Yearly Archives - 2012

Although cataracts are mostly found in the older population, there are certain members of this population who are more at risk for them than others. Specific diseases can put one in a high risk category, as can gender, racial and ethnic facts. Types of long-term lifestyles and heredity can also put one person at risk for cataracts more than another person.

Like many conditions, those who have a family history of cataracts are more likely to develop them as they grow older. If you can recall your grandmother wearing dark glasses for week after undergoing cataract surgery in Fort Worth, then the chances are higher that you will one day need this surgery as well.

Diabetes and obesity are also risk factors for developing cataracts. The two are sometimes interconnected since obesity issues can lead to diabetes. With a link between cataracts and high sugar levels, it would make sense for diabetics to be in a higher risk group than others. Diabetics are also in the rare group that is more likely to develop cataracts before their senior years. Fort Worth cataract surgery may be an option or even a necessity for diabetics before they reach the age of 60.

If someone suffers from an autoimmune disease that has put them dependent on the use of steroid medications, then there is more of a chance they may one day need Fort Worth cataract eye surgery. The most common autoimmune diseases whose treatments can lead to cataracts are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis.

As far as demographics, women are more likely to develop cataracts as they grow older than men are. Also, African-Americans seem to need cataract surgery more than Caucasians do and some feel it is because they are also in a higher risk factor for diabetes.

Lifestyle choices can also lead to cataracts. They include the decision to smoke cigarettes and drink excessive alcohol. Also, if you have been a sun worshipper all your life, you have an increased chance of needing cataract surgery in your later years. UV sunlight has adverse effects on other parts of the body as well, including the skin, so not exposing  yourself to excessive rays in hopes of a tan can save you from melanoma, as well as poor eyesight when you get older.

Even if some of these risk factors cannot be helped and you do develop cataracts, know that the surgery to remove them is quick and common, and usually results in few to no complications. Call us today for personalized help if your vision has been blurry and you think you fall into one of these high risk categories.

The prices for LASIK surgery have continuously increased over the years, and a lot of persons are unsure of the average charge for undergoing LASIK surgery. The climbing prices of LASIK are directly due to the increase in technology and the new forms of surgeries available now. As technology advances, prices change continuously. If you want to do LASIK surgery, your primary concern should not be the cost. You should however, be familiar with the present average cost of LASIK. Even though you may not wish to give much attention to its average costs, facilities where prices are offered far below average should be approached with caution. Consider the fact that you may just get your money’s worth.

The price of LASIK in Fort worth is based on the form of procedure that will be carried out. While there are some surgeries which are not as expensive as others, a few patents are not eligible for those less expensive surgeries because of their astigmatism or myopia level, or due to corneas that are very thin. To determine which form of LASIK surgery you are eligible for, consult with a private ophthalmologist.

The typical procedure for LASIK in which the upper layer of the cornea is slit and folded over with microkeratome blades, it is then shaped using excimer lasers. This normally costs 17 hundred dollars for each eye. The procedure for IntraLASIK, is quite similar to LASIK surgery, except for the fact that a laser for IntraLase is used to eliminate the cornea’s upper layer and not a microkeratome blade. The average cost for LASIK in the nation is about 2300 per eye.

Vision correction procedures using flapless techniques, also called surface abalation, include LASEK, Epi-LASIK, and PRK. Excimer lasers are still used in such procedures for shaping the cornea; however, finer blades are used get rid of epithelia cells fond on the cornea. Such procedures are normally done on patients with corneas that are very thin. This cost on average, 1750 dollars per eye.

Customized treatments for Wavefronts, including Wavefront IntraLASIK, Wavefront Flapless, and Wavefront LASIK, are usually more costly than the other types of LASIK procedures. This is as a result of Wavefront technologies used to customize the eye’s cornea prior to surgery. The average cost for Wavefront Flapless procedures is about 2000 dollars for each eye, $2050 for each eye for Wavefront LASIK, and $2400 dollars for each eye for procedures of Wavefront IntraLASIK.

Remember that the listed prices are just the average for the normal costs of such surgeries for vision correction. Added costs may be incurred for pre-operation exams, post-operation care, transportation, medications, and complications, as well as the astigmatism or myopia level to be corrected. Where the surgery will be taking place, may also add to additional costs for LASIK procedures.

Surgeons have for years debated about whether or not LASIK and procedures for surgery is more sensible for patients rather than contact lens. A lot of surgeons clearly believe that surgery using laser is quite safe and that it is a better option for many persons than contact lens. However, despite the increasing technological advances and the better results for those who undergo laser surgery, there is still one major fact – contact lenses aren’t as invasive as laser surgery. However, what makes it worthwhile?

Lasers versus Contacts

Many persons think laser surgery is not as safe as contact lenses as they use a non-invasive method for correcting vision. This is not always true, as laser surgery to the eye may really be safer for some patients than contacts, as stated by researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University Casey Eye Institute.

How is this possible? All surgeries have some amount of risks. Complications such as infections, dry eyes and over or under corrections are included in these risks. Luckily, technological advances have reduced the impact of such effects on the patients.

Patients are carefully screened in order to lessen the risk of severe side effects due to LASIK surgery. It is the obligation of the patients to get surgeons who are known for carrying out surgeries that are safe but effective.

However, risks are also involved the wearing of contact lens, although a lot of patients may not know this. For instance, a few patients have gotten infections that are quite serious as a result of wearing contact lenses for lengthened periods of time. In severe cases, loss of vision may be the end result of such infections – at times, even permanent loss of vision.

It can even be argued that loss of vision may also be experienced by patients who undergo LASIK surgery. However, loss of vision suffered by patients after Fort Worth laser eye surgery is extremely rare.

Nonetheless, contacts have been known to shift into the upper eye of people who wear contacts. They had to be removed physically by means of minor surgical procedures. Some persons are more vulnerable to such infections than are others. For instance, bad hygiene can help to develop infections and problems when wearing contacts.

This does not mean contact lenses aren’t a good option for a lot of patients. Many of them are not eligible for undergoing laser surgery. If managed properly, wearing contacts can be very safe. Many risks involved with the earlier and harder type of contacts are reduced with the newer type.

Learning about the two options from an optician is important for patients. Doctor and patient can discuss and decide on what is best – whether laser of LASIK surgery or contact lenses.

Nowadays, persons are wearing contact lenses more than ever before. Over twenty million persons presently wear contacts. Consult with your optician to decide if undergoing laser surgery is the better option for you.