Safety vs LASIK in Dubai

For patients the single most important factor guiding their decision to have LASIK in Dubai, is the safety factor. While they fear that there could be complications, this is a common dilemma that patients face, says the Eye Surgeon in Dubai at the Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center. Having the right information can dismiss unnecessary fear factors associated with LASIK treatment. This article addresses some of the useful considerations and information about the safety of LASIK for prospective patients.

 

LASIK has been around since 1991 and has been performed over 25 million times, around the world. Though a vast majority of LASIK patients has been very satisfied with their results, there are patients who have  complained that their laser vision correction results were unsatisfactory. Many of these complications and unsatisfactory results are due to the use of older vision technology, less experienced and less careful surgeons and patients who don't make ideal candidates for LASIK treatment. The potential LASIK problems and complications typically fall into the following categories,

·         Dry Eyes - This occurs from a temporary reduced corneal nerve sensation or other ocular surface conditions. The good news is that this is treatable and preventable for many  patients.

 

·         Night time vision - Nighttime side effects such as glare, halo, star-bursting and decreased contrast sensitivity,  results in a reduced quality of vision at night. This is most due to a historical problem, having been substantially resolved by advancements with newer vision treatment options and technology. Side effects associated with night time vision  were more common in patients with nearsightedness that were treated with conventional technology. However, a recent study found that patients are ten-times more likely to see better at night after undergoing the latest treatment for LASIK at  the Eye Clinic in Dubai.

 

·         Accuracy and Enhancement - The whole idea about having LASIK is to eliminate an individual's complete dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. For most patients this is a very realistic goal. After undergoing LASIK, if a patient still has some residual near-sightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, a re-treatment procedure can fine-tune the individual's vision, if possible and is appropriate. All objective data reveal that the possibility of a LASIK re-treatment ranges from 2% to 10%. There is a higher chance of needing a re-treatment, for patients who have a larger and a far more complicated correction, use standard  LASIK technology, or use an eye surgeon who is inexperienced. Currently, in Dubai the re-treatment rate with standard LASIK ranges from 5-10%. Though standard LASIK has a long track record of being effective and restores perfect vision, the latest LASIK treatments have improved the accuracy of LASIK, and reduced the possibility of a re- treatment by about 2% to 5%. In reality, LASIK has a high level of success and there is no other surgical procedure that can rival the accurate results of LASIK.

 

·         Problems with the flap - An irregular flap during surgery or shifted flap after surgery can cause many problems and affect the success of the treatment. However, with improved LASIK technology and an experienced surgeon the possibility of this issue is very rare.

 

·         Infection - This is very rare, statistics show that infection occurs only in 1 patient out of 10,000 surgeries.

 

·         Corneal Inflammation after LASIK can be prevented with timely follow-up care and the appropriate use of anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Patients should make sure to gather as  much information as possible before opting for LASIK as it's an integral part of having realistic expectations and it is prudent to adopt a healthy amount of caution. As expected, the safety profile and vision results are far better with today’s modern LASIK treatment as opposed to the '1991-style' LASIK. Having said that, some LASIK eye surgeries have crossed the line with unacceptable medical standards and neglecting to give patients realistic expectations, thereby falling short of proper care for patient post surgery.

The Effects of Smoking After LASIK in Dubai

The Eye Surgeon in Dubai, as well as an increasing number of eye surgeons around the world believes that smoking after LASIK can have a negative outcome and affect an individual's general eye health as well. Many studies have previously indicated that smoking is responsible in the incidence and progression of age related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract and thyroid eye disease. Recent reports show the impact that smoking has on inflammation of the eye's middle layer of tissue and it shows that tobacco smoke plays a big part in this serious eye disease as well. However, the biggest challenge is how to make sure that the general population is aware of the devastating impact that smoking has on the eye health and outcome of eye surgeries, which includes LASIK.

 

Some of the most alarming statistics on smoking is that in a quarter of all smokers in the UAE had their first cigarette before the age of 10, this figure was revealed by the Ministry of Health. Also, the Eye Clinic in Dubai, says that people in Dubai are exposed to tobacco smoke, either directly or as passive smokers with each resident being exposed to passive smoking for about five hours daily. About 67 per cent of them are exposed to passive smoking in public places. It is now a universally established fact that cigarette or tobacco smoking has been linked to death due to lung cancer and emphysema, and has also been established as a contributing factor to other diseases, including heart disease. However, many individuals are still not aware of the fact that smoking can have an indirect effect on a number of the body’s natural processes such as healing and repair. According to a recent report, the incidence of smoking is about 30% in the general population undergoing elective surgical procedures such as LASIK.

 

Smoking can harm the natural balance of the eyes as it increases the stickiness of blood cells and increasing the chances of blood vessel buildup and clogging. Blood vessel clogs, or retinal vascular occlusions can also cause vision loss. Smoking also increases the risk of blood vessel disease that develops in individuals who suffer from diabetes.

There is an increase in the evidence that shows that the relationships between various exposures and common eye diseases. Smoking is a risk factor for various types of potentially blinding eye conditions, including retinal vascular occlusions, ischemic optic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Most of these conditions can lead to partial or complete vision loss or total blindness. Therefore, smoking is considered the single most consistently documented risk factor associated with visual loss in AMD. Extensive research and studies have shown that approximately one third of the risk of developing advanced AMD could be caused by smoking and smokers are 5 times more likely to develop advanced AMD with visual loss as opposed to non-smokers.

Some of the instances where smoking could affect eye health are,

·         Chronic eye diseases, with the exception of glaucoma, are all associated with smoking.

·         Those who smoke cigarettes are at increased risk for developing cataracts, a condition where the naturally clear lens of the eye gets cloudy

·         Smoking will accelerate AMD, the leading cause of severe visual impairment and blindness

Additionally, the optic nerve is also susceptible to damage from tobacco smoke. Individuals with an unhealthy diet, smoke heavily and drink excessive amounts of alcohol run the risk of developing optic nerve-related vision loss, also called tobacco-alcohol amblyopia. Sometimes, there are instances where optic nerve issues are hereditary, individuals with this condition who smoke have an increased risk of vision loss.

The general perception is that smoking affects some of the common systems in the body like lungs, heart and blood vessels, the immune response, and tissue healing. However, research shows that the most common post-surgical complications related to smoking are impaired wound and tissue healing and wound infection. With LASIK, this could involve delayed corneal tissue healing and increased risk of eye inflammation and infection. One of the main side effects of smoking after LASIK in Dubai, as reported by patients is dry eye. Dry-eye-related symptoms are very common in smokers than non-smokers due to changes in tear proteins caused by smoking. For these individuals, smoking is a significant irritant, which makes the symptoms worse, leading to increased irritation, scratchiness, stinging or burning of the eyes, and excess tearing from irritation. Smoking also impairs immune function, leading to an increased risk of infection.

Therefore, to reduce the risk of these and other serious complications after LASIK treatment, and increase the success rate of the treatment, it is recommended that individuals quit smoking at least eight weeks before surgery and also completely give up smoking after surgery. Smoking makes recovery harder by putting increased pressure on the heart, affecting blood pressure, reducing oxygen in the blood and eye tissues and damaging the lungs.

Best Eye Clinic Offering LASIK Treatment in Dubai

LASIK as it's commonly known, stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, and is a safe and popular surgery that is used to correct vision in individuals who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. Research report says that, around 96% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK treatment.

All LASIK Treatment in Dubai, work by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, so that light traveling through it is properly focused onto the retina located in the back of the eye. LASIK is one of a number of different surgical techniques used to reshape the cornea. However, before embarking on the treatment, one final decision needs to be made and that is choosing a well experienced LASIK Eye Surgeon in Dubai.

Choosing a good LASIK eye surgeon

Settling on a LASIK eye surgeon is one of the most important health care decisions a patient will ever make, so it's best to consider all the factors before choosing a particular eye surgeon. The first thing to do is to look for an Eye Surgery in Dubai with a reputation for patient satisfaction and for an experienced and board-certified surgeon. Thereafter, once the search is narrowed down, make your selection, talk to family and  friends or co-workers who have used the eye clinic and look for patients' reviews via the Internet, and request for patient testimonials by visiting the eye surgery.

Most patients focus on the cost of LASIK treatment than the eye surgeon who is actually performing the procedure. Don't bargain shop with something as important as this, it's not like shopping for a new purse or an outfit, eye care is priceless. Even if it's costly it can save money in the long run and most importantly your vision.

Not all LASIK eye surgery centers and LASIK eye surgeons are the same. The following checklist can help determine which LASIK surgery is the best,

·         Hygiene and cleanliness - A reputable eye surgery will be clean and hygienic.

 

·         Equipment -A good eye surgery will use the latest technology in terms of eye care. Is there a choice that is offered with the eye surgery? Make sure to go over all these questions with the eye surgeon.

 

·         Professionalism and friendly staff -From the office staff to the eye surgeon, the eye clinic's staff and their demeanor speak volumes. Most eye clinics work together with the patient to make sure that the treatment options go smoothly.

 

·         Relationship with the eye surgeon - Build a cordial and smooth relationship with the surgeon, and make sure to follow all pre and post surgery instructions to make sure that the treatment is a success. The fact remains that LASIK has a 95% success rate, which is one of the highest success rates of any operation, when performed by an experienced eye surgeon.

 

·         Future treatment - The result of LASIK can vary from patient to patient, therefore there may be certain enhancements that will be needed from time to time. Even with successful surgery, future enhancements may be needed, or patient's may require eye glasses for activities such as reading or driving. Also, farsighted patients may experience deteriorating vision over time as part of the natural aging process. Even patients who cannot achieve 20/20 vision through LASIK will usually enjoy at least 20/40 vision after the procedure.

 Invest in time and make sure to find the right Eye Clinic in Dubai as its a decision that will pay dividends in improving vision for years to come.

The Ebsaar Eye Surgery Center is a full fledged eye clinic specializing in Lasik and Cataract surgeries. The Clinic's founder, internationally acclaimed eye surgeon Dr. Hani Sakla, is a third generation ophthalmologist. The Clinic is home to the latest diagnostic and surgical equipments and the eye surgeons possess international experience of more than 30 years and have been involved in the development of Lasik and Cataract surgical treatments in many countries around the world.

It Is Possible to Have LASIK on Both Eyes?

LASIK treatment in Dubai on both eyes at the same time is referred to as “Bilateral Simultaneous LASIK”. Despite the cost of LASIK, being quite reasonable, the question remains, if the patient is ready for the surgery and can LASIK be performed on both eyes at the same time. Bilateral simultaneous LASIK is a good choice and has many benefits such as being cost effective and reducing the total medical cost, cuts post-operative recovery time in half, which gives the patient less time to take-off work and eliminates the need for the patients to use contact lenses on a temporary basis in one eye between surgeries.

The Eye Surgeon in Dubai suggests that patients should wait between surgeries for LASIK in Dubai, due to various factors such as the potential risks, which is limited to a small percentage of patients, which causes a shadow and tends to outweigh the positive factors of having LASIK performed on both eyes at the same time. The main reason this is recommended is so that the eye surgeon can determine how the patient's eye reacts to the surgery, whether it was a success or not (there is a chance that LASIK is not successful on a ratio of  one-in-a-million patients) and if the eye over responded to the treatment and turned nearsightedness into farsightedness.

If there is an infection in one eye during surgery, it can spread to the other eye as the surgeon will use the same microkeratome and blade in both eyes. This makes it complicated for the eye to heal, which makes it better to have one eye treated first so that the surgeon can learn a lot from the first surgery, which can help when the treatment is carried out to the other eye and improve the patient's level of comfort post surgery. What patients much remember is that there are many risks during the post-operative period, when the eye surgeon is not monitoring the patient 24/7.

The Eye Surgery in Dubai will also address the issue of temporary sight reduction. Having both eyes done simultaneously, means the patient will not be not be able to see clearly, which is often a short-term side-effect, and an annoying one. But it poses a safety threat to the patient. Ultimately, the patient and the surgeon must both consider whether or not to have LASIK on both eyes, subjecting both eyes to potential complications or vision loss at the same time, despite the minimum risk involved. LASIK treatment as opposed to many years ago, is now a safe and an effective treatment, due to technological advances and newest tools and methods being introduced.

The eye surgeon's opinion and the patient's eye health will be the decisive factor how and when, or even if the patient can proceed with LASIK surgery, to being with. There is a lot of “what ifs” to think about and consider. So make sure to have all your questions and queries answered so that you're comfortable with the treatment and do what is right, your eyes deserve it!

What You Need to Know About Blepharitis

Blepharitis in Dubai is a common condition that is caused by an inflammation of the edges of the eyelids and presents ophthalmologists with many challenges. Eventhough this is a common condition among many patients worldwide, it is a condition that is largely misdiagnosed. Blepharitis is not  infectious and can affect individuals of all ages. This condition does not pose a threat to an individual's vision, but it can be uncomfortable and can prevent an individual from having a good quality of life, as it is a recurring condition.

 

The signs and symptoms of this eye condition include,

Red, bleary, crusted, scaly and inflamed eyelids

Puffy eyes that itch and burn

Crusting around the eyelids

A gritty sensation like something small is in the eye

 

Often patients at the Eye Clinic in Dubai complain that they felt that their eyes gave others the impression that they were suffering from depression, emotional problems and alcohol or drug abuse, which causes a patient to be misunderstood and has a negative impact on their relationships, social and professional interactions.

 

The Eye Surgeon in Dubai explains that from a clinical point of view blepharitis can affect a potential treatment plan and compound co-existing conditions. Blepharitis is the main culprit of evaporative dry eye, chalazia formation, loss of cilia, and also corneal neovascularization and ulceration. When blepharitis is neglected it can lead to serious surgical complications, slow visual recovery, decreased and fluctuating vision, and endophthalmitis. This can be a challenge for the eye surgeon as proper diagnosis and treatment is important.

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosing blepharitis is no easy task as mentioned before, as many patients and eye surgeons will simply glance at the eyelids at a routine eye exam or concentrate on the intraocular pathology that is present. At the same time the presence of this condition must not be ignored. According to the Eye Surgery in Dubai, a few routine questions can help eye surgeons to identify blepharitis and differentiate it from common symptoms that is commonly found with patient's who have dry eye syndrome. Since, blepharitis and dry eye syndrome display unique diurnal patterns, checking with the patients what time of day their symptoms peak can confirm the diagnosis.

 

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the severity of each patient's condition. Some of the conventional treatment options for blepharitis, include eyelid hygiene and warm compresses, with gentle lid cleaning and eyelid massage, which improves the symptoms. However, the best treatment option is to follow these measures along with a topical antibiotic to address both the infectious and inflammatory aspects of the disease. It will take between 4-6 weeks for the treatment to be effective, so perseverance is essential. Patients should not rub their eyelids as this may make the inflammation worse. Chronic blepharitis can take weeks or months to manage.

 

Keeping eyelids clean and hygienic is important, patients who suffer from blepharitis should avoid using makeup as it makes it difficult to practice good eye health.

What You Need to Know About Lazy Eye

Amblyopia, is a condition that is known as lazy eye. It is a common eye condition or a developmental disorder where the eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity. This condition cannot be corrected by eyeglasses or contact lenses. When lazy eyes are not treated appropriately, it can result in severe visual disability, which could even lead to blindness in the affected eye.

Lazy eye is the most common cause of sight impairment in infancy, and since it develops in infancy its difficult to detect. Therefore, early detection and the quicker the diagnosis is made, the patient can start on treatment, which increases the chances of vision correction and restoration. Also, treatment that is administered early usually works faster and more effectively for young patients.

Therefore, the Eye Clinic in Dubai recommends that parents should have their child’s vision checked early on in development, and that should receive a complete eye examination at six months and again once the child turns three years.

Amblyopia or lazy eye develops when the eyes and the visual system do not function in unison. The Eye Surgery in Dubai identifies the most common cause as, an imbalance in the location of the eyes (strabismus). This condition causes the eyes to cross in or turn out, making it impossible to work together. Lazy eye can also be caused by a condition where one eye is more nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic than the other eye. This is the result of a condition called anisometropia. Sometimes, lazy eye is a result of other optical diseases such as cataracts or other conditions of vision impairment.

What are the treatment options for Amblyopia?

Amblyopia is treated by restoring optimal vision in both eyes. Therefore, the best option is to use prescription lenses, which is the most common approach that is used to strengthen the weaker eye. There are a number of treatments that can be used to  by restraining the use of the stronger eye. There are a number of options to obstruct the better eye, and treatment is prescribed depending on the patient's situation and the decision of the Eye Surgeon.

Most often the good eye is patched and the patient will wear something similar to a 'pirate patch'. The patient is then required to use the weak eye, which promotes good sight in the underdeveloped eye and helps the visual system in the brain develop more completely. However, the success of this treatment with patching will depend on compliance of the patient to wear the patch, something that is not very easily accomplished with younger patients.

Sometimes the eye surgeon will use atropine, where the eye drops will be used on the good eye to temporarily impair the vision and encourage the patient to use the weak eye.

There are instances, in rare cases  where the patient's vision can be improved by vision aides only, such as prescription glasses or contact lenses that will restore vision to each eye. Also, vision therapy to train the eyes to work together may also require certain surgical procedures.

Since, lazy eye is a consequence of a disruption in the visual process, the younger the patient is treated the higher the success rate of the treatment. However, there are many success stories, where teenage patients complete a successful treatment.

Some of the symptoms and signs of lazy eye in children include, crossed eyes or some other apparent eye misalignment and crying or  fussing when one eye is covered.  Therefore, if you suspect that your child has amblyopia, make sure to schedule an appointment for testing and treatment for lazy eye.

Watch that makeup! When can make-up become hazardous to your eyes?

The Eye Surgeon in Dubai, explains that makeup and beauty products have the power to transform a person into a fashion model or a celebrity, while drawing extra attention to the eyes with eye makeup. Most beauty products are very safe and manufactured using the best ingredients and years of testing. However, when eye makeup is used in a careless manner it can cause permanent eye damage or blindness. Eye makeup, no matter how safe, they are can cause dangerous allergic reactions or infections such as conjunctivitis in certain individuals.

 

In order to avoid these unnecessary eye infections the Eye Surgery Center in Dubai provides the following tips,

 

·         Make sure all tools and equipment used in the application of eye makeup is clean and hygienic. Make sure no one else uses them, other than you. Make sure to change and wash brushes and sponges regularly in warm water to remove any residue and eliminate the presence of harmful germs. Change applicators and brushes when you change your makeup.

 

·         Avoid using old and expired eye makeup -  When makeup products are opened and its protective seal is removed, it attracts  airborne bacteria. When eye makeup is applied the product is further contaminated, when it's touched. So  make sure to use eye makeup for a maximum of three months before they are disposed and replaced.

 

·         Don't use other people's makeup or share yours - We often have a habit of sharing our eye makeup with family and friends. However, no matter how hygienic they are, you should not share your earmark. However, there are situations that you cannot avoid and you must share your eye makeup with a close friend when you're together at a party or at a night out, then make sure to discard the shared makeup products, as soon as possible.

 

·         Keep away from testers - Often its tempting or even a must to use testers and try out those vibrant new products and colors. Beware as they are a cesspool for eye disease, explains the Eye Surgery in UAE. Never ever use them. Some cosmetic stores offer a disposable applicator to try eye makeup, this is somewhat safe, but there is a big risk. If it's a store that you regularly visit and buy products and know and trust the staff then it's safe. Make sure to check how long ago the product was opened.

 

·         Avoid allergies - This is a common occurrence, especially when using eye makeup for the first time. Often users may encounter  temporary discomfort and redness.However, in severe cases it can cause serious damage to the eye and surrounding skin and also affect a person's vision. Eye allergies are hard to predict, but use your discretion when using these products. Never use eye makeup that is scented as eyes are very sensitive to perfume, so it may sting, so stick with natural based eye makeup.

 

·         Safe Ingredients - The Eye Clinic in Dubai, says that most countries have regulations that all cosmetics should clearly list the ingredients that are used, therefore, if the eye makeup you're using does not have a list of ingredients then it's not a good product and may contain ingredients that are harmful to the eyes.