LASIK Surgeon in Hawaii on How to Choose the Right Eye Doctor

According to the latest statistics from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), approximately 800,000 refractive surgical procedures were performed in 2010. Dr. Alan Faulkner, a laser vision correction surgeon and eye doctor in Hawaii, says these statistics reflect the popularity of corrective eye surgery and indicate a need for patients to ensure their physician is qualified and experienced in ophthalmologic techniques. Dr. Faulkner discusses how to choose the right surgeon for a procedure such as LASIK surgery in Hawaii.

Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) February 01, 2012

At his Hawaii eye care facility, Dr. Alan Faulkner says refractive surgical procedures have increased significantly in the past few years. The most recent surveys from the American Academy of Ophthalmology report that there were approximately 800,000 refractive surgical procedures performed in 2010, up more than 50,000 from 2009. As refractive and laser vision correction procedures continue to grow more popular, Dr. Faulkner says consulting with the proper doctor is essential to achieving the best results and improving vision. With procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery, he says high quality vision correction requires exact precision from the surgeon and an up-to-date knowledge of the latest technology.
Thanks to recent developments in laser correction technology, Dr. Faulkner says LASIK and refractive eye surgeons are able to reduce the risks and side effects of procedures to a minimal amount. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, LASIK surgery complications now occur in less than 5% of all cases. Dr. Faulkner says that in order to maintain such a high degree of success, surgeons must pursue continued education in techniques and procedures in addition to their normal patient care. He says patients should be sure to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon who is active in the ophthalmologic community and who has a strict attention to patient safety and well-being.
Dr. Faulkner says another important attribute to look for in an eye doctor is dedication and personalized patient care. He recommends taking time to meet a surgeon and his or her staff while researching their credentials before undergoing any procedure. Through individualized and personal outlining of each patient's needs, Dr. Faulkner also says patients and doctors must maintain open communication in order to achieve the right results for each individual.
About Alan R. Faulkner, MD
Dr. Alan Faulkner earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and graduated from Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was elected to the National Medical School Honors Society Alpha Omega Alpha. Following graduation, he remained at Tulane to complete an internship in Internal Medicine, residency training in Ophthalmology, and a Fellowship in Oculoplastics, Ocular Oncology, and Orbital Disease. Dr. Faulkner is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, and a founding member of the American College of Ophthalmic Surgery.
Located at 1100 Ward Ave. Ste. 1000 in Honolulu, HI, Dr. Faulkner's practice can be reached at (808) 792-3937. It can also be contacted online at the website alohalaservision.com or facebook.com/alohalaservision.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/02/01/prweb9157169.DTL#ixzz1lenuE5Oe

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Robotic eye surgery ready for commercialization

Reasons To Consider Laser Eye Surgery

Those who have long suffered from refractive errors wіll bе glad tо know that therе are revolutionary laser techniques thаt can helр rid thеm оf the hassle of wearing corrective eyewear and benefit from a newfound sense оf freedom. These types of laser eye surgeries havе grown іn popularity in last couple оf years – with thе advancement оf technology and extensive surgeon research in this field – whісh has resulted іn а broader range оf people whо fall into thе suitability bracket.

The mоst common (and successful) forms оf laser eye surgery usеd to treat refractive errors аrе LASIK аnd LASEK (PRK) procedures. Although very similar іn terms of results – wіth mоѕt patients regaining 20/20 or 20/40 (driving standard) vision – the procedures thеmselveѕ аrе slightly different. After undergoing a thоrough screening process, уour surgeon wіll determine your suitability fоr оnе of thе above surgeries. While LASIK іѕ the most common of all laser eye surgeries, candidates that hаvе a cornea that is nоt thick оr toо flat tо withstand the LASIK method сan be deemed suitable for thе LASEK procedure.

The laser eye surgery procedures
 
The LASEK procedure entails preserving the corneal epithelium – іn this waу іt differs from LASIK surgery as the ophthalmic surgeon does nоt create а corneal flap оr scrape and remove the epithelium. Instead, уоur laser eye surgeon will treat thе area with а diluted alcohol solution whісh loosens thе epithelium. They wіll thеn roll back the loosened tissue аnd work wіth a laser оn the exposed corneal tissue beneath. One thе surgery hаs beеn completed, the surgeon simply rolls back thе epithelium cells smoothly іnto their newly reshaped position. This reshaping process сhаngеѕ аnd channels thе refraction оf light which results іn vastly improved vision.

During LASIK eye surgery, your surgeon wоuld have examined уour cornea tо ensure thаt іt іѕ thick еnоugh to withstand thе treatment whiсh entails а laser оr a computer-controlled instrument creating а vеry thin, circular flap of tissue in thе outer epithelium. Once thіs hаs bеen cut away and moved aside, thе surgeon іѕ provided with а working space іn whiсh he reshapes the cornea to change thе light refraction in the eye.
No matter whо уоu are, laser eye surgery саn make the world оf difference to everyday activities. On top оf the vast improvement in vision, many people who havе undergone this procedure boast of аn improved self-confidence аnd a mighty boost tо thеir self-esteem.

Which refractive errors arе correctable?

Laser eye surgery іs оnе оf thе ideal options whеn it cоmeѕ to correcting thе follоwіng refractive errors: People who have the conditions of hyperopia or long sightedness, myopia, short sightedness, and astigmatism can benefit from the procedure.

Not onlу аrе numerous people benefitting from improved vision, but mаnу stand testimony tо thе incredible difference this procedure сan make tо everyday life. A LASIK or LASEK laser eye surgery procedure means that the patients whо were previously hounded by the financial qualms of glasses or contacts are free of thе hassles and afforded thе freedom tо make theіr form оf corrective eyewear, redundant. Simple tasks like catching a ball, reading thе paper оr admiring a view are made simpler and more enjoyable. Another fantastic feature оf thiѕ partісular form оf laser eye surgery іs the fact thаt patients hardlу experience pain, in fact – the procedure involves littlе to nо discomfort.

Post laser eye surgery treatment

To ensure a speedy recovery and relieve any pоѕsiblе temporary discomfort, patients аre givеn prescribed medicated eye drops. To avoid thе accidental rubbing оf eyes whіle sleeping, patients аre provided wіth a night shield fоr roughly the fіrst week. In ѕomе cases, patients arе fitted with soft contact lenses whіch alѕo provide furthеr protection and aid the healing process.

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Robotic eye surgery ready for commercialization

Simultaneous LASIK, corneal inlay implantation improve near, distance vision

ORLANDO, Fla. — Simultaneous treatment of presbyopia and refractive error with LASIK and corneal inlay implantation improved vision, particularly in older patients, according to a large study presented here.
"At 6 months, close to 90% of patients reported being satisfied or highly satisfied with their outcomes," Minoru Tomita, MD, PhD, said at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting. "After 6 months, about 95% of patients reported decreased dependence on their glasses."
The study included 2,000 patients who underwent simultaneous LASIK and implantation of the Kamra intracorneal inlay (AcuFocus) between 2009 and 2011. The inlay was implanted in only the non-dominant eye.

Patients were classified into age group by decade: 40s, 50s and 60s.


Study results at 6 months postop showed that mean uncorrected near visual acuity at 30 cm was J2 in the 40s and 50s age group and J3 in the 60s age group.

Patients in their 40s gained three lines of vision, those in their 50s gained four lines, and those in their 60s gained five lines, Dr. Tomita said.

Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in all age groups, he said.

Concurrent centration of the LASIK flap, ablation zone and inlay implantation site was not particularly problematic, Dr. Tomita said in response to a question from an audience member.

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Robotic eye surgery ready for commercialization

Robotic eye surgery ready for commercialization (Morning Read)

Robotic eye surgery. A researcher has completed work on a da Vinci-like eye surgery robot that can operate more precisely on the retina and vitreous humour. The surgeon uses joysticks to operate the robot, which can perform quick instrument changes and filter out tremors from the opthamologist. A PhD candidate at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands says he plans to commercialize the technology and thinks the first surgery using the robot will be performed on humans within five years.
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Eye-tech solutions: New surgery could end the need for reading glasses

• Procedure costs £4,600 for both eyes

By Daily Mail Reporter

Millions of Britons who suffer from long-sightedness could now have their vision fully restored following groundbreaking treatment.
With an estimated 23 million experiencing partial difficulty with their ability to see, new procedures could now end the need for reading glasses.
Four million patients are now expected to have the operation over the next decade with the practice set to be made available to private patients as of tomorrow, which costs £2,800 for one eye and £4,600 for the pair.

The technique, developed by scientists, sees a microscopic ring placed in the cornea, which in turn allows only focused light to reach the retina, and subsequently improves vision for all distances.
More than 6,000 treatments have been carried out since last year in Europe and certain parts of Japan.
Dr David Allamby, an ophthalmologist is delighted with the progress in the attempt to cure impaired vision.
He said: Finding a treatment for presbyopia is important.

An eye test could be made redundant with the new Z Kamra treatment

'As we age, the crystalline lens, which sits behind the cornea and acts like a zoom, stiffens from a squashy gel-like substance to a fixed structure.
'This makes it harder for muscles to squeeze it into shape to get a clear image.
'Most over-45s will know that feeling: suddenly struggling to read menus or maps, but our longer sight for driving, say, remains good.
'By the age of 50, 90 per cent of your lens flexibility is lost.
'The only people who still read easily are those who were born short-sighted, but who already use glasses for distance.
'This is like granting immunity from ageing, at least for your eyes.'
Scientists have been monitoring a number of patients who six years ago were amongst the first to undergo the operation.
And results from the implants have shown no signs of any problems.
However warning signs have been raised for those over 70 who might be keen on the procedure.
Furthermore, chairman of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Larry Benjamin was sceptical, insisting:
'This is an interesting concept. But it won't suit everyone and I imagine certain professionals such as pilots, where night vision is important would not be allowed it.'

In the UK, Londoner Theresa Ferguson, 53, became the first Brit to undergo the procedure last month.
And she has spoken of her delight with the routine surgery saying: 'I had brilliant eyesight until I was 45. Then I began struggling. I need to read small print for work.
The health worker then described the immediate improvement in her vision.
'I was nervous, but it was painless, although uncomfortable. It took 15 minutes.'
The technique, developed in California cost $70 million in order to perfect, before being recently made available to the public worldwide.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2036205/Z-Kamara-eye-surgery-end-need-reading-glasses.html#ixzz1Xok9bM4h

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