LASIK discount available with Qualsight relationship

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The office of Amit Chokshi, MD is excited to announce that we are now participating in a benefit that will offer a 40%-50% discount on Laser Vision Correction. Through our relationship with Qualsight we are able to provide significant savings on your LASIK procedure. This plan makes LASIK an affordable options for patients who are interested in freeing themselves from the hastles of glasses and contact lenses.

Here are some of the benefits of the Qualsight Plan:

  • Savings - Save 40%-50% off the national average charge for LASIK.
  • Quality - NCQA/URAC credentialed, independent Ophthalmologist using FDA approved technology.
  • Freedom - Eliminate or reduce your dependence on contact lenses and/or glasses.
  • Value - One low price includes a pre-operative appointment, the LASIK procedure, several post-operative visits, and a one year treatment plan.
  • Improve - LASIK can increase self-confidence, work safety, joab and athletic performance.
  • Flexible financing options - Payments as low as $54 per month are available (subject to approval). You can also fund your procedure with tax exempt dollars using your Flex Spending or Health Savings Account.

To schedule your appointment and take advantage of this benefit, please call our office at 904.346.3506. Our refractive coordinator will be happy to assist you.

Refractive Surgery Basics

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Refractive surgery is a group of surgical procedures designed to help you reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses. Various procedures are available to help correct the various types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Myopia is also called nearsightedness: you can see well up close without glasses but need glasses to see well at a distance. Myopia arises when the front surface of your eye, called the cornea, is steeper than usual. Hyperopia is far-sightedness: you cannot see well up close and usually cannot see well at a distance either. People with hyperopia often have flatter than usual corneas. Astigmatism is a mixture of myopia and hyperopia: your cornea is warped like the shape of a saddle.

Refractive surgery improves your vision by changing the focus power of your eye. This is accomplished by altering either of the two focusing structures of the eye, the cornea and the lens. The cornea or lens can be altered by various surgical techniques.

The most common refractive surgery procedure of the cornea is LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis). In LASIK, laser energy is used to reshape your cornea, essentially sculpting your prescription into your eye. If the laser energy were applied directly to the surface of your eye, the treated area would be sore for several days during the healing process. To avoid this discomfort, a thin flap is cut on the surface of your cornea, then folded out of the way. Laser energy is then used to sculpt your exposed cornea to correct your nearsightedness, then the flap is put back into its normal position, covering the treated area. LASIK is nearly painless, highly successful, and you can see the improvement in your vision immediately after surgery. A slightly different procedure, called LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis), uses a thinner flap, and is typically performed in people whose cornea is too thin or too flat for LASIK. A third type of corneal refractive surgery is called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), which differs from LASIK and LASEK in that no flap is made--the laser directly sculpts the front surface of your cornea to flatten it.

There are two common refractive surgery procedures of the lens. One is implantation of an ICL (intraocular contact lens). An ICL is essentially a contact lens, but instead of being placed on the surface of your eye, it is permanently placed inside your eye. The implant rests on the surface of your natural lens, behind your iris. The strength of the implant is specifically selected to work with your cornea and lens to correct your refractive error. The second procedure is called RLE (refractive lens exchange). Refractive lens exchange involves removing your lens and replacing it with a lens implant that works with your cornea to correct your refractive error.

Each of these procedures has different risks and benefits, and each is designed for a different group of people based on the type and severity of their refractive error. If you are considering having refractive surgery, talk with your doctor about which procedure is best for your eyes.

Allergan Access-February 2010

Tips for Your Eye Health at Any Age

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Healthy Eating

The Age-Related Eye Diseases Study (AREDS), funded by the National Eye Institute, and other research confirms that foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are good for eye health as well as general health. Sources for these nutrients include citrus fruits, vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and cold water fish. These nutrients are linked to lower risk for age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), cataract, and dry eye later in life.

It’s great to help kids learn healthy eating habits because it sets a pattern they’re likely to stick to their entire lives. But choosing healthier foods is a good thing no matter when we begin. People who have diabetes or AMD, or are at risk for these diseases, can also benefit by following a low-glycemic (low-GI) index diet. Most people with diabetes, and others who have used a low-GI diet to lose weight, are familiar with glycemic index charts. The GI value is based on how fast a food’s carbohydrates raise the body’s blood sugar levels; low GI foods have less impact on blood sugar fluctuations.

People with AMD may be able to slow the progression of the disease by taking a special nutrient supplement called the AREDS formula. People who smoke should ask their physician before taking this supplement, because one of the ingredients has been associated with a higher risk of lung cancer in smokers. An alternate version of the supplement formulated to be safe for smokers is available. Your Eye M.D.s can give you more information on this option.

Exercise

Our eyes need good blood circulation and oxygen intake, and both are stimulated by regular exercise. Regular exercise also helps keep our weight in the normal range, which reduces the risk of diabetes and of diabetic retinopathy. Seniors can pursue gentler exercises including walking, yoga, tai chi, or stretching and breathing. Remember to use proper sun safety and protective eye wear when enjoying sports and recreation.

Sleep

As we sleep, the eyes enjoy continuous lubrication, which helps reverse the dry, scratchy, irritated sensations that can result from too many hours on the computer (WMV 17M). Also during sleep the eyes clear out irritants such as dust, allergens, or smoke that may have accumulated during the day.

Some research suggests that light-sensitive cells in the eye are important to our ability to regulate our wake-sleep cycles. This becomes more crucial as we age, when more people have problems with insomnia. While it’s important that we protect our eyes from over-exposure to UV light, our eyes also need exposure to some natural light every day to help maintain normal sleep-wake cycles.

Computer Eyes

Work or college often demands that we spend long hours in front of computers, PDA's and other digital-screen devices. This can lead to dry, tired eyes. Though extended computer use won’t damage the eyes, the following tips will help you avoid discomfort or dry eye syndrome:

  • The 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, turn your eyes away from the computer screen to an object at least 20 feet away, and gaze at it for at least 20 seconds.
  • Blink!: Studies show people blink about half as often as normal when using the computer. Put a note on your digital screen to remind yourself. Blinking is essential to the eye remaining moist and to removing dust and other irritants.
  • Take breaks: Once an hour, leave your computer for a brief walk or stretch.
  • Take a break from your contact lenses: If wearing contact lenses makes your eyes feel dry during extended work or study on the computer (WMV 17M), wear eyeglasses all or part of the time. Also, getting enough sleep (and never sleeping in contact lenses) will help your eyes stay hydrated.

Sun Safety

By protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, you can reduce your risks for some minor and serious eye problems. Make sure your sunglasses block 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. UV damage adds up over time, so the sooner you begin protecting your eyes, the better. Doing so may reduce your risks for pterygium (a benign growth), cataract, age related macular degeneration, and uveal cancer (similar to skin cancer).

No Smoking

Smoking increases risks for cataract and may speed cataract progression, as well as for cardiovascular diseases that indirectly influence our eyes’ health. Smoking increases the risk of severe vision loss in those with AMD. Avoiding smoking, or quitting, is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health. Smokers actually reduce their risks by quitting.

Last reviewed and updated in August, 2009,
by the American Academy of Ophthalmology