Castervision

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.