TIP 1 - Personally meet with the LASIK surgeon BEFORE day of surgery

This is important to see if there is a comfort level with the patient and surgeon.  Is the surgeon rushed and seems like there are more important matters he/she needs to get to?  If you have follow up questions, how easy is it to reach surgeon – is surgeon email or cell phone made available for concerns or questions?  People generally know their gut feeling when they meet someone else.  If you get a bad gut feeling, listen to it and seek another doctor. 

Tip 2 - Research the surgeon’s experience

Run a Google search on the surgeon to find out if there are numerous complaints.  Look up the surgeon on your state medical board to see if there are any issues with the medical license.

Tip 3 -  Seek third-party assessments of surgeon and lasik center

Are there just a few happy patients on the website or is there a plethora of patients commenting?  Social media sites allow unbias, unfiltered patient assessments of lasik center.

Tip 4 -  Evaluate the lasik center in person

When you visit the lasik center, is it clean and tidy or does it look like the kitchen of a “greasy spoon” diner?   The latter might be fine for bacon and eggs, but not for eye surgery.  Are the staff caring, polite, and genuinely interested in helping you?  Everything in a medical practice trickles from the top down, so if the staff are rude and insensitive you can bet the doctor probably is like that too.

Tip 5 - Make Sure these Four Essential Tests Are Part of the Evaluation

1) dry eye check – if dry eyes are found on lasik testing and NOT addressed, it increases risk of dry eye problems after lasik

2) pupil size check – some studies have shown increase risk of halos and glare from large pupils, while other studies have failed to show an association.  Either way, pupil checking is a must.

3) corneal mapping (topography) – the shape of the cornea can eliminate a patient from being a lasik candidate and indicate appropriate alternative procedures like PRK or Visian ICL.  Lasik done on a misshapen cornea that was not evaluated with corneal mapping can lead to double vision.

4) corneal thickness (pachymetry) – lasik on corneas that are too thin can weaken the strength of the cornea causing it to bulge out and turn into a condition called keratoconus that may lead to triple or quadruple images in vision.

Learn more at: www.BoxerWachler.com

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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When I started college I was an Ocean Lifeguard. At school, I found it harder to focus on textbooks. I thought it was just the chlorine from the pool. I had my eyes checked and I was diagnosed with astigmatism in one eye and I started wearing glasses while studying. As lifeguarding became my chosen profession, I found it hard to focus in the afternoon as the Southern California sun set lower in the sky.

When running out for a rescue, I would often lose my prescription sunglasses. I tried soft lenses, but sand got under them and that was uncomfortable. The lenses often slid up behind my eyes and even floated away when I swam. I often went without correction because of the irritation. By late afternoon I would see double images of objects far away, such as a boat on the horizon.

When laser eye surgery became available, I was excited. However, I was discouraged to learn that I had keratoconus in one eye and was not a candidate for LASIK. I came across an article and some studies by Dr. Boxer Wachler. I was optimistic after my first meeting with him in 1999. He explained a new procedure Intacs that would help correct my keratoconus and vision. Back then Intacs had not been reported on a patient with keratoconus in the United States, but he felt it was ready to be attempted. As I was a good candidate, I welcomed the opportunity.  A week after surgery, the vision in that eye improved to a great degree. I was able to see nearly equally with both eyes and it was unnecessary to wear glasses or contacts at work. After a few months I noticed that I was relying more and more on the corrected eye!

It has now been about eight years since I had Intacs and I still do not wear corrective lenses. I am able to pick objects out of the glare on the horizon and street signs on the freeway well before I need to turn. The freedom I have gained and the confidence I now have in my vision has proven invaluable to me and my ability to continue in my profession.

The ability to see well in lifeguarding is critical, and I no longer have the worry that I might miss something that could result in someone’s pain, suffering or their life. I owe this self assuredness to Dr. Boxer Wachler and to Intacs.

I feel fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time in history. I can

appreciate the saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” I am glad that my pioneering experience helped pave the way for the thousands of other patients who have subsequently benefited from innovative advancements for keratoconus. I am pleased to dedicate this book to the thousands of future patients who will benefit from these innovations.

- Kenny Atkins, first reported Intacs® for

keratoconus patient in the United States

Learn more about keratoconus treatments: www.FixesYourKC.com - watch a free educational seminar.

There are several things you can do if you feel you are suffering from Keratoconus. The professionals will help not only evaluate your physical status but also take a thorough examination of your medical history.

The Ophthalmologist or Optometrist will also give you tests to check your visual acuity. This means reading letters from an eye chart much like a general eye evaluation. It can also include measuring the curvature of the corneas using a topographer. Having an irregular curvature could mean possible Keratoconus.

One additional test that is often performed is a cornea ultrasound(Pachymetry). This will measure the cornea thickness. A thin cornea can be a sign of Keratoconus.

Another test examines your cornea with a slit lamp(Microscope). More advanced cases can be determined right away with this test, because of the yellow-brown or olive-green rings or a (Fleischer ring)

Fleischer Ring-

Seen in 50% of patients with Keratoconus. Also caused by Iron Oxide Hemosiderin that is deposited in the Corneal Epithelium.

Vogt’s Striae- These are fine lines or (stress lines) caused by stretching and can be seen on the front of the cornea.

Munson’s Sign- is another give away of Keratoconus. This is a V-shaped indentation and sometimes seen in the lower eyelid when the sufferer moves their line of sight in the downward direction. Most signs are detected before this stage and is seldom used for diagnosing keratoconus.

It is important to get a definitive diagnosis for keratoconus. Many times it requires several tests to make an absolute confirmation. There are numerous other conditions that have similar symptoms of keratoconus. Make sure you are being seen by a specialist in diagnosis of keratoconus and ask questions if you do not understand your diagnosis. After all it is your health at stake.

If you are like the majority of the population you have problems dealing with conditions surrounding your eyes. The thought of eye surgery or cornea implants may not initially sit real well with you. The truth is the treatments and eye surgeries that are used today are much more advanced than they were even 10 years ago. Finding more and more efficient and less invasive procedures to help those with the unfortunate luck of contracting these uncomfortable and vision-deteriorating conditions.

There are many symptoms to let you know you are experiencing problems with your cornea. If you are experiencing issues with your cornea here are some common symptoms to let you know if it should be checked by your eye doctor:

• Vision Distortion
• Loss of Vision
• Pain
• Tearing
• Redness in your eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Corneal Scarring

If the eyes are not taken care of we can face many progressive conditions that can lead to complete loss of vision. Understanding that not all eye conditions require eye surgery or cornea implants is the most important thing. There are some things that only require antibiotics or ointment as a treatment. So it is important not to come to any conclusions until the condition is explained to you by your eye doctor.

Keratitis-

Keratitis occurs after an eye injury causing inflammation or an ulceration of the cornea when the microorganisms enter the cornea.

There are a few common symptoms of Keratitis:

• Pain
• Vision Problems
• Discharge

Though Keratitis sounds serious and if untreated can get bad- the usual treatment for this condition is antibiotic eye drops.

There are some more sever eye conditions like Cornea Dystrophies: a couple are:

Keratoconus-

This condition is caused by the thinning of the cornea and causes the cornea to change shape. Keratoconus leads to significant vision distortions in patients and can greatly affect their ability to live life to its fullest. It can start at adolescence. Keratoconus can cause:

• Vision Distortions
• Scarring of the Cornea
• Swelling
• Vision Loss
• Depression

Sometimes, Keratoconus is associated with Down’s Syndrome, Addison’s Disease, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and some eye diseases like: Retintis Pigmentosa, and Vernal Keratoconjuctivitis. The treatments of this condition includes: Intacs, C3-R, CK, and Visian ICL. The disease is progressive and for a while can be treated with glasses or soft contacts but will lead to special contacts called “Rigid gas permeable contact lenses” unless early prevention occurs.

Fuchs Dystrophy-

This is a gradual deterioration of the endothelial cells which can break down for no reason. Some treatments include soft contacts, ointments, and cornea transplants.

Though we are not always comfortable with going to the eye doctor; going early enough can prevent serious damage to your eyes. Remembering that eye surgery is improving and our technology is growing more each year. The surgeries of today are much less invasive and without them a large part of our population would suffer greatly. The truth about eye surgery? We need it!

If you suffer from keratoconus or simply want to find a way to improve your vision without having to undergo laser surgery, you might be interested in using Intacs corneal implants.  There are many benefits associated with Intacs, whether you have Keratoconus or not, which has resulted in a growing number of people deciding to use these implants rather than undergo laser eye surgery.

The Benefits of Using Intacs

If you suffer vision problems, using Intacs is a great way to improve your vision.  In addition to the improved vision you will enjoy, Intacs also provide benefits such as:

1. They are removable and no permanent changes are made to your eyes
2. The natural shape of your cornea is not changed
3. You can use other methods for vision correction in the future if you desire
4. Unlike standard contacts, they are maintenance free

When it comes to laser eye surgery, the shape of your cornea actually has to be changed. This means that you may experience greater vision problems in the future if it turns out that you suffer from keratoconus or any other eye disease that affects the size or shape of your cornea.  In addition, laser surgery is permanent and cannot be undone.  Intacs, on the other hand, can be removed if you desire and changed as your vision needs change.

Safely Improving Your Vision

Intacs implants have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  In addition, they have been approved for pilots to use and have been repeatedly proven effective over the course of 11 years worth of clinical research.  Although Intacs are not effective for all people with poor vision, approximately 70% of the population can effectively improve its vision with Intacs.  In fact, they are a viable solution for people suffering from the degenerative eye disease of keratoconus.

Implanting Intacs

The process of implanting Intacs is actually easier than you might think.  Since the implants are extremely thin, the eye doctor is able to insert them beneath the outer edge of the surface of your eye, an area that is referred to as the cornea.  The process is so simple that it is an outpatient procedure.

Unlike standard removable contacts, you don’t feel Intacs after they have been inserted in your eye.  Once they are inserted, they gently reshape our cornea’s curvature so it becomes properly shaped without actually removing any corneal tissue.  By reshaping the cornea, light rays are able to properly pass through your cornea so they can be properly focused upon.  These results in sharper and clearer vision.

Enjoying Great Results

The results of Intac corneal implants are quite impressive.  More than 97% of people that get the implants are able to pass the vision tests necessary to get their driver’s licenses without needing to wear glasses.  Amazing, more than 50% of patients are also able to achieve vision that is better than 20/20 after having the surgery.

Since Intacs do not permanently change your eye and can be changed as your needs change, it is a great option for those that are nearsighted as well as for those suffering from the degenerative eye disease keratoconus.

Although receiving Intacs corneal implants is a simple, outpatient process, it is still important to know how to properly prepare for the procedure and what to expect afterward.  With this overview, you should find that there are no surprises when you get this beneficial procedure completed.

Preparing for the Procedure

Before you can receive Intacs corneal implants, you will first need to undergo an extensive eye examination.  During this examination, the eye doctor will be determining whether or not your eyes are healthy and if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure.  In order to make this determination, the eye doctor will perform ophthalmic tests and will take a general medical history.  In all, this process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour to complete.

Undergoing the Procedure

Once you and your eye doctor have determined that Intacs implants are right for you, you will set an appointment for the procedure and your eye doctor will explain the procedure to you.

In short, the eye doctor will add anesthetic drops to your eyes in order to numb them. He or she may then utilize special equipment in order to keep your eye open throughout the procedure or he or she may simply have an assistant hold your eye.  Either way, it is important that you do not blink and that the eye remains open throughout the entire procedure.

After your eye has been numbed, the eye doctor will make a small incision in the surface of your cornea. With the incision made, he or she can then prepare the eye for the Intacs implants.

The eye doctor will also take certain steps in order to stabilize your eye and to make sure it is properly aligned.  With the help of a special centering guide that is placed on the eye surface for one or two minutes, the eye doctor can be certain the proper location has been determined.  Then, he or she makes to micro-sized tunnels in the cornea and places the implants in the tunnels. Since the cornea actually has several different layers to it, the eye doctor has to separate the layers in order to find the right spot for the implant.

With the Intacs in place, the eye doctor closes the small openings that were made.  Immediately after the procedure is completed, you will probably notice the difference in your vision.

After the Procedure

Although the implanting Intacs is simple, it is best to rest for awhile after having the surgery completed.  It is also best to have someone drive you home afterwards.  In some cases, it will take a few days before you will notice a difference in your vision.  It also won’t take long for your eyes to heal and most people don’t feel any pain at all throughout the entire process.  In addition, patients do not feel the ring segments from the Intacs because they are actually placed beneath the nerve endings of the cornea.

While the exact results from Intacs will differ from one patient to the next, many experience better than “perfect” vision after the procedure is completed.