Author: cmg-wd

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”

Those battling eyesight issues, especially people with kerataconus, know how aggravating it can be to go back and forth from one doctors appointment to another. Prescription contacts, glasses or eye surgery without results can make it seem like relief is too far away. However, Insertable Contact Lenses (ICL) can help improve your vision without the hassle of traditional lenses.

ICL treatment is a new breakthrough in the field of enhanced vision care and consists of lenses that are inserted into your eye through a small opening. The lens, which is made out of copolymer and collagen, then unfolds in your eye and is positioned behind the iris and in front of your natural lens.
The entire process is completed as an outpatient procedure in about 10 to 15 minutes. Benefits to inserting an ICL for keratoconus include:

• Same day improvement in vision
• Should vision change in the future, the lens can be exchanged
• Once in place, you cannot feel the ICL
• Material won’t degrade
• Ideal for those that suffer from dry eyes

The collamer material that makes up the ICL is highly biocompatible, allowing the lens to rest in position in order to correct vision. Additionally, the ICL contains an ultraviolet filter that protects your eye. Once the procedure is complete, the ICL will remain in your eye without needing to be maintained aside from an annual visit to your eye doctor to check for changes in your vision. Talking to your eye doctor during your next visit will allow you to learn about ICL treatment so you can see how it can improve your vision and correct keratoconus.

For those who are familiar with Keratoconus, Corneal Transplants maybe a familiar treatment option. But with today’s advanced technology, there are several treatments yielding amazing results when it comes to the treatment of Keratoconus. For generations past, the only treatment of Keratoconus was a corneal transplant. But the success of alternative treatments has made corneal transplants an option in less than 5% of patients with Keratoconus in fact they are almost obsolete.

Other treatments such as the Holcomb C3-R®, INTACS®, Hybrid Lenses, and even PRK have yielded excellent results. These treatments have aided in slowing, reversing, and in some cases stopping the progression of Keratoconus. For many, visual freedom and overall improved quality of vision is within reach.

Some of you may be wondering what Keratoconus is and what are the signs. For those of you who are new to this condition or even have family members who are newly diagnosed with Keratoconus, it is a progressive eye condition which causes the cornea to extend into a cone-shape causing distortions in the patients vision over time.

The lens slowly bulges outward causing blurred or double vision, decreased night vision, difficulty reading, and several other symptoms. The condition can be hereditary, caused by frequent rubbing, or injury to the eye. Over time the patient can have a severe decrease in vision, causing problems with daily activities, driving, or night vision.

Treatments:

Holcomb C3-R® Corneal Crosslinking System

Also known as Corneal Collagen Crosslinking with Riboflavin, Holcomb C3-R® is a treatment that strengthens the corneal fibers over time, fixing the damage or bulge to the cornea. This can improve the vision slightly over 4-16 weeks, but most importantly it will stop the disease from progressing. The treatment is non-invasive and uses a natural vitamin called Riboflavin along with a UV light to activate it. The treatment takes 30 minutes and continues to work to improve your sight for weeks after it’s complete.

INTACS®:

INTACS® are tiny segments that are placed in your cornea to provide support and add shape to your cornea. INTACS® can be added in combination with the Holcomb C3-R® and take less than an hour for both eyes to be done. There is less recovery time and less pain involved with the procedure than a corneal transplant. The procedure for INTACS® is minimally invasive and requires very little recovery. INTACS® also can be removed relatively easily if technology changes or you need them removed for some reason in the future.

13yr old Brianna had her Keratoconus treated with these advanced treatments, watch her story here: http://youtu.be/KZFC8NOp_hI

Not only is Baseball America’s pastime, but it is a large cause of eye injury during the summer season. Over 90% of eye related injuries can be prevented; many times with simple safety measures. If you are active in sports, especially in Baseball, your vision is needed often to measure your swing or even pitch the ball. The longer players play baseball, the more chance of damage to the eye. It is very important to keep your vision in excellent shape when it comes to playing sports.

Most victims of eye related conditions are between 15-25 years of age, often in an athlete’s prime years. As a player, it is important to have yourself checked annually for eye damage or progressive eye conditions. As a coach, it is equally important to ensure your players are getting their checkups. Near and far vision is required to properly play the game. Below are some of the most common sports related eye injuries:

• Detached Retina’s

• Corneal Lacerations

• Hemorrhages

• Loss of eye

Most of these injuries are due to direct ocular contact with the ball. While baseball is the sport we love, we must protect ourselves at all times. Several athletes have neglected their vision and have waited to get their checkups until their vision was so bad that they could barely make it through the day. St. Louis Cardinals’ Aaron Luna recently had vision correction surgery to improve his vision. The Visian ICL, which is a tiny implantable contact lens, is placed in the eye to improve your natural lens vision. With the Visian ICL, you can experience life without contact lenses or glasses in most cases.

Aaron remembers what it was like before the Visian ICL and now is grateful he had the procedure done. The Visian ICL takes only about 20 minutes per eye and the recovery time is generally around a week. You should ask your eye care professional about the Visian ICL – it could benefit you in your next Baseball season!

The Visian ICL has been gaining popularity for individuals with Keratoconus. Keratoconus can lead to high levels of myopia (nearsightedness). The Visian ICL as a Keratoconus treatment can help reduce the high levels of myopia, so patients with Keratoconus might be able to wear glasses or less powerful contacts. In some cases, Keratoconus patients might be able to reduce their need for contacts or glasses after Visian ICL.

For more information on the Visian ICL visit: www.visianinfo.com

12 year old, Nicey, had her life changed by Visian ICl for Keratoconus, watch her story here: http://youtu.be/j4BNj6pnzvU

Dry Eye is a common condition. Often Dry Eye gets worse during the summer months. If you have struggled with Dry Eye and it seems you are getting little relief, LipiFlow® may be able to help. Lipiflow® is a 10-minute treatment that cleans out the glands that are blocked by dust and debris.

Those who are active during the summer, have a job that requires hours on the computer, or even those who work around flying dust or debris have difficulty with Dry Eye. It can cause pain and irritation, reducing your quality of vision and interrupting your daily activities. Below are a few signs of Dry Eye:

• Itchiness

• Redness

• Blurred vision

• Discomfort

• Gritty sensations

• Scratchy eyes
• Sensitivity to light

Overall Benefits of LipiFlow®:

There are several benefits to getting the LipiFlow® treatment. For those who have been suffering for several years, you can have significant improvement within 4 weeks. LipiFlow® allows the glands to be cleaned and increase the patient’s natural lipid production. This gradually helps with relief from your symptoms and can allow for a better quality of vision overall. If you have been dealing with Dry Eye without relief for a long period of time, you understand the need for treatment to help the underlying problem. LipiFlow® goes right to the gland that is blocked allowing true relief.

Some of the overall benefits of using the LipiFlow® treatment are:

• Improved quality of vision

• Improved lipid production

• Less irritation during work or personal activities

• little to no pain

• 86% improvement rate

Current over the counter artificial tears, “Get the red out” eye drops, and other treatments will only provide you with temporary relief. After a while these products may not work the same. LipiFlow® can be a true treatment for your Dry Eye symptoms. Getting a checkup annually and asking your eye care professionals about LipiFlow® can give you a better idea if it may be right for you. Get relief for your chronic Dry Eye and improve your quality of vision with LipiFlow®.

To hear Barbara’s first-hand results, click the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbx-CXBuZTY

The disease Keratoconus is a progressive condition that causes the patients quality of vision to decrease gradually over time. In the past there was only one main treatment for Keratoconus other than eye glasses or contact lenses, which was corneal transplants. Over the past decade or longer, technology has improved the treatments for Keratoconus including treatments like INTACS®, Holcomb C3-R®, and even CK.

These treatments alone or combined can improve the patients overall vision, and in almost all cases they have been known to stop the progression of Keratoconus.

Holcomb C3-R® Crosslinking System:

The Holcomb C3-R® is a treatment which is making incredible progress in the treatments for patients with Keratoconus. Keratoconus is a progressive condition that damages the cornea or the lens of the eye causing it to go from a dome shape to cone shape distorting the vision. The Holcomb C3-R® strengthens the corneal fibers allowing the cornea to return to its original shape over time and stopping the progression of the disease.

INTACS® are also a great treatment to help those with Keratoconus. There are many that also have the ability to combine both the Holcomb C3-R® with INTACS® to provide them with a better quality of vision and in some cases remove the need for glasses or contacts. INTACS® are tiny inserts that are placed within the cornea to help shape and provide support to your vision.

INTACS® Benefits:

Less-invasive procedure
Takes less than an hour
An outpatient procedure
Can be used in combination with other procedures
Less maintenance, can be easily removed if necessary

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in Keratoconus treatments, and other procedures.

Here numerous stories of patients whose lives were changed by having their Keratoconus fixed by Dr. Brian: http://tiny.cc/m7h0ix