Alexander Diebel Blog Dry Macular Degeneration

While Dry Macular Degeneration usually affects those over the age of 50 or 60, there are several reported cases of infants and children contracting this disorder called Juvenile Dry Macular Degeneration or JMD.  Dry Macular Degeneration is the slow decline of central vision.  While it does not cause complete blindness, it drastically alters ones lifestyle with total vision blurriness resulting in the inability to read or make out faces.  Your peripheral vision is generally not affected but your straight line vision is usually marked by blurry, patchy spots.  Many explain it as bright spots that remain in your line of sight after a photography flash is taken from a camera, only it does not go away.

JMD comes in several different varieties, the most common being Stargardt’s Disease which has symptoms that usually start in the childhood or teen years.  Symptoms are small drusen (yellow fat-like deposits on the retina), a decline in sharp sight and macula scarring.  It also causes the light sensitive cells in the retina to deteriorate.  Stargardt’s Disease is genetic and is passed down from generation to generation.  Approximately 1 in 20,000 children are affected with this form of JMD and most children are given the diagnosis before the age of 20 years old.

Some other signs and symptoms of JMD to be aware of are:

•    Dim colors and blurring
•    Straight line distortion
•    Empty spots in your central line of vision

Older children and teens are able to let an adult or doctor know that they are having symptoms and are able to explain what exactly they are seeing.  Infants, toddlers and young children, however are unable to explain which is why it is necessary to take your children to the eye doctor regularly, especially if you have several reported cases of Dry Macular Degeneration in your family.  If your child starts to complain about blurred vision or dark spots in their line of sight, consult a doctor.  Hallucinations have also been reported by several patients, so if your child complains of these, take them seriously and take them into your ophthalmologist for testing.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for JMD and the cause of Juvenile Dry Macular degeneration is unknown as well.  Researchers believe that JMA comes from an inherited mutated gene from both parents which may or may not affect those it is passed down to genetically.  Currently, there is no way to stop the gene from being passed down.  While regular Dry Macular Degeneration affects mostly Caucasian women, those who smoke and who have lightly colored eyes, juvenile Dry Macular Degeneration can affect anyone as long as they have inherited the mutated gene, regardless of age, sex or race.

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Alexander Diebel Blog Lasik Surgery Procedures

Lasik eye surgery is a relatively new ocular procedure designed specifically for people who are nearsighted. If you are a long-term wearer of contact lenses or eye glasses, then Lasik surgery is something that you should discuss with your ophthalmologist. The costs of eye surgery can be fairly expensive; however, most insurance companies fully cover, or partially cover this medical procedure, so it is less money out of your pocket that you have to pay.

Lasik eye surgery is a very complex operation involving the most delicate part of the eye, the cornea. Using a knife, a highly skilled ophthalmologist surgeon cuts a flap in the tissue of the cornea, removing the targeted tissue beneath the cornea with a precise laser which causes the nearsightedness. The corneal flap is then replaced. It is extremely important to have this procedure done by a surgeon who has had several successful Lasik surgeries to be sure to avoid any medical accidents.

The recovery time for Lasik surgery is minimal; you are usually up and functioning that day, with the ability to drive immediately and fully recovered by one week. Though not frequent, there are several risk factors that accompany Lasik eye surgery. There is a small chance of infection or improper healing, adding mostly discomfort and prolonged healing, but usually not actual damaged to your long term eyesight. It is also possible to over or under-correct your eyesight causing the chance that you still may have to wear corrective lenses until another procedure can be done to fix the problem.

Though expensive, the positive results that you get from receiving Lasik surgery, the cost is most definitely worth it. The cost of eye surgery, mainly Lasik eye surgery ranges from $500 to $2500 per eye. Surgeons with a higher success rate and who are more skilled in this procedure will most likely charge more than those surgeons who have not performed this surgery often. A good point to consider; since your eyesight is precious, wouldn’t you want to pay the extra cost for a skilled surgeon to perform this procedure, rather than a surgeon with little experience?

Doctors offices and billing company’s breakdown the costs of eye surgery into several different categories and criteria and may include some of the following:
• Royalties owed to the laser company of the equipment the doctor uses
• Pre and post-operative consultations (these can occur for as long as a year after your Lasik procedure)
• Surgical scrubs, gloves and medical instruments used
• Salaries of the surgeon and staff members assisting the procedure (this can include office workers, nurses and clean-up service providers)
• Maintenance and purchasing of medical equipment

While most insurance companies cover some or all of the costs of eye surgery, it is important to double check with your agency before you get the procedure doneFree Reprint Articles, to avoid being stuck with a large bill that can total more than $5000.

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Posted by Alexander Diebel