Year: 2014

Keratoconus vision correction procedures have advanced over the last decade. There are several procedures that can help improve your overall quality of vision quickly and with little to no pain. Intacs is a procedure that can help you with a condition called Keratoconus and when it is combined with other procedure such as the Holcomb C3-R ® it can improve your quality of vision even more.

Below are the top 3 reasons to use Intacs for Treatment of Keratoconus:

Support in reshaping your cornea

Keratoconus causes the cornea to become misshaped, or distorted. The cornea becomes more cone shaped, which makes vision less clear and contacts more difficult to wear. Intacs are in the layers of the cornea and help to reshape your cornea to improve your overall quality of vision by reducing the irregular cone shape. While this treatment doesn’t cure the condition it can significantly improve quality vision with glasses or contacts by reducing distortions and prescription.

Needs little maintenance

The Intacs needs little maintenance. Once it is placed in the cornea layers the tiny insert is barely felt, and doesn’t need any maintenance from the patient. It can be removed easily if you need a prescription change, or for any other reason.

Can be combined with other treatments

The Intacs can be combined with other Keratoconus treatments to maximize the vision improvement. The Intacs procedure takes merely 7 minutes or less and other procedures can be combined with them, such as the Holcomb C3-R ®.

Watch Ian’s story of night vision improvement with Intacs

Find out today if Intacs is right for you call 310-594-5210 or email info@boxerwachler.com

When we are searching to a way to improve our Keratoconus vision we are often mislead. There are several treatments listed online but how do we find one we can trust? Finding the right eye care professional or even the right Keratoconus treatment can be confusing. One of the most important treatments for Keratoconus is the Holcomb C3-R ® (cornea collagen crosslinking).

Why you should chose the Holcomb C3-R ®:

The Holcomb C3-R ® is a great treatment for your Keratoconus. The Holcomb C3-R ® is a non-invasive treatment that will stabilize your vision over the following 4-16 weeks. It additionally can be combined with other procedures, such as Intacs, to improve the quality of your vision. Even better often these Keratoconus treatments can be performed on the same day without even extending recovery time.

Benefits of the Holcomb C3-R ®

Non-invasive office based procedure (no scary surgery room)
Pain-free treatment
Procedure stabilizes vision and stops progression of Keratoconus
Can be performed on individuals as young as 8 years old with no upper age limit
Can be combine with other procedures to improve quality of vision
Takes about 30 minutes per eye
Uses natural vitamins already produced by the body

Combination of Procedures:

Many patients believe that the use of more than one procedure often requires longer healing and additional procedure dates. But with the Holcomb C3-R ® you can have procedures like INTACS, or even CK done the same day. These procedures will give you more improved vision results when preformed with the Holcomb C3-R ® and often times can keep you from having more procedures done at a later and avoid the dreaded painful cornea transplant.

Thousands of patients have improved their vision with the use of the Holcomb C3-R ® treatment since 2003. Many have found that either individually or in combination with other treatments they were seeing results right away, and improved vision when combined with Intacs or CK.

Watch 13 year old Jake’s story and experience with Holcomb C3-R and Intacs

Learn if Holcomb C3-R is right for you, call 310-594-5210 or email info@boxerwachler.com

If you hear the word ‘procedures’ you often worry about extended recovery time, more trips to the doctor, and even more pain. With the new treatments available for Keratoconus, you can combine your treatments, have less recovery time, and experience a better quality of vision in the long run.

There are many advances in technology when it comes to corrective eye care. Having more than one procedure done at a time is no longer a burden, but a benefit!

Benefits of combining your treatments for Keratoconus:

Reduced recovery time
Faster improvements in eye treatment
Rapid increase in quality of vision
Less hassle with multiple treatment dates, appointments, procedures
More support for your vision with combined treatments

There are many reasons to have a combination of treatments done for vision correction or conditions such as Keratoconus. With new technologies and treatment options we can now shorten your treatment time, and improve your quality of vision like never before.

There are treatments like Wavefront-guided LASIK, INTACS, and the new Holcomb C3-R ® which has been benefiting thousands of patients across the country. When paired with other treatments, it results in improved quality of vision – improving their daily lives.

Listen to Gail’s experience with Holcomb C3-R, Intacs, and Visian ICL:

Have you thought about the LASIK procedure but are worried about complications? There can be complications from LASIK procedures but not always for the reasons you suspect. In fact, quite a few of the people who get LASIK procedures often aren’t the right candidates to begin with and their eye doctors don’t even realize it.

When it comes to the LASIK procedure there are two main reasons why people have complications. The first is because they have thin corneas. This can be determined during a thorough consultation and should be mandatory testing for all individuals seeking LASIK treatment.

The second reason is that the procedure is not performed correctly. If this happens there are several options to help correct the problems including the use of a procedure called PRK which reshapes the outer cornea. This procedure can often take a bit longer to recover but it can increase your overall quality of vision. Another would be the Holcomb C3-R Crosslinking System, which strengthens the cornea if it has become weakened from LASIK.

Benefits of PRK:

There is no risk of corneal flap complications
Good option for patients with thin cornea
Less depth than typical laser treatment
Reduced risk of compromised corneal thickness (than with LASIK)

What are the signs of LASIK Complications?

For many, the complications from LASIK may not occur for several years after surgery. How do you know when you are having complications from your LASIK procedure? There are several ways to tell however you should report all eye complications to your eye care professional right away. Below you will find a list of some signs of LASIK complications:

Irregular Astigmatism
Keratoconus or Keratectasia
Epithelial in-growth
Decrease vision
Dry eyes & decreased tear production
Blurred vision
Eye irritation

Listen to David’s story featured NBC News about repairs after LASIK and his Keratoconus treatments:

Benefits Vs. Risk Factors

For those who suffer from Dry Eye, the notion that there is a treatment that works for them is something they seldom consider.

Often patients with Keratoconus find improved comfort in contact lenses if they had their dry eyes properly assessed and treated.

Most have grown tired of using warm compresses and artificial tears, with no hope in sight. Lipiflow® is bringing new hope to sufferers of Dry Eye everywhere. LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System is a new treatment for MGD Dry Eye that is non-invasive and addresses the root of the problem, the glands, by cleaning out the clogged lipids and getting the glands to produce clean lipids on their own.

Below are a few benefits & risk factors for the new Lipiflow® system:

Risk Factors:

There are very few risk factors from the LipiFlow® Thermal Pulsation System at this time. It is true that some people may not be a good candidate for the LipiFlow® System, and as with all procedures there are a few risk factors.

Red eye
Burning sensation
Sensitivity to light

These risks are very minimal and are typically experienced only for a short time after the procedure.

Benefits of LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System:

Helps Red Eye (related to Dry Eye)
Helps your body create clean and plentiful lipids
Short treatment length
Little to no discomfort
Faster Recovery time

The Lipiflow® Thermal Pulsation System’s benefits far out way its risks. Many Keratoconus patients are experiencing freedom from Dry Eye after years of suffering. Keratoconus and dry eye are treatable, talking to your eye care professional to determine candidacy is best.

Dr. Brian discusses the LipiFlow® treatment and how it is performed:

Did you know that your eyes need vitamins just as much as the rest of your body? Yes, it is important for your eye health to get the right vitamin balance for your eyes as well as your whole body. Optimal Flax can help you achieve this and helps with Dry Eye. Below are a few additional benefits to flaxseed oil.

Benefits of Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is used in many various health applications. It has been shown to:

Reduce inflammation from several types of Arthritis
Treat Dry Eye
Help regulate high blood pressure
Treat for heart disease
Help control Diabetes
Assist digestive health as a laxative for constipation

Even more important that the above benefits, research has revealed that free radicals can damage corneas and increase the progressive nature of Keratoconus. Anti-oxidants vitamins should be an essential part of your Keratoconus treatment. In addition, Keratoconus contacts lenses can be more comfortable when dry eye is treated. Flaxseed oil vitamin capsules have been effective for alleviated dry eyes in Keratoconus patients.

Several vitamin supplements that can support good vision care, as well as overall health, for yourself and your family. Vitamins can provide longevity and improved health.

As with any medications or supplements, there are a few interactions to watch out for including medications that help slow clotting of the blood. It is important to check with your physician or eye care professional before starting any new treatments to ensure there are no interactions.

Optimal Flax is a supplement that naturally increases the lubrication of the body, including the eyes and skin. This is an effective product for helping reduce Dry Eyes.

Flaxseed oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids which help with several health problems and offer many daily health benefits. If you are looking for a daily vitamin that will assist you with Dry Eye symptoms, Optimal Flax may be the ideal vitamin product.

For those of you who want more information on the Optimal Health products such as Optimal Flaxseed and Optimal Eye (antioxidants) visit www.ioptimalhealth.com

For those who are dealing with degrading vision loss due to Keratoconus, they understand that nothing can be more destructive in their day. Unlike past years, new technology is giving us a “double take” on vision care and treatment options. With new treatments including the Holcomb C3-R®, we can improve and strengthen the corneal fibers, reducing visual fluctuations.

The Holcomb C3-R® only takes around 30 min. to perform and is a completely noninvasive procedure, which equates to very short recovery time. It merely requires the use of a natural vitamin called Riboflavin which is than activated for 30 minutes with UV light. The vitamin penetrates the cornea and the light activates it. This new treatment was created about 10 years ago that allows the doctor to effectively apply and activate the vitamin without painfully removing the epithelium.

The Holcomb C3-R® can be combined with other procedures to improve the vision immediately and increase quality of vision over time. For those who are still skeptical below are 3 benefits of using the Holcomb C3-R® :

1.) The Procedure is quick: For those who are worried about extended procedures, with long recovery times, be reassured that this is a simple procedure that requires almost no recovery time.
2.) No pain: The procedure only requires the use of a natural vitamin already made by your body. It is activated by the UV light which causes very little discomfort for the patient.
3.) Strengthens the Corneal Fibers: This is a benefit because it can fix the damage to the cornea that your eye has already suffered and reverse the damage so your quality of vision can be improved.

With the improvements to vision care in the last decade, and advancements within the next decade, there are many reasons to try the Holcomb C3-R® for yourself.

Listen to Cardinals baseball player Tommy Pham shares his experience with Holcomb C3-R Keratoconus treatment:

For many of us, the thought of getting an annual eye exam slips our mind. However as we get older and our vision changes, we often realize how important it is to have this exam. Many times the eye care professionals will do a series of tests to ensure your vision health. But your eye care professional can also help with prevention of many other conditions by testing you each year. There are other conditions such as diabetes, and heart disease that can be detected through a simple eye exam.

Below are 3 reasons you should get your annual eye exam:

1) An annual eye exam scans for eye conditions – There are several eye conditions that, when they are found early, can be prevented, slowed, or even stopped with early intervention. One of most common missed diagnosed conditions is Keratoconus. The sooner Keratoconus diagnosis is determined, the better your treatment results will be.

2) An annual eye exam can catch other health conditions- Having your eye examined regularly can help catch conditions like Adult onset Diabetes (AKA Type 2 Diabetes), high blood pressure, as well as several heart conditions.

3) An annual eye exam can reduce the severity and length of treatments for vision health- It is best to get early treatments for your eye conditions. The sooner you treat, the more options you will have available to benefit your condition. Especially for glaucoma or cataracts.

Remember that early detection is the best way to get proper treatment of all conditions, including those in your eyes.

Dr. Brian shares the top 3 reasons for eye exam on Dr. Phil’s The Doctors Show:

Before the 1990’s there was little available in regard to treatment options for Keratoconus. Many patients had to deal with the debilitating effects of Keratoconus until they needed a Corneal Transplant. Now there are several new treatments that are improving the overall effects of Keratoconus. INTACS have been available to patients for the treatment of Keratoconus since 1999. This treatment can also assist patients with other eye conditions such as Myopia.

Below are benefits of INTACS for Keratoconus:

Simple, out-patient procedure.
Less invasive then a corneal transplant
Provides you with Improved Quality of Vision
Most Commonly takes less than 15 minutes
Removable if technology changes, but designed to remain in the eye for a lifetime

For most people, the use of INTACS for Keratoconus is a great treatment for correcting their quality of vision and comfort in glasses and contacts. The INTACS are not noticeable within the eye and do not require maintenance once in place. If this is something you might be interested, in speak with your eye care professional for more information.

Procedure & Recovery:

15-30 min. total operative time (1 or 2 eyes)
Little to no recovery time
Little to no pain
Almost immediate improvement
Can be combined with other eye care procedures

There are several advantages including quicker and little to no pain with recovery. INTACS can take the place of your glasses or contact lenses, however most commonly assists in the comfort of these types of correction. They help to reshape the eye’s cornea to help improve your overall quality of vision.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus Treatments, as well as other vision correction procedures.

Watch how a 12 year old boy had his vision restored and saved by INTACS. He was saved from having to undergo the invasive cornea transplant:

For those who have had family members or close friends that were diagnosed with Keratoconus, treatment options probably didn’t sound very promising at that time. With new advancements in the treatment of Keratoconus, success is a common place. In fact over 90% of all patients with Keratoconus are now receiving successful treatments for their Keratoconus, and may have improved overall vision, WITHOUT the need to undergo a painful corneal transplant!

Keratoconus is a progressive eye disease that changes the shape of your cornea from circular to cone shaped over time. These distortions cause your vision to decrease and lower the quality of your vision, as well as your ability to complete your daily life activities. In past years there were only a few treatments available. A diagnosis of Keratoconus meant that you would eventually require a corneal transplant. Now only 5% of patients with Keratoconus eventually need a corneal transplant, and these cases are often due to additional circumstances beyond the Keratoconus diagnosis.

Below are a couple of the New Treatments for Keratoconus:

Holcomb C3-R® Crosslinking System

This treatment was developed over a decade ago and has made remarkable strides in successful Keratoconus treatment. This is a totally non-invasive treatment that only takes about 30 minutes to perform. It strengthens the cornea, reducing visual distortions, fluctuations, and can even occasionally improve overall vision.

INTACS

INTACS is another great treatment for those with Keratoconus that uses tiny segments which are placed in the cornea and reduce the steepness to create a more normal shape. This treatment requires little maintenance and the segments are intended to be left in the eye for a lifetime. The INTACS can be done in combination with the Holcomb C3-R ® to provide better results and is great for those with Keratoconus.

These amazing new treatments have restored hope in the lives of thousands of patients over the past decade. Knowing that there are several new treatment options out there to help you regain your vision should add new hope to your treatment’s success.

Listen to Tom’s story of avoiding a cornea transplant. Tom says “run, don’t walk to see Dr. Brian”