The Top Five Benefits of LASIK

July 28th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

Our patients choose LASIK surgery for many reasons. While each patient is unique, we hear the same benefits mentioned time and again. Besides improved vision, I’d like to share with you the top five benefits we hear mentioned most frequently:

Immediate Results – As soon as your surgery is complete, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in vision, and it will continue to improve while you heal. Read about one of our patient’s excitement over saying “Goodbye to Glasses”!

Quick Procedure – The procedure is fast, typically 15 minutes or so. In fact, most people are surprised at how brief the surgery actually lasts. Want proof? Watch a live LASIK procedure here.

Cost Savings – LASIK is a great solution to many vision problems, which means no more need to update your glasses every few years or replace contact lenses every month. The cost savings keep adding up year after year.

Improved Self-Confidence – After LASIK, I continually hear patients say, “It’s like seeing the world in a whole new light!” Seeing clearly can help you become more comfortable in social situations and more outgoing.

Freedom – After surgery, there is no need for many of you to worry about losing or breaking your glasses, or to pay for prescription sunglasses. There is no need to put in your contacts every day and clean them every night. And you can swim, golf, drive or whatever else you like to do without having to think about your vision!

To find out more information about the benefits of LASIK surgery, or to schedule a free initial exam, call Emory Vision today at 404- 778-2733.

Do you have any questions about the benefits of LASIK? Or, would you like to add some additional benefits of your own? If so, be sure to let me know in the comments.

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Fun in the Sun After LASIK

July 14th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

From scuba diving to water skiing or swimming at the pool, LASIK surgery can make a world of difference in how you enjoy water sports during the hot summer months. Imagine how much better the experience will be with clear vision!

Just remember you’ll have to ease into the fun immediately after having LASIK. Swimming can be dangerous to your healing eyes in the weeks following the surgery. Keep in mind that the corneal flap needs time to heal. Though you will feel fine and your vision will be improved, be sure to take extra precautions for at least the first two weeks after LASIK.

Oceans, rivers and lakes contain countless microscopic organisms that could easily slip under your unhealed corneal flap and cause infection or other complications.  Swimming pools contain their own microorganisms, along with chlorine and other harsh chemicals, and present a level of danger.

If you have a vacation scheduled and plan to be at the beach within a few weeks after surgery, be sure to wear goggles or a mask that completely prevents water from having any contact with your eyes. In some cases, we may recommend avoiding water for a further amount of time, depending on your particular situation. So be sure to check with one of the experts at Emory Vision before heading into the water!

Still not sure whether LASIK is for you? Be sure to see our Novel Approach to LASIK and view live LASIK surgery to hear one patient’s testimony about how it completely changed his life for the better. To find out more information about Emory Vision or to schedule an initial exam, leave us a note in the comments section, or contact us at 404-778-2733 today.

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A LASIK Surgery Update from Daren Wang

June 23rd, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

My wife and I share our anniversary date with my parents. It’s a happy coincidence, and one of the consequences is that each year, we all head out for a celebratory dinner at our favorite restaurant in Atlanta.

The chef puts together a five-hour meal for us that involves many, many courses with paired wine tastings. It’s an extravagant, incomparable way to spend an evening. And one of the pleasures of it is to have a great chef expose us to new exotic foods, unusual preparations, and wonderful wines. We always make a guessing game of which herbs or spices are flavoring a dish. And each year, we get a rundown of what’s included in the meal.

The dining room is lovely, but darkish. And with the fine, elegant print, the menu turned out to be a challenge for everyone to read this weekend, even with glasses. Well, everyone except me, that is. I worked as something of a translator the whole evening, reading the descriptions to our little party, because my eyesight was perfect. I could look out at the gorgeous landscape as the Chattahoochee rolled by, or I could read 6 point type on the menu fine print explaining what was in a particular reduction.

Since I had my surgery, people often ask me about my experience. In response, all I can do is rave about the results. The dinner example is just one of dozens of discoveries and examples I could share about the improvements LASIK has made in my life. Non-prescription sunglasses, not having to hunt for misplaced glasses, compliments on the color of my eyes, and enjoying workouts sans glasses are just a few of the new pleasures I enjoy on a daily basis now.

And in an effort to thank Emory for the fine work they did for me, I make a point to refer everyone that I can to Emory Vision. A friend of mine who was fascinated by my LASIK process recently spoke of my live LASIK surgery adventure to her friend in London, who is now plans on having the surgery at Emory during her upcoming trip to the US.

If any of you would like to share your story about LASIK, or if you have questions for me about my experience, please feel free to do so here in the comments section.

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PRK Surgery Through a Physician’s Eyes

June 2nd, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

Dr. Maria Woodward

When Dr. Maria Woodward opted to have Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) surgery on April 1st of this year, she entered the doors of Emory Vision as a patient, rather than as a physician. When I asked her to describe the experience, she replied, “One word: surreal.”

Dr. Woodward’s description is understandable, especially when you consider how accustomed she is to being on the other side of the operating table. However, she knew that she was in incredibly capable hands with Dr. Randleman, who performed her surgery.

But before I continue with her story, I’ll explain some differences and similarities between LASIK and PRK. PRK corrects vision through the reshaping of the surface of the cornea, which involves the removal of the epithelium, the outer layer of cells that cover the cornea. After the laser reshapes the corneal surface, a new epithelium grows back over the treated area, which usually takes 3-7 days. In LASIK surgery, the surgeon uses a surgical instrument to create a protective flap in the cornea, allowing him or her to sculpt the cornea with a laser. The flap is then folded back into place and bonds securely without the need for stitches. The recovery for LASIK is just under 24 hours. PRK and LASIK yield the exact same results; however, PRK results are slightly slower to appear.

According to Dr. Woodward, nearly 20% of her patients undergo PRK, as opposed to LASIK. Example PRK candidates include military personnel, fighter pilots, professional athletes, or anyone involved in everyday situations that involve higher risks of trauma to their eyes. PRK is also performed when the cornea is too thin for LASIK, or when there are mild irregularities in the shape of the cornea.

On the day of surgery, Dr. Woodward was caught a little off guard by her nervousness: “I woke up and asked myself: Am I really doing this today? It’s one thing to talk about having the procedure done, and another thing entirely to actually go ahead with it,” she said.

“The surgery itself was actually much easier than I expected,” she added. “I think knowing exactly what was going to happen actually made it a very smooth process.”

Now, post-surgery, Dr. Woodward feels an even greater empathy and understanding for what patients feel when they experience a PRK (or LASIK) procedure. She learned extra tips to help facilitate PRK patient recovery, like using an egg timer or phone alarm to remind them of when to administer drops, storing drops in the refrigerator to keep them cool, and even listening to music or ‘This American Life’ on NPR during recovery.

She can also truly identify with the sense of joy her patients feel from their newfound ability to see life with absolute clarity.

Do you have thoughts or questions about PRK surgery? If so, be sure to share them with me in the comments.

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Introducing Dr. Kim and Dr. Woodward

May 25th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

In this post I’d like to introduce you to two very gifted physicians on the Emory Vision team.

John Kim, MD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Emory University. His areas of expertise include refractive surgery, the management of corneal and external eye diseases, and cataract surgery.

After graduating from Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Kim received his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and served as chief resident while completing his ophthalmology residency training at the Eye and Ear Institute of the University of Pittsburgh. Following four years in private practice, he completed a fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery at the Cincinnati Eye Institute.

Dr. Kim is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the Cornea Society.

He’s performed laser refractive surgery since 2000, and he recently wrote a chapter in a widely respected book on LASIK.  Today he serves on the Refractive Surgery Management and Intervention Self–Assessment committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Kim lives in Atlanta with his wife, Gloria and their three lively young boys: Andrew (7), Joshua (3) and Luke (2).  His favorite hobby is playing sports with his sons, and he’s an avid golfer. In fact, he delights in hearing his patients share details of their improved ability to see the ball (and the entire golf course) after LASIK surgery.

Maria Woodward, MD, joined the Cornea and External Diseases Division of the Emory Eye Center and the Department of Ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine in August of 2009.

An Atlanta native, Dr. Woodward attended Yale University in New Haven, CT, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry. She went on to earn her medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, N.Y. Dr. Woodward completed her ophthalmology residency at Emory Eye Center in 2008 and was named chief resident for her final year. She also completed her fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Emory.

Dr. Woodward has extensive clinical expertise in cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, refractive surgery and the management of cornea and external diseases. Additionally, she has strong research interests in presbyopic-correcting intraocular lenses and refractive surgery. Dr. Woodward is an avid reader and has an impressive eight published articles to date.

As you can see, we have good reason to be incredibly proud of our talented team of physicians at Emory Vision.

Interestingly, Dr. Woodward recently experienced PRK surgery here at Emory Vision—in my next blog post I’ll share her story with you.

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Three Emory Employees; Three Patient Stories

May 19th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

Paula (left), Eddie (middle) and Robin (right)

I’d like to introduce you to three Emory employees from the Faculty Staff Assistance Program at Emory Healthcare who experienced LASIK here at Emory Vision.

It began with Eddie Gammill, who had his surgery here with us a few years ago and was so thrilled with his results that he proceeded to tell all of his coworkers about his experience.  Eye health is of particular importance to Eddie, not only because he’s the Manager of Wellness Programs for Emory’s Faculty Assistance Program, but also because of his family history—his grandmother was blind.

Eddie felt that LASIK surgery was an incredible opportunity. When interviewed for this blog post, he made a point to say, “I wish I hadn’t waited so long. LASIK surgery is truly one of the greatest things I’ve ever done for myself.”

It didn’t take long for Eddie’s enthusiasm to move Robin Huskey (his co-worker and the Manager of Outreach and Education at FSAP) to consider LASIK as well. Robin wore glasses that always interfered with her passion for water skiing, snow skiing and tennis. She said, “Eddie had such a great experience and spoke so highly of the staff and physicians.”

According to Robin, “The procedure went smoothly, and my vision is great!” In fact, Eddie and Robin’s positive reviews inspired yet another FSAP employee to explore the possibility of LASIK surgery—Paula Gomes, the Director of Wellness Programs.

“Eddie and Robin talked about how LASIK surgery changed their lives,” Paula said. “They were on a campaign to encourage me to think about it.”

Paula had her surgery earlier this year and is delighted to be free of her glasses: “Now, when I wake up in the morning, I’ll look across the room and just gaze at the alarm clock, enjoying my new vision.”

Naturally I’m fond of these stories because I’m an Emory Vision patient advocate. That said—I also think that they demonstrate the extraordinary power of positive word of mouth, something that happens naturally when you give patients only the best of care.

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Epilogue

May 5th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at the horizon over the past couple days. Right now, with everything turning green around Atlanta, the leaves on the trees are especially lovely to see. But the reason I keep staring at them is that the detail of each tree in the distance is so much greater than anything I remember seeing before. My vision seems far better now than it was before even when I was wearing glasses.

When I’m driving, I keep feeling as if I should be reaching for my glasses, simply out of habit. I don’t have them anymore—I dropped them in the recycling bin. I KNOW that I shouldn’t drive without them, so I reflexively look for them. It’s an odd sensation, but one I’m happy to get used to.

In the days leading up to the surgery, I spent a lot of time thinking about having great vision, but it was only “day of” when I thought seriously about the procedure itself and started to really get nervous. But my wife Eva was with me, and that helped a lot. At one point, I was sitting in the waiting room and woman asked me if I was the guy in the videos on the Emory Vision blog. She said she’d been watching to see how the surgery turned out. We talked about being a little nervous, but I think she was as excited to have the process done as I was.

The folks at Emory were great. They clearly understood that I’d be nervous getting ready, and they carefully explained each step of the procedure, and the follow up as well. Knowing exactly what to expect really calmed me down.

The procedure itself was shockingly fast, painless, and really psychedelic, with lights flashing green and red. I wish I had brought my iPod along, because it was like the best Pink Floyd laser light show ever. I would have played The Great Gig in the Sky for the actual procedure.

The evening of the procedure I sat in the dark and listened to music and a couple podcasts. Emory Vison didn’t put these kind of restrictions on me, but I just thought I’d play it safe. First thing next morning, I got checked out, and got the all clear. Since then, I’ve been applying the eyedrops they prescribed four times a day, but that’s just for a week. My eyes feel normal to me now, except for being able to see for miles and miles.

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Day After LASIK

April 28th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

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Goodbye to Glasses

April 27th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

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Live LASIK Surgery

April 22nd, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

Be sure to keep an ‘eye’ out for the final results of my LASIK procedure next week!

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Day Before LASIK Surgery

April 21st, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

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Final Countdown to LASIK

April 20th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

I ordered these great new shades this week. I realized I absolutely have to have sunglasses the day of my surgery, so I went ahead and ordered them with two day shipping. I mean, my eyes will be freshly operated on—how can I expose them to unfiltered UV’s? Don’t they look cool?

I’m sure that if I actually need sunglasses for the ride home, Emory will probably supply some for me, or let me know if I need to bring my own. Regardless, it was a good excuse to order some new (non-prescription) sunglasses.

I also went through my stuff looking for old glasses. Even after the frames have broken, or the prescription has gone a little out of kilter, I keep the old ones around so that if I misplace my current ones, I can use the ugly old ones. They won’t do me any good after this week.

Over the past few days, I’ve started doing this weird countdown. This is the last time I’ll go to Your DeKalb Farmer’s Market with glasses. This is the last meeting I’ll lead with glasses. I really, really hope this is the last time I drive the Perimeter in rush hour, with glasses… you get the idea. It’s kind of like the last week of middle school, when you’re getting ready for a big change. I vividly remember really wanting to be in high school, and later wondering how I possibly lived through those miserable years in that dump of a middle school. All the cool kids were in high school– that’s where I was heading. It’s funny how I have the same sort of feeling now, as I get closer to having LASIK surgery.

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Myths Surrounding LASIK Surgery

April 16th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

If you’re considering LASIK surgery and consulting your friends and colleagues about it, you may hear a range of opinions. Do you know which is fact or myth? I’m Rhonda Brown, and I’m a certified ophthalmic technician and patient advocate at Emory Vision. In this post, I’ll help you separate LASIK fact from fiction.

MYTH: LASIK should be done once your eyes change in your 40s. As we age, we find it harder to read – a condition called Presbyopia. LASIK has come a long way, and doctors can now treat one eye for distance and one eye for near vision— a process we refer to as ‘blended vision’.  While it isn’t 100% perfect, patients have remarkable improvements in functioning vision for seeing both near and far. Some patients may need glasses for limited tasks such as night driving or reading a menu in low light. However, after surgery, at least 95% of life activities can be enjoyed without glasses.

MYTH: If you have astigmatism, you’re not a candidate for LASIK. This is a common misconception, and definitely a myth.  Having astigmatism means that the eye’s front surface, or cornea, is shaped more like a football rather than a basketball.  In most cases, LASIK can reshape the eye to make it look more like a basketball, which is ideal for improving vision. Technological advances now allow newer lasers to safely treat it.

MYTH: You should get a “lifetime guarantee” on your LASIK procedure. You wouldn’t ask for a lifetime guarantee on your heart valve, would you? The same is true for LASIK. Although it’s elective, it’s still a surgical procedure, and doctors are working with soft tissue that can respond, heal and age differently from person to person.  If a center is offering a lifetime guarantee, consider whether its doors will be open 5 years from now. Sometimes these guarantees are only good if you have poor vision in both eyes – or only for a specific window of time, which is why it’s so important to read the fine print.

TRUTH: LASIK isn’t for everyone. This is true. If you are looking for a guarantee of perfect vision, you may not be an ideal candidate. No one can promise an exact outcome for LASIK surgery, and certain conditions affecting the eye prevent some people from being an ideal candidate. However, according to statistics, nine out of 10 patients can see 20/20 or better following LASIK.

And now I’d love to hear from you—what LASIK-related myths have you heard about? I would be happy to debunk them for you.

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Video: Dr. Randleman & Daren

April 15th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

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Who Is J. Bradley Randleman, MD?

April 14th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

Dr. Randleman of Emory Vision will be performing surgery on Daren Wang, our Live LASIK candidate, so I thought it would be fitting to tell you a bit about Dr. Randleman’s background.

Since practicing and teaching at Emory, he has trained over 50 physicians in refractive surgery, cataract surgery and corneal transplantation. Additionally, he’s authored 50-60 scientific publications, as well as a handful of book chapters on LASIK and various topics in ophthalmology.

Dr. Randleman has contributed over 50 hours of national lectures and presentations, and he’s the Associate Editor of for The Journal of Refractive Surgery.

Recently, Dr. Randleman’s outstanding skills were recognized on a national level when he was awarded the Secretariat Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his contributions to the field. He was also awarded the prestigious Claes Dohlman Society Award, an honor that is bestowed in the US only once a year to an individual who demonstrates academic and surgical excellence in Cornea and Refractive Surgery training.

Over the span of his career, Dr. Randleman has performed thousands of LASIK procedures. Despite his busy schedule, he always makes a point to meet with his patients personally to analyze their vision and the health of their corneas.

Outside of Opthalmology, Dr. Randleman’s passions include photography and traveling the world.

We feel very fortunate to have Dr. Randleman on the Emory Vision team. Sufficed to say, Daren Wang is in extraordinarily capable hands!

In the near future, I’ll devote a blog post to John Kim, MD, and Maria Woodward, MD—two equally talented physicians that complete our Emory Vision team.

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Notes on a LASIK Consultation

April 14th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

So I just got back from my Emory Vision consultation. I had a lot of questions about the process, side effects, bad results, and the like. But first off, I did a bunch of tests. You put your chin on a chin rest, and then you stare ahead at lights, or dots, and you can’t blink for a few seconds. I think they should install some periscope handles under the testing equipment, just because it’d be cool.

They map your corneas and retinas, and the visuals reminded me of 2001: A Space Odyssey. I did not encounter HAL9000 though.

All joking aside, it was fascinating to go through the process, and the Emory Vision staff was a great source of information. I had read a piece in a magazine about problems with LASIK, and I was kind of anxious about whether to go through with the whole thing after reading some of the stories. But after the testing process, they determined that I was a good candidate for the procedure. I spoke with Rhonda Brown for a while and asked a bunch of questions, and she really put me at ease. Dr. Randleman came in, and we talked and decided that blended vision was a great option for me. Then they assembled a set of Thomas Dolby looking test glasses for me to put on so they could gauge the effect that blended vision would have on me.

Don’t I look cool?

We talked at length about what I could expect on surgery day and afterward, the improvements to the technology over the years, and the limitations of the procedure. I am so ready to be rid of these glasses.

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Initial Consultation & Test

April 12th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

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LASIK Feedback From Facebook

April 8th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

Yesterday, I posted this video on Facebook, and made a comment about my plans to get LASIK. I really got a kick out of all the positive feedback people gave me about the process. It’s quite reassuring to see what a difference it’s made to folks. Here are some of the comments people posted on my Facebook wall:

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Five Things You May Not Know About LASIK

April 7th, 2010 | Posted by Rhonda Brown, Certified Ophthalmic Technician at Emory Vision

If you’re considering LASIK, you’ve likely heard that the vast majority of patients are extremely satisfied with their new, improved vision. For many, the results are life changing. Knowing as much as possible about the procedure will help you to have realistic expectations, which is why I’m devoting this post to ‘Five Things You May Not Know About LASIK’:

  1. The definition of an “ideal candidate” for LASIK can vary from practice to practice. Emory Vision devotes 2 ½ hours to determining whether you’re a candidate. Some centers take as little as a half-hour. Why the difference? We look at 10 factors when we meet with patients. A decade ago, looking at curvature of the eye and prescription was sufficient. Now physicians are able to tell which candidates will receive the best results.
  2. As you evaluate where you’d like to have your LASIK procedure performed, it’s important to know how the surgeon defines a “successful outcome.” At Emory Vision, our benchmark is 20/20 vision, which is the final result for the vast majority of our patients.
  3. LASIK doesn’t cause cataracts. Some patients mistakenly believe that over time their surgery is wearing off, when in reality they’re developing cataracts. LASIK doesn’t increase the chance of cataracts; birthdays do. Just as we get gray hair, we develop cataracts, typically in our mid 60s. You’ll know cataracts are the source of your poor vision if your condition doesn’t improve with glasses. For patients who have had LASIK, it’s important to know the curvature of your eye prior to having  cataract surgery.
  4. The type of laser used by a LASIK practice is extremely important. At Emory Vision, we use the most advanced technology available—the Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q with Perfect Pulse Technology™. Clinical studies involving patients who have had surgery with the Allegretto show that 87% of patients have 20/20 vision or better one year after the procedure, and 99% have 20/40 or better, which is the standard for driving without glasses in most states. While it is possible to experience good results from an older laser, advanced lasers allow physicians to customize your treatment. Newer lasers, coupled with a thorough patient evaluation minimize complications such as halos and starbursts.
  5. The chances of you losing your vision due to LASIK surgery are truly minuscule. To put it in perspective for you, there is less than a 1 in 5 million chance of vision loss with the procedure. In fact, you have a greater chance of losing your eyesight from wearing contact lenses than from having LASIK. Patients rarely experience complications after LASIK surgery; however, approximately 3-5% may encounter minor difficulties, such as dry eyes and nighttime glare. For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of emoryvision.org.

And now I’d like to turn the conversation over to you—I know that many of you are curious about LASIK, and you may have questions beyond what I’ve covered here. Fire away!

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Who Is Daren Wang?

April 4th, 2010 | Posted by Daren Wang

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