New York Top Surgeons » Andrew Caster MD

Correcting ones Refractive Error with Lasik Eye Surgery

admin — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 11:40:49 +0000

The number of people who undergo Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery increase every year. Although the cost sometimes increases along with it, most patients will tell you it is a small price to pay for never having to struggle with contacts or glasses again. Many people find glasses to be a bother for many reasons; a person can really injury their eyes or face if they engage in physical activity with glasses on and they can easily be lost or forgotten at home. Many people chose to wear contacts as a better and easier alternative to glasses but those too have their faults as well. Some people sleep with contacts on or where the contacts for extended periods of time and this can cause the contact to do damage on the eye instead of good. Contacts also carry a reoccurring fee and several visits to the optometrist that many patients are not too fond of.

Leading Beverly Hills Lasik surgeons say Lasik eye surgery is likely to eliminate the haggle with contacts and glasses. The Lasik procedure uses a laser to correct near, farsightedness and astigmatism depending on how strong the case is. During the procedure a thin flap in the cornea is created using either a microkeratome blade or a femtosecond laser. The surgeon then folds back the flap and removes some corneal tissue underneath. Thirdly, the flap is laid back in place covering the area where the corneal tissue was removed. The goal of Lasik eye surgery depends on the type of refractive error one has. If a person has nearsightedness the goal of Lasik is to flatten the too-steep cornea, if they have farsightedness the goal is to make the cornea steeper. For patients with astigmatism the goal of Lasik eye surgery is to smooth an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.

After deciding on undergoing Lasik the next step is to find a leading surgeon for example Andrew caster MD and have him evaluate if Lasik is right for you. The Lasik surgeon will examine one’s eyes and determine their health and what type of vision correction one my need. The doctor will also ask about the overall health. There conditions that may disqualify a person from being a candidate for Lasik. Such as diabetes, Diabetes may disqualify most because of the weakened cornea that most patients have; However Lasik is the not the only vision correction treatment available.

Leading Beverly Hills Lasik Surgeon perform many laser vision correction surgeries on the eyes. They also perform surgeries without the use of lasers according to what is best for the patient at hand. Sometimes implantable contacts may be convenient or necessary as an alternative for Lasik for those whose eyes are too fragile for the surgery. undergoing Lasik when one is not candidate can pose the risk of having worse eye sight than one did before surgery.

Glaucoma and Refractive Surgery

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:44:06 +0000

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.

Glaucoma and Refractive Surgery

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:43:31 +0000

Risk of Vision Loss in Aging Adults Is Greater Than Risk of Breast or Prostate Cancer

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:41:19 +0000

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.

Risk of Vision Loss in Aging Adults Is Greater Than Risk of Breast or Prostate Cancer

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:40:13 +0000

Prenatal Factors May Be Crucial in Adult Vision

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:35:48 +0000

Many studies have shown that visual impairment can have far-reaching consequences on an individual’s employment, socioeconomic status and general health. Until recently, however, the effects of prenatal and childhood biological and sociologic factors on adult vision were poorly understood.

A recent study by Rahi et al from University College London, United Kingdom, investigated whether adult visual function is influenced by early life biological and social factors. The authors found that specific determinants can have a marked effect on the eventual manifestation of adult visual impairment. Those determinants include low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, maternal smoking during pregnancy and certain markers of socioeconomic deprivation in childhood.

The population-based study gathered data from 9330 individuals from the 1958 British birth cohort. This unique database contains health information regarding every person born in Britain within a single week in 1958. In this vision study, the authors selected participants for whom medical information was available from medical examinations conducted from birth to middle age.

Study participants were examined at age 44 or 45 years for near, distance and stereo visual acuity. Examination results indicated the following:

1.3% had visual deficits that prevented them from passing a driving test and were defined as having socially significant visual impairment.

0.9% of the study participants had severe visual impairment or blindness.

Logistic regression and other methods were used to determine the relationships among vision functions, early-life influences, and health and social outcomes in middle age. The study’s authors said that the statistically significant results were repeated for all causes and levels of visual impairment.

Interestingly, the authors noted that the same early-life factors that appear to affect adult vision also correlate with other diseases and conditions, such as hypertension, as noted in other health studies. Because visual impairment can be devastating to an adult’s lifestyle and overall health, researchers said the findings are especially important and may lead to future studies to determine prevention strategies, as well as aid in early diagnosis of these conditions by better determining which young children might be at greatest risk. By identifying risk factors early, researchers hope to improve the eventual quality of life these individuals will experience when they reach adulthood.

In order to ensure that ones eyes are healthy He or she should see a leading Los Angeles Ophthalmologist, Dr. Andrew Caster runs a successful ophthalmology practice in Los Angeles. He is also a well known Los Angles Lasik Surgeon. If one is interested in the health of their eyes or needs more information about what laser vision correction Los Angeles procedures are available for ones condition please Andrew Caster MD.

Prenatal Factors May Be Crucial in Adult Vision

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:35:02 +0000

Study participants were examined at age 44 or 45 years for near, distance and stereo visual acuity. Examination results indicated the following:

1.3% had visual deficits that prevented them from passing a driving test and were defined as having socially significant visual impairment.

0.9% of the study participants had severe visual impairment or blindness.

Blindness Can Be Caused by Smoking

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:32:26 +0000

Dr. Andrew Caster would like to inform people about age-related macular degeneration. (AMD) Age related macular degeneration is one of the most common causes of blindness in adults in the United States, affecting more than 1.75 million Americans. While some risk factors for AMD, such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension, are well known, recent studies indicate that smoking appears to have a significant impact on an individual’s chances of developing the condition.

In an editorial, the BMJ (British Medical Journal) cited studies finding that greater than 25% of all cases of AMD with visual impairment or blindness can be attributed to current or past smoking exposure, making it the leading modifiable risk factor for the condition. The editorial considered multiple studies conducted worldwide that evaluated the correlation between smoking habits and the eventual development of AMD, which involves degradation and eventual loss of central vision.

Treatment of AMD remains limited. Identifying and eliminating or reducing risk factors is currently the primary mode of prevention.

The analysis focused on data collected from 12,468 patients in 3 cross-sectional studies that indicated current smokers were 3-4x more likely to develop AMD as were men and women who had never smoked. By comparison, smokers are 1.6x as likely to develop ischemic heart disease as nonsmokers — about half the risk or less of developing AMD – although the association between ischemic heart disease and smoking is much more recognized.

In three additional and separate studies of AMD in smokers and non-smokers in North America, Australia and Europe, smoking emerged as the strongest environmental risk factor for developing the condition. Studies also revealed that smokers developed AMD about a decade earlier than nonsmokers.

The good news: Smoking cessation appears to have a positive effect, decreasing the risk of developing AMD over time. Despite the clear evidence supporting the correlation between smoking and the risk of AMD, the researchers also noted that public awareness of the link is lacking and added that physicians and other health-care professionals are in a prime positions to educate patients about the very real vision-related risks of smoking and visual impairment.

Andrew Caster MD agrees that one should be aware of how other behaviors may harm the vision. Staying cautious and keeping healthy habits may benefits ones eyesight or better their chances of being a candidate for Lasik or other laser vision correction Beverly Hills Procedures.

Blindness Can Be Caused by Smoking

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:32:08 +0000

Treatment of AMD remains limited. Identifying and eliminating or reducing risk factors is currently the primary mode of prevention.

Lasik eye surgery over view

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 07:25:32 +0000

Lasik eye surgery is used to correct refractive errors. A refractive error is what prevents a person from having perfect vision such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Refractive errors hinder an eyes ability to focus. Lasik reshapes the cornea in order to procedure clear vision. Lasik reduces its patient’s dependency on glasses or contacts. During Lasik a leading Los Angeles Lasik will remove a predetermined amount of corneal tissue and reshape the cornea.

In order to be a candidate for Lasik eye surgery one must meet all the perquisites in order to make sure the surgery is safe for that patient. In most states including Beverly Hills Lasik surgeons suggest their patients be at least eighteen years old. It is critical that all Lasik candidates demonstrate no change in refraction for no less than a year. Patients must have realistic expectations, most Lasik patients have 20/40 or 20/20 vision after Lasik eye surgery, but everyone’s eyes are different and have different situations therefore ones surgeon will let them know what to expect.

To determine whether a patient is a good candidate Andrew caster MD a leading Lasik surgeon will first conduct a pre- Lasik examination. If it is determined that the patient is a good candidate then he or she will have to follow the set guidelines days before the surgery and weeks following it. The surgery will begin with ones Beverly Hills Lasik surgeon making a corneal flap. The surgeon will place drops of anesthesia in the eye to ensure that the patient does not feel pain and then he will create the flap on the outer surface exposing the underlying cornea. The cornea is reshaped using a laser and the flap is replaced.

Most patients see great improvement in their eye sight right after having the Lasik procedure and are very pleased. Benefits of Lasik include freedom of corrective eyewear, patients are free to do more of what they want physical activity, new employment opportunities. Patients who have a successful Lasik procedure eliminate their use for glasses all together, and a small number of patients less than five percent experience Lasik complications which include, ghost vision, blurry vision, sensitivity to light, dry eyes. Lasik technology has greatly advanced and with it the risk of complication has minimized more every year.

Lasik vision correction has become the most popular Laser vision correction procedure in the country, over a millions Americans undergo the procedure every year. Current Lasik statistic studies show that complications may occur in only one percent of patients, and patients who have successful surgeries can have better than 20/20. If a person is not candidate for the procedure the risk of complication extremely increases therefore one should be highly aware of the risk.