Significant visual impairment is a serious risk for older populations, with roughly 6.75% of adults ³60 years of age defined as being visually impaired or having best-corrected vision less that 20/40. As many as 1 in 3 men and women ³65 years of age will experience age-related vision loss. By comparison, the risks of the same age group’s developing prostate and breast cancer are about 1 in 6 and 1 in 9, respectively.

Multiple studies suggest the high risk of age-related vision conditions is due in part to a lack of proper screening and regular eye examinations. Because age-related eye diseases are often asymptomatic in their early stages and may progress slowly, an annual eye examination becomes a critical tool to detect and evaluate these conditions before they can cause loss of sight. Comorbidities, such as cognitive impairment, may also result in symptoms of vision loss being underreported by older adults. Additionally, many adults who wear corrective lenses wrongly believe regular examinations for visual acuity are sufficient when, in fact, to detect these eye diseases, a comprehensive examination is necessary.

Regular eye examinations can have an impact on more than eye health. Studies indicate that older individuals who are visually impaired are more likely to be in fair-to-poor health, with a significantly higher incidence of accidents, falls and hip fractures. Individuals with age-related vision loss also feel grief, anxiety, social isolation and depression more often that those without vision loss. These feelings can be exacerbated by a concomitant loss of mobility and an increased dependence on outside help to aid in the tasks of everyday living.

Because many age-related vision problems can be successfully treated or the progression of these diseases slowed when caught early, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye examinations for all adults ³65 years of age every 1 to 2 years.

To keep ones eyes healthy, one should schedule regular eye visits with an ophthalmologist such as Andrew Caster MD. Dr. Andrew Caster provides several services for the eyes and in one of the best Los Angeles Lasik surgeons. He has performed successful Lasik and many other vision correction procedures on many people including professional athletes.

Andrew Caster MD shares important information about patients at risk for developing glaucoma require special management when undergoing refractive surgery. Regular follow-up visits with an ophthalmologist can help ensure that these patients avoid potential complications later in life.

Diagnosing glaucoma requires an accurate measurement of an individual’s intraocular pressure (IOP). Dr. Andrew Caster believes when a patient undergoes refractive surgery, the thickness of the cornea is altered; as a result, the patient’s IOP may “read” lower than it actually is. While IOP is not the only factor used to diagnose glaucoma, an increase in IOP is arguably the most important risk factor indicating development and progression of glaucoma; an erroneous IOP reading – especially one that is artificially low — can cause a developing condition to be overlooked. Moreover, because treatment of glaucoma is aimed at reducing IOP, accurate measurement of pressure is essential for effective treatment of the disease.

Andrew Caster MD says, because refractive surgery can make it difficult for an ophthalmologist to set a target IOP for patients postoperatively, these patients must be followed closely, and additional tests must be used to monitor for changes in IOP. Although newer tonometers may prove more accurate in measuring IOP even in refractive patients, most ophthalmologists use other indicators to help determine if glaucoma is developing. These factors include changes in the optic disc, nerve fiber layer and visual fields. In addition, measuring the patient’s IOP prior to surgery and then again after the eye is stabilized may also be used as a new baseline.

Dr. Andrew caster says, patients undergoing refractive surgery should understand the possible changes that can result in an erroneously low IOP reading in future eye care visits. Also, they should be advised to let their ophthalmologist know during routine visits that they have undergone refractive surgery, so that the doctor may take extra precautions to carefully screen for the presence of glaucoma.

Lasik has an incredibly high success rate, and many more people opt to have Lasik every year. Even in this bad economy the price of Lasik goes up more every year. Some people may fear having a surgeon poke and proud in ones eyes but the fact is that surgery is known to last twenty minutes at most. Besides the procedure being very short most patients and surgeons agree that the only thing felt during the surgery is a bit of pressure on the eye as if someone was pushing down on their eye. During the surgery the surgeon will add numbing drops to the eye and have it held open with two prong like devices and it should be more or less painless, however doctor Andrew caster MD says patients complain of feeling a bit of an uncomfortable feeling but generally no pain and the procedure is always done faster than the patient expected. Apart from Lasik being a very simple surgery with minimal risk because of new technology it also has great benefits including:

• Freedom- Studies have shown that most Laser vision correction Beverly Hills patients have 20/20 to 20/40 vision, this is enough to eliminate the worry of losing or breaking glasses and having to fill expensive contact prescriptions. Although Lasik is a costly option after some time of filling contact prescriptions the amount of money spent is the same. One does not have to worry about things like swimming or golfing with the worry of glasses or contact there eyes will be free and clear.

• Immediate results- Most patients can see a vast amount of difference in their eyesight immediately following surgery. The patients eyesight will continue to improve every day as they heal.

• Quick procedure-As I mentioned above the procedure is safe and quick. Most surgeons say it last the duration of fifteen minutes.

• Improved confidence- Many Beverly Hills Lasik patients say after their Lasik surgery they experience everything feeling a completely new away about it. Surveys and research have shown that seeing clearly can make a person more outgoing and comfortable in social situations boosting their confidence levels.

Lasik is not the only laser vision correction procedure that can have great results. Some may not qualify for Lasik due to weak and fragile corneas or extreme dry eyes and for those there are other procedures that can be done for the same great results. If one is not candidate to have a laser correction procedure he or she should look into implantable contacts, which also has a great success rates and several benefits.

Millions of people suffer from refractive errors that prevent them from doing everyday things without difficulty. Those who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism must like to know how nice it would be to wake up, play sports and swim without having to worry about breaking or chipping glass or struggling with contracts. Having to worry about glasses and or contacts can be hassle especially in summer time when one would like to go swimming but getting water in the eyes might be painful with contacts or cause dry eyes. If one suffers from a curved cornea which results in blurry vision and is unhappy with contacts and glasses he or she should consider having Lasik.

The Lasik is an outpatient procedure that is often referred to as simple and fast. During Lasik a Los Angeles eye surgeon will reshape the cornea with a laser. The cornea is the transparent tissue that covers the colored part of the eye the pupil and the dark part in the center of the eye. The cornea is a clear and smooth glass as tough and durable as plastic. The procedure generally takes about fifteen to thirty minutes. Numbing drops are placed inside the eye, so while some patients complain of an uncomfortable feeling others feel nothing but pressure on the eye. Reshaping the cornea results in improved vision, in fact over ninety percent of Lasik patients realize somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision after surgery.

In order to consider having laser eye surgery the patient must be eighteen years or older, is in good overall health, have had a stable vision prescription for at least a year, have no eye disease, sufficient corneal thickness, and has available down time. Although Lasik eye surgery is referred to as simple and easy one must be a fully qualifying candidate to obtain minimal risk and have the best possible results. When undergoing any surgery one should be aware of all the possible side affects. After surgery the patient may be asked to wear a transparent eye shield to prevent rubbing. When it comes to laser vision correction Los Angeles surgery side affects are not permanent and generally only last two to three days. For Lasik eye surgery the ESEC places serious vision threatening problems at less than one percent. Other side affects that can be cured with medication include eye infection, chronic dry eye and Lasik cornea flap problems. After surgery some patients complain of blurry vision, dry eyes, discomfort or pain, pink or red patches on the white of the eye, ghost vision, star burst around light and scratchiness. These side affects generally disappear with the healing process; however, if the symptoms persist a second surgery may be required but is rare.

Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery is the most successful eye surgery invented. Most patients are thrilled with the result and experience little to no side affects. Complications from Lasik are very rare, but they are possible and minor side affects can occur these include: blurry vision, double vision, head aches from not seeing well and ghost vision. One can reduce their chances or feeling uncomfortable side affects and avoid other complication by choosing the right surgeon and team to perform ones Lasik eye surgery. To find a qualified Lasik eye surgeon one should begin by asking their regular optometrist for a referral to a Lasik eye surgeon. Most optometrists know very good Lasik surgeons and even partner with them at times.

One should visit several eye surgery facilities and make sure to take a look around the office. One must see that the office is clean and run professional and that the staff be available to meet with. In some facilities the patient does not meet with the Los Angeles eye surgeon performing their surgery till right before in which case leaves the patient feeling vulnerable, uncomfortable and very nervous. Avoid centers where there is visible staff conflict. Anyone looking to have Los Angeles vision correction surgery should have realistic expectations. If a patient has realistic expectations they understand their circumstance and know that it is best to steer clear of centers who offer perfection with no complications. A qualified, professional and experienced surgeon will never offer perfection because it is impossible guarantee.

Avoid centers who treat the procedure casually, and are willing to perform the surgery with little or no knowledge of the patients medical history or any current physical. The best Los Angeles Lasik surgeons make it difficult to obtain permission for Lasik, because it is such a serious procedure. Once the Lasik surgeon has verified your medical background and has verified that his patient is in good condition this then ensures the patient that he or she is a good candidate and reduces their chances of complications. When undergoing Lasik eye surgery the patient has a duty to verify that their surgeon is qualified, experienced, has a great track record. The patient should verify the surgeons’ credibility by obtaining references. Finding the right surgeon with the most experience the key to having a flawless surgery, because one should know most problematic surgeries are done by inexperienced surgeons. It is important to ask the surgeons himself about his professional background.

Following the surgery it is important that the patient stay in touch with their surgeon. The patient should attend all post operative exams in order to ensure that everything is healing properly and to early detect if something is not. If a complication is detected early on it is easier to treat and therefore can possibly save the entire surgery and put the patient back on the right track. Taking the right precautions before and after surgery will guarantee that ones eyes will be as good as possible.

Most people who have vision problems live a long time before deciding that glasses are no longer what they wish to wear for the rest of their lives. Vision correction surgeries all have different risk but similar reward. When opting to have vision correction surgery it is the patients job to identify which surgery is safest to pursue according to their vision problem. Lasik has been said to be the safest Laser eye procedure for patients who are near or farsightedness. Los Angeles eye surgeons say that no vision correction surgery goes with out risk including Lasik. Although Los Angles Lasik Surgeon say every year there is a great increase in the amount of Lasik patients and there is also a great increase in the success of Lasik. However for some patients who are not ideal candidates but still candidates can have serious complications for Lasik surgery. Lasik eye surgery consists of the eye surgeon reshaping the cornea so that the vision is nearly cleared. If done to harshly or not enough this can go terrible wrong and if the retina is too weak due to diabetes or other illnesses complications after surgery may arise.

Complications after Lasik can include blurred vision, extreme dry eyes, spotted vision, and ghost vision-shadowing. Leading Beverly Hills Lasik Surgeon inform us that although the chances for a candidate who is not ideal are higher these symptoms are very rare and generally go away in matter of weeks. However some vision correction patients shy away from Lasik with hearing but for others Lasik is not the best vision correction treatment for other patients. For example for patients with diabetes Implantable contacts may be the only way to have a Los Angeles vision correction surgery. Implantable contacts in a procedure in which a lens is placed inside the eye allowing perfect vision without having to replace every morning and take out every night.

Implantable contacts can be replaced and therefore that means the procedure can be reversed and unlike Lasik can not ruin a patient’s night vision. However implantable contacts can increase a patient’s chances of contracting cataract. Because some patients do not qualify to undergo Lasik eye surgery researches have been studying which is the safest of vision correction procedures, and although implantable contacts is the safest overall vision correction procedures Lasik is the safest in laser vision correction procedures. Lasik also has a higher success rate than implantable contacts and is more convenient for most patients.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), while a common cause of decreased vision, is now routinely treated throughout developed countries. Recent research indicates that individuals with AMD are at least twice more likely to die from stroke or heart attack than those who do not have AMD. Beverly Hills Lasik eye surgeons tell that AMD is a progressive eye condition that slowly robes the patient of almost their entire vision leaving whole in there vision or making everything look severely dim.

Tan et al from the University of Sydney, Australia, prospectively studied the eyes of 3654 men and women 49 years of age who participated in the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Among the participants in the study, 2335 were reexamined at 5 years and 1952 were examined again at 10 years. Los Angeles eye surgeons were shocked by the numbers but the study went on to show more.

Patients with late-stage AMD who were 75 years of age at the beginning of the study were five times as likely to die from a heart attack and ten times as likely to die from stroke during the 10-year period of the study, compared with those without AMD. Patients with early-stage AMD who were 75 years of age at the start of the study were twice as likely to die from stroke or heart attack during the following 10-year period, the study found.

Because AMD is related to vascular abnormalities, leading Beverly Hills Lasik Surgeons said they were not completely surprised by the apparent link between AMD and potentially life-threatening vascular disease. Both atherosclerotic vascular disease and AMD share common risk factors, including smoking, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Systematic inflammation is also thought to be a contributing factor common to both conditions.

In their study, the researchers noted and Los Angeles Lasik Surgeons agreed that physicians need to be aware of the potential link between cardiovascular disease and AMD, and need to initiate treatments to lower the risk threshold. Recognizing that this link exists may also have potential implications for new endothelial growth factor AMD therapies, the study’s authors concluded.