Dr. ROBERT MALONEY

Are you a Candidate for Cataract Surgery?

2010-06-01T02:50:00.000-07:00

Are you a Candidate for Cataract Surgery?

Almost anyone who has cataracts and who is in reasonably good health, regardless of age, can have beverly hills lasik specialists say there are a few things to keep in mind, however:

Remember that cataract surgery corrects only cataracts and won't fix other eye problems. Ask your doctor how well you can expect to see after lens replacement if you have macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma, extreme nearsightedness, or very small pupils.
Replacing the clouded lens with a clear one might well improve your eyesight, just as a clear camera lens will give you a sharper photograph than a scratched or blurry lens. But if your retina is damaged, it's like having defective film in your camera. Depending on the type of damage, cataract surgery might or might not help.
Extremely nearsighted people present special challenges to even the most qualified Los beverly hills lasik. "High myopes" can have excellent results from cataract surgery and lens replacement, but the process is more complicated. They are at greater risk 57 Planning for beverly hills lasik for retinal detachment, macular disease, and inflammation than other cataract-surgery patients. It's also harder to calculate the precise "prescription" for the replacement lens and to keep the lens stable after surgery.

Extreme nearsightedness by no means disqualifies you for lens replacement, but you'd be well advised to find a local beverly hills lasik who is very experienced with cataract surgery on highly myopic patients.

You'll want to postpone your surgery if you've recently had an infectious (viral or bacterial) illness or any unexplained health problems, such as chest pain.
If you take blood-thinning medication-aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin), for example- talk with your doctor about the type of surgery you'll be having. You won't have to stop taking blood-thinning drugs if you are having the clear-corneal phacoemulsification procedure in which there is no bleeding.
Don't expect the impossible. In all likelihood, you'll be delighted with the improvement in your eyesight after you've adjusted to your new lenses-as long as you don't expect to see as well as you did in your teens and twenties.

For more information on cataract surgery, beverly hills lasik & Beverly Hills patients may visit beverly hills lasik. The Maloney Vision Institute specializes in custom vision correction surgery & quality care.

Which Vision Correction Surgery is best for you?

2010-04-18T23:52:00.001-07:00

For many living in Los Angeles, wearing glasses or contacts is still a part of everyday life. Older people especially, who have lived with imperfect sight all their life, are not as willing to make a change in their lifestyle and get vision correction surgery. Baby boomers who may not have had bad vision are starting to notice their eyes weakening. It is getting progressively difficult to see far distances or read small lettering close-up. What these people may not know, is that there are many options they can look into for vision correction, in order to start seeing perfectly without the use of contacts, glasses, or bifocals. Perhaps the most common option is LASIK Los Angeles ophthalmologists will tell you however, this is not the only option.

There are two main focusing structures of the eye, the cornea and the lens. The cornea is the outer clear tissue over the center of the eye whose shape and focusing ability can be improved with procedures like LASIK, the best known of the vision correction procedures. Over the past decade, millions of people have been able to leave their glasses behind thanks to this advancement in vision correction. The improvements in LASIK surgery over that time have been breathtaking.

Two new technologies have caused a resurgence of LASIK. Custom LASIK involves mapping a detailed optical "fingerprint" of the eye and using it to guide the laser. "Custom LASIK gives better night vision and sharper clarity of vision than the traditional LASIK procedure," says Dr. Robert Maloney, director of the Maloney Vision Institute and the first surgeon to perform LASIK in Western North America.

Complementing custom LASIK is Intralase "all-laser" LASIK, in which the flap is made with an ultra fast laser instead of the traditional machine. "All lasers" LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles patients agree, the fear of having a flap cut on the eye is completely eliminated with this technology.

But, LASIK can't correct high levels of nearsightedness or farsightedness, and it can't correct people with thin corneas (LASIK can weaken a thin cornea). For people with thin corneas or weak corneas, "flapless LASIK", also called PRK, is the way to go.

The Implantable Contact Lens is another option for vision correction surgery in Los Angeles. This is a special lens that is inserted permanently inside the eye. Unlike ordinary contact lenses, it never needs to be cleaned or changed, and lasts a lifetime. While the Implantable Contact Lens would give great distance vision, it wouldn't eliminate reading glasses for some, because the natural lens weakens with age.

The human eye's natural lens is flexible in young people. This allows the lens to change focus, much as a camera lens can focus on distant mountains and a close up baby's face. Unfortunately, as we get older, the natural lens hardens, impairing its ability to focus up close. This process of hardening of the lens is called "presbyopia", and it happens to every human on the planet.

Many new Los Angeles vision correction surgery options are available to patients, and the quality of vision is better than ever. But it is not a one size fits all. Patients need to do their research and consider all their choices.

Recovery Process for LASIK Eye Surgery

2009-12-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

LASIK Los Angeles centers often boast immediate results after surgery. It is important to know that while the surgery itself may only last 5-10 minutes, the recovery time is a necessary process for healing and to gain the best results. Results vary from doctor to doctor, patient to patient.

It may take some patients up to 6 months to fully recovery from LASIK surgery Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Patience is required by people who undergo LASIK, as clarity of vision after surgery will depend on the procedure used, your refractive error, and post-operative complications, if any. Most patients are incredibly happy with the results from LASIK. Should you follow the correct steps and take the utmost care after the surgery, you too will be able to enjoy life without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.

Some minor vision anomalies are normal post surgery. For a short period of time after LASIK it is often reported one experiences ghosts, halos, starbursts, regular or irregular astigmatism, and reduction in clarity. Over time, from as little as a few weeks to as much as six months, these complications generally dissipate as the eyes fully adjust and heal. If these complications continue beyond six months, it is important to see a doctor to determine whether the effects will be permanent.

The general process for LASIK and similar types of laser vision correction Los Angeles surgeries are:

* Day 1 post op. – Most people are able to return to their normal daily routine. It is necessary to follow the doctor’s instructions, including the use of antibiotics, steroids and other drugs preventing dry eye syndrome. You should avoid rubbing your eyes, or getting water, soap, or shampoo directly in the eyes (for example in the shower). Working on the computer, watching television and reading is acceptable, provided that the eyes are kept lubricated, and there is no excessive strain on the eyes. Moderate exercising is ok, but you should avoid getting sweat in the eyes.

* One week post op. – It is still advised to avoid touching or rubbing the eyes. Pools, hot tubs and whirlpools should also be avoided. Follow your doctor’s specifications for using lotions, creams, eye makeup, etc.

* Three weeks post op. – Outdoor activities may be resumed, with proper care and protection for the eyes (sunglasses, goggles, etc.).

* 3 to 6 months post op. – This is generally the appropriate amount of time for your vision to stabilize. The health of your vision is directly dependent on following the utmost care instructions given by your doctor in order to heal properly. Should any complications or anomalies still be present, it is important that you tell your doctor.

To learn more about Los Angeles LASIK surgery, and to see if you may be a candidate, visit your local ophthalmologist for more information.

What is LASIK Revision Surgery?

2009-12-16T21:08:00.000-08:00

In Los Angeles LASIK surgery is a very common procedure for vision correction. LASIK is a tried and tested procedure that has resulted in thousands of happy customers, glad to give up the use of contacts and glasses. The majority of people who receive LASIK report that they are satisfied with the results and report little to no complications.

However, as with most surgeries, there are always certain risks involved. Nothing in life is 100% risk free and this equally applies to laser eye surgery Los Angeles and beyond. LASIK is safe but complications do occur in a small minority of cases.

Some LASIK risks which have been reported are:

Infection
Poor night vision (see halos or ‘starbursts’ around lights at night time)
Forward bulging of the centre of the cornea (Ectasia)
Haze
Dry eyes
Problems directly related to the epithelium flap

In some cases, patients who have turned to cheap or “discount” LASIK surgeries are more susceptible to complications. This is because either the doctor is not very experienced, or the technology used is out of date, and not as accurate.

Los Angeles LASIK specialist, Dr. Robert Maloney, of the Maloney Vision Institute in Bevelry Hills specializes in managing complications from vision correction surgery. He has had many patients come to him who had complications from a vision correction procedure done elsewhere, and had suffered from these complications for months or even years. LASIK revision surgery is an option for those who have had complications, or have had their vision change overtime, and need an adjustment.

Some techniques used to treat vision correction surgery complications include Custom-CAP and therapeutic Wavefront Guided LASIK.

Custom Contoured Ablation Pattern (Custom-CAP)

Custom-CAP is a laser procedure that uses a special computer program to design an ablation (tissue removal) pattern to correct irregularities in the surface of the cornea that were caused by earlier surgeries, such as improperly performed LASIK. This can correct the visual symptoms that were caused by the surface irregularities.

Therapeutic Wavefront Guided LASIK

This new technique may correct imperfections in eyes caused by prior vision correction surgery. Wavefront analysis of the eye yields the precise focusing errors that are then corrected by custom laser guidance.

For more information and to see if you may be a candidate for LASIK revision surgery, please visit www.maloneyvision.com or call 877-999-EYES.

Option for Blade-Free LASIK Surgery

2009-06-25T00:14:00.000-07:00

LASIK Los Angeles procedures greatly vary in technique. Many people are familiar with the most common type of vision correction surgery, which is the traditional LASIK procedure. During LASIK, a thin layer of tissue is folded back from the surface of the cornea. After the laser reshapes the cornea, the tissue is folded back into place, where it bonds quickly. This three-minute procedure requires no needles and no stitches, and patients usually have improved vision almost immediately. Most patients heal very quickly and can return to work the next day.

Yet as amazing as all this technology sounds, many people still are uncomfortable with the fact that there is a blade involved, to make the flap. Others still, find themselves not an ideal candidate for traditional LASIK eye surgery Los Angeles. For these and other patients, there are other options for vision correction.

With the IntraLase method, pulses of laser light create your corneal flap, which is then lifted so the next step of LASIK - the reshaping of your cornea - can be performed. When your LASIK treatment is over, the flap is securely repositioned into place. A qualified laser eye surgeon Los Angeles will be able to determine whether you are a good candidate for the IntraLase Method.

At the Maloney Vision Institute Dr. Robert Maloney has had many years of clinical experience correcting the vision of thousands of patients using a variety of techniques, and has personally performed over 45,000 LASIK procedures. In a nationwide survey of eye surgeons, Dr. Robert Maloney was voted one of America's Top Ten Vision Correction Specialists. The Los Angeles LASIK specialists at Maloney Vision Institute are leading researchers in the field, and are able to offer customized vision correction options, as well as personalized vision care best suited for your individual eyes. If you’re not a good candidate for any given procedure, they’ll tell you.

For more information visit: www.maloneyvision.com.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Kim Kardashian Gets Lasik with Dr. Maloney in Beverly Hills

2009-05-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

On a recent episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kim undergoes laser vision correction with Los Angles Lasik Surgeon Dr. Robert Maloney of Maloney Vision Institute. The episode follows her and her sisters Khloe and Kourtney to Dr. Maloney’s office in Beverly Hills to get the LASIK procedure before a highly anticipated Las Vegas performance with the Pussycat Dolls.

Kim blogged about her nervousness before the Lasik Los Angeles procedure:

“I am getting lasik eye surgery soon and I'm sooo scared! Have any of you done it?”

She had been struggling with her vision since high school, but found contacts and glasses too uncomfortable to wear. At the beginning of the episode she and her mother are conversing on the importance of her getting the procedure, especially being in the entertainment industry. Kim agrees, and finally goes to Dr. Maloney for the customized Lasik Los Angeles procedure.

During her LASIK, Kourtney and Khloe, who were supposed to be there for moral support, ended up goofing around and getting grossed from watching. But Kim is a trooper and keeps it together throughout the whole procedure. She expresses relief once the Lasik is over, and goes home to rest. The next day she can see more clearly than ever!

Dr. Maloney performs laser vision correction Los Angeles procedures of all kinds, using many different techniques. He personally has performed over 45,000 LASIK procedures.

Local Los Angeles Lasik Surgeon Visits the Dodgers During Spring Training

2009-05-28T01:54:00.000-07:00

This past spring, Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeon Dr. Robert Maloney and staff traveled to Glendale, AZ to perform Vision Screenings on over 100 baseball players for the Los Angeles Dodgers and their 5 minor league teams.

“Professional baseball players demand better vision than any other sport. The ability to read pitches, locate fly balls against a bright sky, or quickly react to streaking line drives is critical to the team’s success. Our goal was to ensure that every player stepped on the field this season with 20/20 vision or better.”

-Dr. Robert Maloney – Team Ophthalmologist

Perhaps those vision screenings helped more than expected. The Dodgers recently won their 13^th straight home victory. Even through the recent shock of losing super slugger Manny Ramirez to a 50 game suspension, Dr. Maloney and staff of the Maloney Vision Institute – providing patients in Los Angeles LASIK vision correction and other custom options – are confident in the team and wish them luck for a great 2009 season.The Maloney Vision Institute Spring Training Team (Left to Right)– Tina Geis, OD, Technician Gaby Quezada, Technician Wanda Diaz, and Farid Eghbali, OD

For more information on Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery by the experts at Maloney Vision Institute visit their website or call 877-999-EYES. For more info and photos from the Dodgers Spring Training visit http://maloneyvision.com/why/manny-ramirez.html.

There are More Options for Vision Correction other than LASIK

2009-04-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

If you live in Los Angeles and have been interested in LASIK eye surgery, you know there are many centers to choose from. Be warned, not all Lasik “doctors” can be trusted. Many of the complications from LASIK surgery have stemmed from LASIK-mills, where everyone gets the same procedure and there is no customization as needed, since not everyone has the same eyes. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK, which is why it is important to visit a trustworthy Los Angeles Lasik surgeon, who will tell you the truth, and not just try to sell you the procedure. However, if you do find yourself a less than ideal candidate for LASIK Los Angeles patients should be at ease. There are other options for custom vision correction!

You can’t do LASIK, you’re intolerant of those irritating contact lenses, and you just hate your glasses. You want your eyes to be “normal” — you want to wake up and see the alarm clock. Laser eye surgery Los Angeles patients now have options to choose from! The Visian ICL Implantable Contact Lens Surgery (from the eye company Staar) may be the best option for you — it can correct large degrees of nearsightedness (myopia), from -3 D to -16 D and beyond.

The ICL procedure is fast (about 5 minutes per eye and both eyes can be done the same day), and painless, with most patients achieving very sharp vision the same day. The only way to know if you’re a great candidate for the ICL is to arrange for a detailed consultation with your local Los Angeles eye surgeon.

Of all of the thousands of eye surgeons in California, there are only 14 who have been selected as “Leading Visian ICL Specialists” and in the city of Los Angeles, there are only two surgeons holding that honor. For ICL Implantable Contact Lens Surgery in Los Angeles, Dr Uday Devgan MD in private practice at the Maloney Vision Institute (and also Chief of Eye Surgery / Ophthalmology at a major UCLA Hospital) has been honored with the distinction of being a “Leading Visian ICL Specialist”.

Choosing to Wear Non Prescription Glasses After LASIK

2009-03-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeon Dr. Robert Maloney has run into a few previous patients of laser vision correction wearing glasses. At first alarmed, Dr. Maloney came to learn that their vision was perfect, but that they chose to wear non-prescription frames as a fashion statement.

Some Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery patients have admitted, having worn glasses almost their entire life, they are often not recognized. Glasses have become their signature look. Take the celebrity patient of Dr. Maloney’s TV game show host Drew Carey. Having undergone LASIK years ago with Dr. Maloney, he still wears glasses on his show, or when in character, because they became part of his signature look.

Other LASIK Los Angeles patients admit, they do not need glasses to see anymore, but they like the designer frames that have even recently graced the models of New York fashion week, and celebrity endorsements for high-end fashion eyewear. They like that people stop them and ask, “Where did you get your glasses?” as well as the fact that they can take them off later, and still have perfect vision.

One young Los Angeles business woman told the Wall Street Journal recently, she wears contacts and non-prescription frames simultaneously. After seeing the trend in fashion eyewear, she picked up several pairs of less expensive, colorful frames, and wears them in turns depending on her outfit. She hopes to get Los Angeles LASIK surgery with Dr. Maloney soon, but in the meantime, she enjoys the look that wearing glasses gives her, especially during business meetings. “Wearing glasses helps her look more like “boss lady” in meetings, she says, and it’s cheaper than buying loads of designer prescription frames.”

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

State of the Art Light-Adjustable Lens May Promise Perfect Vision after Cataract Surgery

2009-02-11T04:56:00.000-08:00

Technology has produced a new development with a replacement lens that for the first time may promise perfect vision for patients who undergo cataract surgery. Los Angeles LASIK surgeon Dr. Robert Maloney says the new lens is being used in Europe and may soon be available in the United States.

“This is a remarkable advancement in cataract surgery,” Dr. Maloney said.

In cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist replaces the patient’s natural lens with a new lens. The doctor then estimates the lens’ power for each patient.

“But because the power is estimated, it’s often never quite right. So two weeks after surgery, the doctor measures your vision with a, ‘Which is better? One or two?’ vision test and then gives you a prescription for glasses. This enables patients to see great with their glasses,” he said.

“The difference with this advancement is this new implanted lens is adjustable. After the procedure, the doctor shines an ultraviolet light on it which changes the shape of the lens, adjusting it to perfect,” he said.

For younger patients this new lens, developed by a company called Calhoun Vision, also is an alternative to LASIK Los Angeles based ophthalmologist Dr. Maloney said, who also serves as Calhoun Vision’s chief medical officer.

“For example, if someone’s farsighted, their natural lens is replaced with the adjustable lens and you just dial in perfect vision,” he said.

Dr. Maloney said the Calhoun-made lens will be available in Canada and Mexico before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves it in the United States.

“The innovations in improving eyesight have seen greater advances in our lifetimes than at any time in history,” Dr. Maloney said about Los Angeles vision correction technology. “What’s exciting is there’s even more on the horizon.”

Primarily know for his vision correction surgeries for quadriplegics through the “Focus on Independence” Program and for the hit show “Extreme Makeover,” Los Angeles LASIK doctor Dr. Robert Maloney has had many years of clinical experience correcting the vision of thousands of patients using a variety of techniques, and has personally performed over 45,000 LASIK procedures. For more information please visit http://www.maloneyvision.com.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

New Technology Boosts Odds of Repairing Damaged Eyes; Happy Ending for Napa Man

2009-01-07T02:32:00.000-08:00

New technology now gives hope of fully corrected vision to people whose eyesight was unintentionally damaged by eye surgeons inexperienced in laser eye surgery when it was introduced several years ago.

Lee Philipson, the Assistant District Attorney for Napa County, Calif., is one example of a person whose vision in his left eye was severely distorted by LASIK eye surgery Los Angeleseight years ago.

“It felt like I was trying to see while standing under the shower,” Mr. Philipson said after the failed procedure.

But with the help of the new, state-of-the-art Wavefront mapping technology at the Maloney Vision Institute, Mr. Philipson’s vision has been restored and is now 20/25. It is one of the most gratifying outcomes in Dr. Robert Maloney’s 20-year ophthalmology career as a Los Angeles LASIK surgeon.

Wavefront technology comes from the process of adaptive optics, first proposed by scientists in 1953. Adaptive optics allows astronomers to compensate for the light distortions in the atmosphere. Further studies in adaptive optics became available from declassified information developed for the so-called Star Wars missile defense shield.

In Mr. Philipson’s case, the Wavefront technology has enabled him to once again live a normal life and with excellent vision. Mr. Philipson, who grew up in Southern California and graduated from UCLA, said the Napa area surgeon he chose generally was well thought of and “a very likable person.” But he says he should have done more to check the doctor’s experience and qualifications.

The new VISX Wavefront system is the latest major advancement in ophthalmology. In contrast to conventional Lasik treatments which measure one point in the eye, the Wavefront guided laser vision correction Los Angeles system enables eye surgeons to digitally map 200 points on the eye. It gives the surgeon an extraordinarily detailed topographical picture with which to perform either Lasik or photorefractive keratectomy, commonly known as PRK.

“The Lasik procedure on the right eye went fine. But the doctor made a very bad flap on my left eye. He put the flap back down and told me to come back in three months when it healed,” he said. But during the intervening three months, Mr. Philipson’s left eye developed epithelial cells that the doctor failed to detect when it was time to have the LASIK Los Angeles procedure completed.

The after-effects were tragic for Mr. Philipson and marked the beginning of years of frustration and blurry vision. Mr. Philipson immediately began a search to find a qualified surgeon who could repair the damaged left eye. That search led him to the Maloney Vision Institute.

“When I first met with Dr. Maloney he worked on my eye and improved my vision enough so I no longer felt I was in the shower – a huge improvement. But he also told me that there was little else that could be done until new technology arrived that would take care of my problem. That gave me hope,” he said.

On May 17 Mr. Philipson again visited Dr. Maloney, who was an FDA investigator on the new Wavefront technology that now was approved for use. For Mr. Philipson the new technology delivered on its promise. The procedure was enormously successful.

“Wavefront technology enables physicians to customize eye prescriptions for individuals with greater precision than ever before,” Dr. Maloney said.

For the average patient seeking vision correction, Wavefront allows doctors to boost vision beyond 20/20.

“Let me put it this way,” Mr। Philipson said. “For eight years I could not ignore my vision. I thought about it all the time. I don’t even think about it now. With both eyes open my vision is 20/15.

“I have no doubt that Dr। Maloney saved the vision in my left eye,” Mr. Philipson said. “He’s such a kind, decent, compassionate man. If lawyers were like that there wouldn’t be a whole lot of lawyer jokes. He’s a lifesaver as far as I’m concerned.”

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Annual Eye Exams Enable Detection of Dozens of Vision, Health Problems.

2008-12-29T04:04:00.000-08:00

Your eyes are your windows to the world. But to your eye doctor they’re also windows to your overall health.

“The eyes are one of the body’s most amazing organs. They reveal a great deal to an eye doctor who not only can detect early signs of cataract and macular degeneration but symptoms of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, high cholesterol and even multiple sclerosis,” says Dr. Farid Eghbali, associate doctor at the Maloney Vision Institute, the premier Los Angeles laser eye surgery center.

Even if your vision is excellent or you’ve had vision correction surgery such as Los Angeles LASIK, a comprehensive eye exam once a year is recommended strongly, especially for adults, for early detection of both eye diseases and other health problems, Dr. Eghbali said.

What is a comprehensive eye exam and what can it reveal?

To begin with, said Dr. Eghbali, “The doctor will thoroughly review your family and personal health history. Your eyes will be tested to determine how clearly you see. Your eye pressure and field of vision will be tested to diagnose glaucoma. After your eyes have been dilated, we will be able to look inside your eyes for signs of a wide range of health problems.”

For example, he said, approximately 16 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, nearly 5 million are unaware they have diabetes which goes undiagnosed.

Vision loss leading to blindness occurs in as many as 24,000 diabetic patients every year. Visual impairment does not develop until the disease has advanced into its later stages. At this point, not even surgical vision correction Los Angeles can reverse vision loss. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind than are people without diabetes. However early signs of diabetic eye disease can be readily seen with an annual dilated pupil eye examination.

Not only is diabetic eye disease easily detected through an annual dilated eye examination but, when discovered in time, severe vision loss or blindness can be prevented. Diabetes also increases the risk of glaucoma, which has no warning signs, by 300 percent. Having regular eye examinations and being aware of the risk is among the best preventive measures you can take, Dr. Eghbali said.

If you need a recommendation of a general eye doctor or a Los Angeles LASIK surgeon in your area please visit our website at www.maloneyvision.com for the list of our affiliated doctors or call us at 310-208-3937.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

OVER 40? THERE ARE CORRECTION OPTIONS OTHER THAN LASIK

2008-09-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

Carmel Matteson was severely farsighted nearly her entire life. The interior designer, whose Culver City store called Designers’ Bloopers was featured on Oprah Winfrey’s show, has worn thick eyeglasses since age 6. As an adult her hyperopia required plus-5 diopter lenses.

Recently, Carmel decided to do something about her poor eyesight. After much research, she made an appointment with the Maloney Vision Institute where she met Drs. Robert Maloney and Uday Devgan. Dr. Devgan, Los Angeles LASIK, MVI’s cataract and lens specialist, advised Carmel about a number of new surgical options popular among baby boomers whose already-poor eyesight has worsened with age.

Carmel decided to undergo a 10-minute, painless lens-exchange procedure. Every day she appreciates the newfound freedom of her sharp unaided vision.

“It’s fabulous,” Carmel said. “Just recently I was slicing some tomatoes and was thinking that when I wore glasses I would have to push them up my nose or bring them a little further down so I could sort of try judging with the knife. And here I’m making all these nice slices and they’re all equal. I could never have done that before.”

There are many Los Angeles vision correction options, all of which center around the two main focusing structures of the eye: the cornea and the lens, Dr. Devgan says. The cornea is the outer clear tissue over the center of the eye whose shape and focusing ability can be optimized with procedures such as LASIK – what most people think of as “laser eye surgery.”

While Los Angeles LASIK eye surgery is an excellent option for many patients, there are other choices for patients with high degrees of correction and for patients who wish to restore their reading vision as well, said Dr. Devgan. Dr. Devgan also serves as Chief of Ophthalmology at Olive View – UCLA Medical Center and as Assistant Clinical Professor, teaching techniques of ocular surgery to aspiring ophthalmologists.

The human eye has a lens, much like a camera lens, located behind the colored blue, green, hazel or brown iris. The shape of this lens changes with age. In our 40s the lens starts to lose its ability to change focus for near vision, a condition called presbyopia. Consequently, we start to develop a reliance on reading glasses.

Over the next few decades, the lens changes further by developing a slowly progressive cloudiness, a condition called cataracts. Presbyopia and cataracts are normal age-related occurrences and happen to everyone.

When the cloudy vision becomes so severe that even patients with glasses cannot see well enough to drive, Dr. Devgan says, the human lens is removed and a man-made lens is implanted within the eye in a procedure called cataract surgery. Even when the patient does not have significant cataracts, the clear human lens can be exchanged for a special man-made lens. This allows patients with active lifestyles to enjoy good vision all the time. It also thwarts the development of cataracts and the significant vision disability that follows.

Due to Carmel’s age, her high level of farsightedness and her desire to achieve sharp vision at all distances – near and far – without glasses, she chose the option of presbyopic lens exchange. She said she had hoped for LASIK surgery and “was disappointed” when Dr. Maloney informed her she wouldn’t be a good candidate and declined to perform the LASIK procedure.

“Dr. Maloney was direct and honest. Although at the time I thought, ‘Great. I finally found the best doctor and even he says LASIK won.t work for me.’ But then he said, ‘Let’s see if Dr. Devgan can do anything for you.’ Sure enough, it turned out to be fabulous.”

Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeon, Dr. Devgan explains that many patients like Carmel use the lens-exchange surgery to correct all aspects of their vision difficulties, including severe nearsightedness, astigmatism and even presbyopia. The surgery is performed in less than 10 minutes with local anesthesia of the eye. So, while the patient is awake, there is no sensation or pain. The entire procedure typically involves no needles, stitches or bleeding.

Visual recovery is quick, with most patients enjoying sharp vision a day later. Surgery on the second eye is scheduled a week or two later. The man-made lens that was optimized for Carmel’s visual needs and ocular condition was the multi-focal ReZoom lens from Advanced Medical Optics, a well-known Santa Ana, Calif., company.

Carmel was told her whole life that one of her eyes was lazy or amblyopic. As a +5 hyperope, she wore Coke-bottle thick glasses before her surgery. After her procedure, her vision was sharp enough for her to pass her DMV test without glasses. With both eyes together, Carmel’s vision is 20/20 distance and she can read fine newsprint close up – enabling her to enjoy life without glasses and slice tomatoes like a French chef.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

SERIOUS EYE FUNGUS IS TIED TO CONTACT LENS SOLUTION

2008-08-16T23:09:00.000-07:00

New information indicates that the popular contact lens solution ReNu with MoistureLoc is linked to a rare and painful fungal disease in the eye. Although this product was recently pulled from store shelves worldwide, “if you or someone you know is still using this product, it should be discarded immediately,” said Dr. Robert Maloney, Los Angeles LASIK eye surgeon. “This infection, called fusarium keratitis, is extremely serious. It can cause cornea scarring or blindness,” Dr. Maloney said. The following symptoms can indicate fusarium infection in a contact lens wearer:

Sudden onset of blurred or fuzzy vision.
Red, irritated eyes lasting hours after contacts are removed.
Pain in and around the eyes.
Increased light sensitivity.
Excessive tearing or discharge

Fusarium infection has only been associated with soft contact lens wear with the ReNu with MoistureLoc solution. Los Angeles LASIK patients are not at increased risk. Other ReNu products made by Bausch & Lomb have not been associated with fusarium and may be used safely.

Eye doctors may place their patients on antibiotics pending results of laboratory tests, Dr Robert Maloney said. Should fungal treatment be warranted, topical or oral anti-fungal agents may be used. In some cases surgical intervention is necessary.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Food & Drug Administration issued a global recall of the product after the agencies investigated ReNu with MoistureLoc following multiple reports of fusarium keratitis across the country. The product once had a 41 percent share of the U.S. market. The American Optometric Association says there are more than 30 million contact lens wearers.

Until now the corneal disease, which is caused by a fungal organism, rarely has been reported in the contact lens wearing population. It typically occurs after trauma associated with plant matter or in immuno-compromised individuals. The higher incidence of fungal keratitis among normal contact lens wearers is a new finding.

“Our interest in the MoistureLoc product has been based on the disproportionate number of cases of fusarium keratitis associated with ReNu with MoistureLoc compared to the overall product market share,” an FDA spokesman said.

Bausch & Lomb officials discovered that “unique characteristics of the formulation…in certain unusual circumstances can increase the risk of fusarium infection” and have ceased production of the product. In its product recall announcement the FDA also said that “data available do not indicate a problem” with Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu MultiPlus or ReNu Multi-Purpose contact lens cleaning solutions.

The CDC continues to study the cause of the increased incidence of the disease and the FDA said it will continue to review cultures and epidemiological data.

For more information on Dr. Robert Maloney, laser eye surgery in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills , including the cost of LASIK eye surgery, visit http://www.maloneyvision.com/.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Over 40? There are correction options other than Lasik

2008-08-16T23:00:00.000-07:00

Carmel decided to undergo a 10-minute, painless lens-exchange procedure. Every day she appreciates the newfound freedom of her sharp unaided vision.

“It fabulous,” Carmel said. “Just recently I was slicing some tomatoes and was thinking that when I wore glasses I would have to push them up my nose or bring them a little further down so I could sort of try judging with the knife. And here I’m making all these nice slices and they’re all equal. I could never have done that before.”

There are many vision correction options, all or which center around the two main focusing structures of the eye: the cornea and the lens, Dr. Devgan says. The cornea is the outer clear tissue over the center of the eye whose shape and focusing ability can be optimized with procedures such as LASIK – what most people think of as “laser eye surgery.”

While laser eye surgery is an excellent option for many patients, there are other choices for patients with high degrees of correction and for patients who wish to restore their reading vision as well, said Dr. Devgan.

For more details please visit: http://www.maloneyvision.com/index.html

Los Angeles Residents Now Can Benefit From Same Lasik Technologies Approved By Nasa For Use On Astronauts

2008-07-18T03:47:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles lasik vision correction patients have another reason to be confident in LASIK, now that the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has approved the new advanced, all-laser LASIK technologies for use on U.S. astronauts.

The recent NASA decision was made following review of extensive military clinical data using Advanced CustomVue LASIK with the IntraLase Method, which showed the combination of technologies provides superior safety and vision.

“Even your most-extreme lifestyle is nothing compared to being ejected from an F16 or the G-Forces of atmospheric blastoff,” said Dr. Robert Maloney, Director of the Maloney Vision Institute. “With today’s advanced LASIK technologies — which feature the use of two lasers, instead of one as with earlier forms of the procedure — patients can be confident that they will have improved vision, but also that the procedure has proven to be extremely safe as well.”

Approved for use on consumers almost a decade ago, more than 11 million LASIK procedures have been performed to-date, making it the most-common elective surgical procedure in the U.S. But it wasn’t until LASIK developed into an all-laser procedure that NASA approved it for use on pilots, mission and payload specialists who face extreme, physically demanding conditions in space.

The all-laser LASIK technologies, which utilize wavefront guided and femtosecond lasers, have also been cleared for U.S. military personnel, including most recently Air Force pilots. Beverly Hills Lasik Institute Maloney Vision offers this highly advanced combination of LASIK technologies to its patients.

TODAY’S ADVANCED LASIK USES ALL-LASER TECHNOLOGY
LASIK is a two-step procedure. In advanced LASIK, the computer guided, ultra-fast IntraLase FS (femtosecond) laser is used in the first step to create the corneal flap, virtually eliminating almost all of the most severe, sight threatening LASIK complications related to hand-held microkeratome blade historically used to create corneal flaps. 1 The IntraLase FS laser also provides an optimal corneal surface below the flap, allowing better visual outcomes from the second step of the procedure.

In the second step of advanced LASIK, wavefront-guided technology maps, and then custom-corrects vision based upon the unique characteristics of an individual’s eye. This sophisticated measurement provides 25 times more precision than measurements using standard methods for glasses and contact lenses, taking patients to 20/20 vision and beyond. 2

LASIK’S FINAL FRONTIER
Concerns about the harsh aviation environment prevented the earlier forms of LASIK from use in the military and NASA. To date, aeromedical professionals have been cautious of employing the procedure on military aviators who frequently encounter environmental extremes such as high altitude, dry air, wind blast and “G” forces. In space, these and other conditions add even higher levels of concern due to the extreme precision needed during flight and space walks.

Some notable results of the many clinical trials conducted for the Department of
Defense include:

1.An evaluation of Custom LASIK in 100 military personnel showed that 95 percent achieved 20/20 uncorrected vision or better; these patients, on average, were previously only able to read the first line (the big “E”) of the vision assessment chart.3

2.In a study of different methods to create the LASIK flap, 370 naval personnel underwent bilateral wavefront-guided LASIK with either the femtosecond laser or microkeratome blade. One week after surgery more than 76 percent of femtosecond laser patients achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/16 (better than 20/20) compared to 58 percent of microkeratome patients.4

3.In an evaluation of 785 aviators, 89% of Navy pilots rated their ability to land on an aircraft carrier as moderately to significantly better after laser vision correction. None said it was worse after surgery.5

4.A separate study determined that over 90 percent of marksmen had improvement in marksmanship skills after laser vision correction; a significant result given the visual precision of marksmen.6

In the U.S. laser vision correction market, Advanced CustomVue LASIK with the IntraLase Method is the new standard, rapidly becoming the most widely performed laser vision correction procedure. In fact, the majority of premier ophthalmic teaching institutions, including Duke University Medical School, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at University of Miami, and Stanford University, totaling over 16 domestic and international teaching institutions, use Advanced CustomVue LASIK with the IntraLase Method to train the next generation of LASIK surgeons.

Advanced CustomVue LASIK with the IntraLase Method
The Advanced CustomVue laser vision correction procedure stands in a class of its own with the broadest range of FDA-approved indications. When combined with the power and precision of the IntraLase Method, the Advanced CustomVue procedure represents the most-advanced LASIK procedure available to patients today.

Maloney Vision Institute
10921 Wilshire Blvd Suite 900
Los Angeles, CA 90266
310.208.3937

http://www.maloneyvision.com/why/releases/la-nasa.html

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Source: Captain (Retired) Steven C. Schallhorn, "Refractive Surgery in the Navy", Presented at the Aerospace Medical Association annual meeting; May 17, 1999; Detroit, Michigan.
Source: Binder PS: "One thousand consecutive IntraLase laser in-situ keratomileusis flaps" Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. V32. June 2005.
Source: Captain (Retired) Steven C. Schallhorn, "US Navy study: Custom PRK versus custom LASIK". Presented at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meeting; September 8, 2006; London, UK.
Source: Tanzer DJ, Schallhorn SC. Comparison of visual outcomes with femtosecond and mechanical microkeratomes for wavefront-guided LASIK. Presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting; November 13, 2006; Las Vegas, NV.
Source: Schallhorn SC, Tanzer DJ, 'Refractive Surgery in Naval Aviation', Presented at the Aerospace Medical Association annual meeting, May 15, 2006, Orlando, FL
Source: Captain (Retired) Steven C. Schallhorn, "Refractive Surgery in the Navy", Presented at the Aerospace Medical Association annual meeting; May 17, 1999; Detroit, Michigan.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

FOCUS ON INDEPENDENCE GIVES SIGHT TO QUADRIPLEGICS

2008-01-09T22:57:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles, Ca.---Two well known U.S. Refractive Surgeons have teamed up to launch Focus On Independence in which eye surgeons provide free LASIK or vision correction surgery for quadriplegics. Robert K. Maloney of Los Angeles and Daniel Durrie of Kansas City have enlisted up to 40 surgeons around the country in the program which is intended for patients over the age of 18 who have suffered spinal cord injury and have lost the use of their hands and/or arms, making it difficult or impossible to take off their glasses or contacts without assistance.“For the quadriplegic patient, glasses can be a constant source of aggravation,” said Dr. Maloney. “The Focus on Independence program is designed to make the day-to-day life easier for the person.”While glasses are inconvenient for most people, they can be particularly limiting for quadriplegics. A bump while moving the wheelchair, a cat jumping up in your lap dislodge your glasses, or if they just slide down your nose it takes someone else to put them back on the quadriplegic.“Not having to wear glasses means that’s one less thing someone else has to do for me,” said Marta Johansen of Encino, California, who broke her neck in auto accident over twenty years ago in Maryland. She underwent LASIK surgery at Maloney Vision Institute in Los Angeles in May.LASIK surgeons from around the country are donating their time and services in this program. If a refractive surgeon wants to participate in the Focus on Independence Program they can call the Maloney Vision Institute.“Our goal is to have an experienced LASIK surgeon within 100 miles of any spinal cord injury patient in the U.S. to provide this service,” said Dr. Maloney. The Focus on Independence Program is beginning to gain momentum, thanks to several news articles and television stories that have occurred in recent months. If a quadriplegic believes that he or she may qualify for the program, they should email or phone Maloney Vision Institute for an over-the-phone evaluation of their case. “It is important to get the word out to spinal cord injury patients in the U.S. that this service exists. Surgeons who are in the program report a great sense of satisfaction about being able to help these folks put some independence back in their lives,” said Dr. Maloney.For more information, call the Maloney Vision Institute 1-877-EYESIGHT or visit online at www.maloneyvision.com

Dr. Maloney was the first surgeon in western North America to perform LASIK surgery as part of the original FDA clinical trials. He is clinical professor of ophthalmology at UCLA and director of the Maloney Vision Institute, in West Los Angeles, California. Voted by his peers as one of America's top ten vision-correction specialists in a nationwide survey conducted by Ophthalmology Times, Dr. Maloney has trained more than 700 surgeons in the use of the excimer laser and has personally performed more than 40,000 vision-correction surgeries.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.