Alexander Diebel Blog Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or Dry Eye

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or more commonly, “Dry Eye” is a condition caused by decreased tear production from the tear ducts. Redness, discomfort, sand-like grittiness are common symptoms of this disease. Many suffers develop this as a byproduct of LASIK surgery. Although symptoms are generally mild, long term sufferers can experience severe complications and eye damage due to this condition – sometimes even blindness although this is very rare apparently. Although,  If you believe you may have these symptoms, you should definitely consult a doctor to avoid any serious damage to your vision or eyes. There are various tests which can indicate the severity of this condition. Since symptoms may be mild, it’s important to take note of these indications and seek qualified medical assistance regarding this disease.

Alexander Diebel

Alexander Diebel Blog Vision Correctness Surgery in New York

Visually challenged people fed up with not being able to see without the benefit of prescription lenses or contacts often turn to surgery for an alternative. But, finding the best doctor should be an absolute priority. To find the best laser eye surgery New York physicians can offer might take time, but it’s worth the effort.

Before even beginning the search for a licensed eye surgeon to perform the procedure, the best thing to do is make sure you understand it. After that, decide if you truly want to pursue eye surgery and then begin looking for the best New York can provide.

Laser surgeries, such as Lasik, work by correcting structural problems within the eye that create vision issues. Those with nearsightedness, farsightedness and even distorted vision can see some remarkable improvements if the procedure is done correctly and success is the outcome.

Lasik itself works by having the surgeon use a laser and a knife to reshape the cornea. This is the covering on the front of the eye. During the surgery, the cornea is opened to reveal the stroma. A portion of this part of the eye is vaporized to create the correct shaping for better vision and the cornea is replaced.

Although relatively painless with few complications, laser surgery is a big deal. If a doctor isn’t as skilled as he or she should be, problems can result. Inasmuch, patients owe themselves and their vision the favor of making sure the best doctor is hired. And, even if everything is done correctly, problems can still arise. This is where a skilled, practiced surgeon can make a real difference.

Considering the number of eye surgeons touting their services much like car salespeople hawk their vehicles, it’s very hard for a patient to decide whom to turn to for this type of surgery. Going with the first surgeon that’s spotted on a billboard or tevelevision commercial may not be the best idea. They can certainly be considered, but make sure that more than a friendly smile on the doctor is checked out before surgery commences.

Those in New York looking for the best laser eye surgeon can start with the ads or even the phone book, but more work should be done. One a doctor or doctors have been selected, go visit them. Check into their background and even talk to past patients. A long track record in performing eye surgery successfully should be a must. If possible, even check with the state’s licensing boards to make sure no major complaints have been filed.

It may seem a little paranoid to check a doctor out like he or she is going for top government security clearance, but it’s eyesight we’re talking about here. Rely on trust alone for your plumber, maybe, but don’t do it for a medical professional. Take advantage of free consultations, speak at length with the doctor about the procedure, check backgrounds and them make a decision.

Since we’re talking about eyesight here and a genuine chance to improve it, it just doesn’t make sense to settle for less than the best. The smart consumers will not settle for anything less than the best when it comes to having eye surgery. A little patience and some homework can absolutely net the best laser eye surgery New York has to offer.

Found by Alexander Diebel

Alexander Diebel Blog Lasik Surgery Information

For millions of Americans everyday the burden of poor vision has been difficult. Finding new ways to gain freedom from eye wear was a hope we often clung too. However now people are seeing clearly for the first time without the use of glasses and contacts. Lasik Eye surgery is bringing new life to many across the country.

Lasik eye surgery is the most common refractive procedure in the United States today. Lasik eye Surgery or (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is done by creating a small circular flap in the cornea. They will then use the excimer laser to remove gently break the modular bonds of the cornea to reshape the cornea. This will help you see clearer and can give you better vision in as little as 1 day.

The cost of Lasik surgery can often discourage many people. But how much is it worth to you to have your vision restored? The Lasik procedure can help people with nearsightedness and farsightedness. It can also help correct astigmatism.

After the Procedure-

As with all surgeries the doctor will keep you a bit in the office. They will request when you return home to get lots of rest. It is important for you to not touch or rub the eye because that can dislodge the flap and can create complications.

You may feel ok within a matter of hours but you should get rest because your vision may still be blurry. It is important for you to take it easy for the first week much of our balance is coordinated with our eyes and doing things too quickly can also create complications.

Some people may still require glasses or contacts after surgery for vision however the prescription will not be as strong. Also there maybe some complications later and you may need what is called a “touch up”. Below are some complications common in Lasik:

Dry eye
Infection
Irritated eyes
Scratchy eyes
Irregular flap
Over/under correction

It is important to find a qualified eye surgeon to assist you in this procedure. Making sure they have experience in this field will ease your mind and reduce the chance of complications. There are many available Online and you can find many by look up Lasik Los Angeles. As with all procedures there will be some risks. However if you are serious about your vision and want to be free from your glasses or contact lenses Lasik eye surgery could be right for you.

-Found by Alexander Diebel

Alexander Diebel Information on Gas Permeables

Also known as oxygen permeable contacts, gas permeable contact lenses are a lot easier to take care of then other types of contacts – including soft contact lenses

.  GP (Gas Permeable) contacts are made from a combination of fluorine and silicone, meaning that they won’t attract protein near as much as other types of contacts.  If you have had a problem with protein on your lenses in the past, GP contacts will pretty much eliminate that problem.

Keep in mind, you’ll still need to clean your GP lenses, in order to keep them free of protein, debris, and to keep them comfortable when you wear them.  They clean much easier and faster than soft lenses, and they will last you longer as well. For a lot of contact lenses users, gas permeable lenses are the preferred way to go.

If you wear GP lenses or looking to wear them, you’ll need to keep a re-wetting solution or saline drops with you just in case they start to get dry.  Anytime your eyes feel dry, you can use the drops to moisten your eyes back up, and keep your contacts comfortable.  Re-wetting drops are normal to use, even with soft lenses.  Dryness in the eyes is very common with contacts, which is why you should always have re-wetting drops with you.

After you have worn your GP lenses during the day, you should always clean, rinse, and dry them out once you take them out for the night.  When you clean them, you should always use the right solution, instead of water. If you soak them in water it could damage the material, which could in turn damage your eyes.  Depending on the type of contacts and brand you have, you should pick the solution accordingly.  The solution you use shouldn’t burn your eyes, or cause you to feel any type of discomfort.

When you go to your optician

to have your eyes fitted for contacts, be sure to ask about gas permeable contacts. If your eye doctor thinks they are right for you, he should recommend them.  Normally, they are for older people, or those who have had eye problems in the past.  They are strong contacts – and perfect for daily wear.

If you’ve been looking for contact lenses that won’t disappoint, GP lenses are everything you need.  They can be purchased locally or online, normally at the same price of soft lenses.  They last longer than soft lenses, meaning that you won’t need to purchase them quite as often.  If you take care of them, they should last you for a long time.  Once you have tried gas permeable contact lenses and see just how great they are – you’ll never look at soft contact lenses the same way again.

Found at: http://www.articlesbase.com/vision-articles/the-gas-permeable-contact-lenses-value-1345584.html

-Alexander Diebel

What is Presbyopia? Alexander Diebel

Presbyopia is a the loss of the ability of  one’s eyes to focus on near objects. This is a normal part of the aging process that many, many people develop. This condition usually develops in people after the age of 40 years. Farsightedness and Nearsightedness are not the same. Essentially, presbyopia occurs due to the loss of lens flexibility in an individual’s eye. On the other hand, myopia occurs when due to the shape of the eyeball itself.

Alexander Diebel

Forms of Macular Degeneration Information found by Alexander Diebel

Forms of Macular Degeneration

There are two forms of macular degeneration: dry and wet. It is possible for a person to suffer from both forms, for it to affect one or both eyes, and for the disease to progress slowly or rapidly. Dry macular degeneration may advance and cause loss of vision without turning into the wet form of the disease. However, it is also possible for the early-stage dry form to change into the wet form of macular degeneration.

Dry Macular Degeneration

The dry form is the most common type of macular degeneration. This form, in which the photosensitive cells of the macula slowly break down, is diagnosed in 85-90 percent of cases. Yellow deposits called drusen (extracellular waste products from metabolism) form and accumulate under the retina between the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) layer and the Bruch’s membrane, which supports the retina. Drusen are often found in the eyes of older people, but an increase in the size and number of these deposits is frequently the first sign of macular degeneration. Over time, drusen are associated with deterioration of the macula and the death of RPE and photoreceptor cells, resulting in a blurring or spotty loss of clear, straight-ahead vision.

The dry form of macular degeneration has three stages:

1. Early – patients have several small drusen or a few medium-sized drusen. There is no vision loss or symptoms at this stage.
2. Intermediate – patients have many medium-sized drusen or one or more large drusen. Some people may need more light for tasks such as reading. A blurry spot may appear in the center of the visual field.
3. Advanced – patients exhibit a large number of drusen deposits, and a breakdown of RPE, photoreceptor (light sensitive) cells, and supporting tissue in the retina. A large blurry spot occurs in the center of the visual field and can become larger and darker, eventually causing a complete loss of central vision.

Wet Macular Degeneration

Wet macular degeneration occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow behind the macula as RPE and photoreceptor cells die. The Bruch’s membrane begins to break down, usually near drusen deposits, and new blood vessels grow. This growth is called neovascularization. These vessels are very fragile and can leak fluid and blood, resulting in scarring of the macula and the potential for rapid, severe damage. Straight-ahead vision can become distorted or lost entirely in a short period of time, sometimes within days or weeks. Wet macular degeneration accounts for approximately 10 percent of the cases of AMD, but it results in 90 percent of the cases of legal blindness. All wet macular degeneration is considered advanced.

http://www.ahaf.org/macular/about/understanding/forms.html

Alexander Diebel

Alexander Diebel Blog Prostate cancer mortality Information

For some men, trying to hold out is an option because the cancer often isn’t lethal. About 1 in 6 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point, but only about 1 in 35 men will die of it, according to the American Cancer Society. Other men never suffer symptoms: Between 30 and 40 percent of men who die of causes unrelated to cancer turn out to harbor undiagnosed—and effectively harmless—prostate tumors, autopsy results show.

Found at: http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/articles/070909/17prostate.htm

-Alexander Diebel

Prostate Cancer Article from Mayo clinic

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Prostate cancer usually doesn’t produce any noticeable symptoms in its early stages, so many cases of prostate cancer aren’t detected until the cancer has spread beyond the prostate. For most men, prostate cancer is first detected during a routine screening such as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a digital rectal exam (DRE).

When signs and symptoms do occur, they depend on how advanced the cancer is and how far the cancer has spread.

Early signs and symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems, caused when the prostate tumor presses on the bladder or on the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). However, urinary symptoms are much more commonly caused by benign prostate problems, such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate infections. Less than 5 percent of cases of prostate cancer have urinary problems as the initial symptom. When urinary signs and symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Trouble urinating
• Starting and stopping while urinating
• Decreased force in the stream of urine

Cancer in your prostate or the area around the prostate can cause:

• Blood in your urine
• Blood in your semen

Prostate cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes in your pelvis may cause:

• Swelling in your legs
• Discomfort in the pelvic area

Advanced prostate cancer that has spread to your bones can cause:

• Bone pain that doesn’t go away
• Bone fractures
• Compression of the spine

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostate-cancer/DS00043/DSECTION=symptoms

Alexander Diebel