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LASIK: Everything You Need To Know

November 22nd, 2012

 
In the past, those who suffered from visions problems such as near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism had few options other than wearing glasses or contacts. Of course, as vision worsens, the prescription lenses get bulkier and more difficult to manage. Are you’re tired of the hassle of contacts, sick of dealing with lost and broken glasses, or would your work life would be made easier if you didn’t have to wear them? If you said yes, a LASIK procedure at the Oakland Eye Clinic might be the next step for you.

Vision conditions like being near- or far-sighted are caused when light bends and focuses improperly inside the eye. These conditions are known as refractory errors. LASIK is a laser-assisted surgical procedure that corrects how light is bent and focused in your eye by subtly reshaping the cornea. The procedure itself is brief, typically taking only a few minutes. The doctor will cut a small flap in the cornea in order to access the tissue underneath. Then an excimer laser uses ultraviolet light to remove tiny pieces of corneal tissue in a process called ablation. At the end of the procedure, the doctor places the tissue flap back over the cornea to heal.

While the procedure is painless, some patients experience some anxiety about the surgery. If you feel anxious about the surgery, you can discuss receiving a mild sedative ahead of time with the doctor. Most people notice significant improvement in their vision within a few days. While there will be some restrictions on exercise, most normal daily activities are resumed within a day or two, making the disruption in your life from the LASIK procedure very minimal.

If you decide that getting LASIK at the Oakland Eye Clinic may be the right choice for you, you will find yourself under the care of Dr. Hakimzadeh. In addition to her board certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Hakimzadeh is a specialist in LASIK surgery and has fifteen years of private practice experience in the Michigan area. She has treated many laser eye surgery patients. She is also a member in good standing with the The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the International Society of Refractive Surgery.

Risks & Preparation for LASIK Surgery

September 27th, 2012

 
The LASIK surgery procedure can help correct certain problems in the eyes and improve vision. During this procedure, a surgeon will use an Excimer laser to make permanent changes to the shape of the cornea. The cornea is the clear lens that covers the front part of the eye.

Risks

Like any surgery, there are some risks associated with LASIK surgery. Vision loss is a possibility. The degree of vision loss can vary and is sometimes irreversible. Some patients may start seeing halos or a glare. This is usually more noticeable at night. Double vision is another risk.

Even patients who have improved overall vision after the procedure can develop new problems with their sight. They may begin to have trouble seeing images at night or in fog. Sometimes a patient’s eye problems are either over corrected or under corrected.

LASIK surgery can cause some patients to develop dry eye syndrome. This happens when the eyes can’t make enough tears to keep the eyes comfortable and moist. This condition can hinder vision and is sometimes permanent. Patients with this condition may have to use drops to ease the symptoms.

It’s important to have realistic goals before the procedure. Not every patient will have perfect vision after having LASIK surgery. Some patients will still need glasses or contacts even if their prescriptions weren’t very strong.

Preparing for Surgery

Patients will have to undergo an initial consultation before the procedure to see if they are a good candidate for the surgery. Avoid wearing contacts a few weeks before your evaluation and wear glasses instead. Contacts can change the shape of the cornea. These changes can last for several weeks. A misshapen cornea can have a negative effect on the results of your surgery. This can compromise your vision.

The Procedure

The LASIK surgery procedure will take about a half hour. The physician will put a numbing drop in the patient’s eye. The doctor will then use a lid speculum to keep the eyelids open. A mechanical device containing a blade is used to cut the cornea’s flap.

The doctor will then use a laser to direct energy into the tissue of the cornea. This will cause the formation of several thousand tiny bubbles of water and gas. They will then widen attach themselves to separate tissue below the cornea to form a flap. The doctor will then put the flap back in place. The patient will wear a shield after the procedure to keep the flap in place. It’s important to wear the shield until the eye is completely healed.

More About LASIK Surgery

September 13th, 2012

 
LASIK is an eye correction operation that eliminates the need for external lens. Technically, it is a form of refractive surgery. This means it reshapes the cornea to correct problems affecting visual acuity. LASIK will fix astigmatism, myopia and other conditions that cause vision to blur. During surgery, Dr. Hakimzadeh at the Oakland Eye Clinic, uses a laser to cut the cornea and remodel it and fix the problem obstructing vision. Although, it sounds scary, the process is safe for most people. While all surgery carries risks, the risk of complication from LASIK surgery is considered to be a calculated risk that only rarely encounters difficulties, which are increasingly rare as technology advances and techniques improve.

Astigmatism

The goal is to improve eyesight, but LASIK can actually cause the formation of astigmatism. This is due to an over or under correction during the surgery. This is a rare occurrence. If you choose a doctor who is not experienced and board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Like Dr. Hakimzadeh, it is best to do some research and make sure there are no complaints against them and that they have a proven record of success. While the formation of astigmatism is never something patients or doctors plan or hope for, another eye correction operation can fix the astigmatism if necessary.

Infection

Infection is always a concern with any invasive procedure. Your doctor will go over aftercare procedures with you to reduce the risk. If you notice drainage or pus coming from the eye or excessive swelling, see your doctor for a follow-up.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are a natural side effect of the surgery. The ophthalmologist may recommend eye drops while the cornea heals. The dryness might affect vision temporarily, but should improve over time.

Medical Conditions

Providing Dr. Hakimzadeh with your full medical history is critical when considering an operation for eye correction like LASIK. Certain conditions increase the risks and affect the outcome of the procedure.

Any form of autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis increases the risks. If you take an immunosuppressant medication after an organ transplant or are HIV positive, the surgery may not be possible. Tell Dr. Hakimzadeh if you are pregnant when discussing the possibility of having LASIK surgery. People with chronic dry eyes may have difficulty tolerating the healing process.

While you may feel that you are a good candidate, Dr. Hakimzadeh will determine your candidacy and will not perform an eye correction operation on patients if it cannot be done safely. During your visit, the doctor will take a complete history, conduct a full eye exam and discuss the procedure with you. Together you can decide if LASIK is right for you. The risks are minimal and the results may be as good as 20/20 vision or better. After a short consultation with Dr. Hakimzadeh you know if LASIK is right for you, and it may be the first step on an amazing journey to perfect vision.

LASIK: Recovery, Results & Complications

August 22nd, 2012

LASIK Surgery in Rochester Hills is helping a growing number of people improve their vision. LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It’s the most popular vision correction procedure.

One reason for its popularity is that patients are relatively pain-free after the procedure. Also, patients often notice improvements in their eyesight the next day. The procedure involves using a microkeratome. It makes a circle shaped flap in the cornea. Sometimes a laser is used for this purpose.

About LASIK Surgery
The surgeon will position the flap so that it won’t interfere with the procedure. An excimer laser is then used to remove some of the underlying corneal tissue. The laser produces a cool beam of ultraviolet light which methodically removes small tissue parts from the cornea to restructure it.

A properly shaped cornea is better able to focus light into the eye and onto the retina. This makes vision clearer than it was prior to the procedure. The flap is returned to its original position put back in place. It will cover the area where the pieces of corneal tissue were taken out.

LASIK surgery can improve the vision of both farsighted and nearsighted people. Nearsighted people have corneas which are too steep. The purpose of the procedure for these patients is to flatten the cornea. In farsighted people, the goal is to steepen the cornea. LASIK surgery can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an abnormal cornea into its proper shape.

LASIK Surgery Recovery
Patients are advised to get plenty of rest following the procedure. Patients often feel ready to return to work the next day. In some cases, doctors may recommend patients take a few days off from work.

They are also advised to avoid strenuous exercise for about a week. Too much physical activity can interfere with the healing of the eye. Patients should not rub their eyes because this can displace the corneal flap.

Results
LASIK surgery in Michigan can produce fast results. This procedure improves most patient’s vision improves right away, but some find that their vision gradually improves over time.

LASIK surgery can produce different results for different patients. Most patients will eventually have 20/20 or better vision. Some patients may end up with only 20/40 but even that is adequate vision. In some cases, patients may need glasses or contacts after having LASIK surgery.

Complications
Complications from LASIK surgery can include night glare. This occurs when a person sees halos or starbursts. This usually happens at night when a person looks at lights.

The Advantages of LASIK

August 8th, 2012

For some, LASIK surgery is nothing short of a miracle. If you have been wearing corrective lens your whole life, you probably understand the sentiment. Clinics that perform this distinctive procedure, such as Oakland Eye Clinic, use the latest in laser technology to reshape the cornea. Oakland residents looking to get LASIK in Michigan can call for the appointment that could rid them of glasses forever. There are obvious advantages to getting LASIK.

Corrects Multiple Problems
Getting LASIK surgery will improve a number of vision problems. The eyes are complex structures; sometimes more than one thing goes wrong. An ophthalmologist evaluates the condition of your eyes looking for problems such as myopia or astigmatism. Chances are anything affecting how you see is fixable with LASIK.

The Improvement will Astound You
LASIK doesn’t just improve your eyesight a little. The difference is dramatic. Over 90 percent of all patients who have this procedure end up with close to 20/20 vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The goal is to set you free from corrective lens. That would have to be a considerable improvement.

You Won’t Miss Weeks of Work
The recovery period for LASIK surgery is short barring any complications such as infection. It takes time for vision to stabilize. For most, they have full vision three to six months after the surgery. In the meantime, they can see well enough to drive a car. Most have clear vision by the time they go to the office one or two days after surgery.

Immediate Effect
Once you have the procedure, it means the end of glasses or contacts. There is no need to continue wearing them while you heal. The effect of the surgery is immediate. Most patients receiving LASIK in Michigan stop wearing glasses for most of their activities right away.

Improvement to Peripheral Vision
One common complaint with glasses is the effect on peripheral vision. LASIK attacks the problem at the source. The doctor uses a laser to remodel the cornea to correct defects causing poor vision. This means you will see better than you do with glasses, even at the edges.

The procedure is not painful or time-consuming. If you think about it, the surgery pays for itself, because you are not buying new glasses or disposable contact lens. LASIK makes sense if you have always dreamed of being free from glasses.

Throw Away Your Glasses & Contacts

July 19th, 2012

The advances we have seen in Lasik surgery in the past 25 years are a testament to human perseverance. When Lasik was first offered at that time only a small portion of patients who met very specific criteria and were suffering from one of only a select few problems even qualified. Of those many surgeries were not complete successes and a number of patients had to go back for multiple surgeries afterwards.

Today Lasik is one of the safest surgeries available. More than seven hundred million patients undergo Lasik surgery each year, and almost all of them experience improvements in vision. Among those patients, more than 90% experience improvement significant to qualify them to operate motor vehicles without the need for contacts or glasses. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision and good number even achieve vision that is better than 20/40. Many optometrists prefer Lasik surgery to traditional surgery and offer only Lasik due to its safety and efficiency. 

Lasik surgery can effectively treat vision problems including presbyopia, astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness – many of the most common vision problems that obscure and limit vision. The dramatic and quick results have given Lasik a wonderful success and safety record and patients rave about the amazing changes Lasik has made in their lives. Lasik can provide permanent improvements in vision and rid patients of any need for glasses and contacts. Patients who choose Lasik surgery can potentially save thousands of dollars over a lifetime, no longer needing to purchase frames, lenses or contacts.

Dr. Hakimzadeh has been an American Board Certified Ophthamologist for 15 years has provided Lasik surgery and full optometry services through the Oakland Eye Clinic outside of Troy, Michigan since 1997. Contact the Oakland Eye Clinic to schedule a consultation for Lasik surgery, for standard eye exams, glaucoma screenings or visit to see our full optical shop offering popular designer frames and custom lenses. Dr. Hakimzadeh and the Oakland Eye Clinic are open from Monday through Friday starting at 9:00am.

Contact Dr. Hakimzadeh today for a consultation & to learn if you are a good candidate for Lasik in Detroit.

 

Lasik Eye Surgery For Freedom From Lenses

July 19th, 2012

LASIK eye surgery has progressed remarkably since its inception, 25 years ago. Today more than seven hundred million patients are treated with LASIK eye surgery each year. Nearly 100% of patients experience beneficial improvements and more than 90% experience improvements in vision significant enough to qualify for operating a vehicle without the aid of glasses or contacts. The majority of LASIK patients are able to achieve better than 20/20 vision and many achieve 20/40. The benefits of LASIK eye surgery can have profound affects on patients’ physical, psychological and emotional well being. LASIK is believed by most doctors be far safer than traditional eye surgery techniques and many modern optometrists opt to offer LASIK rather than older traditional methods.

Patients who experience vision problems that limit or obscure vision, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia are most often ideal patients for LASIK eye surgery in Troy or Michigan. LASIK eye surgery can lead to both dramatic and permanent improvements in vision, and many patients are free from the burden of any necessary surgeries or vision aids.

Dr. Roxana Hakimzadeh of the Oakland Eye Clinic has been offering LASIK eye surgery in Rochester Hills as a means to permanently improve the vision of patients for years and has seen hundreds of satisfied patients who are given freedom from the regular hassle of purchasing new frames several times a year or lenses as often as every month or more. The large amount of money patients once spent on vision aides every month and the time spent coordinating glasses with clothing or putting in and removing contacts can be far better spent doing more important things.

Dr. Hakimzadeh has operated the Oakland Eye Clinic for more than 15 years and offers a wealth of knowledge from her time as an optometrist. She offers Lasik eye surgery along with full eye care exams, glaucoma exams, emergency eye care, and a full optical shop with many of the most popular designer frames. Contact Dr. Hakimzadeh for a personal consultation to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery. Oakland Eye Clinic is located at 75 Barclay Circle, Suite 100, Rochester Hills, Michigan and is open from Monday through Friday from 9:00 am.

Vision Loss – A Breakthrough in Eye Surgery

June 14th, 2012

In addition to conventional LASIK eye surgery, a newer form of vision loss treatment may soon become available. An interesting breakthrough in eye surgery has resulted from an experimental approach to treating vision loss related to bright light exposure. The treatment has been proven effective in treating patients exposed to both bright artificial and natural sunlight.

In Australia, physicians are experimenting with the use of near infrared light as a vision loss treatment option. The procedure is to be performed as a pretreatment to control scar tissue behind the retina that may be compromised as a result of constant light exposure.

Muller cells act as special cleansing agents to the eye, removing toxins and facilitating the healing process to the injured eyes. The cells have a tendency to become overly active under stress, causing overgrowth. When overgrowth occurs with these cells, scar tissue rapidly accumulates in the concentrated area near the retina. The excessive scar tissue causes the vision cells to malfunction and eventually stop working altogether. Additionally, the scar tissue blocks the blood supply to the outer portion of the retina. When the vision cells are deprived of oxygen, nutrients and glucose, they are unable to thrive.

The near-infrared procedure prevents overgrowth of these cells. The procedure has been tested in those with minor vision loss related to bright light exposure. Researchers found that approximately 670 nm units are needed in a pretreatment procedure to control Muller cell activity.

Until the procedure becomes widely available, LASIK eye surgery physicians recommend that individuals follow these recommendations to minimize risk of vision loss related to certain types of light exposure.

• Sunglasses should be worn throughout the year, especially during months of intense sunlight.
• The sunglasses should offer at least 95 percent UV protection. There are sunglasses available that offer 100 percent protection against UV exposure.
• Checking the tint on the glasses is also recommended, 80 percent is suitable for most individuals. Experts advise that people look for glasses with amber, brown, green, or neutral gray tints.
• The sunglasses should also be able to block light from various angles, especially overhead light.
• The sunglasses should also inbound light from the sides of the sunglasses.

In general, individuals should be cautious as to avoid excessive exposure to both bright and natural light. Bright light taken in at smaller amounts can still have a lasting impact on the vision.

 

What’s in a haircut?

June 14th, 2012

 
What’s in a haircut? An optometrist believes that the wrong haircut can have a long-term impact on one’s vision. Tasmanian optometrist Andrew Hogan thinks that the hair should lay in a certain way to prevent vision loss. No haircut has the ability to affect one’s vision, LASIK clinic experts say.

Hogan is the director of the Optometrists Association of Tasmania. According to Hogan, an emo haircut leaves the bangs at a certain length. The bangs lay in a certain direction, often covering one eye. Hogan believes that this haircut causes lazy eye, which is referred to as “amblyotic” or “amblyopia” within the medical community. He likens the cut to an eye patch being worn, which causes the other eye to become weaker. It diminishes the capacity to recognize detail with the partially concealed eye. Many leading specialists in the field have weighed in on the likelihood of this occurring in those sporting the trendy cut.

Some say that children age 7 and under shouldn’t wear the cut. The developmental years leading up to this age is called a critical vision period. Other experts think that this cut is better suited for children over the age of 8. There is an additional critical vision period theory; some recommend that this type of cut be reserved for people over the age of 12.

Lazy eye usually occurs in the younger years of the child’s life. A physician will assess the child’s vision in several ways to diagnose the issue. The doctor will first gauge whether or not the child’s eye is able to capture all of the light that passes through. Both eyes will be evaluated to see if the vision is perfect in both eyes. Eye movement is another mechanism used to check the child’s vision. If any problems are detected, the child may be referred to a specialist.

Parents with concerns about the conditions can look for the following symptoms in their children. Blurred vision, troubled depth perception, double vision, squinting, and abnormal eye movement are all things to look out for in children in their earlier years.

 

Three eye surgeries to watch

June 14th, 2012

 
In addition to the routine LASIK eye surgery procedure, several new forms of eye surgery are being tested throughout the world. Lasik eye surgery specialists in Rochester Hills and the Detroit area are watching several interesting scientific developments.

The first type of surgical procedure has the ability to permanently change the eye color. Individuals who elect to have the procedure performed are able to do so in a matter of seconds. The 20-second eye surgery strips the color completely from the iris. Individuals who desire to change their eye color from brown to blue may be able to do so permanently. The surgery required additional tweaking before it is officially introduced in the market. Some have expressed concerns about the long-term effects the vision surgery may have on patients. If the procedure is improved substantially, it could very well be a new alternative to color contacts.

Laser eye surgery specialists in Detroit, MI are also watching a new promising retinol implant surgery that could be particularly beneficial to patients with the macular degeneration disease. Previous forms of retinol implant surgery currently available are more invasive while this version is minimally invasive. The battery-powered implants require the use of a special pair of glasses to transmit infrared lighting into the eyes. The retinol implant, which increases nerve sensitivity within the eye area, has already been surgically placed in two blind UK men. After the procedure, the men were able to make out shapes and see light.

An additional vision improvement advancement involving telescopic implants is also being tested. Patients with macular degeneration disease may have yet another surgical option available to them to improve their vision. The CentraSight treatment is performed on patients with an advanced stage of the disease. The natural lens within the eye is removed and replaced with tiny telescopes. Patients become acclimated to the technology by practicing basic movement activities.

Surgeries that correct the vision and alter the appearance of the eye may be soon become widely available to the public. These latest technological developments in eye surgery show enormous potential. Currently, lasik eye surgery is viewed primarily as a cosmetic procedure, but as the types of surgeries available continue to expand, this could soon change.