applied by the laser, the corneal flap will be replaced, serving as a natural bandage to help your eye heal.
- Meanwhile, PRK does not require a corneal flap to be cut into the surface of your eye. Instead, the laser energy is directly applied to your eye’s surface, resulting in the complete removal of the thin outer layer (called the epithelium). This layer will eventually grow back, but because it is removed, PRK involves a longer recovery period than LASIK.
- LASEK is designed to preserve your eye’s thin epithelial layer. Instead of cutting into it (as in LASIK) or removing it (as in PRK), the epithelial layer is lifted from the surface of your eye in order for laser energy to be applied for re-shaping. After the LASEK procedure is complete, the epithelium layer will be replaced on your eye’s surface. Carefully controlled studies have shown that there is no difference in the end result with LASEK and PRK and most surgeons have stopped attempting to save the epithelium. The replaced epithelium is regrown just as in traditional PRK before healing is complete.
Advanced Surface Ablation is mostly used for patients who have corneas that are either too steep or too thin for LASIK. This procedure was originally developed to reduce the potential complications that can occur when a LASIK flap does not have the ideal diameter or thickness. In other words, it is an alternative procedure that allows people with thin or steep corneas to still benefit from Laser Vision Correction.
If you have further questions about the differences between LASIK and LASEK, please contact our experienced Chicago eye surgeons today to schedule a free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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