Doctors for Visual Freedom
January 12th, 2012
The popularity of LASIK eye surgery has unfortunately led to some confusion about the various types of LASIK that are available. We often get questions about LasikPlus, but it’s important to understand that this is not a technology or a technique; LasikPlus is a chain of corporate laser centers around the country that offers LASIK at a discounted price. There are several problems with having your procedure at LasikPlus. One of the biggest problems is that for most, the only contact the patient has with the operating LASIK surgeon is at the time of surgery. All pre-surgical examinations and follow-up care are performed by optometrists or technicians instead of board-certified ophthalmologists as occurs at Doctors For Visual Freedom.
Custom WaveFront LASIK is the name of the advanced Laser Vision Correction procedure we use at Doctors For Visual Freedom. This procedure differs from traditional LASIK in that it allows Dr. Golden to tailor your LASIK procedure to the unique characteristics of your individual eyes. Each imperfection in your eyes is precisely measured and “mapped” to ensure your vision is corrected with pinpoint accuracy. When LasikPlus advertises a low price for LASIK, they are commonly referring to traditional LASIK and Custom WaveFront LASIK is an upcharge.
Custom WaveFront LASIK is widely considered the most advanced and successful LASIK procedure currently available. When it comes to your Visual Freedom, we encourage you to not let the price tag be the deciding factor in choosing your LASIK surgeon. The lower price of a corporate chain may be enticing, but many patients end up paying extra for enhancement procedures and add-ons that elevate their costs.
You only have one pair of eyes: make sure they are getting the best and most skilled treatment possible. Contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye surgeons today to schedule your free LASIK screening. If your budget is a concern, we offer several convenient financing plans designed to take the monetary stress out of your LASIK experience.
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January 3rd, 2012
As an athlete you should have concerns about the safety of your eyes, and what role LASIK will play in your active lifestyle. First consider what risks come with what sports, and what risks those sports pose with contacts or glasses. With high contact sports like boxing, basketball, and soccer injury can result from high person-to-person impact. Sports played with a ball or racquet like racquetball, baseball, or even hockey poses the risk of an ocular injury from the impact of a compact object at high speeds. These types of sports often result in injuries ranging from corneal abrasions to retinal detachments. These are the types of sports we automatically think cause ocular injuries but what about the less obvious sports risks. Bikers, swimmers, fishermen and skiers are also all at high risk for ocular damage from their active lifestyles. As a biker there are risks of road debris damage, with swimmers the risk of infection, and with fishermen and skiers a high risk of UV damage from reflective surfaces.
Knowing what types of risks we face in each activity is the first step, now we must decide how to reduce our risk of injury. With contact lenses we do not have any real form of physical protection against physical sports. This is the same for glasses unless they are specially made with materials like polycarbonate. LASIK will also offer no protection against high impact sports injuries, in fact LASIK may not be right for these types of athletes. A procedure called PRK may be a better corrective option for high impact sports players. With LASIK you run the risk of flap dislocation but with PRK there is no flap to be moved. With a procedure like PRK you are no more vulnerable than a player with contacts or even no correction. This is one reason that athletes may decide on a procedure like PRK over LASIK. But in almost all cases the best policy is to wear protective facial gear like goggles when participating in these forms of activities.
When it comes to swimming LASIK may actually be your best option. Contact lens wearers run a high risk of infection if they wear them while swimming, especially if they are not removed once out of the water. LASIK patients run a much less significant risk. And when it comes to UV damage from outdoor activities it is important that all individuals wear some form of UV protection. This can help to reduce your risk of pterygiums, pingueculas, and cataracts.
In the end LASIK or PRK can offer the freedom you desire for your active lifestyle unlike you would receive with glasses, and is considerably safer than contact lenses. While laser correction can not protect you from all the risks of your active lifestyle it will give you more freedom and will do nothing to stop you from taking all the precautions necessary to stay safe.
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December 28th, 2011
Dry eyes are an inevitable side effect to any Laser Correction Procedure. The dryness from LASIK, and to a lesser degree PRK, typically lasts three to four months after surgery. It is our goal to reduce dry eyes to a minimum. The dryness seen in Laser Refractive Surgery can cause discomfort, but more commonly we hear from our patients that it can also cause blurriness of the vision. Patients commonly come in shortly after surgery, saying that they may have to blink a few times in order to see something small. Others notice glare at night that goes away with the use of tear drops. An effective way to reduce dry eyes is with a drop called Restasis. Restasis works to increase your eye’s natural tear production, reducing the amount of dry eye that you experience from your procedure. We encourage our patients to begin using Restasis prior to their procedure in order to begin increasing their tear production as soon as possible. Restasis takes about a month to change the tear production ability, so the earlier it is started, the better. While Restasis is not mandatory we do recommend it to each and every patient we see since we know how much it can influence the comfort of the healing process. The use of Restasis decreases the frequency of tear drops, making the healing process easier.
When you place your loved one in a nursing home, you must trust that the facility will deliver the high quality care your loved one deserves. Unfortunately, this trust is not always rewarded. Instances of nursing home abuse are on the rise across the United States.
It is important to be aware of the signs of nursing home abuse to ensure your loved one maintains a safe and healthy living environment. Common signs that your loved one may be the victim of physical abuse include:
- Unexplained or frequent trips to the hospital
- Unexplained emergency room visits
- Broken bones
- Hip fractures
- Weight loss
- Unexplained or poorly explained injuries
- Bruises, scars, or cuts
- Wrist or ankle marks indicating excessive restraint
- Frequent or unexplained falls
Signs that your loved one may be the victim of emotional abuse at a nursing home include:
- Sudden change in personality
- Withdrawal/lack of social interaction
- Unwillingness to talk to or visit with family members
- Lethargy or disinterest
- Loss of interest in physical activities
- Dementia-like behavior
- Lack of self confidence
- Deflated spirit
- Unwillingness to make eye contact
Signs of nursing home neglect include:
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Muscle atrophy
- Bed sores
- Unclean living conditions
- Dirty clothes
- Poor grooming
- Wandering
If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse and neglect, you should consult an experienced lawyer at once. The attorneys at the Taylor Law Firm can hold the negligent nursing home facility accountable for their actions and help ensure your loved one’s rights are protected moving forward.
Please contact the Taylor Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.
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October 13th, 2011
Even if you had LASIK surgery many years ago, the problem of starbursts, halos, and glare can commonly be treated. The first step involves a careful examination performed by our experienced Chicago LASIK surgeon, Dr. Golden. There are three main causes of halos, glare, and starbursts:
Dry eyes are especially common after LASIK; in most cases, the solution is as simple as using lubricating tear drops. Other patients may benefit from more extensive dry eye therapy, while still others might have residual refractive error left over from their initial procedure that needs to be corrected through a LASIK enhancement treatment.
Patients who had older, more classic LASIK treatments in the past often experience significant improvement when taking advantage of modern laser technology. Dr. Golden believes that the benefits of Custom WaveFront technology strongly outweigh the additional costs. Our practice commonly helps patients with post-LASIK problems find their Visual Freedom to an even greater extent than they did before.
If you have further questions about LASIK follow-up procedures, please contact our Chicago LASIK eye surgeons today to schedule your free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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October 12th, 2011
LASIK surgery is actually the fastest part of the entire Laser Vision Correction process. The procedure itself only takes around ten minutes to complete for both eyes. However, you should plan on spending about an hour and a half in the office on the day of your surgery to meet with Dr. Golden and allow time for the Valium to take effect. Once you are fully relaxed, you will be escorted into the laser room for your LASIK procedure.
The longest part of the Laser Vision Correction process is your pre-surgical evaluation, which will include a review of your medical history and a thorough eye exam, as well as a comprehensive discussion of the risks, benefits, and alternatives of LASIK as they relate to your unique condition.
Dr. Golden has performed over 24,000 laser refractive procedures on patients over the years, and has taught hundreds of doctors around the world in the techniques of LASIK. If you are considering LASIK eye surgery to free yourself from the burden of glasses and contact lenses, you can trust Dr. Golden and the eye surgeons at Doctors For Visual Freedom Laser Center to help you achieve the Visual Freedom you deserve.
If you live in Chicago or Arlington Heights, Illinois and have further questions about LASIK, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye doctors today to schedule your free LASIK screening. We have two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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October 11th, 2011
One of the best advantages of LASIK is that it significantly improves a patient’s peripheral vision. When you wear glasses, you are only able to see properly through the optical center of your glasses’ lenses. If you have a higher prescription, you may be familiar with the fact that you need to turn your head to the side in order to view objects that are not directly in front of you.
With LASIK, your entire cornea is corrected, which restores a full range of vision to your eyes. This can improve everything from your driving safety to your performance in athletics, since you will be able to see well without worrying about missing an object that falls outside of your primary visual field.
Our advanced LASIK technology maps the exact contours and imperfections of your individual eyes using Custom WaveFront mapping, which makes the laser able to improve your vision more precisely than glasses or contact lenses are able to. This means you might walk away from your LASIK procedure with even better vision than a person that has never needed corrective lenses.
If you have further questions about the benefits of LASIK, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye surgeons today to schedule your free consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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October 10th, 2011
After LASIK surgery, your cornea will take time to heal, but this will not prevent you from performing the majority of your normal life activities. If you have a vacation or business trip scheduled shortly after your LASIK procedure, you will be able to fly without fear of adverse side effects as long as you take a few precautions.
The air in planes can be very dry, so be sure to bring plenty of artificial tears onboard with you to mitigate the effects of dry eyes. Since the air pressure inside of a commercial plane is regulated, the altitude should not have an effect on your LASIK results.
It is probably wise to avoid alcohol so you do not dehydrate your eyes too much while onboard the plane. Otherwise, simply refrain from rubbing your eyes and letting dirt or any other particles enter them. As long as you keep your eyes moisturized and clean, you can sit back and enjoy your flight without any worries.
If you have further questions about the LASIK recovery process, please contact our Chicago LASIK eye doctors today to schedule a personal consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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October 8th, 2011
Although people over 40 years of age do tend to develop more disorders and diseases, age alone does not disqualify you as a LASIK candidate. The oldest person Dr. Golden has ever treated with LASIK surgery was 86 years old after cataract surgery and after corneal transplantation.
Dr. Golden will evaluate many different factors about the health of your eyes and your medical history to determine whether or not LASIK is right for you. Some older patients who are not candidates for LASIK are excellent candidates for other Laser Vision Correction procedures.
Older patients that are considering Laser Vision Correction should understand that full correction is not always possible. Sooner or later, most people over the age of 40 will run into the problem of presbyopia – where the lenses of your eyes harden and are unable to focus on near objects. This leads to the need for bifocals, trifocals, or reading glasses. LASIK cannot correct for presbyopia, since presbyopia is not a condition of the cornea; it is a problem with your eye’s lens.
For these reasons, older patients will have two options with LASIK:
- Correcting both eyes for distance (will require reading glasses for near vision)
- Correcting one eye for distance, and one eye for near vision (called monovision)
For more information on your options as a patient over 40, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye doctors today to schedule a free initial consultation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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October 7th, 2011
While it can be difficult to follow the routine of taking out your contact lenses in the evening and re-applying them in the morning, this is essential for the health and safety of your eyes. Contact Lens Overwear Syndrome (OWS) can occur if you are not careful, leading to eye infections and other dangerous symptoms – including “ghost vessels,” better known among ophthalmologists as peripheral corneal pannus.
Ghost vessels form when your cornea is deprived of oxygen. The cornea normally obtains the majority of its oxygen from the atmosphere. When your cornea is constantly covered by a contact lens, it needs to find a new way of obtaining oxygen, so it develops abnormal blood vessels. These are the aforementioned ghost vessels.
Since LASIK surgery involves cutting a flap on your cornea, it cannot be performed if ghost vessels are present in the treatment area. This would cause cells to be caught under the flap of the cornea, potentially causing inflammation or downgrowth. If you have ghost vessels, they may fade or disappear entirely if you cease wearing contact lenses for an extended period of time. If they do not, PRK may be recommended instead of LASIK to avoid complications.
If you have further questions about ghost vessels and LASIK, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye doctors today to schedule your free screening evaluation. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
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October 6th, 2011
It is a common misconception that LASIK surgery permanently corrects vision for the rest of a patient’s life. LASIK is indeed permanent in that it changes the shape of your cornea, but it cannot prevent the natural vision changes that come with aging. Patients who have LASIK early in their lives will experience the same age-related changes in the structure and function of their eyes as any other person.
Presbyopia is the eye disorder that occurs universally as people age. This condition involves a decrease in the ability of your eye’s natural lens to accommodate for different ranges of focus. In essence, your lens loses its ability to flexibly change its shape, reducing your ability to focus on nearby objects. This is why people in their early-to-mid-forties start needing reading glasses.
If you are already in your forties and experiencing presbyopia, it is important to understand that LASIK does not correct for this condition. LASIK is not capable of changing your eye’s focusing mechanism; it only makes changes to the cornea. What LASIK can accomplish is correcting your distance vision in both eyes. You will still need reading glasses to see up close after LASIK is completed.
Alternatively, you can choose monovision – an option that corrects one of your eyes for distance, and the other eye for near vision. Your brain will then choose which eye to use when it needs it.
If you have further questions about LASIK and aging eyes, please contact our experienced Chicago LASIK eye surgeons today to schedule a free 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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