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.

I had the wonderful pleasure of speaking with Steve Zier a recent patient of Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler. Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler performs several Corrective surgeries in the Los Angeles area for patients around the world. This remarkable doctor is one of the kind. I am writing this week to share with you this patients experience at the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute.

Steve Zier was diagnosed with mild Keratoconus. In many states doctors feel it is difficult to work on patients with Keratoconus some don’t try, others do with complications. In Steve’s case it was difficult to locate a doctor that would attempt it due to his condition.

“None of the other surgeons would touch me with a 10 foot pole” He said sounding a bit frustrated.

Searching the Internet as so many of us do Steve happened upon Dr. Boxer Wachler’s website www.boxerwachler.com and decided to give it a try.

Steve was pleased with the incredible service that the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute had to offer.

“The service was great from the receptionist to the doctors” he said.

Steve Zier had a PRK treatment and C3-R directly afterwards. His total procedure time was less than one hour. Steve reports that he was a little sore afterwards but didn’t need any pain relievers. Additionally his vision was a bit blurry but cleared up within a week. Now he it is four weeks later and he is amazed at the results. Steve had 20/200 vision in the right eye- after treatment 20/20

Results:

Right eye- Before procedure 20/200

Right eye- After Procedure 20/20

Left eye-Before Procedure 20/60

Left eye- After Procedure 20/40

Steve says he only needs a soft contact in one eye now to help him see. His Keratoconus is currently stable and his new quality of vision is great “It was worth every penny!” he says.

Look for True Testimonials next week and hear the story of another patient…

Suffering from Keratoconus can be a difficult thing. Many people worry greatly about the progression of Keratoconus and although there is no definitive cure for Keratoconus there are treatments that can greatly improve your vision. Helping you have a much better quality of life. Laser surgery is not an options for individuals with Keratoconus, but Intacs may be a possibility. There are many benefits of using Intacs.

Below are a few reasons:

• Intacs are removable, which make it easier to adjust if you have visual changes later in life.
• No tissue is removed from your cornea when Intacs are used.
• If you decide to change the method you are using from Intacs to another the option is still open.
• Intacs are maintenance free. you can just enjoy your improved quality of vision instead.

When you have laser surgery they are changing the shape of your cornea by removing tissue with the laser. With Keratoconus this can cause problems, even making things progress and worsen quicker. With Intacs you can treat your disease with little complications.

The results of Intacs are much more exciting. The goal of INTACS is to help normalize the irregular cornea curvature, which has lead to decrease quality of vision. Over 90% of people with Intacs have an improved quality of vision with glasses or contact lenses. Additionally more than 50% of patients have better than 20/20 vision after the procedure with their glasses or contact lenses, which is a miracle for many who have had loss of vision over the years from this disease. Finally this can be a great choice for those with Keratoconus and mild nearsightedness. At times these people experience such a dramatic improvement they rarely need glasses or contacts.

Quite often we dream of good vision and for those of us who have been suffering with vision problems all our lives there is hope. The chance to finally have something that doesn’t require lots of maintenance or excessive checkups is a true blessing. Intacs can give it too you!

Being diagnosed with Keratoconus is a hard thing. Learning what comes next in the process is most important. There are several tests that will be preformed on you to determine the condition of your cornea. This is one of the steps to determining how your doctor will treat your Keratoconus.

Slit-Lamp-

When you doctor is examining you he will want to look closer into you cornea. When he does this he will use a keratoscope. This device will help him see the surface of your cornea. It is not invasive and it will give him a better idea of the damage to your cornea.

Corneal Topography-

This instrument will give him more accurate details of the damaged area by looking at the cornea’s pattern. It analyzes the cornea’s topography and projects a digital image. The doctor can see the damage or scarring on the cornea and it can let the doctor see just how fast the disease is progressing.

Staging Keratoconus-

There are three levels of severity when it comes to Keratoconus. The doctor can use his topography and determine with close certainty how severe the disease is. Below are a few ways to tell:

Testing Steepness of greatest Curvature

40-45D is mild

52 D is considered advance

Above 52D is severe

Thickness of the Cornea

Mild- 506

Advanced- Less than 446

Morphology of the Cone-

If the cone is sagging it too is an indicator of the advancing of the disease.

Since the use of Corneal Topography we have not used the terms advanced and severe as we used to. However the image that they provide will help you doctor determine the next course of action. Making sure you ask questions and understand what is going on every step of the way will ensure a greater chance of full recovery. Trust your doctor and let him know you concerns I am sure he will listen!

Corneal Transplants are some of the most common transplants in the United States. There are annually over 40,000 transplants being preformed around the US. Over 90% of all transplants done are successful and after the procedure sight is restored. Corneal Transplants are known as Keratoplasty. There are many reasons why one would need a corneal transplant below are a few common ones:

• Keratoconus

• Fuchs Dystrophy

These can cause cloudiness in the cornea and it often alters the natural curvature of the cornea. They also reduce the quality of vision in the patient. Additionally these are a few other things to add to the need for corneal transplants:

•  Trauma

• Chemical Burns

• Bacteria

• Fungi and Protozoa

Many times use of local anesthesia is used. With local anesthesia the patient is numb around the area of the procedure however they are still away. Additionally one could also use general anesthesia and be unconscious during the procedure. Consult with your eye doctor to determine which way is best for you.

It is also very important that you speak with your physician on the risks of the corneal implant as well as the benefits. Many times if we hear enough good things and not the bad things we can convince ourselves that the procedure is right. However the decisions should be made only after knowing all the options and risks involved with the corneal implants. A few of the risks are:

•  Infections

• Cataract Formation

• Glaucoma

• Retinal detachment

• Rejection and need for another transplant

In rejection of the corneal transplants the immune systems fights off the donor tissue. Approximately 30% of corneal transplants result in rejections. Here are a few of the symptoms to look for after a corneal transplant to show the body maybe rejecting it:

•  Sensitivity to light

• Redness in eyes

• Change in vision

• Persistent or constant discomfort in the eyes

You should check with your eye doctor if you are having any of these symptoms or have any questions proceeding your corneal transplant. In the end the average corneal transplant is successful and a better quality of life is experienced because of it!