IQ Lasik Blog.com » IQ Laser Vision

A Sight for Dry Eyes

IQ Laser Vision — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:52:09 +0000

Dry Eye is an often dismissed condition, commonly mistaken for allergies or a just an everyday bother. This disease can affect your vision and your ability to effectively perform important tasks such as driving or using the computer. Those who suffer from this condition may not even know they have it, though there is no cure for Dry Eye, there are ways to improve the condition and your eyesight.

What is Dry Eye?

Dry Eye and Chronic Dry Eye are conditions that are a result of poor tear quality. In people with normal tear production, the eye produces a combination of oil, water and mucus elements to saturate the eye naturally. Those who suffer from Dry Eye have trouble producing this mixture.

A few common symptoms of Dry Eye include:

Eye dryness
Blurry vision
Eye pain
A foreign sensation feeling in the eye
Itching or scratchiness
Light sensitivity
Eye redness
A stinging, burning sensation
Eye irritation caused by wind, smoke, pollen or air-flown particles

This list should be used for reference not to diagnose Dry Eye, the only way to truly know and successfully treat the condition is to see your eye doctor.

Causes of Dry Eye

There are many factors that contribute to Dry Eye, some of them include hormonal balances such as pregnancy, menstruation, menopause or the natural aging process; over time, eye lose much of their lubricating properties. Other causes that contribute are thyroid problems, medical conditions and certain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Patients with Dry Eye have reduced ability to create a naturally-occurring tear film that protects, moistens and cleans the eye; a three-step process that happens every time you blink your eyes. Tear film is comprised of electrolytes, nutrients, lubricants as well as proteins forming a barrier integral in maintaining eye health. Left untreated, Dry Eye can instigate eye damage, as well as spark infection and disease that may affect your vision.

Dry Eye Solutions

Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter eye drops or artificial tears to help the condition, in some instances, prescription medication is needed for more severe cases. Consult with your doctor and give detailed descriptions on your symptoms so they can appropriately prescribe medication. Vitamins, such as Fish Oil, are also known to help lubricate dry eyes.

If artificial tears or other medications do not seem to work, another option your doctor may suggest is tear duct plugs. These are inserted by your doctor and hinder the duct that stops tear film production.

If you feel you may have Dry Eye, the following questions may help determine it:

Do you frequently use eye drops or artificial tears throughout the day?
Have you been using drops for several months or longer and have you tried more than 1 or 2 types?
Do your dry eyes impede you from activities such as computer use, watching television, reading or operating machinery?
Are you unhappy with the results you receive from your current eye drops?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, you may have Dry Eye. Schedule an appointment today with IQ Laser Vision to check for Dry Eye or other symptoms. Dry Eye affects your day-to-day schedule, seeing an eye care professional can help with efficiency in work or school in addition to improving mood and sight.

By Jackqueline Christianson

Key Element in Selecting a Surgeon

IQ Laser Vision — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:03:02 +0000

As with any relationship you have, in the medical profession it is imperative that the relationship is based on trust. You need to know that the facility you are visiting is personally interested in your well-being and the people you interact with are trustworthy. If you have any concerns or followup care you want to know that you have someone who is personally connected to you and willing to work hard to address your concerns. A medical practice that is willing to go above and beyond the call of duty, not just a place that is running a mill where they won’t even remember who you are.

But to be fair, most good surgeons understandably have only a certain amount of time to spend with their patients when routine procedures are involved. So a good surgeon also recognizes that it’s important to have friendly, competent staff available who also can assist with answering your questions and concerns. The initial impression you receive at the “front desk” may be an important indicator of how comfortable you will be made to feel as you go through the remaining steps of scheduling and undergoing a procedure.

Are staff members friendly or indifferent? Do they seem competent or disorganized? Are they willing to take the time to answer questions, particularly about costs and billing? What are the attitudes, are they happy and wearing a smile or grouchy and scowling when you walk in the door? A good work environment shines through to produce happy employees which in turn creates a pleasant experience for patients from beginning to end.

Assessing the presence of that “personal touch” may be an important step to take before you commit to any eye surgeon. At IQ Laser Vision we understand the importance of that personal touch. We pride ourselves in providing the best customer service to each and every one of our patients. We understand that our success is based on the satisfaction of our patients. When considering facilities for medical services, if the environment is one which is warm and inviting you know you have found the right place!

Eye “spots” or “floaters”

IQ Laser Vision — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:12:58 +0000

You can often see floaters or spots when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky. Floaters are small clumps of condensed protein or cells that form in the vitreous, the clear fluid that fills the interior cavity of the eye. Floaters may appear as specks, strands, webs or other shapes moving into your field of vision. You don’t see the floater itself but its shadow cast onto the retina, the light sensitive film at the back of the eye. Since the floater is within your eye, and moves with it, any effort to look directly at the floater causes it to constantly “run away” as your eye turns.

Light Flashes

Flashes of light lasting a few seconds may appear in your vision when the vitreous gel pulls or tugs on the retina. This may happen as a natural result of aging or it may occur temporarily if you receive a blow to the head or eye. Usually these flashes, which are often described as lightning streaks, are noticed at night.

The onset of new light flashes of short duration at night, especially when accompanied by the appearance of many new floaters or a blackening out of part of your field of vision, may indicate a retinal tear or detachment. If you experience light flashes in combination with these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor immediately.

What Causes Eye Floaters and Spots?

In most cases, floaters are part of the natural aging process. As we grow older, the vitreous shrinks causing the development of cloudy clumps of vitreous which are seen as floaters. The shrinking vitreous gel in the eye sometimes pulls free of its attachment to the back of the eye at the optic nerve. When this happens, a large floater is usually seen which can resemble a cobweb. This is frequently associated with the sensation of flashing lights as a result of the vitreous pulling on the retina.

Treatment for Spots and Floaters

Most spots and eye floaters are annoying but harmless and the vast majority of people with floaters do not develop retinal detachment. Whether you see clusters, specks, black dots or cobwebs, most floaters go away over time. Either the gel completely dissolves, or the chunks settle down to the bottom of the eye or (most likely) your brain learns to simply ignore them. There is no drug therapy available to eliminate floaters. People are sometimes interested in surgery to remove floaters but many doctors are unwilling to perform such surgery except in severe cases. If you suddenly see new floaters or floaters accompanied by flashes of light or peripheral vision loss, it could indicate serious conditions such as diabetic retinopathy; vascular abnormalities such as retinal hemorrhages or carotid artery disease, in addition to the beginning of a retinal detachment. Whenever you experience an increase in the number of floaters, with or without light flashes, you should call your eye doctor immediately.

IQ Laser Vision Celebrates Earth Day and Goes Green!

IQ Laser Vision — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:58:49 +0000

With the recent e-waste recycling event held at the IQ Laser Vision Center, IQ Laser Vision continued with ongoing efforts by upgrading all computer systems throughout all their multiple office locations in Southern California with Dell Energy Smart workstations.

Let’s all make an effort to be environmentally friendly in 2010!

Congressman Meets with IQ Laser Vision’s Medical Director

IQ Laser Vision — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:55:27 +0000

Congressman Adam Schiff meets with IQ Laser Vision’s Medical Director to discuss health care reform.

Burbank, CA – California’s 29th District Congressman Adam Schiff (D) met with Dr. Robert Lin of the Vision Institute of Southern California for breakfast in Burbank Sunday morning.

Congressman Adam Schiff continues on his quest to enact health care reform that will reduce individual and national costs. In his mission to find a comprehensive health care reform that will: reduce cost, expand access, and ensure quality, Congressman Adam Schiff met with Dr. Lin to discuss and gain some insight into the medical industry.

Dr. Lin is the Medical Director of the Vision Institute of Southern California, better known as IQ Laser Vision in City of Industry, CA. He is a world renowned ophthalmologist, providing vision correction services in Southern California. IQ Laser Vision recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary this past December. For more information, please visit: www.iqlaservision.com

IQ Laser Vision Celebrates a Decade of Dedicated Service

IQ Laser Vision — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:51:14 +0000

Los Angeles, CA – December 10th, 2009 marked the ten year anniversary of Southern California’s renowned vision correction facility, IQ Laser Vision. IQ Laser Vision hosted an exclusive affair to celebrate its 10-year anniversary at the Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, CA. Prominent guests, past patients and celebrities feted the affair in celebration of IQ Laser Vision’s profound success. Guests included Assemblymember Mike Eng, 49th California State Assembly District and Mayor of Walnut Mary Su.

IQ Laser Vision’s Medical Director and founder, Robert T. Lin, M.D. delivered a heart-warming speech about IQ Laser Vision’s humble beginnings and through the dedication and hard work of the entire staff evolved to what it is today. With over 25,000 successful procedures and satisfied patients it is no surprise that IQ Laser Vision continues to thrive and expand; with locations throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County.

Surprise celebrity guest, Juliette Zhuo toasted the success of IQ Laser Vision and attested to her newfound way of life without glasses and contacts. Also on hand was the Executive Director from the Industry Manufacturing Council, Donald Sachs, who shared his experience about IQ Laser Vision.

IQ Laser Vision was founded in 1999 under the supervision of Dr. Robert T. Lin. Dr. Lin received his Bachelors Degree at the University of California, Berkeley and Medical Degree at University of California, Los Angeles. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at one of the world’s most preeminent programs, Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Lin has been featured in various articles, newsletters, magazines and on the Discovery Health Channel – HealthWatch. He continues to publish numerous research articles in the field of ophthalmology. Since 1999, IQ Laser Vision has evolved to one of the most prominent and advanced refractive facilities, with patients traveling from various parts of the world to have their vision corrected with Dr. Robert T. Lin and his patented Micro-Lasik® procedure (Trademark #2681144, US Patent Office).

The Center boasts a multi-lingual staff, including Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, Cantonese and Thai. Consultations are always free for prospective patients to learn more about the various vision correction procedures without the pressure of feeling any obligation. Affordability continues to be one of the top priorities of the Center, in pursuit of its belief that everyone deserves to receive quality medical care. With flexible payment plans, interest-free financing and even offering in-house financing to those who qualify, IQ Laser Vision strives to provide the gift of clear vision to all those in need.

IQ Laser Vision’s Clinical Director, Jarrod Bradley, closed the evening’s festivities with a speech in which he announced the Center’s continued commitment and dedication to the community for the next ten years, focusing on patients in need, offering services to low-income families, and partnering with local associations, non-profit organizations and other charitable causes. “For the past 10 years we have been blessed with our success, to reciprocate we believe in continually giving back to the community that has supported us for the last decade.”

With that we all wish IQ Laser Vision continued prosperity and may the next ten years prove to be equally, if not more, fruitful than the last.

IQ Laser Vision may be contacted at 1-888-539-2211 or you may visit us at www.iqlaservision.com