This month we are looking at premium IOLs, not so much the technology or surgery but their actual practical implementation. Our articles cover conversion rates, how to incorporate these lenses into your practice, understanding the patient and pearls for success.

Image via Wikipedia

And this is a most important topic. By the year 2020, the number of people in the US over 65 years old will double. These are the Baby Boomers and no other demographic group is larger. Medicare will likely be maxed out and is on track to pay only about 150 dollars for a cataract with a standard IOL. If you are a resident today or just starting practice, this premium IOL market will likely be what supports you and your family. It will be my fourth wave.

When I was a resident the great wave of patients was phacoemulsification. Phaco built practices, both large and small. Then came RK, followed by LASIK. Both became the main, if not the only, procedure many surgeons did. Now premium IOLs are poised to become the main surgery that many of us do.

Yet today, only 6.4% of all IOLs implanted in the US are premium IOLs. (1) In my own practice, we are at 64%. I believe I should be at 85%! I know every practice is unique, mine is smaller than some yet we are extremely focused on refractive surgery. I believe premium IOL surgery is refractive much more than cataract surgery. It is done on “healthy” eyes, patients are paying for it out of pocket and they expect perfect vision right away. Bingo, refractive surgery!

What are the hurdles? The lenses are excellent, and improving all the time.  Today they are far superior to a standard monofocal. The Crystalens, with the latest HD modified central optic, has recently attained 51% share of the US market. The new Restor +3 and the Technis Multifocal have excellent early reviews as well. Money is a factor but most patients realize the price is actually discounted by their insurance and that this is a one time only opportunity to pay for better, more useful vision. I believe the main reason for the low conversion rate is our own comfort and confidence with the surgery. Many pure cataract surgeons do not deal with astigmatism, and which really is better, laser or blade? We are not geared to counsel cataract patients as refractive patients. We don’t tell patients their options. A new survey on patients implanted with monofocals revealed 81% would have chosen a self-pay premium lens if given the choice. Indeed, according to a recent survey, most patients are not even told about premium IOLs! We fear a surgical complication. The best answer to this is better technology such as a femtosecond laser that does the incisions, relaxing incisions, capsulorhexis, nucleus, etc. The idea is to make cataract surgery more like a YAG. We need more to be focused information on all the above, astigmatism, refractive outcomes, patient counseling and technique.

Premium IOLs are my fourth wave, it’s only a question of when. This timing is largely under our control because it remains a question of value. Patients will choose a real benefit, a true value and this fits that description. When or where else can you purchase something that you will help you see every waking moment of every day for the rest of your life?

LASIK Orange County – Harvard Eye Associates in Orange County, California specializes in LASIK laser vision correction.

LASIK in Orange County

What happens during LASIK surgery that may be affected by corneal thickness? To begin the LASIK procedure, numbing drops are applied to your eye so no pain is felt during your procedure. Next, an ultra-thin blade is used to create a flap on the top of your cornea, which is then folded back and an excimer laser is used to reshape your cornea. This LASIK laser eye procedure corrects your vision as close to 20/20 as possible. Finally, your corneal flap is replaced and left to heal naturally without the need for stitches.

Image via Wikipedia

If you are considering LASIK laser vision correction and have concerns about how good a candidate you might be, be contact the highly qualified LASIK surgeons at Harvard Eye in Orange County, California, who have performed 1,000′s laser vision correction procedures. These surgeons have the skill, experience, up-to-date equipment and technology necessary to meet your needs. Our ophthalmologists provide a comprehensive exam, and exceptional care following your LASIK laser vision correction procedure.

If you would like more information on LASIK vision correction in Orange County, California and the surrounding area, please visit Harvard Eye Associates of LASIK in Orange County today.

Harvard Eye wants each of their patients to be informed and understand the LASIK procedure before making a commitment. To be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, their patients must meet the physical, health and age criteria. Harvard Eye wants you to fully understand the LASIK procedure and be aware of any risks and possible side effects. Harvard Eye is offering some guidelines may assist in a general estimation of your suitability for LASIK surgery. However, a consultation with Harvard Eye would be necessary to determine whether you are fully qualify as a LASIK candidate.

Image via Wikipedia

Harvard Eye explains that LASIK has definite physical, health and age criteria, which must be met before a patient can be considered for LASIK. This includes:

1. Healthy eyes
2. Age of at least 18 years
3. Stable eyeglass prescription for at least one year
4. Vision within the correctable range

Harvard Eye further explains that you are not a candidate for LASIK if you:

1. Have a history of eye disease or injury
2. Have a history of any autoimmune disease
3. Take prescription medications that may affect healing or vision
4. Are pregnant or nursing

Harvard Eye feels is it vital that their patients understand the LASIK procedure and thoroughly read the literature they gives you. Harvard Eye encourages you to ask questions to cover all of your concerns. Harvard Eye has performed over 100,000 successful refractive surgeries; they care deeply about each of their patients and work diligently to stay on top of the most modern techniques and technology. If you are interested in understanding what LASIK can do for you, please call our office now for your free, no-obligation, no-hassle LASIK consultation.

Orange County LASIK – Harvard Eye Associates in Orange County, California specializes in LASIK laser vision correction.

Harvard Eye understands that if you have developed noticeable presbyopia symptoms, you may not want to wear reading glasses, bifocals or contact lenses anymore. Harvard Eye suggests that if your are under age 50 and have not begun to develop cataracts, monovision LASIK may be a good option for you to consider. This is especially true if you are also nearsighted or astigmatic.

Harvard Eye explains that like ordinary LASIK eye surgery, monovision LASIK can also correct existing refractive errors besides presbyopia, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. If you’ve had LASIK before, you can still have monovision LASIK correction as a touch-up procedure, sometimes called an LASIK enhancement.

Harvard Eye has performed well over 100,000 successful refractive eye surgeries, and prides themselves on providing their patients with the kind of care they would want for any member of their own family. We invite you to talk with Harvard Eye about whether monovision LASIK may be right for you.

Image via Wikipedia

Harvard Eye utilizes the same technologically advanced equipment for monovision LASIK as with other LASIK surgeries – a highly specialized laser-called an excimer laser – to reshape the cornea and give you focused vision. The excimer laser emits pulses of concentrated cool, invisible ultraviolet light. When targeted to specific areas on the cornea, it precisely and gently reshapes the cornea by removing extremely tiny amounts of tissue without disturbing other tissue.

Unlike during conventional LASIK surgery, Harvard Eye corrects your vision with monovision LASIK by correcting one eye for distance vision and the other for near vision. Your brain adjusts to focus on a selected image, so you see well at near or far distances. If you haven’t experienced monovision but are interested in trying this approach, Harvard Eye can help you try monovision in advance by fitting you with specialized contact lenses. Harvard Eye may suggest this as an important step to confirm you would be able to adjust easily.

If you are interested in further information about LASIK and finding out if you are a good candidate for this amazing procedure, we invite you to call our office right now for your hassel-free, no-obligation FREE LASIK consultation.

LASIK Orange County- Harvard Eye Associates in Orange County, California specializes in LASIK laser vision correction.