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Posted on November 20, 2011 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
By now you’ve probably heard of all-laser LASIK which dramatically improved the precision and safety we could offer our patients who wanted vision correct surgery. But have you heard about bladeless cataract surgery? The exciting all-laser technology used to correct the vision of our LASIK patients is now being used to increase the precision and safety of cataract removal. In the past, our skilled cataract surgeons manually made a small incision in the eye to remove the cataract, the lens inside of the eye that had become cloudy over time. Eye Doctors of Washington is the first practice in Washington, DC to offer all-laser cataract surgery to our patients using Alcon’s femtosecond LenSX platform!
“Having a LASIK practice, we have seen the benefit of the advances in laser technology through the years. The transition from using mechanical cuts to all-laser LASIK brought both safety and precision to the procedure. Our expectation is that LenSx laser will similarly bring increased accuracy and precision to cataract surgery, which is already a safe and successful procedure.” Said Dr. Kang.
The femtosecond laser makes this possible by creating a more precise, and therefore safer, incision that is reproducible. In one study presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, femtosecond laser incisions achieved incision accuracy in 100% of cases, while only 10% of surgeons’ manual cuts were within the acceptable range. It gives our surgeons greater control and flexibility while in surgery. The incisions created by the femtosecond laser are so small that they heal faster than the incisions manually made by our surgeons, further reducing the risk of infection.
“The addition of the LenSx laser is exciting because it allows us the ability to provide our patients with the precision of computer controlled surgical incisions and a gentler method to remove the lens. There is no question that it will revolutionize the way we do cataract surgery,” said Dr. Clinch.
Posted on November 9, 2011 in Latest News
First Custom Cataract Surgery with LenSx Performed in Washington DC by Eye Doctors of Washington
The same innovation used for all-laser LASIK is now revolutionizing cataract surgery
Drs. Thomas E. Clinch, MD and Paul C. Kang, MD are the first eye surgeons in Washington, DC to perform cataract surgery with Alcon’s LenSx®, a bladeless, computer-controlled laser that ensures the highest-precision surgical incisions. The laser was launched this week at Palisades Eye Surgery Center, in Bethesda, MD where 16 customized laser cataract surgery procedures were performed on November 1st and 2nd by Drs. Clinch and Kang. “The addition of the LenSx laser is exciting because it allows us the ability to provide our patients with the precision of computer controlled surgical incisions and a gentler method to remove the lens. There is no question that it will revolutionize the way we do cataract surgery” said Dr. Clinch.
The LenSx® Femtosecond Laser is one of the most important technological advances in the field of cataract surgery to come along in some time. This computer-guided, surgeon-controlled laser has a number of advantages when compared to traditional cataract surgery, that include:
- Allows for greater surgical precision
- Involves no surgical blades for corneal incisions and anterior capsulotomies
- Custom-guided laser is programmed for the most precise treatment on each unique individual
- Automates what are typically very challenging steps in traditional cataract surgery
- Corrects for Astigmatism via laser rather than a manual incision, during the time of cataract surgery. This lessens the need for glasses post-operatively.
- Decreases some risks associated with traditional cataract surgery
LenSx utilizes a femtosecond laser, which has been used to perform LASIK surgery since FDA approval in 2001, and offers an alternative to the mechanical cuts used in traditional LASIK.
“Having a LASIK practice, we have seen the benefit of the advances in laser technology through the years. The transition from using mechanical cuts to all-laser LASIK brought both safety and precision to the procedure. Our expectation is that LenSx laser will similarly bring increased accuracy and precision to cataract surgery, which is already a safe and successful procedure.” Said Dr. Kang.
About Thomas E. Clinch, MD
Dr. Thomas Clinch graduated from Cornell University and earned his medical degree with high honors from Jefferson Medical College. He then completed his ophthalmology residency at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital, as well as a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the Louisiana State University Eye Center. Dr. Clinch is a prolific author, having published more than 100 scientific articles and presentations. He has truly been a pioneering ophthalmic surgeon and was the first in our region to implant the Intraoperative miniature telescope for macular degeneration, phakic intraocular lenses for highly nearsighted patients, Intracorneal inlays for farsighted patients, multifocal intraocular lenses and LenSx for cataract surgery, and was involved in FDA trials for the approval of LASK. He has served as a present of the Washington Metropolitan Ophthalmology Society and was honored with an Achievement Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has been named to “Top Doctors” by Washingtonian Magazine, Super Doctors by the Washington Post, as well as received many other honors.
About Paul C. Kang, MD
Dr. Paul Kang graduated from Harvard University, cum laude and received his medical degree at Indiana University. Dr. Kang finished his ophthalmology residency at the Duke University Eye Center, and completed a prestigious fellowship in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at the John Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah. He has been selected to Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctors, and Washington Post SuperDoctors. Dr Kang served as the president of the Washington DC Metropolitan Ophthalmological Society. He and Dr Clinch are the team eye doctors for the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards.
The Eye Doctors of Washington has three locations in the Washington DC area: Chevy Chase Metro Building at 2 Wisconsin Circle Suites 200 and 230 Chevy Chase, MD 20815, which can be reached at (301) 215-7100; Washington DC office at 1016 16th St. NW, Lower Level 100 Washington, DC 20036, which can be reached at (202) 659-2050; and Tyson’s Corner 8230 Boone Blvd. Suite #125 Vienna, VA 22182, which can be reached at (703) 962-7104. EDOW can also be found online at edow.com or facebook.com/edowdc.
[1] Vision Problems in the U.S. report, developed by the National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America, 2002. Retrieved on 9/27/2011 from aao.org/newsroom/press_kit/upload/Eye_Stats_3-5-07.
Posted on October 26, 2011 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
The Washington Capitals are back and so is your chance to win free LASIK! If the CAPS score a goal during the last 2 minutes of the 2nd period, a randomly chosen Caps fan will win free LASIK from Eye Doctors of Washington. So far this season, two lucky fans have won free LASIK. Congratulations, Brian Sipes and Caitlyn Kochanski! We look forward to seeing you at your appointments.
To be a part of this contest, be sure to sign up at http://www.edow.com/two-minutes-to-20-20/
Posted on in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
It’s open enrollment for most of us right now, and it’s more important now than ever to max out those Health Savings Accounts (also known as Flex Spending Accounts and Health Reimbursement Accounts). This coming year, 2012, will be the last year that you can put the maximum of $5,000 in your HSA. The tax laws have changed and, starting in 2013, the maximum amount allowed in any HSA will be $2,500. What does this mean for you? If you’re interested in laser eye surgery like LASIK, this is the last year that you can use your HSA to cover the entire cost of your surgery with pre-tax dollars. To schedule a consultation to see if you’re a good candidate or if you have any questions about this change in HSAs, call us at 240-482-1220.
Posted on September 14, 2011 in Latest News
Eye Doctors of Washington Perform 30,000th LASIK Procedure at Tyson's Corner Location
The Eye Doctors of Washington (EDOW) is announcing the successful completion of their 30,000th LASIK eye surgery procedure, which was performed at their new Tyson’s Corner location in Northern Virginia. With more than 40 years of vision correction and ophthalmology services in the area, the eye care specialists at EDOW says they are proud to announce this latest milestone because it speaks to their continued commitment to providing their patients with the highest-quality eye care available, whether performing vision correction procedures, or cataract surgery.
The Eye Doctors of Washington (EDOW) have been serving the vision correction and ophthalmic needs of Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D. C. for more than 40 years. Following the recent opening of a new location to provide LASIK at Tyson’s Corner, the practice is announcing the completion of the 30,000th vision correction procedure.
Dr. Thomas Clinch is an ophthalmologist at EDOW, and says this momentous achievement speaks volumes to the practice’s commitment to high quality eye care supported by the latest technology available. He adds that the continued support of the EDOW staff and loyal patients is essential to the lasting success of the practice.
As EDOW celebrates this latest milestone, refractive surgeon Dr. Paul Kang says the success of the new Tyson’s Corner location is a testament to the practice’s dedication to meeting patient demand and providing safe and effective eye care throughout the Washington, D. C. area. “Dr. Clinch and I are very proud to have had the opportunity to help so many people. It is a great privilege to serve the people in the Washington area, and it has been fun to watch our family of happy patients continually grow.”
About Eye Doctors of Washington
The Eye Doctors of Washington practice was originally founded by a group of professors from the Center for Sight at Georgetown University. All ophthalmologists are certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and fellowship trained in subspecialties ranging from cornea and refractive surgery, glaucoma, pediatrics, and strabismus. Additionally, all of the doctors have been directors of fellowship training programs, and have received numerous awards and honors from organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
EDOW has three eye care locations: 2 Wisconsin Circle, Suites 200 and 230 in Chevy Chase, MD 20815, which can be reached at 301-215-7100; 1016 16th St. NW, Level 100 in Washington D. C., 20036, which can be reached at 202-659-2050; and Tyson’s Corner at 8230 Boone Blvd. Ste. 125 in Vienna, VA 22182, which can be reached at 703-962-7104. All locations can be reached toll-free at 877-SEE-WITH-LASIK, or found online at edow.com or the Eye Doctors of Washington Facebook page.
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Posted on August 31, 2011 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
By Hylton Mayer, MD
Glaucoma, a condition related to high pressure inside the eyes, can cause damage to the optic nerve, the nerve that connects the eye to the brain. When the optic nerve is damaged, a person can lose vision, typically side (or peripheral) vision first, but a person could ultimately lose all vision in the affected eye or eyes.
Glaucoma affects more than 2 million people in the United States. It is more common as people age, and as the general U.S. population ages, glaucoma diagnoses are expected to increase. Besides age, there are other risk factors associated with glaucoma, including a family history of glaucoma, nearsightedness, and being of non-Caucasian descent.
A recent study published in the journal Ophthalmology has clarified some other risk factors associated with glaucoma. The research involved a review of medical billing records for over 2 million people aged 40 and older who had visited with an eye doctor between 2001 and 2007. The study found that people with diabetes had a 35 percent increase in their risk for developing glaucoma; people with high blood pressure had a 17 percent increased risk; and, people with both diabetes and hypertension had a 48 percent increased risk of developing glaucoma compared with the average population.
Having diabetes and/or hypertension increases the risk for other eye problems such as cataracts or retina damage, too. This study supports the importance of regular eye exams for patients with risk factors for the development of ocular disease, including diabetes and hypertension.
Citation: The Relationship Between Components of Metabolic Syndrome and Open-Angle Glaucoma. Ophthalmology, 2011 July.
Posted on July 8, 2011 in Screen Feed
Juvederm is a permanent facial filler that is used to plump up specific areas of the face?
Posted on in Screen Feed
Approximately 80% of the UV ray our eyes will be exposed to occurs before the age of 18?
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Since UV rays easily penetrate cloud cover, you should wear your sunglasses outside even on overcast days?
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Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause the development of cataracts, increase your risk of macular degeneration, and cause benign growth on your eyes?
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