PRK: The original laser eye surgery

It may be hard to believe these days, when everything is "LASIK this" and "LASIK that," but PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) used to be the most common refractive surgery procedure.

Both are grouped under the umbrella "laser eye surgery," but each is a little different when it comes to advantages and disadvantages.

LASIK patients have less discomfort and obtain good vision more quickly (with PRK improvement is gradual and over a few days or even months), but many surgeons prefer PRK for patients with larger pupils or thin corneas. Dr. Drucker is one of these surgeons, and, in fact, is a PRK specialist.

PRK was invented in the early 1980s. The first FDA approval of a laser for PRK was in 1995, but the procedure was practiced in other countries for years. In fact, many Americans had the surgery done in Canada before it was available in the United States.

PRK is performed with an excimer laser, which uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ("ablate") very tiny bits of tissue from the surface of the cornea in order to reshape it. When you reshape the cornea in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before.

Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from PRK. With nearsighted people, the goal is to flatten the too-steep cornea; with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. Also, excimer lasers can correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU WERE NOT A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK, YOU MAY WANT TO SEE IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR PRK. CHECK BACK NEXT WEEK FOR MORE ON THE PRK PROCEDURE.

Beyond Fashion: Why You Gotta Wear Shades

Cheap sunglasses may cost you less, but are they just as likely to protect against the effects of harmful UV rays as expensive sunglasses?

According to Dr. Donald J. D'Amico, chair of ophthalmology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, there is no certain way for consumers to be sure they are getting ultraviolet or UV protection from their sunglasses -- even if they are labeled "UV absorbing" or "UV blocking." Cost is no indicator of UV protection. An expensive pair of sunglasses does not guarantee sufficient protection from the sun.

"There is no government regulating power for the classification of sunglasses," says Dr. D'Amico. As a result, company information may misrepresent how much protection their sunglasses offer; and, unfortunately, consumers sometimes assume all sunglasses have protection if they are dark in color.

Dr. Stephen Trokel, an ophthalmologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, advises that consumers buy sunglasses from reputable companies to ensure that they block both UVA and UVB rays. Another tip is to pair sunglasses with a large-brimmed hat to protect the eyes from sunlight that may enter from above and from the sides of glasses. Wraparound sunglasses and those with large temples also provide important side protection.

Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement; their lenses block harmful UV rays that, in severe cases, can cause permanent damage to the eyes in the form of cataracts, pterygium and possibly retinal degeneration.

Dr. D'Amico and Dr. Trokel caution that consumers should be aware of the following:

- Persons with light-colored eyes, such as blue and green, are often more sensitive to bright sunlight than darker eye shades.
- Individuals who wear contact lenses are least likely to want to wear sunglasses; however, sunglasses are helpful from preventing the drying effect most contact lens wearers get from warm wind; UV protection in contact lenses are the most effective in blocking all UV entering the eye.
- While not always true, the darkness of sunglasses will indicate greater UV protection -- at least if they comply with the ANSI Z80.3 industry standard.
- Automobile window tints are not a replacement for sunglasses; however, windshields screen out and are very effective in absorbing both UVA and UVB rays (because of the internal shatter-proof laminate).

In addition, Dr. D'Amico and Dr. Trokel emphasize that you are never too young to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays. Parents should purchase UV-protected sunglasses for their children with wraparound design and keep infants' eyes shaded.

David Drucker Becomes First Ever "Honorary" Lion's Club Member

David Drucker, MD, PC was honored Tuesday as the first ever "Honorary Member" of Denver's Chapter of the Lion's Club for his work and contributions to the Lion's Club Eye Exams for the Needy Program. Our office has provided eye exams for the homeless and destitute through the Lion's Club for the past five years. The Lion's Club has taken the results of these exams and made glasses for these patients. This contribution has helped many needy people receive the glasses that allow them to function on a daily basis. Many of these patients are then able to find work and make a better life for themselves with their sight restored.

Along with providing exams for the Lion's Club, our office has also performed eye exams for the Stout Street Clinic. The Stout Street Clinic is a local organization that helps recovering alcoholics and drug addicts. Many of their members are also homeless and jobless and are very grateful for the services we provide at no charge to them.

Congratulations to Dr.David Drucker for being recognized for his contribution to this group of underserved Colorado residents.

Do You Suffer From Excessive Underarm Sweating?

Summer and hot weather are welcomed by most, but if you suffer from excessive underarm sweating, you may be dreading the coming months. However, if underarm sweating is significantly interfering with your daily activities and topical agents haven't worked, you may be a candidate for BOTOX® treatment. First, it's important to understand the condition.

Excessive underarm sweating is a medical condition known as primary axillary hyperhidrosis which involves overactive sweat glands. Sweat is your body's temperature regulator. In primary axillary hyperhidrosis, sweating significantly exceeds the body's normal requirements for cooling.

For more information about excessive underarm sweating, visit the International Hyperhidrosis Society Web site at http://www.sweathelp.org/.

A number of different treatments and products are available to help people with excessive underarm sweating including special deodorants, surgery and BOTOX® treatments. BOTOX® is FDA-approved for excessive underarm sweating that is inadequately managed with topical agents. BOTOX® helps control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don't receive chemical signals, the excessive sweating stops.

After a BOTOX® treatment, you should notice a significant reduction in underarm sweating within 4 weeks. There is a possibility that some sweat glands may be missed, and you may continue to experience some sweating from the untreated areas. If you do not see a significant reduction in sweating, you should contact your healthcare provider and request a follow-up consultation.

And how does sweating fit into an eye health blog? Introduced over thirty years ago, ophthalmologists were the first to use BOTOX®, treating crossed eyes and eyelid spasms. Today BOTOX® has become FDA approved for many treatments from wrinkle reduction to migraine relief. If you suffer from excessive sweating, ask your ophthalmologist or dermatologist if BOTOX® might be right for you.

David Drucker, MD currently treats excessive underarm sweating with BOTOX®. The procedure is in office and there is no down time. Call today for a free consultation: (303) 293-9311.

LASIK and the FDA

Last week, you may have heard LASIK news such as the following:

"The FDA’s Ophthalmic Devices Panel heard last Friday from both satisfied and dissatisfied LASIK patients, as well as representatives from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology who spoke about the extensive track record of safety and effectiveness for LASIK.

Following a long day of testimony and presentations, the panel made several recommendations for consideration by the FDA, including:

• Adding photographic illustrations of certain side effects to the FDA Web site
• Better explanation of certain outcomes, such as myopic patients who have LASIK eventually needing reading glasses post surgery
• More understandable information about the potential risks of LASIK (such as dry eye, halos, glare, starbursts, etc.) and about conditions that might make a patient a poor candidate for LASIK (such as a family history of keratoconus and a history of depression)
• Additional information or guidance in the labeling about postoperative intraocular pressure, and additional guidance for implant measurement for post LASIK cataract surgery"

Yeah, you say, but what does that mean?

It means that LASIK is as safe as it has always been. But LASIK, no matter how simple and quick the results are, is still a surgery. With any surgery, there are risks and chances of complications. Unfortunately there are doctors who perhaps do not emphasize these risks well enough to their patients and there are patients who, even though informed, do not pay enough attention to these risks. As a result, patients are undergoing LASIK surgery without being fully informed.

The panel of advisors for the FDA that met last week has put together a list of suggestions hoping to better educate patients before they undergo surgery. As an office that provides LASIK, we are proud to say that we already adhere to these recommendations. As a patient seeking LASIK, our advice to you is to learn all you can before you undergo the vision correction procedure. Learn your options and be honest about your eye history. If you suffer from dry eye, perhaps you should consider PRK instead. If you have a family history of kerataconus, ask your doctor if LASIK is really right for you.

LASIK surgery is an extremely beneficial procedure. Millions of people around the world have undergone the procedure and are happy with their results. Whether or not you would be happy with LASIK depends a lot on your expectations. Research, ask questions, and think carefully before getting your eyes zapped. Your comfort with your doctor and the information you receive will greatly determine your comfort post-procedure.

Reasons for Having Eye Surgery

VisionWatch, a large-scale, continuous consumer-based measurement of the U.S. eyewear market, surveys 100,000 consumers annually about their attitudes, awareness, behaviors and purchasing patterns in all areas of the eye care industry. Recently they surveyed patient who had laser vision correction asking, "What events prompted you to have eye surgery?" The primary reason was due to consumers feeling glasses or contacts were an increasing hassle. Almost a third just decided it was time to have it, while a quarter did it because friends or family had it done.

Here's the results in detail:

What events prompted you to have eye surgery?

• Friends/family had it done.....26.3%


• The expenses were reimbursed or partially reimbursed by insurance.....17.0%


• Pretax medical benefits provided some relief of cost.....7.0%


• Glasses or contacts became increasing hassle.....44.6%


• Financing terms available by the doctor's practice made it affordable.....12.3%


• New technology that offers more precise correction.....20.9%


• Just decided it was time to have it.....33.0%


• Don't know/can't remember.....4.0%

Do You Know About Velashape?

The evolution of cellulite treatment has taken another leap forward with the introduction of VelaShape. Syneron's new VelaShape can be used predictably for quickly losing inches, which makes it attractive for those patients who desire faster results.

Syneron, the maker of VelaShape, is already known as a leader in the development of cellulite reduction technology due to the success of VelaSmooth. Velashape is a combination of Bi-Polar Radio Frequency and Infrared Light delivered through tissue mobilization combined with suction, to reduce the appearance of cellulite and re-contour problem areas.

One great use of Velashape: Body After Baby. Weight gain during pregnancy is healthy and natural, but many women crave to return to their pre-pregnancy bodies after childbirth. Alongwith a balanced diet and exercise, VelaShape’s revolutionary technology can help achieve body contouring through Circumferential Reduction.

Dr. Drucker has been offering Velashape since January of this year and our patients have been ecstatic with the results. Rachel Ray and Dr. Phil have both featured Velashape on their shows recently so you may have seen results. Visit our website to see our Rachel Ray clip or call us to set up a free consultation to see if Velashape is right for you.