Los Angeles LASIK - Get Clearer Vision & Rid of Reading Glasses

There’s no cure for aging, we will all experience it. As we age, we may notice that parts of us don’t work as well as they used to. This is especially true for our eyes. You may know someone or suffer yourself from something called presbyopia, the inability to focus clearly on objects closer than 1 foot or so. Those who have had perfect vision their whole lives may start in their mid-40s to show signs of presbyopia. The most common telltale sign has to hold books, magazines, etc farther away in order to focus on the small writing. This is because the tiny structures in our eyes which control the lens’ ability to adjust to near and far vision become weaker. Most people turn to bifocals or reading glasses in this case, but they are not the best fix.

As helpful as bifocals may be, they are often bothersome. You have to remember to bring them with you everywhere you go, they are often lost, or broken, or may not make the best fashion statement. In Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery has advanced to not only correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but also through monovision, presbyopia may be corrected.

What is Monovision?

Normally our two eyes work together to focus on objects which are near, mid-distant, and far away. Bifocals and monovision contact lenses account for both near and far vision in order to allow you to see clearly.

Monovision laser treatment is a common LASIK surgery in Los Angeles which corrects one eye for distance and one eye for near. In monovision, the distance eye will do most of the work when looking at objects in the distance such as when driving or watching TV, and the near vision eye will do most of the work when looking at close objects like a computer screen or a book. Yet, your brain selects the correct eye automatically and seamlessly switches between the two. Monovision correction is very similar to stereo surround sound. Audio is transmitted in right and left channels and heard through respective ears yet you do not notice the separation. You hear one unified audio stream without thinking about which ear to use.

To determine if you will be comfortable with monovision laser vision correction Los Angeles ophthalmologists such as Dr. Robert K. Maloney in Beverly Hills will simulate the procedure in-office with a special pair of spectacle lenses. Most patients will know immediately if they can adapt to the procedure. If you require more time, trial contact lenses can also be used. Patients will simulate the monovision for a few days with these lenses until they are confident in their decision.

Patients who do not adapt well to the monovision trial can still consider laser vision correction to correct distance vision in both eyes. If you are under the age of 45, reading glasses usually are not necessary after the procedure.

If you are over 45 and do not wish to have monovision LASIK, you will most likely require reading glasses after LASIK Los Angeles patients over 45 who wish to have both their far and distance vision corrected without monovision or using reading glasses, a possible option to explore in order to effectively manage their presbyopia is Lens Replacement Surgery.

Lasik surgery Los Angeles - Common Fears about Lasik Surgery

In Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery can seem to be a big thing for many people; and many of them do not want to ask all the pertinent questions. People tend to fear the unknown, but there are many resources you can find to read more about the Lasik procedure.

One of the most common fears, both when it comes to Lasik surgery or surgery in general is the fear of pain during and after the surgery. In Los Angeles Lasik surgery is relatively pain free. Before the surgery begins the eye numbing drops are applied to the eyes. The patient also receives a mild sedative so they can relax and feel comfortable. During the surgery you may feel a minor pressure to the eye, but most patients do not feel any pain at all.

Many people do also fear the actual operation. Some people hear the word Lasik and automatically think of dangerous lasers pointed at the eyes. That thought alone can make many people nervous. And what if you look away? Will it hurt your eyes? The truth is, there is really nothing to worry about. The actual operation only lasts ten to fifteen seconds for each eye. And a very sophisticated tracking system will make sure that the laser stops, if the eye is not in position.

The fear of “the scalpel” is another common fear for many patients. But the reality is that all types of Los Angeles laser eye surgery are performed either with a very small microkeratome blade or the laser itself. Scalpels are not used anymore for the creation of the flap, and are not necessary in any step of the operation.

You hear horror stories every day about operations that went wrong, so it is just natural to wonder about the risks; especially when it comes to your precious eyes. Some people worry about the risk about going blind. In reality not one case of blindness due to a Lasik operation has ever been reported, according to government statistics taken by the FDA.

The risk of major permanent complication due to Lasik is actually less than one percent. And if you include the minor complications too (like light halos) the risk is less than 3 percent in total. It is only a very rare case where Lasik surgery Los Angeles or elsewhere, will not improve the vision.

If you are considering Lasik surgery, it is important to do some in-depth research before jumping straight in. The complications mentioned above, though rare, often occur when a person places their eyes in the hands of a less experienced or reputable eye surgeon. The truth is Lasik surgery is not for everyone. So you should talk to your local doctor to see if you are a candidate. There are other types of vision correction which you may qualify for.

LASIK laser eye surgery Los Angeles - Advancements in Custom LASIK

Available since about the mid 1990s, LASIK laser eye surgery Los Angeles techniques have become a very popular solution for people to overcome various vision impairments. Since then LASIK has also seen many advancements in technology and the results have only gotten better from these changes.

Unlike older forms of eye surgery, today’s LASIK Los Angeles surgeons have adopted the all-laser technique, meaning it does not necessitate cutting the eye with a scalpel. Instead, lasers are used to do the work. As an advancement to the basic LASIK method. Custom Wavefront LASIK surgery was introduced.

Essentially the main difference between Custom Wavefront LASIK & traditional LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles methods is that Wavefront provides the LASIK eye surgeon with a considerable amount of additional, detailed information to help him or her better pinpoint the exact problems in the eye that need to be corrected.

Because Wavefront technology uses a detailed mapping process that uses the way the light passes through the eye to reveal a three-dimensional image of the inside.

In fact, the reason why it’s called Custom Wavefront is because it “unravels” the way that the light passes through the unique and individual eye of the patient. It is this detail that allows the Lasik eye doctor to identify each and every minute imperfection and damaged area of the eye that are often overlooked in traditional types of eye examinations.

Patients enjoy a much greater degree of improvement in their eyesight, as compared to the results of the standard LASIK Los Angeles procedure.

While the Custom Wavefront Lasik surgery is still considered relatively new, and is a more expensive procedure than standard Lasik surgery, many people who had suffered from vision problems the cost is well worth the benefits of improved eye sight that they enjoy with little to no risk or complications.

LASIK laser eye surgery - Now is the Time to Correct Your Vision

In Los Angeles LASIK has come a long way. First appearing on the scene 20 years ago, and now performed on millions of Americans annually with incredibly positive results, there are even more options for laser vision corrections which are safe and effective. Even though a majority of Americans may still have reservations about LASIK surgery Los Angeles specialists will tell you, LASIK has never been safer.

Now with new technology such as CustomVue™ or Wavefront Guided laser vision correction, IntraLase, VISX Wavescan WaveFront™ Diagnostics, and PRK, the process is essentially done all by extremely precise machinery. Although it is still necessary to find an experienced and reputable doctor to perform the surgery, since he or she will be the best at taking a close look at your individual vision anomalies and determining if you are a good candidate for the LASIK procedure.

In the aforementioned technological procedures, very precise scans are taken of your eye, so that the doctor may work with a detailed and customized map of your vision, in order to make his or her adjustments. The flap which used to be made by the doctor with a small blade is now made with even more precise lasers. Once the flap is made, the machinery is able to make the adjustments with another laser, reshaping your eye to correct the anomalies which allow for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The whole process only takes about 5 minutes, is relatively painless, and patients are able to see 20/20 almost instantly. The doctor will prescribe a strict recovery regime in order to ensure that your eyes to heal properly and the results are long-lasting.

If you are not a good candidate for LASIK, do not fear. There are other non-LASIK laser eye surgery procedures that can also restore your sight. Custom Implantable Contact Lenses are one such procedure. These lenses are placed inside the eye in a brief, outpatient procedure. They provide a permanent correction without the need for removal or cleaning. Some of these lenses can correct for reading vision too, an advantage for patients over 45 years old.

The AcrySof ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens is used in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with increased independence from glasses and contact lenses. It is FDA approved for use after cataract surgery. The AcrySof ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens has been shown in a clinical study to provide good near, intermediate and distance vision with increased independence from glasses.

The Crystalens is the first intraocular lens, or IOL, for cataracts that also provides accommodation. How? All other IOL's are fixed and stationary within the eye. Their particular design prevents them from accommodating, or moving to focus. The Crystalens is unique because it actually accommodates to reconnect you continuously and effortlessly to everything in your day, no matter the distance.

Now is the time to correct your vision. For more information visit your local ophthalmologist to schedule a consultation and see which procedure you may be a candidate for. If you live in or around Los Angeles Dr. Robert K. Maloney in Beverly Hills is considered the best LASIK surgeon in Los Angeles. You can reach the Maloney Vision Institute by calling 1-877-999-EYES.

Which Vision Correction Surgery is best for you?

For many living in Los Angeles, wearing glasses or contacts is still a part of everyday life. Older people especially, who have lived with imperfect sight all their life, are not as willing to make a change in their lifestyle and get vision correction surgery. Baby boomers who may not have had bad vision are starting to notice their eyes weakening. It is getting progressively difficult to see far distances or read small lettering close-up. What these people may not know, is that there are many options they can look into for vision correction, in order to start seeing perfectly without the use of contacts, glasses, or bifocals. Perhaps the most common option is LASIK Los Angeles ophthalmologists will tell you however, this is not the only option.

There are two main focusing structures of the eye, the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the outer clear tissue over the center of the eye whose shape and focusing ability can be improved with procedures like LASIK, the best known of the vision correction procedures. Over the past decade, millions of people have been able to leave their glasses behind thanks to this advancement in vision correction. The improvements in LASIK surgery over that time have been breathtaking.

Two new technologies have caused a resurgence of LASIK. Custom LASIK involves mapping a detailed optical "fingerprint" of the eye and using it to guide the laser. "Custom LASIK gives better night vision and sharper clarity of vision than the traditional LASIK procedure," says Dr. Robert Maloney, director of the Maloney Vision Institute and the first surgeon to perform LASIK in Western North America.

Complementing custom LASIK is Intralase "all-laser" LASIK, in which the flap is made with an ultra fast laser instead of the traditional machine. "All lasers" LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles patients agree, the fear of having a flap cut on the eye is completely eliminated with this technology.

But, LASIK can't correct high levels of nearsightedness or farsightedness, and it can't correct people with thin corneas (LASIK can weaken a thin cornea). For people with thin corneas or weak corneas, "flapless LASIK", also called PRK, is the way to go.

The Implantable Contact Lens is another option for vision correction surgery in Los Angeles. This is a special lens that is inserted permanently inside the eye. Unlike ordinary contact lenses, it never needs to be cleaned or changed, and lasts a lifetime. While the Implantable Contact Lens would give great distance vision, it wouldn't eliminate reading glasses for some, because the natural lens weakens with age.

The human eye's natural lens is flexible in young people. This allows the lens to change focus, much as a camera lens can focus on distant mountains and a close up baby's face. Unfortunately, as we get older, the natural lens hardens, impairing its ability to focus up close. This process of hardening of the lens is called "presbyopia", and it happens to every human on the planet.

Many new Los Angeles vision correction surgery options are available to patients, and the quality of vision is better than ever. But it is not a one size fits all. Patients need to do their research and consider all their choices.

What you need to know about LASIK

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis. The LASIK procedure has been performed in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles for many years and has been perfected using the latest in technology. Laser vision correction has even expanded in the past few years, as newer technology opened doors for even more people to rid themselves of glasses and contact lenses. For qualified candidates of LASIK Los Angeles patients, laser eye surgery corrects different eye defects such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia.

How much does Lasik Eye Surgery costs in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery varies from surgeon to surgeon. Some techniques require more advanced technology and equipment, so it may be more expansive than the traditional technique. For example, IntraLase is a newly developed technology that uses a laser beam to create a corneal flap instead of using a metal blade. This technique (also known as Blade-Free LASIK, or All-Laser LASIK) raises the costs of the LASIK surgery by about $300 per eye.

In Los Angeles LASIK surgery costs vary from $1000 to $2500-$3000 depending on the LASIK eye surgery center and surgeon. If you are looking for the best (and most expensive) LASIK surgery center Los Angeles & Beverly Hills are the places to go.

What are the other alternatives?

Some of the alternatives for LASIK eye surgery are PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis). LASEK is a newer procedure similar to PRK. If no type of laser eye surgery is an option at all, then you may want to look into implantable contact lenses. The Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) can correct a wide range of myopia without removing or destroying the cornea's delicate tissue. The lens is made of an advanced biocompatible material called Collamer. Because the Visian ICL is placed inside the eye, refractive outcomes and optical performance are consistent. The result is excellent quality of vision.

Lasik complications

Every surgery has risks and LASIK eye surgery is no different. Here are some frequently reported complications of LASIK:

- Overcorrection or undercorrection

- Dry eye

- Infection

- Double vision

Although there are some risks involved, patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated to about 3%.

Vision Correction through Implantable Lenses

Although LASIK is seemingly the most popular and commonly performed vision correction surgery, not all patients are good candidates for LASIK Los Angeles procedures. Another option for vision correction is the implantable contact lens. One of the more popular types is the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens. This is another type of Phakic Intraocular Lens which is manufactured from a soft foldable polymeric material called Collamer. Because the cornea is actually comprised of collagen, this material provides excellent biocompatibility and superior optical capability. It is readily implanted in your eye behind the iris by gently folding it and injecting into the anterior chamber through a tiny incision only 3.0mm in length placed by the eye surgeon at the clear edge of the cornea.

The Visian ICL as an option for vision correction surgery, because of its unique Collamer composition offers numerous advantages including:

• Quality of Vision - The Visian ICL produces not only improved visual acuity (20/20 vision is considered normal visual acuity), but also excellent visual quality. Many patients experience the "Wow" factor when they experience the immediate improvement in the quality of their vision.
• Biocompatibility - Collamer, the 100 percent pure collagen copolymer lens material of the Visian ICL, is not viewed as a foreign object by the body's immune system.
• Versatility - The Visian ICL offers a wider treatment range for myopia than Los Angeles LASIK and PRK procedures.
• Simplicity - Unlike traditional contact lenses, once the Visian ICL is implanted in the eye, there is no additional maintenance needed.
• Safety - After implantation in over 55,000 eyes worldwide, the Visian ICL has established a proven track record of safety.
• Lens Placement - The placement of the Visian ICL makes the lens invisible to the patient and any observer.
• Removable - The Visian ICL was designed to be permanently placed in the eye. However, the lens can be removed if a patient's vision changes or if it otherwise needs to be removed or replaced. This offers the option for removal and/or reversal which other laser eye surgery Los Angeles patients do not have.

The iLASIK Procedure

If you’ve been researching LASIK Los Angeles prospective patients should know there are more than 5,000 brands of LASIK. And most likely the dizzying array of technologies and clinical outcomes has left you more blurry-eyed than usual. The iLASIK Procedure brings it all into focus by simply combining the most advanced LASIK technologies for you.

Only the iLASIK Procedure is 100% custom-fit to you and your eyes from start to finish using the two-laser approach that has been shown to improve clinical results for more patients than the single-laser platform of older LASIK surgery Los Angeles techniques.

Step One: The iLASIK Procedure’s advancements address the uniqueness of your two eyes, from the distinctive curvature of your corneas, to the microscopic nuances of your anatomy, with the goal of delivering the exact correction you need. Iris Registration and WaveScan 3D Mapping create a blueprint (or fingerprint) of your eye, allowing your surgeon to custom-fit the entire iLASIK Procedure for each of your eyes.

Step Two: Your exact measurements and vision correction requirements are programmed in to guide the two lasers. The first, an ultra-fast laser creates a thin corneal flap, which is then folded back to allow the second laser to correct your vision. Individualized to you, this combination delivers outstanding safety through reduced flap complications1. It takes just minutes for a quick, virtually painless procedure with immediate results.

Step Three: Final post-op visits are conducted and then you are free to resume your active lifestyle, with the potential for 20/20* or better vision.

* Results may vary. 98% of mild-to-moderately nearsighted patients participating in the CustomVue Clinical Trials could see 20/20 or better one year after treatment.

Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can only be performed by a trained physician and is specified for reduction or elimination of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism as indicated within the product labeling. In Los Angeles LASIK surgery is contraindicated for patients: a) with collagen vascular, autoimmune, or immunodeficiency diseases; b) who are pregnant or nursing women; c) with signs of keratoconus or abnormal corneal topography; d) who are taking one or both of the following medications: Isotretinoin (Accutane) and Amiodarone hydrochloride (Cordarone). Potential side effects to laser refractive surgery may include glare, dry eye, as well as other visual anomalies. LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles requires the use of a microkeratome that cuts a flap on the surface of the cornea, potential side effects may include flap related complications. Consult with your eye care professional and Patient Information Booklet regarding the potential risks and benefits for laser refractive surgery, results may vary for each individual patient.

Restricted Device: U.S. Federal Law restricts this device to sale, distribution, and use by or on the order of a physician or other licensed eye care practitioner. U.S. Federal Law restricts the use of this device to practitioners who have been trained in its calibration and operation and who have experience in the surgical treatment and management of refractive errors.