Category: News

Is it really possible to knock off eye power? How safe is laser surgery that’s being dubbed as the 15-minute miracle? Active does the research for you. Plus yoga for those with OT allergy

For thousands of people, the day starts with fumbling for a pair of spectacles or a lens case. Experts claim that genetics as well as a lifestyle focussed around the computer and television is responsible for weak eyesight.

With laser eye technology improving by leaps and bounds since its inception in the ’90s, it might be time to do away with visual crutches. But as with any surgical procedure, laser surgery too can result in complications.

Here’s what you need to factor in before agreeing to the fine print.

What is Lasik?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) refers to surgery to treat refractive eye disorders including myopia (shortsightedness), hyperopia (longsightedness) and astigmatism or blurred vision.

These disorders are caused when the curvature of the lens becomes inflexible as the light rays are unable to focus on the retina, leading to blurry vision.

Laser surgery involves creating a corneal flap on the surface of the cornea, which is peeled back to operate on the cornea, followed by using a laser to reshape the cornea so that it can be realigned with the retina.

The surgery takes around 15 minutes and is done under anesthesia. It involves no stitches and the patient can be discharged on the same day.

“There is still no single health body on par with international standards, which certifies or accredits centres.

Be alert of what is being offered to you and take more time researching the procedure,” advises Dr Anand A Shroff, Cornea and Refractive Surgeon, Shroff Eye Hospital.

Different eyes react differently to surgery and patient testimonials are available on the net and document experiences ranging from “great” to “feel like Vaseline has been rubbed on my eyes”.

Types of Lasik

Broadly speaking, laser surgery can be divided into general or wavefront (custom). Wavefront is considered a better option since it uses 3D measurements of how your eyes process images and thereafter uses the laser to reshape the cornea properly, enabling 20:20 vision. There are sub-divisions in wavefront including Intralasik and Epi-Lasik. Though there is some talk of “bladeless” surgeries, creating the flap is still a process done using a microkeratome (surgical knife), except in all-laser Lasik (often called Intralasik) and Epi-Lasik procedures.

Benefits of laser surgery

• Painless procedure
• Better vision
• Less or no dependence on glasses/lenses
• Rapid recovery (patient can resume work within 48 hours)

Possible Complications And Side-Effects

Scarring of the cornea

Infections if the same blade is re-used for several operations

Under correction in which the patient might still need to use glasses or contacts, but with a decreased power

Overcorrection in which the patient might need reading glasses

Dry eyes (usually, though not always alleviated with the help of special eye drops)

Burning sensation post-surgery(usually reduces within five hours of procedure)Pre and Post Operative Care

Pre-operative care includes staying off lenses for a month before surgery as the cornea needs to get back to its original shape and be hydrated for accurate measurement. Post the surgery, avoid rubbing of the eyes or splashing water for a week. Prescribed eye drops are to be applied to prevent dryness. If you experience chronic dry eyes, redness, blurred vision or a foreign body sensation, report it to the doctor immediately.

Cut and keep DIY Guide to improve Eyesight Holistically

Yoga for your eyes

Candle gazing (Trataka): Hold your body erect and spine straight. Keep eyes centrally focused on the tip of the candle flame to reduce the area of central fixation. The smaller the area, the better the fixation.

The nasal gaze (Nasikagra Trataka): Assume a relaxed posture with neck held erect, and fix the eyes on the tip of your nose. Continue to gaze for two minutes, then close your eyes. Repeat a few times before shutting eyes for rest.

Eye exercises to boost vision

Snellan’s chart reading: This chart is printed with 11 lines of block letters, and the font size reduces as you read on. Hang the chart on a wall, and sit at a comfortable distance. Read each letter and blink. Hold a smaller chart in your hand, read each letter and then spot that letter in the larger chart. That letter will seem darker to you.

Game of ball: This involves focusing on the ball’s movements. Hold the ball in the right hand, bounce it off the floor and catch it with the left hand. Blink every time you catch the ball. Throw it up in the air with the right hand and grab it with the left hand.

5 Celebs we can’t imagine without their glasses

The silver-haired gentleman topped the list of the sexiest eyeglass-wearing celebrities, with a whopping 35% votes in a survey done by an American spectacle company. He has our vote too!

The charismatic politician with the cutest dimples ever, is also known for his classy-yet-simple-metal-rimmed glasses.

Six years since the sitcom Friends went off air, Matthew Perry is still remembered for his portrayal as the bespectacled, wise-cracking and utterly lovable Chandler Bing.

The reclusive Clark Kent, reporter for the Daily Planet, and alter-ego of the dashing Superman, is still a beloved icon eight decades since his first appearance. We can’t get enough of Kent’s charisma and smouldering demeanour behind those super-large frames.

Opticians in the UK anticipate record spectacles sales each time the movies in the Harry Potter series are released, urging Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the fictional character to comment, “Harry has managed to make specs cool again.” We couldn’t agree more.

Get the Facts

Dr Anand Shroff debunks some post-procedure theories on laser surgery

One needs to wear dark surgical glasses for a month both indoors and outdoors.

It is necessary to wear sunglasses only in the first week post-procedure. Though, it is a good idea to continue wearing sunglasses to protect eyes from UV rays.

One cannot cook or go near a gas for a long time.

This would mean that those living abroad would either starve or suffer from indigestion from ordering take-out! Medically speaking, they are allowed to do so from the next day itself.

Lasik is only for those with high powers.

One can do Lasik for even powers as low as -0.5, but the eye examination determines the fitness.

Lasik cannot be done on those with very high powers.

Thanks to today’s advanced lasers, numbers as high as -12 can be treated safely. For higher powers up to -23, there are other options like Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL).

If you fall or have an accident post-surgery, there are higher chances of retinal detachment.

Lasik does not increase the risk of retinal detachment if done correctly. It does not change the inherent shape of one’s eyes. The retina in most people with high powers is thinner as it has to cover a larger surface area. Hence, there is the same risk as it would have been if one were to continue wearing glasses or lenses.

Don’t opt for LASIK if you:

• Are pregnant as hormonal fluctuations can play havoc with eye power
• Under 18 as the cornea is still developing
• Have diabetes as diabetics typically take a long time to recover
• Suffer from dry eyes as the surgery can aggravate the condition
• Have eye power that has not been stable in the past year, since the power can come back
• Have thin corneas that are damaged or scarred as the surgery erodes the surface of the cornea

How much does it cost?

The cost for laser surgery ranges from Rs 14,000 to Rs 1 lakh depending on the credibility of the doctor and the equipment used.

Conventional laser surgery will cost you around Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 but it is only suitable for lower powers. Laser Lasik and Epi Lasik can set you back by around Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Being an elective surgery, it is often not included in health insurance or mediclaim policies so, you may have to shell out the money yourself.

My experience with Lasik

I have been wearing spectacles since the age of 13. My eye power was -6, but when I got pregnant it shot up to -9 due to hormonal changes. That’s when I decided to opt for laser surgery.

The surgery was painless and over in 15 minutes flat. Post the surgery, I felt an intense burning sensation in my eyes as if someone had poured chilli powder inside and my eyes watered constantly.

The pain subsided in four hours, though. Today, I have 20/20 vision and have experienced no long-term side-effects.

3 Questions you should ask before opting for the surgery

Is my doctor experienced?

Approach an experienced eye surgeon who will check eyes thoroughly for any sign of damage to the cornea or retina to avoid complications later.

Is the equipment outdated?

Make sure equipment is up-to-date.

Is there a strict enough infection control check?

Check whether the necessary procedures to determine whether or not you are the ideal candidate (do you suffer from dry eyes? Is there corneal scarring? has your power been steady?) for the operation are carried out by your eye surgeon.

11th ANNUAL REFRACTIVE USER’S MEETING, DUBLIN, IRELAND

Dr. Anand Shroff (above) conducted a Workshop for Eye Surgeons from over 50 Countries on WAVEFRONT GUIDED

LASIK TREATMENT Date :, 25th June’10 Location : DUBLIN, IRELAND.

SAMEER Oberoi, 50, known for his editor’s column, stories, articles on relationships etc. in a leading newspaper, was having problems in reading, writing and in using his computer for the past six months. Everything was blurred and his eyes were painfully sensitive to light. He was scared that he might lose his sight permanently. One day he decided to go for an eye check-up to be informed that he had developed cataracts in both eyes.By the age of 60 or so, most of us will experience the cloudy vision that is caused by cataracts. It’s a part of natural aging. As we grow older, the eye’s natural lens stiffens, hardens and begins losing its clarity, forming a cataract. In some people, this process might get accelerated due to a number and variety of medical reasons.“Developing a cataract doesn’t mean that you will have a permanent loss of vision quality or have to give up the things you love. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective solution of your cataract problem. Once the cataracts are removed and replaced with a natural accommodating IOL, the patient probably won’t need to have cataract surgery again. In about 90 per cent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward”, says Dr. Anand Shroff, Opthalmologist, Mumbai.

“Reading, writing, driving late nights, enjoying the beautiful colors with my loved ones is my life. And that is something I can’t compromise on,” said Sameer and opted for cataract surgery and a natural accommodating lens implant. He was surprised at how easy the recovery process was. After that he could see every sign and read without blur, without needing glasses.

“Cataract surgery with an accommodating lens implant not only treats cataract but gives a fuller range of vision and, in many cases, reduces or eliminates the patient’s dependence on glasses. Of late, such lenses have now become available which mimics the natural lens and one of such lenses is Crystalens,” said Dr Shroff.

“The Crystalens can be compared to the natural lens in the eye of a young, 30-year-old person. These revolutionary lenses almost eliminate the need for glasses throughout the full range of distances, i.e. far, intermediate (44 inches) or near (14inches). Hence now you can enjoy your games like golf, work on the computer or read your favourite novel, all without the need for glasses”, added Dr Shroff.

Cataract surgery range starts from Rs. 5,000 with very low priced Indian lenses but common range is Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 60,000. The cost is 1.3 lakh -1.5 lakh for Crystalens.

Other options are multi-focal lenses with range of 40k-60k, but that’s an altogether different technology.

What is Crystalens?

The Crystalens is an intraocular lens replacement that, unlike a standard lens, doesn’t just treat your cataracts but is designed to correct your full range of vision. The Crystalens can reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses. In fact, many patients hardly if ever need their glasses after surgery. You probably noticed in your forties that you started to lose some of your up-close vision and had to start wearing reading glasses. The unique Crystalens is designed to reduce or eliminate glasses for most activities including: reading a book, working on the computer, and driving a car.

Currently in its 90th year, Shroff Eye Hospital has expanded not only in terms of number of clinics, but services too. With its state-of-the-art facilities and latest technology, the institution is dedicated to all round eye care.

3D movies may be great to watch, but they strain your eyes causing severe headaches. The new digital technology has made our moive watching experience exciting. But for some prolonged 3D session of on focusing on rich 3D images may result in an aching head.

Contact lenses offer freedom from using glasses. The convenience of using them has almost made them a personal care item. Given the wide variety of contact lenses available today, choosing the right one becomes a bit confusing. Let’s understand the basics to aid you in your choice.

Soft contact lenses

Made of soft polymer-plastic, these lenses also contain some amount of water, which adds to the comfort. The more the water content, the longer they can be used.

Disposable lenses

If you suffer from an allergy, opt for daily disposable contact lenses. While some of them are for one time use, other varieties can be used frequently—for 7 days, 30 days or 90 days. Care of quarterly lenses is the same as traditional yearly soft contact lenses—these are to be removed every night, cleaned and placed in the lens case with the appropriate lens solution. They are to be thrown away after the prescribed period.

The biggest advantage of using disposable lenses is that they cut down your risk of infection, dry eye and allergies as you replace them often.

Traditional re-usable lenses

These lenses are to be changed on an annual basis. Some individuals even change them every quarter. However, the frequent replacement costs are often prohibitive. Most toric lenses [those used for blurred vision], bifocals or multi-focal lenses that help both near and far vision, fall under this category.

Extended-wear lenses

These are leave-in lenses, which can be worn continuously for up to 30 days. They are made of material that allows a higher percentage of oxygen to pass through to the cornea.

Rigid gas permeable [RGP] lenses

RGP lenses have fallen out of fashion because they take a long time to adjust. Besides, they cause a lot of discomfort as compared to soft lenses. Hence, they are prescribed only for specific corneal conditions.

Cosmetic coloured lenses

Used to alter the aesthetic appeal of your eyes, these come in a variety of shades. They often have no power and can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription. When buying these, check their quality. These lenses are also available with special designs for fun. In case of scars or disfigurement of the eye, you can get specialised colour lenses. Most coloured lenses are soft lenses.

Can kids use contact lenses?

That depends on how responsible the child and parents are. Even a 12-year-old can become a successful contact lens wearer. However, the powers in patients younger than 18 years of age change frequently. Therefore, regular visits to the specialist are important.

Buying your first lenses?

Get a separate eye examination from an ophthalmologist or a contact lens specialist because the prescriptions for your spectacles and contact lenses may not be the same. If you buy contact lenses on the basis of your prescription for spectacles, the lenses may not be correct for you. The eye examination should include computerised mapping [topography] to check size and curvature of the cornea and microscopic corneal assessment to rule out signs of allergies, infections, dry eye, inflammation or scarring related to past contact lens wear. This checks not only vision [visual acuity] but also how well your tears work in lubricating your eyes.

Discuss in detail about your contact lens requirements with your specialist who will then recommend suitable contact lenses for you. You might be fitted with lenses for a short trial period to help you get accustomed to wearing lenses.

Don’t order the lenses till you are confident that you will be able to wear and remove them on your own. Your specialist should give you time to practise doing this. Also, learn how to clean the contact lenses, and other dos and don’ts. Only when you are comfortable with the trial lenses and the instructions, should you order them.

Dos

• Clean contact lenses properly as per the prescribed regimen, every day as dust or debris left on them may cause temporary irritation.
• Wash lenses thoroughly before using.
• Clean the lenses every day even if you are not using them. Clean them and put them back in the case.
• Replace lenses as often as prescribed.
• Keep your nails short to avoid injuring your eyes while wearing lenses.
• Wear your contact lens before wearing eye make-up to avoid smearing the make-up on the lenses while wearing them. Also, remove the lenses first and then the eye make-up.
• If you are new, gradually increase the length of time you wear them every day, starting with few hours a day.

Don’ts

• Don’t use lenses if you have dry eyes, as they further aggravate dryness.
• Don’t use lenses if you suffer from eye allergies or repeated infections.
• Avoid or limit the use of lenses when working for long hours on a computer as this may decrease the life span of comfortable lens wear.
• Don’t use home-made or non-branded contact lens solutions.
• Don’t use expired contact lenses or contact lens solutions.
• Don’t wear your lenses while sleeping.
• Don’t clean your lenses with water or saliva as this can cause infections.
• Avoid using coloured contactlenses every day as it may induce contact lens intolerance faster.

Inter-Novation Inc is pleased to present our 2013 “Mumbai Top Docs” feature.

This is a peer generated listing of specialist doctors the clinical spectrum in Mumbai. This is the third year of our concept, and we are pleased to present these 200 and more doctors in 46 clinical specialties.

We are proud to feature these outstanding doctors and like to recognize the contributions they have made to the city of Mumbai.