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Experiencing New Vision Through INTACS for Keratoconus Patients

Friday, June 5th, 2009

INTACS are tiny inserts placed behind in cornea to improve your natural corneal curves. The treatment of INTACS was to treat mild nearsightedness. However the results have shown improvement in patients with Keratoconus. The INTACS reshape the damaged irregular shape of the patient’s cornea providing them with more stability, and clearer vision.

INTACS has also been combined with C3-R® aka Corneal Collagen Cross-linking with Riboflavin to strengthen the cornea over time repair the damage Keratoconus has done to the patient’s vision. The INTACS & C3-R® can be performed many times within the same day, give the patient little if any pain and minimal recovery time.

This new Technology offers a great treatment plan for patients suffering from Keratoconus. In the past treatments only consisted of hard contact lens, and corneal transplants. Understanding that there are new and more improved treatments that can help is the first step to recovery.

Below are some Benefits of INTACS:

10 minute procedure

Treatment is preformed in the doctors office

Less invasive

Minimal recovery time

Less pain than most invasive procedures

Each year technology is improving the way we see. It is improving our procedures and giving us second chances for quality vision. The use of INTACS and C3-R® is an exceptional option for many patients with Keratoconus. It could be right for you.

For more information on the INTACS procedure or C3-R® visit: http://www.keratoconusinserts.com
or http://www.boxerwachler.com

For a free webinar visit: http://www.FixesYourKeratoconus.com

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Discovering Keratoconus: Finding Proper Treatment

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009

Getting a diagnosis of Keratoconus can be a shock to anyone’s system. Understanding what your options are can help you come back to earth after getting the news. Past diagnosis of Keratoconus were not to promising for your vision and progressive deterioration of your vision was expected but now with new technologies there is new hope for patients diagnosed with Keratoconus and some are successfully regaining sight they have lost.

In the past many doctors had to use either hard contact lens or corneal transplants which was invasive and often painful. Now you have new treatments like INTACS or C3-R® which are making waves in the world of Vision treatments.

INTACS-

INTACS is a 10 minute procedure that is improving the vision of many Keratoconus patients today. The procedure has no pain and consists of the doctor placing a small plastic insert in the cornea helping to reshape it giving you clearer vision. The INTACS can be removed later if needed and you don’t even feel it.

C3-R® -

C3-R® is a simple 30 minute treatment. During the treatment the doctor will place a set of drops in your eyes and add UV lights on your eyes to activate the medication. The UV lights will be applied for 30 minutes. You vision will then improve over the next 2-3 months. The drops process strengthens your cornea improving your vision.

Many patients with Keratoconus use both INTACS & C3-R® as a combined treatment. The effects of the treatments are still astonishing doctors. To find out more information on INTACS or C3-R® visit http://www.keratoconusinserts.com

or

http://www.boxerwachler.com

Watch a free webinar: www.FixesYourKeratoconus.com

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True Testimonials: Cataracts and INTACS

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Cataracts is an alarming condition and over 5 million people are suffering from some degree of vision interference due to cataracts in the United States alone. There are an estimated 400,000 plus new cases diagnosed each year and over 7,000 new cases per week- You are not alone!

Ask Patty who recently had her second cataract surgery done on her left eye with Dr. Boxer Wachler. See was skeptical but she says her procedure was:

“Remarkably Short”

and she comments about the office experience:

“Things are very professional, Very orderly, and very caring”

Or you can ask Nancy Ringwald who has used glasses and/or Contact lenses since the 40’s and recently had INTAC procedure done at the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute for treatment of Keratoconus. Her keratoconus was stabilized with INTACS. Over time she realized recently that she was having more vision problems and the doctors found cataracts to be affecting her vision. She decided it was the right time to have her cataract procedure done and wanted to go to back to see Dr. Boxer Wachler, since he had treated her keratoconus.

She said quote:

“It was wonderful”

and she went on to say:

“No difficulty, they are not itchy, every hour my eyes are better”

Nancy Ringwald says she woke up the next morning and read the newspaper and looked at her clock without her glasses on.

New and revolutionary treatments are being developed for Keratoconus, Cataracts, and many other eye conditions. For more information on what treatment options are available for you visit: www.boxerwachler.com

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Custom Wave Front Lasik: What it can do For You

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

The goal of the Lasik procedure is to improve the vision of the patient. Quite often the vision is stored to at least 20/30 in 90-97% of cases. With the new technologies that the Custom Wavefront Lasik provides the doctor can make the procedure more custom to each patient. Quite often with Lasik procedures the patient requires less need for their contacts or glasses. In some cases the patient rarely needs to use them having 20/20 vision restored in their eyes.

Custom Lasik:

The doctor will map or take what is called a “fingerprint” of the patients vision imperfections. The machine will also smooth out the fingerprint using a laser. There are many benefits to using Custom Wavefront Lasik:

 

    Reduces the chances of infection. The procedure is preformed in there air filtration room.

    Sterile flap maker reduces the risk of infection in the eye

    The Flying Spot Laser- Moves with the eye during treatment reducing the risk of halos, glares, or poor night vision.

 

Procedure:

The procedure generally takes about 5-10 minutes, and is requires no shots, uses numbing drops. The procedure is painless and 97-99% accurate. The use of the wavefront technologies laser helps provide greater accuracy and improve your chances of vision correction. The procedure has many safety features to assist in lessoning the chances of infection, or risk to the patient.

Benefits:

As I am sure all of you know Custom Wavefront Lasik is a very common procedure and provides many benefits to its patients. It is used to treat nearsightedness [myopia], farsightedness [hyperopia], and astigmatism. While the benefit of having vision correction should be all you need to get you moving in the right direction, Custom Wavefront Lasik can maximize the accuracy of your results and reduce your risk of infections.

If you would like to know more about Custom Wavefront Lasik Visit: http://www.boxerwachler.com

If you would like to view our free webinar visit: http://www.FixesYourKeratoconus.com

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Cataracts Camps Cure 30,000 Already in 2009

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

Cataracts is a hereditary progressive condition that here in the US is often treated before the patient loses most of their vision. Most patients will develop Cataracts sometime between the ages of 55-70. A Cataract is a cloudy area of the lens that blocks light from getting through to the retina.

It is progressive because as the lens goes untreated the cloud continues to grow creating many problems in vision. There are treatments in the US that allow the patients lens to be replaced to restore their vision. In the US insurance will cover 50-80% of the cost of the procedure. However in many third world countries they simply can not afford the common procedure.

Recently Noor Dubai- a non-profit charity incentive that treats low vision and curable forms of blindness treated over 30,000 patients of all ages in Sudan and Dubai.

Quote:

“Noor Dubai has succeeded in dealing with critical humanitarian concerns of people of all ages who are unable to get the right treatments. The Noor Dubai Surgical team worked two six hour shifts every day completing an average of 400 successful surgeries daily.”

- said Quadhi Saeed Al Murooshid- CEO of Noor Dubai and Director General of the Dubai Health Authority.

This awesome initiative have created Free Cataracts Camps for patients with little to no money the ability to acquire good and accurate health care freeing them of the terrible complications that had caused them great damage to their vision.

Stats:

26,000 treated with medication and glasses
3,200 identified for surgery

There are 400,000 new cases diagnosed in the US every year. Cataracts are a growing concern and early detection and treatment can improve many lives by restoring vision.

Learn about Advanced Cataract Surgery:
www.boxerwachler.com/lasikspecialist/lasikprocedures/restor.html

Below are some common symptoms of Cataracts:

Fading colors
Cloudy or blurry vision
Difficulty driving into the sun
Poor night vision
Double vision- seeing more than one image in the eye
Frequent changes in the prescription

Understanding Keratoconus Symptoms

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Generally when we think of Keratoconus what comes to mind? Well if you already a Keratoconus patient you may think of things like blurred vision, or nearsightedness, astigmatism, or even sensitivity to light. The truth is these are often generalized symptoms and are also associated with other conditions, making it hard to diagnose as Keratoconus. So what questions should you be asking your doctor and does your current doctor specialize in treating patients with Keratoconus?

First the symptoms of Keratoconus:

High Astigmatism
Increased Astigmatism
Blurred Vision
Distorted night vision
Sensitivity to light
Blurred Vision

Blurred Vision and sensitivity to light are also found in patients with diabetes. Patients with Diabetes also have trouble with cataracts and astigmatism. However in recent studies researchers have found that patients with diabetes are at less risk of getting Keratoconus. Why? It has been found that patients with Type 2 Diabetes often develop harder corneas, in turn causing the exact opposite of the effects of Keratoconus. However few Diabetics are checked for Keratoconus because the symptoms they are experiencing are also symptoms caused by the damage of the sugar to the eye.

Blurred Vision and Pain in the eyes can also be caused by dry eye. Doctors find that patients who do excessive reading or writing blink less causing the eye to dry out more. The effects of dry eye while the condition can be well treated and is not life threatening can cause some damage to the cornea, creating double vision, distorted images, and can cause a lot of comfort.

The most important thing is to be sure to rule out risk factors for Keratoconus, find the right doctor, and ask questions. Below is a guide to assist you:

Risk Factors:

Family History
Trauma or injury to eyes
Constant rubbing of the eye
Inherited Diseases: Down Syndrome, Some Renial diseases

Questions to Ask the Doctor:

If you have a family history of Keratoconus you might ask:

What area do you specialize in?
How much experience do you have diagnosing and treating patients with Keratoconus?
What tests and treatments do you have available?

If you notice symptoms of Keratoconus you might ask:

Can you explain the results of my tests?
If your sight is getting worse you might ask- Do you know why my vision is getting worse?
What can I do to help improve my vision or will It continue to get worse?

Make sure to log your symptoms and how long they last. If you have a family history of eye disease or you are not sure if you have a family history of eye disease make sure the doctor is aware of this. Above all don’t be afraid to ask questions no matter how small they seem. If the doctor doesn’t have time to answer your questions so you understand him- find one that will. Your Vision care should be your concern.

To watch an educational webinar on Keratoconus Treatments visit: www.FixesYourKC.com

Background of Natural Lens Replacement

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

The basis for Natural Lens Replacement dates back over 100 years with the condition called cataracts. A cataract is when the biological lens becomes cloudy, blurs vision, and leads to difficulty driving at night, seeing glare off of lights and making it hard to read. As a result of cataracts, people altered their lifestyle and had to wait until the cataracts became quite advanced before having them fixed.

When the cataracts became “bad enough”, cataract surgery was performed to restore eyesight. During the cataract procedure, the cloudy biological lens was removed from the eye and a lens implant was put in its place. Very basic lens implants were used to correct distance vision when the cataracts were removed. While back then this was a major advance. These days this procedure is now considered a bit archaic because it corrects for only distance vision - patients still needed to wear reading glasses or bifocals afterwards nearly full time.

The lens implant technology is now very advanced - these sophisticated “premium” lens implants can correct both distance and reading vision. These lens implants are precision-engineered to exact specifications. This has revolutionized the use of lens implants. Natural Lens Replacement is the use of these premium lens implants to correct distance and reading vision which can provide tremendous freedom from the “crutches” of glasses. Natural Lens Replacement has been a boon for patients with cataracts since eye surgeons now routinely use them to correct cataracts and also fix reading vision. Since the Natural Lens Replacement technology is advanced, people with early cataracts are being proactive to have their cataracts fixed along with their distance and reading vision. Your parents’ generation typically had to wait until their cataracts got so bad that they had trouble driving and doing other activities before the cataracts could be repaired. A version of Len Augmentation can be used to cure patients with cataracts, even early cataracts.  No more are the days of waiting until the cataracts get so bad that it makes driving and other activities difficult.  Natural Lens Replacement fixes the early cataracts so they will never get worse and you will never have to worry about that happening to you. This will guarantee those cataracts never occur again.  Imagine how powerful that is never to have to worry about decreased vision again.

Request a free report:  http://www.boxerwachler.com/lasikspecialist/lasikprocedures/restor.html

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Formalized FDA Clinical Trial

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

As Many of us know Keratoconus affects the lives of several thousand patients each year. Keratoconus affects the lives of the patients suffering and the family of each patient. Insurance companies recognize cornea transplant as a treatment for Keratoconus. Many surgeons have realized that treatments such as INTACS and C3R provide little to no risk for complications and fast recovery. While insurance companies have started to pay for INTACS, they continue to deny C3R, which holds little if any complication.

While many attempts have been made in the past to create better treatment many are now looking at the possibility of a cure for Progressive Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia. According to the National Keratoconus Foundation [NKCF] two FDA studies were started in January of 2008 to study the effectiveness of Corneal Collagen Crosslinking on patients with Progressive Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia. These studies were to begin with 160 patients with Progressive Keratoconus and 160 patients with Corneal Ectaisia. The patients would be studied for 3-6 months and than be followed for an additional 12 months there after. A formal study is the first step to gaining insurance approval for payment.

Quote:

“We are extremely excited to begin clinical trials on Cross Linking. It maybe a way to cure a disease that has no current  treatment and accounts for 15% of transplants preformed in the United States. “

Says:  Principal Investor-

While the study is winding down, and we should see the difference in the report. Many can already tell you of the benefits of Corneal Collagen Cross with Riboflavin. The results have been positive the little to no side effects or complications. Most who have use the treatment reported noticeable changes in at least 48 hours and the most substantial change within the last 2 weeks.

Progressive Keratoconus thins the corneal walls causing irregular changes in the shape of the cornea and distorts your vision. The C3R treatment stregthens the fibers of the Cornea walls restoring the natural shape. The treatment is non-invasive unlike the Cornea Transplant that were the primary treatment for Progressive Keratoconus. The treatment can be preformed in the doctors’ office within 30 minutes-the procedure is comfortable and even better no reduction in activity is necessary.

Progressive Keratoconus patients now have new hope. Many doctors are looking at this for a possible “cure” for these debilitating diseases. Early detection is the key to reduced complications. Below are a few symptoms of Progressive Keratoconus. If you have any of these symptoms consult your physician early.

Progressive Keratoconus Symptoms:

High Astigmatism

Increased Astigmatism

Headaches [Due to eye strain]

Disturbed night vision

Sensitivity to Light

Blurred Vision

To Watch a free educational video on treatments for Keratoconus visit: www.FixesYourKC.com

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Former Keratoconus Patient Steve Holcomb Enters Bobsled World Championships

Friday, February 20th, 2009

This year in January Steve Holcomb had undergone a vision correction treatment that restored is vision. With his uncanny talent in bobsledding few knew of the troubles Steve suffered out there on the track. However his sight had become such a problem the extraordinarily talented athlete thought of throwing in the towel and retiring. In one last effort to help himself a few organizations pitched in an assisted the athlete in getting the experimental procedures done. His response to the procedures?

Quote from USA Today:

I could instantly see clearly. It’s an amazing feeling”

- Says a pleased Steve Holcomb

Now with the 2010 Olympic Games coming up the athlete is back and stronger than ever. Holcomb entered the Bobsled World Championships on Friday in New York. His vision is almost perfect a far cry from his vision early last year at 20/1000 which for those of you that don’t know is quite poor -noted by doctors as profoundly poor in fact.

In further quotes Steve Holcomb states:

“Its life in high-definition”

His team was not aware of how bad Holcomb’s vision was until recently but says that he worked more off instinct than vision anyway. And Steve is more confident and amped about his vision than ever, no longer worrying about the constant hassle of his contacts and view life in a whole new way…as for the 2010 Olympics will just have to wait and see!

Read the USA Today Article:  http://www.boxerwachler.com/usatoday/index.htm

Watch a Free educational video on treatments for Keratoconus by visiting: www.FixesYourKC.com

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What Caused Your Keratoconus?

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Genetics

The frequency of keratoconus in first degree relatives having the disease is much higher than the general population. Keratoconus can also be associated with other systemic syndromes such as Down’s syndrome.

 

The good news is that keratoconus is often not passed to children. If you have or may have children in the future, it’s only a 6% likelihood that any of your children will inherit keratoconus.

It makes sense to have your children have a baseline corneal topography between ages of 8-10 years old and have a topography every year. The subsequent topography maps can be compared to the first one to catch keratoconus early if it will be occurring. Early keratoconus can easily be “nipped in the bud” with a C3-R® treatment before it gets worse.

Quote:

“It seems that both environment and genetics play a role in Keratoconus”

-Says Dr. Brian S. Boxer Wachler, MD.

Free Radicals

All corneas, like any tissues in the body, create harmful byproducts (free radicals) of cell metabolism (metabolism is a fancy word for the activities of the cell required for it to live and do it’s thing). These byproducts are similar to a car’s exhaust that results from the car being driven. Normal corneas, like any other body tissue, have a defense system in place to neutralize the free radicals so they don’t damage the collagen.

The collagen is the equivalent of steel beams that support a building. Damage to those beams causes the building to tilt, just like damage to the collagen causes the cornea to bulge. Think of those free radicals as attacking your collagen fibers in the cornea, trying to thin it and weaken it.

The problem with keratoconus is that anti-free radical system in the cornea (called anti-oxidants) are not properly working, so the free radicals are allowed to overwhelm and wreak havoc on the collagen fibers. They bombard the cornea like mortar fire blasting into a brick wall. The free radicals damage the cornea, thin it, and ultimately allow it to bulge and steepen out. This is how your vision got worse from keratoconus.

 

Watch a FREE educational webinar about treatments for keratoconus: www.FixesYourKC.com

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