Eye Problems and Diabetes

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Laser Locators

If you have diabetes, regular visits to your ophthalmologist for eye exams are important to avoid eye problems. High blood sugar (glucose) increases the risk of diabetes eye problems. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20 to 74. High blood sugar in diabetes causes the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To correct this kind of eye problem, you need to get your blood sugar back into the target range (90-130 milligrams per deciliter or mg/dL before meals, and less than 180 mg/dL one to two hours after a meal). It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is well controlled for your vision to fully get back to normal. Blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious eye problem with diabetes. The three major eye problems that people with diabetes may develop and should be aware of are cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy

The retina is a group of specialized cells that convert light as it enters though the lens into images. The eye nerve or optic nerve transmits visual information to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the vascular (blood-vessel related) complications related to diabetes. This diabetes eye problem is due to damage of small vessels and is called a “microvascular complication.” Kidney disease and nerve damage due to diabetes are also microvascular complications. Large blood vessel damage (also called macrovascular complications) includes complications like heart disease and stroke.

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Presbyopia – New Technologies & Treatments

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Laser Locators

Excimer Lasers and Multifocal Corneal Ablations

Alarcón et al evaluated different theoretical models of a multifocal cornea for the correction of presbyopia by laser ablation using ray tracings. Because the pupil’s size decreases with accommodation, the investigators preferred the central model to obtain optimal multifocality with the achievement of a 2.4-mm central zone diameter to the peripheral model with a 2.9-mm central zone. It should be noted that, although near vision is better, the quality of distance vision provided by these models is worse than that of a presbyopic emmetropic eye.

In a clinical trial conducted over 12-months showed results of aspheric wavefrontguided LASIK to treat hyperopic presbyopia. They treated 66 eyes of 33 patients using the Visx Star S4 IR (Abbott Medical Optics Inc.). Six months postoperatively, mean corrected distance visual acuity was 20/20+1, and distance corrected near visual acuity was 2.7 ±1.7, with a maximum of a 6-line improvement in near vision. At 12 months, 100{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of patients achieved a binocular simultaneous UCVA of 20/25 or better and J3. Negative spherical aberration highly correlated with a postoperative improvement in distance corrected near visual acuity. In their conclusions, the researchers stated that patients who had a larger amount of preoperative hyperopia or a greater decrease in preoperative distance-corrected near visual acuity were more likely to have overall satisfaction.

A chart review of 178 consecutive patients underwent bilateral presby-LASIK (or progressive multifocal LASIK) using the WaveLight Allegretto excimer laser (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.). The patients had a preoperative refractive error of emmetropia, myopia of up to -5.00 D, or hyperopia of up to +3.00 D and no more than 3.00 D of astigmatism. Of 102 patients with at least 3 months’ postoperative follow-up, 81{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} had a binocular distance UCVA of 20/20 or better, and 98{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} saw 20/25 or better. Additionally, 44{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} achieved J1 binocular near acuity, 60{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} J2, and 96{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} J3 or better.

Another clinical trial presented early outcomes of Intracor femtosecond laser treatment for presbyopia. The investigators treated the nondominant eye of 25 patients using the Technolas Perfect Vision femtosecond laser (Technolas Perfect Vision GmbH). The procedure involves the creation of five consecutive intrastromal rings around the line of sight. Treatment times were approximately 20 seconds. The mean gain in UCVA was 4.42 lines, with a range of 0 to 9 lines of improvement. The mean loss of distance BCVA was -0.46 ±0.83.9 Similarly, Ruiz et al evaluated 83 eyes of 45 patients with 6- to 12-month follow-up. Of the 83 eyes, 89.2{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} achieved both J2 and 20/25 or better, and 69.9{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} achieved a near UCVA of J1. This technology has the advantage of being minimally invasive, with a rapid effect manifesting within minutes to several hours. Further investigation of long-term stability is ongoing.

Related data from a safety study performed in the Philippines by Harvey S. Uy, MD. Fourteen patients were between 45 and 60 years of age with 20/40 or better BCVA, had no greater than grade 2 cataracts, and had originally consented to cataract surgery. All underwent unilateral treatment with the option to proceed to cataract surgery after 1 month of follow-up. Early results showed no progressive cataract formation at 1 month.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

OCT – Now A Tool For The Comprehensive Ophthalmologist

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Laser Locators

Ocular Surgery News U.S. Edition, June 10, 2012

According to Richard L. Lindstrom, MD optical coherence tomography has moved from being a tool primarily utilized by the retina subspecialist to one increasingly present in the comprehensive ophthalmologist’s office.

Time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) is a non-contact test that can be done by an ophthalmic technician to image the optic nerve, macula or retina. The OCT (SD-OCT), which is a higher-speed, higher-definition instrument that gives even better images, allowing resolution that includes individual cell layers including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), photoreceptors, as well as a larger area of the retina or macula. The newest SD-OCT algorithms even allow 3-D reconstructions.

New strides are occurring in TD-OCT and SD-OCT to interpret retinal and macular thickness, RPE elevation and drusen size/volume in microns. In the future, it is anticipated that even cellular metabolic rates will be measurable. And similar technology is being applied in the anterior segment, promising great advances in diagnostic capability.

The classical abnormalities in dry age–related macular degeneration include drusen formation, pigment dispersion/clumping and focal atrophy of the RPE. Each of these findings can be observed, documented and measured with OCT. In addition, with SD-OCT, drusen size and volume can be measured, and the actual RPE cells at the edge of an area of geographic atrophy can be seen, allowing one to measure the rate of progression. Photoreceptor atrophy and changes in the choriocapillaris often accompany these changes and can be visualized. In wet AMD, one can visualize the area where abnormal vessels penetrate Bruch’s membrane, causing fluid or blood to accumulate under the RPE and resulting in a pigment epithelial detachment (PED) or fluid accumulation in the subretinal space or within the retina. The size and volume of a PED can be measured, as can the overlying retinal thickness, potentially allowing earlier diagnosis and, when treated, monitoring of the response to therapy.

For the cataract surgeon, preoperative screening allows the detection of epiretinal membranes, vitreomacular traction syndrome, diabetic macular edema and rarer macular abnormalities such as macular schisis, resulting in proper preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative therapy and timely patient counseling. Postoperative macular thickness is a very useful tool in the diagnosis of postsurgical cystoid macular edema and is also helpful in monitoring the response to therapy. TD-OCT imaging and SD-OCT imaging of the optic nerve head are becoming a critical component in the early diagnosis of glaucoma and in monitoring the patient for early signs of progression.

Ophthalmology has always been heavily dependent on technology to enhance the diagnostic and treatment acumen of the clinician, and despite the cost of OCT acquisition in the face of increasing economic pressure; it is difficult to imagine a busy ophthalmic practice without OCT or SD-OCT in 5 years.

Save Money with Section 179 – Deadline December 31st

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Laser Locators

Most people think the Section 179 deduction is some mysterious or complicated tax code. Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. Today, Section 179 is one of the few incentives included in any of the recent Stimulus Bills that actually helps small businesses. Although large businesses also benefit from Section 179 or Bonus Depreciation, the original target of this legislation was much needed tax relief for small businesses – and millions of small businesses are actually taking action and getting real benefits.

When your business buys certain items of equipment, it typically gets to write them off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example). Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it. In fact, if a business could write off the entire amount, they might add more equipment this year instead of waiting over the next few years. That’s the whole purpose behind Section 179 – to motivate the American economy (and your business) to move in a positive direction. For most small businesses (adding total equipment, software, and vehicles totaling less than $139,000 in 2012), the entire cost can be written-off on the 2012 tax return.

All businesses that purchase, finance, and/or lease less than $560,000 in new or used business equipment during tax year 2012 should qualify for the Section 179 Deduction. If a business is unprofitable in 2012, and has no taxable income to use the deduction, that business can elect to use 50% Bonus Depreciation and carry-forward to a year when the business is profitable. The equipment, vehicle(s), and/or software must be used for business purposes more than 50% of the time to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction. Simply multiply the cost of the equipment, vehicle(s), and/or software by the percentage of business-use to arrive at the monetary amount eligible for Section 179.

Contact Laser Locators today to talk with their team about how 179 can help with your purchase. We also offer creative financing options throughout the United States and Canada.

Source: www.section179.org

Ophthalmic Equipment Industry Manufacturers

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Laser Locators

While there are literally hundreds of ophthalmic equipment manufacturers available at your fingertips today, a few stand out among the rest in the industry in service and quality. With years of experience behind their names, below is a list of just some of the manufactures whose quality ophthalmic equipment we provide to practices all over the country.
Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life®. Our products for refractive laser surgery include the Zyoptix® system for personalized vision correction (customized LASIK) and the Zyoptix XP and Hansatome® brands of microkeratomes.
The medical division systems of Canon provides a wide range of digital imaging products that help thousands of medical professionals diagnose and treat patients. With Canon’s innovative in optics and full auto digital technology, retinal examinations can now be conducted with superior imaging and greater efficiency than ever before.
HAAG-STREIT is a leading provider of instruments and medical-practice equipment for ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians. For more than 50 years “The HAAG-STREIT Slit Lamp” has been regarded as the standard instrument for ophthalmic diagnosis. HAAG-STREIT products impress by their precision, functionality and practical handling of traditional high-precision mechanics and optics with state-of-the-art technologies.
LightMed is a designer, manufacturer and distributor of Ophthalmic Medical Equipment with our main focus for the future being Laser treatment products. Our personnel have a wealth of experience in the Medical Equipment industry in the Laser, Optical, Electronic and Mechanical areas.
NIDEK offers a wide array of equipment designed for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases, glaucoma, and other vision-impairing afflictions. Our aim is to avail the field with products of unmatched quality, service, and value. Nidek has always strived to maintain its place as an innovator in the industry.
For more than 110 years, OCULUS has been a partner for eyecare professionals around the world. OCULUS provides support for the challenging daily tasks this group of specialists encounters by developing sophisticated technology-based instruments of the highest quality and by providing them excellent in-serve training on their efficient operation.
SciCan Ltd. is a major manufacturer and distributor of products in the healthcare industry, where the SciCan name has become well known for its proven innovation, high quality and dependability. SciCan provides total support and technical service for all products sold. In fact, SciCan’s R&D and Technical Service departments form one of the largest of any Canadian manufacturer in its marketplace.
For over 35 years, Topcon- (TMS) has been leading the way with the most technically advanced instrumentation in the marketplace. Our product line comprises the largest selection of precision instruments from one manufacturer providing products for a wide range of applications, including imaging, diagnostic, refractive, lens processing, surgical, and delivery. Recently awarded the ISO 9001-2000 Certification, an international quality management and assurance system that applies to facilities that design, develop, install, and service products.
Zeiss/Humphrey- Carl Zeiss Vision is proud to offer the most technologically advanced lens processing and coating equipment. All equipment from Carl Zeiss Vision is the result of more than 150 years of advanced research, innovation and German technology. In the field of ophthalmology we offer complete solutions for treating the four main eye ailments: vision defects (refraction), cataract, glaucoma and retinal disorders.
For more information on leading ophthalmic manufacturers visit https://www.jazdhealthcare.com/
Laser Locators, Nu Vision Medical is a leader in helping eye care physicians locate, buy and sell refractive lasers and a complete range of surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment. We locate new, pre-owned and refurbished optical equipment, and products for national eye care practices. We can help you focus on growing your practice. Let one of our ophthalmic equipment experts help you today- Laserlocators.com