If you missed the big news from Arrowsmith Eye Institute, we are now a provider for HealthSpring. We feel that with this new set of credentials we will be able to provide our superior results to a new field of patients. This is a time in which dreams of clear, natural vision are becoming a true reality for millions of men and women whose vision has been clouded by cataracts. Contact us for further information!
HealthSpring is one of the largest Medicare Advantage coordinated care plans in the United States. Our concentration on this market has allowed us to develop a unique approach to health care coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. C/O HealthSpring, Inc.
For the last part of our Vision Correction Frequently Asked Questions series, we want to address cataract vision correction. We have received a few questions pertaining to cataracts and related cataract surgeries. One question, “What is RLE and how will it help my cataracts?” comes across Dr. Arrowsmith’s desk more frequently now.
According to The University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology (2004), 5,500,000 individuals suffer from cataracts with 400,000 new cases each year. Phacoemulsification for Cataract Surgery or Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) with Advanced Lens Implants offers options for correcting cataracts. Phacoemulsification (Phaco=lens, emulsify=to liquefy) is used in removal of a cataract, which is a clouded natural lens. With RLE it can also be used to remove a clear natural lens – not yet developed into a cataract – simply to correct vision as an alternative to Bladeless LASIK or Phakic IOL’s.
With Phacoemulsification, an instrument uses ultrasound (like a laser, but using concentrated sound waves instead of light waves) to delicately liquefy and remove the center of the eye’s natural lens, leaving a clear, cellophane-like outer layer of the lens intact. Then, an Aphakic IOL (an IOL used after removal of the eye’s natural lens) is placed inside the cellophane-like layer replacing the central, vision-correcting part of the natural lens. Aphakic IOL’s are very advanced and will correct Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Astigmatism (Toric IOL’s) and Presbyopia (difficulty with reading vision) just like LASIK. New types of Aphakic IOL’s can correct both distance and near vision at the same time. Often referred to as Presbyopia Correcting IOL’s or Premium IOL’s (PIOL’s), these include the Crystalens, ReSTOR Lens and the ReZoom Lens and others.
Patients are offered lenses that best meet their needs and their lifestyle, and together we will talk about and choose the right lens for you.
In part 2 of this series of answers to common vision question we’ll answer the question,
“What are implantable contact lenses?”
Verisyse Implantable Lense for Vision Correction
You may have asked yourself this question as you navigate the options for vision correction. At the Arrowsmith Eye Institute we use two primary implantable lenses; Verisyse and Visian ICL Implantable Contact Lenses. These are also called Phakic IOL’s (IntraOcular Lens implants) because they do not require cataract surgery (removal of the eye’s natural crystalline lens). Instead these very delicate lenses are added or inserted inside the eye. The Verisyse Implantable Contact Lens is currently being used to treat moderate to extreme levels of nearsightedness from -5 to -20 Diopters.
During the past 25 years, thousands of Verisyse lenses have been implanted in patients throughout the world, and results show that the Verisyse lens may have certain optical advantages over Bladeless LASIK for patients with large amounts of Myopia (nearsightedness). The newer Visian ICL Implantable Contact Lens is also an excellent additional option and it is easily implanted. On a side note, Dr. Arrowsmith holds two U.S. Patents for methods used to more precisely determine the customized power of the Verisyse lens that is best for each individual patient.
Over the last few months we have noticed that many of our open house participants and new patients have asked us a lot of questions about some of the more in depth aspects of our procedures. Some of these questions have been, “What are implantable contact lenses?”, “What is RLE and how will it help my cataracts?” and “How soon will my vision improve after a LASIK surgery?”
We will answer these questions in three parts.
The last question is the one most frequently asked, “How soon will my vision improve after a LASIK surgery?” The short answer is it depends on the eye itself. What we can tell you is that patients often report being able to see clearly hours after the surgery, but the average is 24 to 48 hours. This is partially due to the nature of Bladeless LASIK. Bladeless LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis), also called Intra-LASIK because the LASIK surgeon uses a laser instead of a blade, to gently create a thin flap of corneal tissue.
Dr. Arrowsmith uses the Intralase laser system for the procedures performed at Arrowsmith Eye Institute (AEI). The flap is gently lifted so that a second laser – the WaveLight Allegretto Wave Excimer Laser – can microscopically sculpt the inner layers of the cornea. The corneal flap is then returned to its original position. Within minutes, the flap adheres similar to how a contact lens does, only much more securely. Bladeless LASIK is virtually pain-free and usually results in immediately improved vision. LASEK is sometimes an excellent alternative for specific patients with thin corneas or for a few patients who require PRK for occupational reasons.
Oh the weather outside was frightful, but the open house was so delightful. And since there was no place to go, ask questions about bladeless lasik! OK, we’re not song writers, but we gave it a try. Once again, many great questions were asked, and the attendees really enjoyed a tour of our licensed and accredited surgery center. They really liked the idea of keeping the patient experience individual, maintaining a sense of total privacy and care.
As each person took their turn sitting on the foot of the laser bed, looking at a clock at 10 ft first with their glasses, then without, they realized how much Dr. Arrowsmith can do for them. After the tour and quite a good question and answer time, Lisa F. was our winner of 2 eyes for the price of 1. Congratulations!!! Lisa is a college student who scheduled her surgery during her Christmas break. Her parents are giving this to her for a Christmas present. Now that is truly a gift that will continue giving.
All of us at Arrowsmith Eye Institute hope all of our past and future patients a most happy holiday season.
So what is monovision? That was the main question which came up at this month’s open house. What exactly is the difference between monovision or blended vision you can get with Contact Lenses vs. Bladeless Lasik? Dr. Arrowsmith explained the benefits of this procedure for those who are “a little more advanced” in age. Many people can gain better vision with monovision, and rid themselves of their bifocals. Rimon A. was the grand prize winner of 2 eyes for the price of 1. Congratulations, Rimon! His main concern was that of dry eyes – he wondered if Lasik would cause this, or if you already had dry eyes, would you still. The answer was no and yes – Lasik would not cause this, and if someone had dry eyes prior to Lasik, they would have it after.
Our open houses have become so popular that even someone who wanted to come to one 2 months ago, and was unable, then last month was unable, but this month, came and won 2 eyes for the price of 1! That’s right, Truman S. finally made our open house and was the grand prize winner. He said he was tired of dealing with his progressive lenses and really wanted to rid himself of being dependent on glasses. He is scheduled for his free examination later this month. We also had a gentleman who will be deployed soon who also wanted to be able to function without his contacts and glasses. He will even have his exam and surgery this week.
We had a full house with great questions, especially about our “Cash for Clunker Glasses and Contacts” where people can receive up to a 30% savings if they pay with a check, cash or money order. Unused flex plans also were a discussion point as some people have been holding onto their plans depending what the economy is doing – with an upturn in consumer confidence, more people are making the decision to change their lives and have their Bladeless LASIK. What had been out of reach for so many is now becoming a reality. Watch for our next open house on our website, email us to reserve your spot, and see the world more clearly than ever before!
In our continued hopes of not only providing vision correction but economic assistance to the new and existing patients of Arrowsmith Eye Insitute; we want to announce a special program. The program called “Cash for Clunker Glasses and Contacts” will reward you with a savings up to 30%!
That’s right, have your surgery in the next 30 days and receive up to 30% of your surgery fee. It’s that simple – rid yourself of your glasses or contacts, pay with cash, check or money order, and have the great vision you always dreamed of. Don’t put it off – give us a call or contact us through our website to speak with a counselor who can answer all your questions. Hope to see you soon.
Last night’s open house was one again a success for those attending. The grand prize winner of 2 eyes for the price of 1 was Ashley R. Congratulations! Ashley is a mother of two little children and had problems with her children pulling her glasses off her face, having to find her glasses when she woke up at night to give her baby daughter a bottle, you get the gist! She thought she wouldn’t ever be able to afford the surgery, but as a winner, she will now fulfill one of her lifelong wishes – to be glasses free. She is coming back in a couple of days to have her examination in the morning, and surgery that afternoon.
The question of the night seemed to revolve around how the technology in LASIK has improved. Ashley’s father had his LASIK 13 years ago and had been having trouble with light sensitivity. Because of this, she thought she wouldn’t be a candidate. After Dr. Arrowsmith explained how the Intralase laser now creates the flap, and the WaveLight Allegretto laser sculpts the cornea ridding people of glasses and contacts, she as well as the other attendees had their fears erased. So for all of you who are thinking of Bladefree LASIK, and may have questions, give one of our counselors a call to schedule a free exam or stay tuned for our next open house in October. Hope to see all of you then.
What can be better for a prospective LASIK patient than to come to an informal get together, take a tour of the facility, have your questions answered, schedule a free exam, and win 2 eyes for the price of 1? Last night, Pauline R actually did just that! She came along with her husband who was told he had cataracts, heard about the Crystalens Dr. Arrowsmith uses in cataract surgery, and scheduled his own cataract consult and surgery for September. Now, that is working together.
Our $0 down and 0% financing for 2 years was also discussed, as was a question about being in an airplane after surgery. Back in the RK days, being in a plane could have presented a problem, but with Bladeless WaveFront LASIK, that is no longer a problem. We have even had people scuba dive a month after their surgery. Many attendees also asked about their post operative care – if they have to come back to Dr. Arrowsmith or go to their local optometrist. We work with many optometrists in the network to make that happen. If anyone has any other questions, you can contact us through this website by going to the “Contact AEI” drop down in the toolbar above.
Also, stay tuned to find out about our next open house, Tuesday, September 15th. See you then!
