Dec. 27, 2000--
A new procedure, done right in a doctor's office, could let some people toss their eye-glasses and contacts.
Astigmatisms
--or eye irregularities--
result when the cornea is shaped more like a football rather than a round basketball.
But now, doctors have a new tool,
the "Terry Astigmatone" that can correct the problem, with no operating room required.
DR. ALICE EPITROPOULOS/REFRACTIVE SURGEON: "WE'RE KIND OF GIVING IT A NEW TWIST TO AN OLD PROCEDURE. BUT IT'S MORE ACCURATE, AND IT'S MORE PREDICTABLE. I THINK IT'S ALSO LESS ANXIETY PRODUCING BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO COME INTO THE OFFICE."
The patient's eyes are numbed with special drops and then propped open
using small plastic devices. Then, Dr. Epitropoulos inserts another
plastic piece into the eye numbered with precise 10-degree increments, showing
the doctor exactly where to make the incision to restore the circular shape of
the cornea.
In addition to reducing fears, the new, in-office procedure reduces costs to about $600--
half what a similar proceedure would cost in an operating room.
Doctors say prime candidates for the proceedure are patients who are undergoing cataract surgery or whose biggest vision problem is astigmatism.
This story originated at NBC affiliate WCMH-TV in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, see an article on the Ohio Eye Surgeons' web site at www.ohioeyesurgeons.com.
(KSL is not responsible for information on linked web sites, and posting of news stories does not imply endorsement).
