Dr. William Boothe articles Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Dr. William Boothe talks about Lasik Eye Surgery and eye problems

2011-05-02T07:37:00.000-07:00

Dr Boothe
Glare: scatter from bright light that decreases vision.
Haze: corneal clouding that causes the sensation of looking through smoke or fog.( - Dr William Boothe)

Dr Boothe: Optometrist: a primary eye care provider who diagnoses, manages, and treats disorders of the visual system and eye diseases.

Farsightedness: the common term for hyperopia.

Dr William Boothe

Refraction: a test to determine the refractive power of the eye; also, the bending of light as it passes from one medium into another. ( Dr Boothe )

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Keratoconus a disorder characterized by an irregular corneal surface (cone-shaped) resulting in blurred and distorted images.

FDA: the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. It is the United States governmental agency responsible for the evaluation and approval of medical devices.( )
: Radial Keratotomy: commonly referred to as RK; a surgical procedure designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) by flattening the cornea using radial cuts.
: Dry Eye Syndrome: a common condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Common symptoms of dry eye include pain, stinging, burning, scratchiness, and intermittent blurring of vision.

Dr. William Boothe - Lasik and Eyecare

2011-04-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Dr Boothe
Epithelium: the outermost layer of cells of the cornea and the eye's first defense against infection.
Ophthalmologist: a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and medical or surgical treatment of visual disorders and eye disease.( - Dr William Boothe)

Dr William Boothe: Informed Consent Form a document disclosing the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a procedure.

Visual Acuity: the clearness of vision; the ability to distinguish details and shapes.

Dr Boothe

Dr Boothe

Refractive Power: the ability of an object, such as the eye, to bend light as light passes through it.( Dr William Boothe )
Dr Boothe: Snellen Visual Acuity Chart: one of many charts used to measure vision.
Dr William Boothe: Radial Keratotomy: commonly referred to as RK; a surgical procedure designed to correct myopia (nearsightedness) by flattening the cornea using radial cuts.

Dr William Boothe

2011-03-25T02:37:00.000-07:00

Dr William Boothe

Ablate: in surgery, is to remove.
Refractive Errors: imperfections in the focusing power of the eye, for example, hyperopia, myopia, and astigmatism.( - Dr Boothe)

Dr William Boothe: Informed Consent Form a document disclosing the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a procedure.

Epithelium: the outermost layer of cells of the cornea and the eye's first defense against infection.

Dr Boothe

Keratitis: inflammation of the cornea. ( Dr William Boothe )

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Wavefront: a measure of the total refractive errors of the eye, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and other refractive errors that cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts.

Dr William Boothe

Nearsightedness: the common term for myopia.( Dr Boothe )
Dr Boothe: Kerato: prefix indicating relationship to the cornea.
Dr William Boothe: Laser Keratome: a laser device used to create a corneal flap

Dr. Boothe lasik eye surgery article

2011-03-23T01:01:00.000-07:00

Dr Boothe
Inflammation: the body's reaction to trauma, infection, or a foreign substance, often associated with pain, heat, redness, swelling, and/or loss of function.
Myopia: the inability to see distant objects as clearly as near objects.( - Dr William Boothe)

Dr William Boothe: Dry Eye Syndrome: a common condition that occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Common symptoms of dry eye include pain, stinging, burning, scratchiness, and intermittent blurring of vision.

LASIK: the acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea.

Dr Boothe eyecare article

Dr Boothe Astigmatism Solution
Stroke An interruption in blood flow to the brain, resulting in tissue death. Blood clots and other obstructions can interrupt the blood flow, as can a ruptured artery. Symptoms include weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, a change in consciousness or mental status, vision loss, double vision, and limited eye movement. You may also blink frequently.
Low vision Also called partial sight. Sight that cannot be satisfactorily corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery. Low vision usually results from an eye disease such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.( - Dr Boothe Article)

Dr Boothe Best Surgeon: Visual acuity Sharpness of vision, usually as measured with the use of a Snellen chart. 20/20 is considered normal visual acuity, though some people can see even better (such as 20/15 or 20/10).

High blood pressure : Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is, by definition, a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90.

Dr Boothe Cataract Surgery

Photoreceptor A light-sensitive cell found in the retina. Photoreceptors in the human retina are classified as cones and rods. Cones are located in the central retina (the fovea) and control color vision. Rods are located outside the fovea and control black/white vision in low-light conditions. ( Dr Boothe Best Eye Surgeon )

Argyll Robertson pupil Small, irregular pupil, usually caused by syphilis. Argyll Robertson pupils do not respond to light.

Dr Boothe Center

Polycarbonate Plastic that is very impact-resistant, and is thus sometimes used for spectacle lenses and frames.( Dr Boothe Briliant Doctor )
Dr Boothe Article: Enophthalmos The sinking of the eye into the socket. Causes include development problems in utero, trauma and inflammation.
Dr Boothe Before Lasik Article: FDA (Food & Drug Administration) A U.S. government body that oversees medical devices and medications, including contact lenses, intraocular lenses, excimer lasers and eye drops. In the United States, these products must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.

Texas Dr. William Boothe

2011-02-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

Dr Boothe Blog

Meibomianitis Inflammation of the meibomian glands; rosacea is a common cause. Symptoms include red or pink eyelid margins, a red or pink eye, dryness, burning, blurred vision and a swollen eye.
Biocompatible Able to coexist with living tissues without harming them. For example, artificial lenses are designed to be biocompatible with tissue inside the eye so they won't cause a toxic or immunilogical response that would harm the eye.( - Dr Boothe Answers Blog)

Dr Boothe Article: Pseudotumor cerebri A condition whose symptoms mirror those of a brain tumor: increased intracranial pressure, headache, nausea, brief periods of vision loss (graying or blurring) and double vision. The cause is unknown, but patients are often obese women.

Anti-reflective coating (AR coating) Thin layer(s) applied to a lens to reduce the amount of reflected light and glare that reaches the eye. Read more about anti-reflective coatings.

Dr Boothe Best Surgeon

Keratoconus Degeneration and thinning of the cornea resulting in a cone-shaped bulge (a type of irregular astigmatism). The cause is unknown, but may be genetic. The first symptom is blurred vision that doesn't improve enough with glasses (contacts usually work well for a while). You may also have double vision or distorted vision. Read our keratoconus article ( Dr Boothe Astigmatism Solution )

Ectropion An abnormal turning out of an eyelid, typically the lower one, which exposes the inner, conjunctival side of the eyelid; usually due to aging. Additional symptoms include eye or lid pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye or eyelid and overflow tearing.

Refraction The test performed during an eye exam to determine the eyeglass lens powers needed for optimum visual acuity. An automated refraction uses an instrument that does not require the patient to respond. A manifest refraction is the manual way to determine the best lenses, by placing various lenses in front of the patient's eyes and asking, "Which is better, lens A or lens B?"( )
: Osteopetrosis Rare, hereditary disease in which the bones are too dense. Common symptoms include bone pain and fractures. Retinal degeneration may occur; it results in vision loss.
: Limbus Boundary area connecting the cornea and sclera; the three form the eye's outermost layer.

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Dr William Boothe Texas

2011-02-04T01:49:00.000-08:00

Dr Boothe Astigmatism Solution

Rod A photosensitive receptor in the retina that helps you to see in low light.
Retinitis Inflammation of the retina. Symptoms include blurred vision, metamorphopsia, floaters and vision loss.( - Dr Boothe Blog)

Dr Boothe Best Eye Surgeon: Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pain has both physical and emotional components. The physical part of pain results from nerve stimulation. Pain may be contained to a discrete area, as in an injury, or it can be more diffuse, as in disorders like fibromyalgia . Pain is mediated by specific nerve fibers that carry the pain impulses to the brain where their conscious appreciation may be modified by many factors.

Limbal relaxing incisions A surgical procedure, often performed during cataract surgery, which corrects usually mild astigmatism by flattening the curvature of the eye's clear surface (cornea). Limbal relaxing incisions are inserted at the boundary (limbus) separating the cornea from the white of the eye (sclera). By altering this portion of the eye instead of the center, surgeons are able to preserve the surface and optical qualities of the cornea.

Dr Boothe Cataract Surgery

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and containing the teeth, gums, and tongue. Foodstuffs are broken down mechanically in the mouth by chewing and saliva is added as a lubricant. Saliva contains amylase, an enzyme that digests starch. 2. Any opening or aperture in the body. The mouth in both senses of the word is also called the os, the Latin word for an opening, or mouth. The o in os is pronounced as in hope. The genitive form of os is oris from which comes the word oral. ( Dr Boothe Center )

Myasthenia gravis Weakness of the voluntary muscles, believed to be autoimmune in nature. Symptoms include double vision and eyelid ptosis; patients sometimes have non-eye symptoms as well, such as difficulty swallowing or using the arms and legs.

Dr Boothe Anisometropia

Dilation: The process of enlargement, stretching, or expansion. The word "dilatation" means the same thing. Both come from the Latin "dilatare" meaning "to enlarge or expand."( Dr Boothe Cataract Surgery )
Dr Boothe Before Lasik Article: Scotoma Blind spot within the field of view.
Dr Boothe Answers Blog: Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) A common complication of surgery for retinal detachment, which causes scarring of the retina. PVR may require a vitrectomy and intricate surgical removal of scar tissue.

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Dr Boothe After Lasik | Dr Boothe Briliant Doctor | Dr Boothe Astigmatism Solution | Dr Boothe Center

Dr William Boothe - After Lasik article

2011-02-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

Dr Boothe Blog

Scrub: 1. As a verb, to wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before engaging in surgery. To scrub implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub, to scrub in (on a surgical procedure), and to scrub up are synonymous.
2. As a noun, a person who scrubs, as for surgery.
3. As an adjective, pertaining to scrubbing in for surgery, as a scrub nurse or a scrub tech.
Anisometropia Condition where the eyes have a significantly different refractive power from each other, so the prescription required for good vision will be different for each eye.( - Dr Boothe Briliant Doctor)

Dr Boothe Best Eye Surgeon: Pterygium Triangular fold of tissue on the white of the eye that can eventually grow over part of the cornea; the cause may be irritation from sun (i.e., UV rays), dust and wind. Some people have no symptoms, while others may have redness or blurred vision. Pterygia that are chronically inflamed can become itchy. Read more about pterygium and pinguecula.

Rod A photosensitive receptor in the retina that helps you to see in low light.

Dr Boothe Answers Blog

Scleritis Inflammation of the sclera. Autoimmune disorders are the most common cause. Symptoms include a red or pink eye, eye pain, light sensitivity, tearing and blurred vision. ( Dr Boothe Article )

Primary: First or foremost in time or development. The primary teeth (the baby teeth) are those that come first. Primary may also refer to symptoms or a disease to which others are secondary.

Dr Boothe After Lasik

Eye tumor A growth or mass that occurs in or next to the eye. Specific tumors, both benign and malignant, include the dermoid cyst, capillary hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma, choroidal melanoma, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and lymphoma. The cause is dependent on the type of tumor you have. Symptoms can include blurred vision; a bulging eye; double vision; floaters; foreign body sensation; pain or discomfort in the eye, the lid or around the eye; swelling of the lid or around the eye; a red or pink eye; ptosis; vision loss; limited eye or lid movement; a white or cloudy spot on the eye; and an iris defect.( Dr Boothe Before Lasik Article )
Dr Boothe Best Eye Surgeon: Toxoplasmosis An infection caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, often from undercooked meat or contact with feces. It may occur in people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms are flu-like and can include swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. Ocular toxoplasmosis causes inflammation of the eye's interior, leading to uveitis.
Dr Boothe Briliant Doctor: Trauma Injury, such as from being poked in the eye or hit in the head. Depending on the type of trauma, symptoms can include blurred vision, a bulging eye, burning, double vision, dry eyes, floaters, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort of the eye or around the eye, swelling, a pupil that is dilated or unresponsive to light, vision loss, limited eye or lid movement, ptosis, an iris defect and an eyelid cleft.

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Dr Boothe Best Surgeon | Dr Boothe Center | Dr Boothe Astigmatism Solution | Dr Boothe Article

William Boothe Blog

2011-02-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Dr Boothe Blog

Antibody A protein activated by the body's immune system that fights infection, toxins and other foreign substances.
Pediculosis Lice infestation, typically caused by contact with an infected person or infected bedding. When lice infest the eyelid and eyelashes, they can cause such symptoms as visible lice (white or gray), eggs called nits (white or gray) or feces (reddish-brown), blue bite marks, blepharitis and conjunctivitis. Some people also develop keratitis.( - Dr Boothe After Lasik)

Dr Boothe Cataract Surgery: ANSI Z87.1-2003 Standard The American National Standards Institute's Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection; eyewear that meets this standard is considered safer than eyewear that does not.

Macula Part of the eye near the middle of the retina; the macula allows us to see objects with great detail.

Dr Boothe Anisometropia

Multifocal Type of spectacle lens, intraocular lens (IOL) or contact lens design that includes more than one area through which the eye focuses. such as bifocals or trifocals. Examples are bifocals or trifocals. This enables sight at multiple distances, typically for people with presbyopia. ( Dr Boothe Best Surgeon )

Stroke An interruption in blood flow to the brain, resulting in tissue death. Blood clots and other obstructions can interrupt the blood flow, as can a ruptured artery. Symptoms include weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, a change in consciousness or mental status, vision loss, double vision, and limited eye movement. You may also blink frequently.

Dr Boothe Anisometropia

Choroid Layers of blood vessels located between the sclera (white of the eye) and the retina; they provide nourishment to the back area of the eye.( Dr Boothe Best Eye Surgeon )
Dr Boothe Before Lasik Article: Nodule: A small solid collection of tissue, a nodule is palpable (can be felt). It may range in size from greater than 1.0 cm (3/8 inch) to somewhat less than 2 cm (13/16 inch) in diameter. A nodule may be present in the epidermis, dermis or subcutis (at any level in the skin).
Dr Boothe Center: Epithelial ingrowth LASIK complication in which epithelial cells grow under the LASIK flap; epithelial ingrowth does not usually affect vision.

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Doctor William Boothe Blog

2011-01-28T03:15:00.001-08:00

Dr Boothe Lasik
Rheopheresis The RHEO Procedure ("rheopheresis") is a method of blood filtration (apheresis) for treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration that removes large proteins and fatty components from the blood to improve circulation to macular cells at the back of the eye. For more information, please see our article on age-related macular degeneration.
Parinaud dorsal midbrain syndrome Inability to look up, typically associated with a brain lesion, characterized by nystagmus and pupil unresponsiveness to light. Causes include hydrocephalus ("water on the brain") and tumors of the pineal gland.( - Dr Boothe Texas)

Dr William Boothe Texas: Trauma: Any injury , whether physically or emotionally inflicted. "Trauma" has both a medical and a psychiatric definition. Medically, "trauma" refers to a serious or critical bodily injury, wound, or shock . This definition is often associated with trauma medicine practiced in emergency rooms and represents a popular view of the term. In psychiatry , "trauma" has assumed a different meaning and refers to an experience that is emotionally painful, distressful, or shocking, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.

Ocular herpes Recurrent viral infection that can cause inflammation and scarring of the cornea. It is not sexually transmitted. There are various types of ocular herpes, ranging from herpes keratitis to more serious forms that can lead to blindness. See our eye herpes article for more details.

Dr William Boothe Eye Surgery

Ophthalmic: Pertaining to the eye. An ophthalmic ointment is designed for the eye. ( Dr Boothe Dallas )

* Asymmetry: one half does not match the other.
* Border: irregular or scalloped.
* Color: varies in shade or color.
* Diameter: larger than that of a pencil eraser.

Dr Boothe Answers Blog

Cranial nerve One of the 12 pairs of nerves that go from the brain to other parts of the head. Those that affect the eyes and vision are the second cranial nerve (optic nerve), third (oculomotor), fourth (troclear), sixth (abducens) and seventh (facial). The optic nerve carries stimuli from the rods and cones to the brain. The third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves work with the eye muscles to control eye movement. The seventh cranial nerve works with the facial muscles to control facial movement (specifically the closure of the eyelids).( Dr Boothe Cataract Surgery )
Dr Boothe Center: Rod A photosensitive receptor in the retina that helps you to see in low light.
Dr Boothe Blog: Nystagmus Rapid and involuntary eye movement that is oscillating and non-chaotic. Blurred vision may result. Nystagmus typically affects infants and has a variety of causes.

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Dr. William Boothe

2010-12-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

dr boothe tx

Gland: 1. A group of cells that secrete a substance for use in the body. For example, the thyroid gland. 2. A group of cells that removes materials from the circulation. For example, a lymph gland.
Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).( - boothe eye care laser surgery)

dr william boothe laser center: Rosacea Skin condition typically involving the face that is characterized by flushing, red bumps and telangiectasia (dilated, visible capillaries); it is most common among fair-skinned women, who develop it in their 30s through 50s.

Toxocariasis Infection caused by Toxocara worms, which are typically found in cat and dog intestines. The form found in the eyes, ocular larva migrans, can cause vision loss.

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Skin: The skin is the body's outer covering. It protects us against heat and light, injury, and infection. It regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. Weighing about 6 pounds, the skin is the body's largest organ. It is made up of two main layers; the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. ( dr boothe laser center )

Retina The sensory membrane that lines the back of the eye. Cells in the retina called photoreceptors transform light energy into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain by way of the optic nerve.

Boothe Eye Care

Spots Small, cloudy specks in the eye that become noticeable when they fall in the line of sight. Read our spots and floaters article.( Dr. Boothe TX )
Boothe Eye Care & Laser Surgery: Phytochemicals Chemicals found in plants that help protect against disease.
Dr. Boothe Laser Center: Excimer laser An instrument that uses shorter wave (ultraviolet) light to vaporize and remove tissue from the eye's surface during vision correction procedures.

Texas - Dr Boothe Article

2010-12-11T03:13:00.000-08:00

Dr William Boothe Tx
Trachoma Chronic infection of the eyelid and cornea caused by a micro-organism that is spread by contact with eye discharge from an infected sufferer. Flies can also transmit the bacteria. Over time, the eyelid becomes scarred and turns inward. The eyelashes begin to scrape the eyeball and cornea, which eventually causes visual impairment and blindness. Worldwide, 84 million people are affected by trachoma. Clean water and good hygiene can prevent trachoma, while antibiotics can treat it early on. Inward-turning eyelids can be corrected with simple surgery performed by a nurse. (Information supplied by ORBIS International.)
Lacrimal: Pertaining to tears, as in lacrimal gland (tear gland). From the Indo-European dakru meaning a tear (from a weeping eye) which gave rise to the Greek dakry and the Latin lacrima.( - Dr Boothe Eye Surgery)

Dr Boothe Eye Care: Macula Part of the eye near the middle of the retina; the macula allows us to see objects with great detail.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is retinol. Carotene compounds (found, for example, in egg yolk, butter and cream) are gradually converted by the body to vitamin A (retinol). A form of vitamin A called retinal is responsible for transmitting light sensation in the retina of the eye

Dr William Boothe Lasik

Corneal opacity A cloudy spot in the cornea, which is normally transparent. Causes include corneal scar tissue and infection. Symptoms include halos around lights, photophobia, vision loss and a white or cloudy spot on the eye. ( Dr Boothe Lasik )

Metamorphopsia Vision problem in which objects appear distorted. For example, straight lines may appear to be wavy, curved or bent, objects may appear to be larger or smaller than they actually are, or closer or farther away than they actually are. Metamorphopsia is typically caused by conditions or diseases that affect the eye's macula and retina.

Dr. Boothe Dallas

Eyelid: The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball or opened at will. Each eye has an upper and a lower lid. An eyelid is also called a palpebra.( Boothe Eye Care & Laser Surgery )
Dr. William Boothe Texas: Diplopia Also called double vision. When two images of the same object are perceived by one or both eyes. Read our article on double vision and also review eye symptoms for a list of conditions that can cause double vision.
Dr. Boothe Eye Care: Keratoplasty Any of several types of corneal surgery, such as shrinking the collagen to reduce farsightedness or transplanting a new cornea to treat keratoconus.

Dr William Boothe Dallas

2010-12-09T09:33:00.001-08:00

dr william boothe texas

Scaling: Abnormal shedding or accumulation of an upper layer of skin (the stratum corneum ).
Central island Refractive surgery complication in which the laser leaves an "island" of corneal tissue in the concave ablation zone. Symptoms include double vision and distortion. Read more about potential complications of LASIK and other kinds of refractive surgery.( - dr william boothe dallas)

dr william boothe dallas: Myelin A sheath made of proteins that covers nerve fibers. Myelin is essential to transmission of nerve impulses carrying information to and from various parts of the body. When myelin is destroyed or damaged in the optic nerve, the result is optic neuritis, with vision loss or distortions.

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pain has both physical and emotional components. The physical part of pain results from nerve stimulation. Pain may be contained to a discrete area, as in an injury, or it can be more diffuse, as in disorders like fibromyalgia . Pain is mediated by specific nerve fibers that carry the pain impulses to the brain where their conscious appreciation may be modified by many factors.

dr boothe laser center

Higher-order aberration Irregularity of the eye other than a refractive error (myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism). Higher-order aberrations sometimes affect your vision (such as decreasing contrast sensitivity), and sometimes do not. For more information, please see our higher-order aberration article. ( dr boothe tx )

Fixation In terms of vision, the eye's ability to maintain gaze upon an object.

Dr. William Boothe Eye Surgery

Wear schedule How long you wear your contact lenses: either daily wear (you remove the lenses each night) or extended wear (you may sleep with them in). It's important to differentiate between wear schedule and replacement schedule — that is, how often you discard and replace your lenses.( Dr. Boothe Dallas )
Dr. William Boothe Lasik: Rod A photosensitive receptor in the retina that helps you to see in low light.
Dr. Boothe Eye Surgery: Keratitis Inflammation of the cornea, caused by an infection or inflammatory process. Symptoms include eye pain or discomfort, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, grittiness and tearing.

Dr William Boothe Dallas

2010-12-01T01:08:00.000-08:00

Dr. Boothe Eye Care
Bifocal Lens with one segment for near vision and one segment for far vision. The term can apply to both eyeglass lenses and contact lenses.
Color blindness Partial or total inability to distinguish specific colors. Color blindness is inherited, and is much more common in men than in women.( - Dr. Boothe)

Boothe Eye Care & Laser Surgery: Descemet's membrane Corneal layer between the stroma and the endothelium.

Placebo A "false" but harmless treatment that has no proven medical value. Placebos usually are incorporated into clinical trials to measure how patients respond to an authentic therapy that is being tested. Some patients are given placebos, and others are given the actual therapy, to provide objective comparisons and assessments.

Dr. Boothe Eye Surgery

Melanosis Condition characterized by melanin (pigment) deposits in the skin or eyes. ( Dr. William Boothe Eye Surgery )

Botulism Serious illness from a toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria (usually Clostridium botulinum). Infant botulism and food-borne botulism are the most common forms in the United States. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, ptosis, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and nausea.

Dr. William Boothe Laser Center

Atropine: A drug obtained from belladonna that is administered via injection, eye drops, or in oral form to relax muscles by inhibiting nerve responses. Used to dilate the pupils and as an antispasmodic .( Dr. William Boothe TX )
Dr. Boothe TX: ANSI The American National Standards Institute is a private, non-profit organization that coordinates efforts to develop standards for manufacturing many different products, including eyeglass lenses. For example, certain ANSI standards define acceptable levels of impact resistance for safety eyewear.
Dr. Boothe: Optic nerve head Also called optic disk. Circular area where the optic nerve enters the retina, and the location of the eye's blind spot.

Dr William Boothe Dallas - Eye Care Article

2010-12-01T01:06:00.001-08:00

Dr. Boothe Texas

Phoropter Device that provides various combinations of lenses used for tests of vision errors in eye examinations.
OD Abbreviation for "oculus dexter," the Latin term for "right eye." Or, doctor of optometry.( - Dr. Boothe Eye Care)

Dr. William Boothe TX: Bulbar conjunctiva: That part of the conjunctiva, a clear membrane of the eye, which covers the outer surface of the eye.

Astigmatism Condition in which the cornea's curvature is asymmetrical (the eye is shaped like a football or egg instead of a baseball); light rays are focused at two points on the retina rather than one, resulting in blurred vision. Additional symptoms include distorted vision, eyestrain, shadows on letters, squinting and double vision. Read more about astigmatism.

Boothe Eye Care

Pterygium Triangular fold of tissue on the white of the eye that can eventually grow over part of the cornea; the cause may be irritation from sun (i.e., UV rays), dust and wind. Some people have no symptoms, while others may have redness or blurred vision. Pterygia that are chronically inflamed can become itchy. Read more about pterygium and pinguecula. ( Dr. William Boothe Laser Center )

Retinitis Inflammation of the retina. Symptoms include blurred vision, metamorphopsia, floaters and vision loss.

Boothe Eye Care

Dry eye: A deficiency of tears. The main symptom is usually a scratchy or sandy feeling as if something is in the eye. Other symptoms may include stinging or burning of the eye; episodes of excess tearing that follow periods of very dry sensation; a stringy discharge from the eye; and pain and redness of the eye. Sometimes people with dry eye experience heaviness of the eyelids or blurred, changing, or decreased vision, although loss of vision is uncommon.( Dr. William Boothe Eye Care )
Dr. William Boothe Lasik: Aura A sensation experienced before an attack of epileptic seizure, migraine or other disorder. Examples are flashes of light, colored lights, numbness, coldness and even hearing voices.
Boothe Eye Care & Laser Surgery: Porphyria Disorder in which the body produces too much of a compound called porphyrin and releases it in the urine, causing a reddish color. Other symptoms include light sensitivity, skin that swells or is sensitive to sunlight, abdominal pain, blisters and muscle weakness.

Dr. William Boothe - Conjunctivitis Inflammation

2010-11-25T03:36:00.000-08:00

Protein Large, complex organic molecules found in all living cells. These molecules contain enzymes, antibodies, hormones and other elements that help organisms function. Proteins are present in human tears and can collect on contact lenses, resulting in discomfort and cloudy vision.

Lens: The transparent structure inside the eye that focuses light rays onto the retina (the nerve layer that lines the back of the eye, senses light and creates impulses that go through the optic nerve to the brain). The lens was named after the lentil bean because it resembled it in shape and size.(17 January 2010 - Online blog Dr. Boothe Lasik )

Acetate Type of plastic often used in eyeglass frames.

Conjunctivitis Inflammation of the conjunctiva, characterized by a pink eye. The cause is either infectious or allergic, though the term "pink eye" is commonly used for any type of conjunctivitis. Other symptoms include burning, discharge, dryness, itching, light sensitivity, eye pain or discomfort, stickiness, tearing and chemosis.

Trabecular meshwork Porous, spongy tissue within the drainage angle of the eye, through which fluids (aqueous humor) exit the eye.

Trauma: Any injury , whether physically or emotionally inflicted. "Trauma" has both a medical and a psychiatric definition. Medically, "trauma" refers to a serious or critical bodily injury, wound, or shock . This definition is often associated with trauma medicine practiced in emergency rooms and represents a popular view of the term. In psychiatry , "trauma" has assumed a different meaning and refers to an experience that is emotionally painful, distressful, or shocking, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.Dr. William Boothe Lasik

Nodule: A small solid collection of tissue, a nodule is palpable (can be felt). It may range in size from greater than 1.0 cm (3/8 inch) to somewhat less than 2 cm (13/16 inch) in diameter. A nodule may be present in the epidermis, dermis or subcutis (at any level in the skin).

Angle-closure glaucoma: This condition can be acute or chronic. It consists of increased pressure in the front chamber (anterior chamber) of the eye due to sudden (acute) or slowly progressive (chronic) blockage of the normal circulation of fluid within the eye. The block takes place at the angle of the anterior chamber formed by its junction of the cornea with the iris. This angle can be seen by simply looking at someone's eye from the side. Angle-closure glaucoma tends to affect people born with a narrow angle. People of Asian and Eskimo ancestry are at higher risk of developing it. Age and family history are risk factors. It occurs in older women more often than others. When the pupil of the eye is wide open (dilated), the iris is retracted and thickened and it block the canal of Schlemm, a key component of the drainage pathway for fluid within the eye. Blocking the drainage canal of Schlemm sends the pressure within the eye up. With acute angle-closure glaucoma, there is an abrupt increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) due to the buildup of aqueous (fluid) in the eye. The high pressure can damage the optic nerve (the nerve to the eye) and lead to blindness. The elevated pressure is best detected before the appearance of symptoms. That is why when the eyes are dilated in a doctor's office for a refraction, eye pressures are checked. When symptoms of acute angle glaucoma do develop, they include severe eye and facial pain, nausea and vomiting, decreased vision, blurred vision and seeing haloes around light. The eye in a far advanced case of angle closure glaucoma appears red with a steamy (clouded) cornea and a fixed (nonreactive) dilated pupil. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency because optic nerve damage and vision loss can occur within hours of the onset of the problem. Administering medications to lower the pressure within the eye is done first. In the past, a piece of the iris was then surgically removed in a procedure called an iridectomy to make a hole in the iris and create a channel (other than the canal of Sclemm) to permit the free flow of fluid. Today, a comparable procedure can be done by laser to burn a small hole in the iris to keep the intraocular pressure within normal limits. This condition can be chronic (progressing slowly or occurring persistently) or acute (occurring suddenly). Chronic angle-closure glaucoma, like the more common type of glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma), may cause vision damage without symptoms. (25 July 2008 Dr. William Boothe Dallas )

Dr. Boothe article

Hyperopia Also called farsightedness. Condition in which the length of the eye is too short, causing light rays to focus behind the retina rather than on it, resulting in blurred near vision. Additional symptoms include eyestrain and squinting.

Ultraviolet (UV) The invisible part of the light spectrum whose rays have wavelengths shorter than the violet end of the visible spectrum and longer than X rays. UVA and UVB light are harmful to your eyes and skin.( 26 June 2008 Online press article Dr. Boothe Lasik )

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care

2010-11-20T03:24:00.000-08:00

Optometrist: A health care professional who is licensed to provide primary eye care services:
* to examine and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma , cataracts , and retinal diseases and, in certain states in the U.S., to treat them;
* to diagnose related systemic (bodywide) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes;
* to examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness , farsightedness , astigmatism and presbyopia ; and
* to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and medications as well as perform minor surgical procedures such as the removal of foreign bodies.
* Find a local Doctor in your town

Retinoschisis Condition in which the retina splits into layers, sometimes causing blurred vision. It is either inherited or acquired; the acquired form is caused by small cysts in the eye. You may also have floaters.(14 July 2009 - Online article Dr. William Boothe Dallas )

Retinol: Retinol is vitamin A. Carotene compounds (found, for example, in egg yolk, butter and cream) are gradually converted by the body to vitamin A (retinol). A form of vitamin A called retinal is responsible for transmitting light sensation in the retina of the eye. Deficiency of vitamin A leads to night blindness.

Dermatochalasis Excessive, drooping eyelid skin caused by a loss of elasticity in aging skin.

Diopter Unit of measure for the refractive (light-bending) power of a lens; eye care practitioners use it in eyeglass and contact lens prescriptions. A negative number refers to nearsightedness; a positive number, farsightedness. For example, someone with -8.00 diopter lenses is very nearsighted, while someone with +0.75 diopter lenses is only slightly farsighted.

Complication: In medicine, an additional problem that arises following a procedure, treatment or illness and is secondary to it. A complication complicates the situation.Dr. William Boothe

Cornea The clear part of the eye covering the iris and pupil; it lets light into the eye, permitting sight.

Esotropia When one or both eyes point inward, so the eyes are "crossed." This is one type of strabismus. (29 July 2007 Boothe Eye Care )

Boothe Laser Center article

Presbyope Person who has difficulty reading print and seeing near objects.

PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) Old-fashioned hard contacts were made of PMMA, which is not permeable; today's rigid lenses contain other polymers that allow oxygen to reach your eye.( 02 February 2010 Press article Dr. Boothe Lasik )

Dr. William Boothe - Aberrometer

2010-11-13T03:02:00.000-08:00

Mucormycosis Fungal infection typically occurring in the sinuses or lungs and mainly acquired by those with compromised immune systems and by diabetics. Symptoms include sinusitis, eye and facial pain, fever, a bulging eye and vision loss.

Sjogren's syndrome An inflammatory autoimmune disorder characterized by a dry mouth and dry eyes. Additional eye symptoms include burning, discharge, foreign body sensation, itching and light sensitivity.(11 August 2008 - Blog article Boothe Eye Care )

Cellulitis Inflammation of tissue around the eye. Pre-septal cellulitis affects the lid and other "outer" areas of the eye, whereas orbital cellulitis affects the "inner" areas around the eyeball. Pre-septal cellulitis symptoms include a red, swollen lid, swelling around the eyes and eye or lid pain or discomfort. Orbital cellulitis symptoms include a bulging eye and ophthalmoplegia, as well as a red, swollen lid, swelling around the eyes, eye or lid pain or discomfort and a decrease in vision. An orbital cellulitis is an ocular emergency.

Aspheric Not quite spherical. Aspheric eyeglass lenses are popular among people who have strong prescriptions because they are thin and lightweight, and reduce distortion and eye magnification. Aspheric contact lenses can work as a multifocal, or to correct a single-vision problem like astigmatism.

Melanin Pigment that colors the iris of the eye as well as other parts of the body, including skin and hair.

Epithelial ingrowth LASIK complication in which epithelial cells grow under the LASIK flap; epithelial ingrowth does not usually affect vision.Boothe Laser Center

Lutein An antioxidant that is found throughout the body, but is concentrated in the macula. Lutein is believed to help protect the eyes from free radical damage caused by the sun's harmful rays.

Descemet's membrane Corneal layer between the stroma and the endothelium. (19 September 2007 Dr. William Boothe Lasik )

Boothe Eye Center article

Aberrometer A device that can identify common and more obscure vision errors by measuring the way light waves travel through the eye's optical system.

Homocysteine An amino acid containing sulfur. A high homocysteine level in the blood is a possible risk factor for heart disease. One major study indicates that lowering homocysteine levels through vitamin B supplementation might help prevent diseases associated with impaired function of small blood vessels, such as macular degeneration. More studies are needed to verify such a link.( 14 May 2008 Online article Boothe Eye Center )

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Video

2010-11-09T03:01:00.000-08:00

Daily wear These soft contact lenses are worn every day for six months up to a couple of years. They require daily cleaning and disinfecting, as well as a periodic enzymatic soak (usually once a week).

Lateral rectus muscle Muscle that moves the eye away from the nose.(22 July 2007 - Online press article Dr. William Boothe Lasik )

Coloboma Cleft, usually due to incomplete embryologic development in utero. An iris coloboma is the most common eye coloboma; the pupil will often look like a keyhole or upside-down pear. Colobomas can also affect other eye structures, such as the eyelid, retina and optic nerve; only iris and eyelid colobomas are visible with the naked eye. Additional symptoms such as poor vision may occur, but are not readily apparent from a parent's perspective.

Sodium: The major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt.

Vascular problem Problems with your body's vascular system (i.e., blood vessels, arteries and so on) can include hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, a clot, an aneurysm, an embolus, etc. These problems can sometimes affect the eyes, resulting in such symptoms as blurred vision, a bulging eye, double vision, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye, eyelid swelling and vision loss.

Vergence disorder Vergence refers to the eyes' ability to turn either inward (convergence) or outward (divergence); convergence insufficiency is the most common vergence disorder. The disorders' exact causes are unknown. Symptoms include double vision, eyestrain, fatigue, headache, squinting and difficulty concentrating (particularly while reading).Dr. Boothe Laser Center

High-index Type of lens with a higher index of refraction, meaning that light travels faster through the lens to reach the eye than with traditional glass or plastic. It is denser, so the same amount of visual correction occurs with less material (whether glass or plastic) — so the lens can be thinner.

Decentered ablation Also called decentration. Refractive surgery complication in which the laser is not centered on the pupil when it removes tissue. Symptoms include glare, double vision and halos. (24 July 2010 Boothe Eye Care )

Boothe Eye Center article

Intraocular pressure (IOP) Eye pressure, as determined by the amount of aqueous humor filling it. High IOP (ocular hypertension) can be a sign of glaucoma.

Chemosis Conjunctival swelling that is often caused by an allergy.( 27 May 2007 Online press Dr. William Boothe )

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Blog

2010-11-02T08:50:00.000-07:00

Extended wear Currently, these contact lenses are FDA-approved to be worn without removal for up to seven days (or 30 days in the case of one brand), meaning some people will be comfortable sleeping with them in their eyes. Thirty-day contact lenses are sometimes referred to as "continuous wear."

Nose pad One of a pair of pads, usually clear, that rest on either side of your nose and help to support your glasses.(27 May 2008 - Online article Dr. Boothe )

Meridian One of a number of radially arranged imaginary lines, each of which passes through the center of the pupil when viewing the eye head-on. Generally separated in one-degree increments, meridians are used to determine the location of the most- and least-curved sections of the cornea when prescribing lenses with cylinder power to correct astigmatism. Meridians are also used to describe the shape of corrective lenses.

Keratectomy Surgical removal of part of the cornea.

Monofocal Type of spectacle lens, intraocular lens (IOL) or contact lens design that has only one area through which the eye focuses. A multifocal lens has more than one focal area, enabling sight at multiple distances, typically for people with presbyopia.

Monovision Vision correction method for those with presbyopia in which one eye is corrected for near vision and the other for far, either through contact lenses or refractive surgery. Monovision eliminates the need for reading glasses, but does have some drawbacks, including decreased depth perception. Read our article about monovision with contact lenses.Dr. William Boothe Lasik

Vitreous detachment Separation of the vitreous from the retina, caused by age-related vitreous shrinkage. Floaters are the typical symptom, but some people experience flashes of light as the vitreous tugs or causes traction on the retina prior to complete separation. Read our spots and floaters article.

Monochromatic Refers to one wavelength of light, as opposed to the many wavelengths of light found in varying colors. (05 March 2008 Dr. William Boothe )

Dr. William Boothe Dallas article

Enzymatic cleaner A cleaner that removes protein deposits and other debris from contact lenses. It's recommended for use either daily, weekly, or monthly. Some enzymatic cleaners are a small tablet dropped into a solution along with the lens; others come in liquid form.

Neuroretinitis Inflammation of the optic nerve and retina, commonly caused by an infection. Symptoms include blurred vision, headache, floaters, eye pain or discomfort, vision loss and loss of color vision.( 18 June 2010 Online blog Boothe Eye Center )

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2010-10-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

Dr. Boothe

Keratometer An instrument that measures the curvature of the eye's clear, front surface (cornea). Keratometers help eye doctors collect information for contact lens fittings and surgical procedures. With keratometry, reflected images also can help identify dry eyes.

Read more on: Dr. William Boothe

Refractive surgery Surgery that corrects visual acuity, with the objective of reducing or eliminating the need for glasses and contacts. Includes radial keratotomy, PRK, LASIK, and corneal implants.

Photophobia: Painful oversensitivity to light. For example, there is photophobia in measles (rubeola). Keeping the lights dim or the room darkened may be useful. Sunglasses may also help.

Acetate Type of plastic often used in eyeglass frames.

Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).

Dr. William Boothe Dallas

Substance:

1. Material with particular features, as a pressor substance.

2. The material that makes up an organ or structure. Also known in medicine as the substantia.

3. A psychoactive drug as, for example, in substance abuse. Dr. Boothe

Polycarbonate Plastic that is very impact-resistant, and is thus sometimes used for spectacle lenses and frames.

Fungal: Pertaining to a fungus. For example, a fungal skin infection.

Dr. Boothe
- Diabetic maculopathy Eye disease related to diabetes that creates swelling and abnormal leakage of fluids and fats into the macula, where fine focusing and central vision occur. Because of the location of eye damage, severe diabetic maculopathy can cause loss of central vision and blindness. Another form of diabetic eye disease is diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. William Boothe Dallas Surgeon

2010-10-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

Epiretinal membrane Thin layer of scar tissue on the retina; also called a macular pucker. Epiretinal membranes have a variety of causes, including vitreous detachment, but the cause is often unknown. In its early stages, an epiretinal membrane is often asymptomatic, but some people have blurred vision. You may also develop metamorphopsia.

Decongestant: A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose and makes it easier to breath. Decongestants can be taken orally or by nasal spray. Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than five days without the doctor's advice, and if so, usually only when accompanied by a nasal steroid. Many decongestant nasal sprays often cause a rebound effect if taken too long. A rebound effect is the worsening of symptoms when a drug is discontinued. This is a result of a tissue dependence on the medication. Decongestants should not be used by patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) unless under doctor's supervision.(29 July 2009 - Online article Dr. Boothe )

Melanosis Condition characterized by melanin (pigment) deposits in the skin or eyes.

Dermatochalasis Excessive, drooping eyelid skin caused by a loss of elasticity in aging skin.

LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) Procedure that is similar to LASIK, except that the surgeon cuts a flap in the epithelium only, instead of through the epithelium and part of the stroma. LASEK is used mostly for people with thin or flat corneas who are poor candidates for LASIK, which requires more corneal tissue for success.

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. It's measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called "hypertension".Dr. William Boothe

ANSI Z87.1-2003 Standard The American National Standards Institute's Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection; eyewear that meets this standard is considered safer than eyewear that does not.

Optical coherence tomography A method of imaging that, in ophthalmology, uses light waves to provide cross-sectional views of interior eye structures. Also known as OCT. (12 March 2010 Boothe Eye Care )

Boothe Eye Center article

Boothe Laser Center article

2010-10-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Dacryostenosis Blocked tear duct, which is characterized by a lot of tearing; you may also have a discharge or a sticky eye.

Homocysteine An amino acid containing sulfur. A high homocysteine level in the blood is a possible risk factor for heart disease. One major study indicates that lowering homocysteine levels through vitamin B supplementation might help prevent diseases associated with impaired function of small blood vessels, such as macular degeneration. More studies are needed to verify such a link.(27 August 2010 - Online press Boothe Eye Center )

Hard contact lenses Rarely worn now, these are the small, hard lenses made of PMMA material that many people wore in the '70s and '80s. Compared with modern soft and rigid lenses, they are less healthy to wear long-term, since the material doesn't allow oxygen to reach the surface of the eye.

Diabetic retinopathy Leaking of retinal blood vessels in advanced or long-term diabetes, affecting the macula or retina. Most people have no symptoms at first, but can develop blurred near vision, double vision, floaters, retinal/vitreous hemorrhages and metamorphopsia. In later stages, you can also suffer vision loss.

Esotropia When one or both eyes point inward, so the eyes are "crossed." This is one type of strabismus.

Scrub: 1. As a verb, to wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before engaging in surgery. To scrub implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub, to scrub in (on a surgical procedure), and to scrub up are synonymous.
2. As a noun, a person who scrubs, as for surgery.
3. As an adjective, pertaining to scrubbing in for surgery, as a scrub nurse or a scrub tech.Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Eye tumor A growth or mass that occurs in or next to the eye. Specific tumors, both benign and malignant, include the dermoid cyst, capillary hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma, choroidal melanoma, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and lymphoma. The cause is dependent on the type of tumor you have. Symptoms can include blurred vision; a bulging eye; double vision; floaters; foreign body sensation; pain or discomfort in the eye, the lid or around the eye; swelling of the lid or around the eye; a red or pink eye; ptosis; vision loss; limited eye or lid movement; a white or cloudy spot on the eye; and an iris defect.

Temple The "arm" of a pair of glasses, running from the ear to the lens area. (24 May 2009 Dr. Boothe Dallas )

Boothe Laser Center article

Pars plana Posterior part of the eye's ciliary body.

Edema Accumulation of an excessive amount of watery fluid, which causes swelling.( 17 April 2007 Online blog Dr. William Boothe )

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Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pain has both physical and emotional components. The physical part of pain results from nerve stimulation. Pain may be contained to a discrete area, as in an injury, or it can be more diffuse, as in disorders like fibromyalgia . Pain is mediated by specific nerve fibers that carry the pain impulses to the brain where their conscious appreciation may be modified by many factors.

Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, either due to direct contact with an irritating substance, or to an allergic reaction. Symptoms of dermatitis include redness, itching, and in some cases blistering.( 01 February 2009 Online article Dr. William Boothe Lasik )

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Dr. William Boothe Ophthalmologist

2010-08-29T03:40:00.000-07:00

Lacrimal gland: A small almond-shaped structure that produces tears. The lacrimal gland is located just above the outer corner of the eye . The lacrimal gland is part of the lacrimal apparatus, the system that forms tears, conveys them through the lacrimal (tear) duct to the eye, and drains the tears.

Burn: Damage to the skin or other body parts caused by extreme heat, flame, contact with heated objects, or chemicals. Burn depth is generally categorized as first, second, or third degree. The treatment of burns depends on the depth, area, and location of the burn, as well as additional factors, such as material that may be burned onto or into the skin. Treatment options range from simply applying a cold pack to emergency treatment to skin grafts.

Corneal edema Swelling of the eye's cornea; causes include intraocular surgery, corneal dystrophies, high intraocular pressure and contact lens complications. Symptoms include vision loss, halos around lights, a white or cloudy spot on the eye, photophobia, eye pain and foreign body sensation.

Eye: The organ of sight. The eye has a number of components. These components include but are not limited to the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, macula, optic nerve, choroid and vitreous.Dr. Boothe Dallas

Ophthalmologist A medical doctor (MD) who specializes in the eye. Ophthalmologists perform eye exams, treat disease, prescribe medication, and perform surgery. They may also write prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Dr. William Boothe

2010-08-27T00:38:00.000-07:00

High blood pressure : Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is, by definition, a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above 140 with a diastolic pressure above 90.

Acrodermatitis enteropathica Rare inherited condition characterized by dermatitis, hair loss, diarrhea and zinc deficiency. The most common eye symptom is light sensitivity, but conjunctivitis and other symptoms may also be present.(12 June 2008 - Online article Dr. William Boothe )

Myasthenia gravis Weakness of the voluntary muscles, believed to be autoimmune in nature. Symptoms include double vision and eyelid ptosis; patients sometimes have non-eye symptoms as well, such as difficulty swallowing or using the arms and legs.

Lacrimal: Pertaining to tears, as in lacrimal gland (tear gland). From the Indo-European dakru meaning a tear (from a weeping eye) which gave rise to the Greek dakry and the Latin lacrima.

Progressive lenses Also called progressive addition lenses or PALs. Multifocal lenses whose corrective powers change progressively throughout the lens. A wearer looks through one portion of the lens for distance vision, another for intermediate vision, and a third portion for reading or close work. Each area is blended invisibly into the next, without the lines that traditional bifocals or trifocals have.

Toxocariasis Infection caused by Toxocara worms, which are typically found in cat and dog intestines. The form found in the eyes, ocular larva migrans, can cause vision loss.Dr. Boothe Dallas

Nausea: Nausea is the urge to vomit. It can be brought by many causes including, systemic illnesses, such as influenza, medications, pain, and inner ear disease.

Optic nerve problem The optic nerve (second cranial nerve) is the part of the eye that carries stimuli from the rods and cones to the brain. Problems such as inflammation (optic neuritis), tumors and swelling can lead to symptoms such as: blurred vision, loss of color vision, floaters, headache, eye pain or discomfort, nausea and vision loss. (28 April 2007 Boothe Eye Care )

Dr. Boothe article

Sodium: The major positive ion (cation) in fluid outside of cells. The chemical notation for sodium is Na+. When combined with chloride, the resulting substance is table salt.

Zyl Zylonite, or cellulose acetate, is a lightweight plastic often used in eyeglass frames. It often appears in laminated form, with layers in different colors, but it can also be made in mottled patterns to imitate natural tortoise shell or animal skins.( 08 September 2007 Blog article Dr. Boothe )

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Dr. William Boothe - Graves' ophthalmology Article

2010-08-26T03:38:00.000-07:00

Optic The rounded, central portion of an intraocular lens (IOL) used in cataract surgery. Optic also more generally refers to eyes or vision.

Graves' ophthalmology Autoimmune eye disorder usually associated with abnormalities of the thyroid gland; symptoms include eyelid retraction, bulging eyes, light sensitivity, eye discomfort, double vision, vision loss, a red or pink eye and a limited ability to move the eyes.(20 September 2008 - Online article Dr. Boothe )

Femtosecond laser Device that creates bursts of laser energy at an extremely fast rate measured in terms of a unit known as a femtosecond (one quadrillionth of a second). These ultra fast energy pulses precisely target and break apart tissue or other substances at a molecular level, without damaging adjacent areas.

Ophthalmoplegia Eye muscle paralysis. Causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, a tumor, thyroid disease, migraines and progressive supranuclear palsies. Symptoms can include limited eye movement, blurred vision, double vision, nystagmus and ptosis. Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, often called "painful ophthalmoplegia," is characterized by intense pain behind the eye and a headache.

Ophthalmic: Pertaining to the eye. An ophthalmic ointment is designed for the eye.

Sinusitis Inflammation of the sinuses, due to an infection or an allergic reaction. Probably the most common cause of pain in and around the eye. Symptoms include head pain (headache, pain around the eyes, toothache, jaw pain), nasal discharge, postnasal drip, coughing, eyelid swelling, swelling around the eyes, a stuffy nose, fatigue, bad breath and a sore throat.Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Online press Boothe Eye Center

2010-08-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

Canaliculus Tiny, tube-shaped passageway in the body. In the eye, canaliculi are tiny channels at the beginning of tear ducts through which tears drain until they exit into the nose.

Fluorescein angiography An imaging test that involves first injecting fluorescent yellow-green dye into the veins. When the dye reaches interior regions of the eye, it provides opportunity for high contrast photography or other imaging of blood vessels. Fluorescein angiography particularly is useful in diagnosing conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, which in advanced forms can be characterized by abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina.(07 October 2008 - Online press Boothe Eye Center )

RGP (Rigid Gas Permeable) Type of contact lens made of breathable plastic that is custom-fit to the shape of the cornea. RGPs are the successor to old-fashioned hard lenses, which are now virtually obsolete.

Solution Product used to clean, disinfect and store contact lenses.

Keratotomy Incision of the cornea.

Binocular vision Ability of both eyes to work together to achieve proper focus, depth perception and range of vision.Boothe Eye Care

Pupil: The opening of the iris. The pupil may appear to open (dilate) and close (constrict) but it is really the iris that is the prime mover; the pupil is merely the absence of iris. The pupil determines how much light is let into the eye. Both pupils are usually of equal size. If they are not, that is termed anisocoria (from "a-", not + "iso", equal + "kore", pupil = not equal pupils).

Albinism Condition where a person or animal lacks pigment. Albinos' eyes often have very light blue or pink irises and a pink pupil (due to lack of pigment inside the back of the eye). Visual symptoms include light sensitivity, nystagmus, blurred vision, vision loss and strabismus. (17 October 2009 Dr. Boothe Laser Center )

Dr. Boothe article

Chalazion A small bump on the eyelid caused by an obstructed meibomian gland. Additional symptoms include light sensitivity, tearing and eyelid swelling. Chalazia are usually not painful unless they become infected. Read more about chalazia.

Stroma The cornea's middle layer; it consists of lamellae (collagen) and cells, and makes up most of the cornea.( 28 September 2009 Blog article Dr. Boothe )

Dr. William Boothe about Eyelid

2010-08-23T03:37:00.000-07:00

Eyelid: The lid or cover of the eye, a movable fold of skin and muscle that can be closed over the eyeball or opened at will. Each eye has an upper and a lower lid. An eyelid is also called a palpebra.

Contact lens problem Contact lens problems can range from minor to sight-threatening, and include protein build-up, debris on the lens, a ripped or nicked lens, infections and more. Symptoms can include frequent blinking, blurred vision, burning, discharge, foreign body sensation, itching, light sensitivity, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye or lid and eyelid swelling.(26 April 2010 - Blog article Dr. William Boothe Dallas )

Intraocular pressure (IOP) Eye pressure, as determined by the amount of aqueous humor filling it. High IOP (ocular hypertension) can be a sign of glaucoma.

Contact lens drops Eyedrops for contact lens wearers; regular eyedrops can discolor contact lenses.

Optic nerve The nerve that carries electrical impulses from photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina to the visual cortex in the brain.

Cohort A term used in clinical studies to define a set of people who have something in common such as similar backgrounds, experiences, and/or health problems.Boothe Laser Center

Dr. William Boothe Optometrist

2010-08-20T03:28:00.000-07:00

Dr. William Boothe - Eye Vascular problem Article

2010-08-16T03:23:00.000-07:00

Vascular problem Problems with your body's vascular system (i.e., blood vessels, arteries and so on) can include hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, a clot, an aneurysm, an embolus, etc. These problems can sometimes affect the eyes, resulting in such symptoms as blurred vision, a bulging eye, double vision, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye, eyelid swelling and vision loss.

Trauma: Any injury , whether physically or emotionally inflicted. "Trauma" has both a medical and a psychiatric definition. Medically, "trauma" refers to a serious or critical bodily injury, wound, or shock . This definition is often associated with trauma medicine practiced in emergency rooms and represents a popular view of the term. In psychiatry , "trauma" has assumed a different meaning and refers to an experience that is emotionally painful, distressful, or shocking, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.(06 August 2007 - Online press article Dr. Boothe )

Optometrist: A health care professional who is licensed to provide primary eye care services:
* to examine and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma , cataracts , and retinal diseases and, in certain states in the U.S., to treat them;
* to diagnose related systemic (bodywide) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes;
* to examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness , farsightedness , astigmatism and presbyopia ; and
* to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and medications as well as perform minor surgical procedures such as the removal of foreign bodies.
* Find a local Doctor in your town

Decongestant: A drug that shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose and makes it easier to breath. Decongestants can be taken orally or by nasal spray. Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than five days without the doctor's advice, and if so, usually only when accompanied by a nasal steroid. Many decongestant nasal sprays often cause a rebound effect if taken too long. A rebound effect is the worsening of symptoms when a drug is discontinued. This is a result of a tissue dependence on the medication. Decongestants should not be used by patients with high blood pressure (hypertension) unless under doctor's supervision.

Radiation: 1. Rays of energy. Gamma rays and X-rays are two of the types of energy waves often used in medicine. 2. The use of energy waves to diagnose or treat disease. See also: Irradiation.

Virus: A microorganism smaller than a bacteria, which cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell. A virus invades living cells and uses their chemical machinery to keep itself alive and to replicate itself. It may reproduce with fidelity or with errors (mutations)-this ability to mutate is responsible for the ability of some viruses to change slightly in each infected person, making treatment more difficult.Dr. Boothe Lasik

Dr. William Boothe - Dry eye Article

2010-08-13T03:22:00.000-07:00

Rheopheresis The RHEO Procedure ("rheopheresis") is a method of blood filtration (apheresis) for treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration that removes large proteins and fatty components from the blood to improve circulation to macular cells at the back of the eye. For more information, please see our article on age-related macular degeneration.

Dry eye: A deficiency of tears. The main symptom is usually a scratchy or sandy feeling as if something is in the eye. Other symptoms may include stinging or burning of the eye; episodes of excess tearing that follow periods of very dry sensation; a stringy discharge from the eye; and pain and redness of the eye. Sometimes people with dry eye experience heaviness of the eyelids or blurred, changing, or decreased vision, although loss of vision is uncommon.(06 December 2008 - Online article Dr. Boothe Laser Center )

Contact lens drops Eyedrops for contact lens wearers; regular eyedrops can discolor contact lenses.

Iritis Inflammation of the iris.

Dr. William Boothe - Presbyopia Article

2010-08-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

Strabismus A misalignment of the eyes: the eye don't point at the same object together. Crossed eyes (esotropia) are one type of strabismus; "wall-eyes" (exotropia) are another. The exact cause is unknown, but appears to be a problem with the eye muscles. Strabismus can affect depth perception.

Presbyopia Condition in which the aging eye beginning at around age 40 is unable to focus at all distances, often noticed when print begins to blur. Additional symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, and squinting. Read our article about presbyopia.(08 February 2010 - Online article Boothe Eye Care )

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Article

2010-08-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

Ocular herpes Recurrent viral infection that can cause inflammation and scarring of the cornea. It is not sexually transmitted. There are various types of ocular herpes, ranging from herpes keratitis to more serious forms that can lead to blindness. See our eye herpes article for more details.

Dilate: To stretch or enlarge. It comes from the Latin verb "dilatare" meaning "to enlarge or expand."Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Beta blocker Drug that widens or dilates blood vessels, thus enabling more normal flow of blood. Topical beta blockers applied as eye drops also can lessen fluid production and lower internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure) in eye diseases such as glaucoma to reduce the possibility of optic nerve damage. Beta blockers also are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension). Side effects can include respiratory problems.

Ophthalmoplegia Eye muscle paralysis. Causes include stroke, multiple sclerosis, a tumor, thyroid disease, migraines and progressive supranuclear palsies. Symptoms can include limited eye movement, blurred vision, double vision, nystagmus and ptosis. Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome, often called "painful ophthalmoplegia," is characterized by intense pain behind the eye and a headache. (04 May 2008 Dr. Boothe Lasik )

Press article Dr. William Boothe Lasik

2010-08-04T02:51:00.000-07:00

Dacryocystitis Inflammation of the nasolacrimal (tear) sac, typically caused by dacryostenosis. Symptoms include discharge, a sticky eye, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye, swelling around the eye and tearing.

Phoropter Device that provides various combinations of lenses used for tests of vision errors in eye examinations.(14 May 2010 - Press article Dr. William Boothe Lasik )

Histiocytosis Abnormal proliferation of histiocytes (immune system cells). Common symptoms include bone tumors and skin rashes. If histiocytosis affects the eyes, it causes bulging.

Monochromatic Refers to one wavelength of light, as opposed to the many wavelengths of light found in varying colors.

Neovascularization Abnormal growth of new blood vessels, such as in an excessive amount, or in tissue that normally does not contain them, or of a different kind than is usual in that tissue. Also see angiogenesis.

Presbyopia Condition in which the aging eye beginning at around age 40 is unable to focus at all distances, often noticed when print begins to blur. Additional symptoms include eyestrain, headaches, and squinting. Read our article about presbyopia.Boothe Eye Center

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Article

2010-08-01T02:50:00.000-07:00

Phacoemulsification Also called "phako," this in-office cataract surgery procedure involves using a device with a vibrating, ultrasonic tip to break up the cataract, then suctioning the pieces out with a tiny needle. Read our article about cataract surgery.

Jaundice Yellow coloring in the skin and eyes caused by high levels of a pigment called bilirubin. Jaundice is associated with a variety of conditions involving the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, including hepatitis and cirrhosis.(27 June 2009 - Blog article Boothe Eye Center )

Keratoconjunctivitis - Eye Care Article

2010-07-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Apheresis A process in which blood is drawn outside the body, certain compounds are removed, and the blood is returned to the body. The technique has various applications, including: harvesting of needed components such as plasma or white blood cells; and removing harmful components such as large proteins, in order to treat the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For more information, please see our article on age-related macular degeneration.

Keratoconjunctivitis: Inflammation of the eye involving both the cornea and the conjunctiva .(29 December 2007 - Online press Dr. Boothe )

Diabetic retinopathy Leaking of retinal blood vessels in advanced or long-term diabetes, affecting the macula or retina. Most people have no symptoms at first, but can develop blurred near vision, double vision, floaters, retinal/vitreous hemorrhages and metamorphopsia. In later stages, you can also suffer vision loss.

Contact lens problem Contact lens problems can range from minor to sight-threatening, and include protein build-up, debris on the lens, a ripped or nicked lens, infections and more. Symptoms can include frequent blinking, blurred vision, burning, discharge, foreign body sensation, itching, light sensitivity, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye or lid and eyelid swelling.

Chalazion A small bump on the eyelid caused by an obstructed meibomian gland. Additional symptoms include light sensitivity, tearing and eyelid swelling. Chalazia are usually not painful unless they become infected. Read more about chalazia.

Cohort A term used in clinical studies to define a set of people who have something in common such as similar backgrounds, experiences, and/or health problems.Dr. William Boothe

Esotropia When one or both eyes point inward, so the eyes are "crossed." This is one type of strabismus.

Apheresis- Dr. William Boothe Article

2010-07-27T06:46:00.000-07:00

Apheresis A process in which blood is drawn outside the body, certain compounds are removed, and the blood is returned to the body. The technique has various applications, including: harvesting of needed components such as plasma or white blood cells; and removing harmful components such as large proteins, in order to treat the dry form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For more information, please see our article on age-related macular degeneration.

Entropion An abnormal turning in of an eyelid, which causes the lashes to rub on the ocular surface; usually due to aging. Additional symptoms include eye or lid pain or discomfort, foreign body sensation, a red or pink eye, itching, tearing and vision loss.(19 December 2009 - Press article Dr. William Boothe )

Bioptic telescopic lenses (BTL) Devices attached to glasses that provide extreme magnification, typically used for driving. For people with low vision who are qualified, telescopic lenses are attached above the driver's line of sight to help magnify objects such as road signs.

Papilloma Usually benign tumor, such as a wart or a skin tag; papillomas may be raised or flat, and can be a variety of colors, such as skin-colored, yellow, pink, brown or black. Eye papillomas are typically on the eyelid, but may also appear on the conjunctiva. The cause of papillomas is felt to be viral.

Xanthelasma A yellow, fatty spot or bump on the inner corner of either the upper eyelid, the lower one or both eyelids, often caused by a lipid disorder such as high cholesterol.

Lipid Organic compound that is oily, fatty, or waxy and commonly found in living cells. Lipids are one component of human tears, forming an oily outer layer that helps keep the eye moisturized by reducing evaporation of the watery and mucus layers beneath it. Lipids can collect on contact lenses, making them uncomfortable.Dr. Boothe

Atropine: A drug obtained from belladonna that is administered via injection, eye drops, or in oral form to relax muscles by inhibiting nerve responses. Used to dilate the pupils and as an antispasmodic .

Dr. William Boothe Eye Care Article - Toxoplasmosis

2010-07-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

Burn: Damage to the skin or other body parts caused by extreme heat, flame, contact with heated objects, or chemicals. Burn depth is generally categorized as first, second, or third degree. The treatment of burns depends on the depth, area, and location of the burn, as well as additional factors, such as material that may be burned onto or into the skin. Treatment options range from simply applying a cold pack to emergency treatment to skin grafts.

Scrub: 1. As a verb, to wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before engaging in surgery. To scrub implies the use of a brush (and often an implement to clean under the nails). To scrub, to scrub in (on a surgical procedure), and to scrub up are synonymous.
2. As a noun, a person who scrubs, as for surgery.
3. As an adjective, pertaining to scrubbing in for surgery, as a scrub nurse or a scrub tech.(20 November 2008 - Blog article Dr. William Boothe )

Fungal: Pertaining to a fungus. For example, a fungal skin infection.

Toxoplasmosis An infection caused by the Toxoplasma parasite, often from undercooked meat or contact with feces. It may occur in people with compromised immune systems. Symptoms are flu-like and can include swollen lymph nodes and muscle aches. Ocular toxoplasmosis causes inflammation of the eye's interior, leading to uveitis.

Anti-reflective coating (AR coating) Thin layer(s) applied to a lens to reduce the amount of reflected light and glare that reaches the eye. Read more about anti-reflective coatings.

Bioptic telescopic lenses (BTL) Devices attached to glasses that provide extreme magnification, typically used for driving. For people with low vision who are qualified, telescopic lenses are attached above the driver's line of sight to help magnify objects such as road signs.Dr. Boothe

Dr. William Boothe about Retinal detachment

2010-07-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

Contact lens drops Eyedrops for contact lens wearers; regular eyedrops can discolor contact lenses.

Bioptic telescopic lenses (BTL) Devices attached to glasses that provide extreme magnification, typically used for driving. For people with low vision who are qualified, telescopic lenses are attached above the driver's line of sight to help magnify objects such as road signs.(26 February 2009 - Press article Dr. William Boothe )

Optic nerve problem The optic nerve (second cranial nerve) is the part of the eye that carries stimuli from the rods and cones to the brain. Problems such as inflammation (optic neuritis), tumors and swelling can lead to symptoms such as: blurred vision, loss of color vision, floaters, headache, eye pain or discomfort, nausea and vision loss.

Botulism Serious illness from a toxin produced by Clostridium bacteria (usually Clostridium botulinum). Infant botulism and food-borne botulism are the most common forms in the United States. Symptoms include double vision, blurred vision, ptosis, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing and nausea.

Dilate: To stretch or enlarge. It comes from the Latin verb "dilatare" meaning "to enlarge or expand."

Primary: First or foremost in time or development. The primary teeth (the baby teeth) are those that come first. Primary may also refer to symptoms or a disease to which others are secondary.Dr. Boothe

Condition where the retina separates from the choroid. Retinal detachments have many causes, including aging, surgery, trauma, inflammation, high myopia and diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity and scleritis. Symptoms include light flashes, floaters, a shadow coming down over yourvision, blurred vision and vision loss. For more information, please see our retinal detachment article.

Hypoglycemia Abnormally low level of sugar (glucose) in the blood, which causes dizziness, hunger, shakiness and other symptoms. Skipping or delaying meals, too-small meals, or a high level of physical activity can cause hypoglycemia. Too much alcohol or certain drugs can also cause it. In diabetics, it can be caused by too much insulin.

Dr. William Boothe Ophthalmologist

2010-07-18T04:22:00.000-07:00

Sarcoidosis Disease in which granulomas (nodules of inflamed tissue) form in the lymph nodes, lungs, skin and other areas. The cause is unknown. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, fever, coughing, uveitis, cranial nerve palsies and skin lesions. Some patients also develop dry eyes.

Cerebral cortex Outer portion of the brain where complex functions including certain vision processes take place.(23 September 2009 - Blog article Dr. Boothe )

Rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disorder that mainly affects the joints. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling and deformities. Rheumatoid arthritis may also cause eye burning, discharge and dryness. It can be associated with uveitis.

Ophthalmologist: An eye doctor. A physician practicing ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is an M.D.

Blepharoconjunctivitis Inflammation of the eyelid and conjunctiva. Infections and allergic reactions are among the causes. Symptoms include a red or pink eye, a red or pink eyelid, pain or discomfort of the eye or around the eye, tearing, burning, eye dryness and eye stickiness.

Keratoconus Degeneration and thinning of the cornea resulting in a cone-shaped bulge (a type of irregular astigmatism). The cause is unknown, but may be genetic. The first symptom is blurred vision that doesn't improve enough with glasses (contacts usually work well for a while). You may also have double vision or distorted vision. Read our keratoconus articleDr. William Boothe

Iris: The iris is the circular, colored curtain of the eye. Its opening forms the pupil. The iris helps regulate the amount of light that enters the eye.

Dr. William Boothe - Uveitis

2010-07-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the part of the eye that collectively refers to the iris, the choroid of the eye, and the ciliary body. The uvea provides most of the blood supply to the retina. Uveitis as a rule signifies inflammation involving the iris, choroid, and ciliary body -- all three components of the uveal tract.

Ocular hypertension Condition in which the intraocular pressure of the eye is elevated above normal and which may lead to glaucoma.(09 June 2008 - Blog article Dr. Boothe )

Optometrist: A health care professional who is licensed to provide primary eye care services:
* to examine and diagnose eye diseases such as glaucoma , cataracts , and retinal diseases and, in certain states in the U.S., to treat them;
* to diagnose related systemic (bodywide) conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may affect the eyes;
* to examine, diagnose and treat visual conditions such as nearsightedness , farsightedness , astigmatism and presbyopia ; and
* to prescribe glasses, contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation and medications as well as perform minor surgical procedures such as the removal of foreign bodies.
* Find a local Doctor in your town

Snellen chart Standard chart with letters, numbers, or symbols printed in rows of decreasing size used by eye care professionals in distance visual acuity testing. The chart was invented by Dutch ophthalmologist Hermann Snellen.

Cranial nerve One of the 12 pairs of nerves that go from the brain to other parts of the head. Those that affect the eyes and vision are the second cranial nerve (optic nerve), third (oculomotor), fourth (troclear), sixth (abducens) and seventh (facial). The optic nerve carries stimuli from the rods and cones to the brain. The third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves work with the eye muscles to control eye movement. The seventh cranial nerve works with the facial muscles to control facial movement (specifically the closure of the eyelids).

Dr. William Boothe - Nystagmus

2010-07-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

Keratitis Inflammation of the cornea, caused by an infection or inflammatory process. Symptoms include eye pain or discomfort, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, grittiness and tearing.

Ablation Removal. In vision, ablation refers to the surgical removal of eye tissue to correct a refractive error such as myopia. For example, in laser procedures such as LASIK and PRK, the excimer laser ablates, or removes, tissue from the cornea.(16 June 2009 - Blog article Dr. Boothe )

ANSI The American National Standards Institute is a private, non-profit organization that coordinates efforts to develop standards for manufacturing many different products, including eyeglass lenses. For example, certain ANSI standards define acceptable levels of impact resistance for safety eyewear.

Posterior chamber Part of the eye behind the iris and in front of the lens.

Episcleritis Inflammation of the episclera. The cause is usually unknown, but episcleritis may be associated with some systemic (e.g., autoimmune) diseases. Symptoms include a red or pink eye, eye pain or discomfort, light sensitivity and tearing.

Rapid and involuntary eye movement that is oscillating and non-chaotic. Blurred vision may result. Nystagmus typically affects infants and has a variety of causes.Dr. William Boothe

Arcus An opaque arc or ring around the peripheral cornea, this represents fatty or oily deposits in the cornea. It is usually seen in elderly people and is called arcus senilis. Arcus juvenilis is seen in people younger than 40 and often indicates high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Dr. William Boothe about Macular degeneration

2010-07-10T04:18:00.000-07:00

Macular degeneration Disorder characterized by changes in the eye's macula that result in the gradual loss of central vision. The exact cause is unknown, but appears to be related to a genetic predisposition, smoking and several other risk factors. Central vision may be blurred, distorted (metamorphopsia) or shadowy before vision loss occurs.

Lutein An antioxidant that is found throughout the body, but is concentrated in the macula. Lutein is believed to help protect the eyes from free radical damage caused by the sun's harmful rays.(05 January 2009 - Online article Dr. William Boothe )

Foreign body Something in or on the eye that doesn't belong there. Symptoms include foreign body sensation, eye pain or discomfort, a red or pink eye, tearing, frequent blinking, blurred vision, discharge, light sensitivity and vision loss.

Arcus An opaque arc or ring around the peripheral cornea, this represents fatty or oily deposits in the cornea. It is usually seen in elderly people and is called arcus senilis. Arcus juvenilis is seen in people younger than 40 and often indicates high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

Daily wear These soft contact lenses are worn every day for six months up to a couple of years. They require daily cleaning and disinfecting, as well as a periodic enzymatic soak (usually once a week).

Phosphate: A form of phosphoric acid. Calcium phosphate makes bones and teeth hard.Dr. Boothe

Angle-closure glaucoma: This condition can be acute or chronic. It consists of increased pressure in the front chamber (anterior chamber) of the eye due to sudden (acute) or slowly progressive (chronic) blockage of the normal circulation of fluid within the eye. The block takes place at the angle of the anterior chamber formed by its junction of the cornea with the iris. This angle can be seen by simply looking at someone's eye from the side. Angle-closure glaucoma tends to affect people born with a narrow angle. People of Asian and Eskimo ancestry are at higher risk of developing it. Age and family history are risk factors. It occurs in older women more often than others. When the pupil of the eye is wide open (dilated), the iris is retracted and thickened and it block the canal of Schlemm, a key component of the drainage pathway for fluid within the eye. Blocking the drainage canal of Schlemm sends the pressure within the eye up. With acute angle-closure glaucoma, there is an abrupt increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) due to the buildup of aqueous (fluid) in the eye. The high pressure can damage the optic nerve (the nerve to the eye) and lead to blindness. The elevated pressure is best detected before the appearance of symptoms. That is why when the eyes are dilated in a doctor's office for a refraction, eye pressures are checked. When symptoms of acute angle glaucoma do develop, they include severe eye and facial pain, nausea and vomiting, decreased vision, blurred vision and seeing haloes around light. The eye in a far advanced case of angle closure glaucoma appears red with a steamy (clouded) cornea and a fixed (nonreactive) dilated pupil. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency because optic nerve damage and vision loss can occur within hours of the onset of the problem. Administering medications to lower the pressure within the eye is done first. In the past, a piece of the iris was then surgically removed in a procedure called an iridectomy to make a hole in the iris and create a channel (other than the canal of Sclemm) to permit the free flow of fluid. Today, a comparable procedure can be done by laser to burn a small hole in the iris to keep the intraocular pressure within normal limits. This condition can be chronic (progressing slowly or occurring persistently) or acute (occurring suddenly). Chronic angle-closure glaucoma, like the more common type of glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma), may cause vision damage without symptoms.

Press article Dr. Boothe

2010-07-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

Iris- The iris is the colored portion of the visible eye. It is a muscle that affects the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light needed to enter the pupil.
For the past 20 years Laser Eye Center has been a leader in the Refractive Surgery Industry. As one of the largest refractive-surgery centers in California, our team of highly experienced Ophthalmologists has performed over 200,000 refractive surgeries. At Laser Eye Center we believe that in addition to experience, high quality of vision correction is the essence to a successful practice. Going beyond 20/20 is our goal. At the Laser eye center we offer the latest most advanced FDA approved technology to our patients so they can attain the best quality of vision available today.(09 February 2008 - Blog article Dr. Boothe Eye Center )
LASEK- Or epi-LASIK, may be a Laser Eye Surgery option for patients with thinner corneal epithelia. A solution is used to raise the epithelium. A "bubble" forms through the center of the microkeratome, making it safe to create a flap. After the laser application, the flap is repositioned on the cornea and held in place by a soft, non-prescription contact lens.
LASIK

LASIK is a more complex procedure than PRK. It is performed for all degrees of nearsightedness. The surgeon uses a knife called a microkeratome to cut a flap of corneal tissue, removes the targeted tissue beneath it with the laser, and then replaces the flap.
"With LASIK, the skill of the surgeon is important because he'll be making an incision," says Stephen Crawford, O.D., an optometrist practicing in Virginia, "compared to the PRK method where the machine does more of the work." Crawford urges people to find qualified, experienced doctors to perform this surgery. "You'll want someone who's done a number of LASIK procedures since this is a surgeon-dependent operation," he said.
According to Ken Taylor, O.D., vice president of Arthur D. Little, Inc., a technology and management consultant firm in Cambridge, Mass., "Last year, across the country, 40 to 45 percent of refractive surgeries performed by physicians were LASIK, which equates to approximately 80,000 procedures." Doctors not participating in clinical trials may choose to use the approved laser to perform LASIK procedures at their discretion, says Morris Waxler, Ph.D., chief of FDA's diagnostic and surgical devices section. But most uses are considered "off label" and are not regulated by FDA.
Wavefront / Custom LASIK

At Laser Eye Center, our surgeons are the first to utilize LADARWavey® CUSTOMCORNEA® wavefront technology to measure and address both lower and higher order aberrations (visual imperfections in the eye's optical system). Unless both lower and higher order aberrations are addressed during laser vision correction, the quality of your vision may not be ideal, even if you have post-operative vision of 20/20.
WILL MY PROCEDURE BE PAINFUL?
Patients experience virtually no discomfort during the LASIK Vision Correction procedure. Eye drop anesthesia is used to numb the eye prior to the procedure, so no injections are necessary. Immediately after treatment, some patients have reported minor discomfort, like having an eyelash or a dry contact lens in their eye.Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Excimer Laser- An excimer laser refers to a cool laser. Excimer lasers use cool beams of ultraviolet light to evaporate corneal tissue during vision correction.
LADAR

Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, LADARVision® was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, LADARVision® has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still. (04 December 2009 Dr. Boothe Eye Care )

Boothe Eye Care article

Dr. Boothe Eye Center - Other types of refractive surgery

2010-07-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

2010-06-19T00:25:00.000-07:00

LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery.
The FDA does not have the authority to:

Regulate a doctor's practice. In other words, FDA does not tell doctors what to do when running their business or what they can or cannot tell their patients.
Set the amount a doctor can charge for LASIK eye surgery.
"Insist" the patient information booklet from the laser manufacturer be provided to the potential patient.
Make recommendations for individual doctors, clinics, or eye centers. FDA does not maintain nor have access to any such list of doctors performing LASIK eye surgery.
Conduct or provide a rating system on any medical device it regulates.
The first refractive laser systems approved by FDA were excimer lasers for use in PRK to treat myopia and later to treat astigmatism. However, doctors began using these lasers for LASIK (not just PRK), and to treat other refractive errors (not just myopia). Over the last several years, LASIK has become the main surgery doctors use to treat myopia in the United States. More recently, some laser manufacturers have gained FDA approval for laser systems for LASIK to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and for PRK to treat hyperopia and astigmatism.(22 June 2009 - Online press Dr. Boothe )
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about.
Pupil- The pupil is the dark opening in the visible eye. It will open when more light is needed to see, and it will get smaller if less light is needed to see.
Astigmatism:
Astigmatism causes a distortion of vision, where a person may experience an overall blurriness. Information regarding an astigmatism is found in the cylinder column. Many people with myopia or hyperopia have some degree of astigmatism
Presbyopia:
LASIK surgeons cannot correct this age-related vision problem; it occurs in most individuals starting in the early 40s and progresses with age.
Muscles inside the eye lose flexibility and reading can become difficult.
People may have presbyopia in combination with another vision problem like nearsightedness.
The nearsightedness would be correctable by LASIK surgery, but the presbyopia would not; however, we may be able to find an adjustment to compensate for both.Dr. Boothe Laser Center

What the FDA regulates
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices such as the lasers used for LASIK. Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use." The FDA does not regulate off-label use or the practice of medicine.
Corneal Epithelium- The corneal epithelium is the thin, protective layer encasing the eyeball. Prior to LASIK eye surgery, the epithelium must be lifted or polished away to expose the underlying cornea. The epithelium is regenerative and heals quickly. (26 January 2008 Dr. Boothe Eye Care )

Boothe Laser Center article

LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."
Hyperopia or Hypermetropia- Many Hyperopic patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.( 24 October 2007 Blog article Dr. Boothe Laser Center )

Blog article Dr. Boothe Laser Center

2010-06-16T00:23:00.000-07:00

Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.
WILL MY PROCEDURE BE PAINFUL?
Patients experience virtually no discomfort during the LASIK Vision Correction procedure. Eye drop anesthesia is used to numb the eye prior to the procedure, so no injections are necessary. Immediately after treatment, some patients have reported minor discomfort, like having an eyelash or a dry contact lens in their eye.(13 May 2007 - Online blog Boothe Laser Center )
What the FDA regulates
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices such as the lasers used for LASIK. Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use." The FDA does not regulate off-label use or the practice of medicine.
Ophthalmologist- An opthalmologist is a medical doctor whose specialization is vision. An opthalmologist can diagnose vision concerns, treat vision concerns, manage vision concerns, perform eye surgery, prescribe medicine, and ophthalmologists can perform laser eye surgery.
LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."
Precision Surgery

PRK is an outpatient procedure generally performed with local anesthetic eye drops. This type of refractive surgery gently reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface with a cool, computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light. The beam is so precise it can cut notches in a strand of human hair without breaking it, and each pulse can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in 12 billionths of a second. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and patients are typically back to daily routines in one to three days.
Before the procedure begins, the patient's eye is measured to determine the degree of visual problem, and a map of the eye's surface is constructed. The required corneal change is calculated based on this information, and then entered into the laser's computer.
Since 1995, a limited number of laser systems has been approved by FDA to treat various refractive errors, both with PRK and LASIK.
According to FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, clinical studies showed that about 5 percent of patients continued to always need glasses following PRK for distance, and up to 15 percent needed glasses occasionally, such as when driving. In addition, many patients experienced mild corneal haze following surgery, which is part of the normal healing process. The haze appeared to have little or no effect on final vision, and could only be seen by a doctor with a microscope. Some patients experienced glare and halos around lights. These conditions, however, diminished or disappeared in most patients in six months. For about 5 percent of patients, however, best-corrected vision without corrective lenses was slightly worse after surgery than before. In view of these findings, FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (which oversees advertising) issued a letter to the eye-care community in May 1996 warning that unrealistic advertising claims, such as "throw away your eyeglasses," and unsubstantiated claims about success rates could be misleading to consumers.Boothe Eye Care

Hyperopia or Hypermetropia- Many Hyperopic patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
Conductive Keratoplasty- CK is performed using a probe about the size of a human strand of hair, which release radiofrequency (RF) energy, shrinking the tissue to increase the curvature of the cornea. LasikPlus will not perform CK. (09 May 2009 Dr. Boothe )

Dr. William Boothe article

Boothe Eye Care

What is LASIK?
The eye and vision errors
The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects. Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.
For the past 20 years Laser Eye Center has been a leader in the Refractive Surgery Industry. As one of the largest refractive-surgery centers in California, our team of highly experienced Ophthalmologists has performed over 200,000 refractive surgeries. At Laser Eye Center we believe that in addition to experience, high quality of vision correction is the essence to a successful practice. Going beyond 20/20 is our goal. At the Laser eye center we offer the latest most advanced FDA approved technology to our patients so they can attain the best quality of vision available today. Dr. Boothe Eye Center
Keratotomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and otomy means to create an incision. Together they mean to create an incision in the cornea.
Boothe Eye Center Presbyopia- "Presbys" is Greek for "old man" and "opia" refers to the eye. Presbyopia typically occurs in our late thirties or early forties, and it can make reading things up close difficult. Our lenses lose their ability to accomodate, or change shape. Some patients may be good candidates for Monovision as an Alternative to Bilateral LASIK.

Dr. Boothe - What is LASIK?

2010-06-08T03:05:00.000-07:00

Boothe Eye Care - Keratomileusis

2010-05-28T01:29:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boothe Eye Center

Other types of refractive surgery
Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK are other refractive surgeries used to reshape the cornea. In RK, a very sharp knife is used to cut slits in the cornea changing its shape. PRK was the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea, by sculpting, using a laser. Later, LASIK was developed. The same type of laser is used for LASIK and PRK. Often the exact same laser is used for the two types of surgery. The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back. Dr. Boothe Laser Center
Nearsightedness- Nearsightedness is another name for Myopia. Nearsighted people typically have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. Nearsightedness can be so severe that people have difficulty seeing objects up close too.

Dry Eyes After LASIK - Some patients may experience dry eyes after LASIK and PRK. Often it is a temporary side effect during the healing process. If a patient is prone to dry eyes, our medical teams may discuss options with the patient, or discuss non-candidacy if the patient's eyes are too dry to have laser vision correction.
LADAR

Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, LADARVision® was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, LADARVision® has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still.
Dr. William Boothe:
LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery.
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about.

Dr. Boothe Eye Care

Dr William Boothe about Good LASIK Candidates

2010-05-27T02:27:00.000-07:00

Boothe Eye Care

Hyperopia or Hypermetropia- Many Hyperopic patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
Dr. Boothe Eye Care

WILL MY PROCEDURE BE PAINFUL?
Patients experience virtually no discomfort during the LASIK Vision Correction procedure. Eye drop anesthesia is used to numb the eye prior to the procedure, so no injections are necessary. Immediately after treatment, some patients have reported minor discomfort, like having an eyelash or a dry contact lens in their eye.
Lens- The lens of the eye is the body between the iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil to form an image on the retina. You may also want to research presbyopia.

IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.

Dr. Boothe Laser Center: LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about.
Iris- The iris is the colored portion of the visible eye. It is a muscle that affects the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light needed to enter the pupil.

Dr. William Boothe

Nearsightedness- Nearsightedness is another name for Myopia. Nearsighted people typically have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. Nearsightedness can be so severe that people have difficulty seeing objects up close too.

Good LASIK Candidates Must:
Be at Least 18 Years Old
Be in Good General Health
Have No Health Issues Affecting the Eyes
Have No Active Eye Conditions Which May Affect Healing
Have a Stable Vision Prescription for at Least One Year Dr. Boothe

Dry Eyes After LASIK - Some patients may experience dry eyes after LASIK and PRK. Often it is a temporary side effect during the healing process. If a patient is prone to dry eyes, our medical teams may discuss options with the patient, or discuss non-candidacy if the patient's eyes are too dry to have laser vision correction.
Dr. Boothe Eye Center
LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."

Dr. Boothe - Keratotomy

2010-05-26T02:22:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boothe

Keratotomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and otomy means to create an incision. Together they mean to create an incision in the cornea. Dr. Boothe Eye Care

Good LASIK Candidates Must:
Be at Least 18 Years Old
Be in Good General Health
Have No Health Issues Affecting the Eyes
Have No Active Eye Conditions Which May Affect Healing
Have a Stable Vision Prescription for at Least One Year

LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."

LASIK

LASIK is a more complex procedure than PRK. It is performed for all degrees of nearsightedness. The surgeon uses a knife called a microkeratome to cut a flap of corneal tissue, removes the targeted tissue beneath it with the laser, and then replaces the flap.
"With LASIK, the skill of the surgeon is important because he'll be making an incision," says Stephen Crawford, O.D., an optometrist practicing in Virginia, "compared to the PRK method where the machine does more of the work." Crawford urges people to find qualified, experienced doctors to perform this surgery. "You'll want someone who's done a number of LASIK procedures since this is a surgeon-dependent operation," he said.
According to Ken Taylor, O.D., vice president of Arthur D. Little, Inc., a technology and management consultant firm in Cambridge, Mass., "Last year, across the country, 40 to 45 percent of refractive surgeries performed by physicians were LASIK, which equates to approximately 80,000 procedures." Doctors not participating in clinical trials may choose to use the approved laser to perform LASIK procedures at their discretion, says Morris Waxler, Ph.D., chief of FDA's diagnostic and surgical devices section. But most uses are considered "off label" and are not regulated by FDA.

Boothe Eye Care: Other types of refractive surgery
Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK are other refractive surgeries used to reshape the cornea. In RK, a very sharp knife is used to cut slits in the cornea changing its shape. PRK was the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea, by sculpting, using a laser. Later, LASIK was developed. The same type of laser is used for LASIK and PRK. Often the exact same laser is used for the two types of surgery. The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back.
IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.

Boothe Laser Center

Wavefront / Custom LASIK

At Laser Eye Center, our surgeons are the first to utilize LADARWavey® CUSTOMCORNEA® wavefront technology to measure and address both lower and higher order aberrations (visual imperfections in the eye's optical system). Unless both lower and higher order aberrations are addressed during laser vision correction, the quality of your vision may not be ideal, even if you have post-operative vision of 20/20.

Conductive Keratoplasty- CK is performed using a probe about the size of a human strand of hair, which release radiofrequency (RF) energy, shrinking the tissue to increase the curvature of the cornea. LasikPlus will not perform CK. Boothe Eye Center

Precision Surgery

PRK is an outpatient procedure generally performed with local anesthetic eye drops. This type of refractive surgery gently reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the outer surface with a cool, computer-controlled ultraviolet beam of light. The beam is so precise it can cut notches in a strand of human hair without breaking it, and each pulse can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in 12 billionths of a second. The procedure itself takes only a few minutes, and patients are typically back to daily routines in one to three days.
Before the procedure begins, the patient's eye is measured to determine the degree of visual problem, and a map of the eye's surface is constructed. The required corneal change is calculated based on this information, and then entered into the laser's computer.
Since 1995, a limited number of laser systems has been approved by FDA to treat various refractive errors, both with PRK and LASIK.
According to FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, clinical studies showed that about 5 percent of patients continued to always need glasses following PRK for distance, and up to 15 percent needed glasses occasionally, such as when driving. In addition, many patients experienced mild corneal haze following surgery, which is part of the normal healing process. The haze appeared to have little or no effect on final vision, and could only be seen by a doctor with a microscope. Some patients experienced glare and halos around lights. These conditions, however, diminished or disappeared in most patients in six months. For about 5 percent of patients, however, best-corrected vision without corrective lenses was slightly worse after surgery than before. In view of these findings, FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (which oversees advertising) issued a letter to the eye-care community in May 1996 warning that unrealistic advertising claims, such as "throw away your eyeglasses," and unsubstantiated claims about success rates could be misleading to consumers.
Dr. Boothe Eye Center What the FDA regulates
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices such as the lasers used for LASIK. Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use." The FDA does not regulate off-label use or the practice of medicine.

Dr. Boothe about Presbyopia

2010-05-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boothe Eye Center

Presbyopia- "Presbys" is Greek for "old man" and "opia" refers to the eye. Presbyopia typically occurs in our late thirties or early forties, and it can make reading things up close difficult. Our lenses lose their ability to accomodate, or change shape. Some patients may be good candidates for Monovision as an Alternative to Bilateral LASIK. Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Dry Eyes After LASIK - Some patients may experience dry eyes after LASIK and PRK. Often it is a temporary side effect during the healing process. If a patient is prone to dry eyes, our medical teams may discuss options with the patient, or discuss non-candidacy if the patient's eyes are too dry to have laser vision correction.
What the FDA regulates
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the sale of medical devices such as the lasers used for LASIK. Before a medical device can be legally sold in the U.S., the person or company that wants to sell the device must seek approval from the FDA. To gain approval, they must present evidence that the device is reasonably safe and effective for a particular use, the "indication." Once the FDA has approved a medical device, a doctor may decide to use that device for other indications if the doctor feels it is in the best interest of a patient. The use of an approved device for other than its FDA-approved indication is called "off-label use." The FDA does not regulate off-label use or the practice of medicine.
Microkeratome- A blade that creates a flap in the cornea during LASIK Surgery.

Boothe Eye Care: Monovision- When one eye is deliberately corrected for distance vision and the other for close vision.

The FDA does not have the authority to:

Regulate a doctor's practice. In other words, FDA does not tell doctors what to do when running their business or what they can or cannot tell their patients.
Set the amount a doctor can charge for LASIK eye surgery.
"Insist" the patient information booklet from the laser manufacturer be provided to the potential patient.
Make recommendations for individual doctors, clinics, or eye centers. FDA does not maintain nor have access to any such list of doctors performing LASIK eye surgery.
Conduct or provide a rating system on any medical device it regulates.
The first refractive laser systems approved by FDA were excimer lasers for use in PRK to treat myopia and later to treat astigmatism. However, doctors began using these lasers for LASIK (not just PRK), and to treat other refractive errors (not just myopia). Over the last several years, LASIK has become the main surgery doctors use to treat myopia in the United States. More recently, some laser manufacturers have gained FDA approval for laser systems for LASIK to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and for PRK to treat hyperopia and astigmatism.

Dr. William Boothe

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about.
IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.
Boothe Eye Center
Other types of refractive surgery
Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK are other refractive surgeries used to reshape the cornea. In RK, a very sharp knife is used to cut slits in the cornea changing its shape. PRK was the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea, by sculpting, using a laser. Later, LASIK was developed. The same type of laser is used for LASIK and PRK. Often the exact same laser is used for the two types of surgery. The major difference between the two surgeries is the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea, is exposed before it is vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea, called the epithelium, is scraped away to expose the stromal layer underneath. In LASIK, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and the flap is folded back.
Boothe Laser Center Myopia- Myopic people typically have difficulty seeing objects at a distance. Myopia can be so severe that people have difficulty seeing objects up close too.

Dr. Boothe about Corneal Epithelium

2010-05-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boothe Laser Center

Boothe Eye Center

Dr. Boothe about Myopia

2010-05-23T02:00:00.000-07:00

Boothe Eye Care

Lens- The lens of the eye is the body between the iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil to form an image on the retina. You may also want to research presbyopia.
Dr. William Boothe
Corneal Epithelium- The corneal epithelium is the thin, protective layer encasing the eyeball. Prior to LASIK eye surgery, the epithelium must be lifted or polished away to expose the underlying cornea. The epithelium is regenerative and heals quickly.

LASEK- Or epi-LASIK, may be a Laser Eye Surgery option for patients with thinner corneal epithelia. A solution is used to raise the epithelium. A "bubble" forms through the center of the microkeratome, making it safe to create a flap. After the laser application, the flap is repositioned on the cornea and held in place by a soft, non-prescription contact lens.

Optician- An optician makes glasses and performs adjustments on frames.
Dr. Boothe: Nearsighted, Myopia:
People can typically see things up close, but things far away may appear blurred. People who are nearsighted may find a negative number in the sphere column of their prescription.
Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.

Dr. Boothe Eye Care:Farsightedness

Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
LADAR

Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, Boothe Laser Center was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, Boothe Laser Center has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still.

Boothe Laser Center: Wavefront / Custom LASIK

At Boothe Laser Center, our surgeons are the first to utilize LADARWavey® CUSTOMCORNEA® wavefront technology to measure and address both lower and higher order aberrations (visual imperfections in the eye's optical system). Unless both lower and higher order aberrations are addressed during laser vision correction, the quality of your vision may not be ideal, even if you have post-operative vision of 20/20.

Boothe Eye Center & LASIK

One of the most popular ways to correct vision is with a procedure called LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis), which uses a laser to change the curvature of the cornea (outer window of the eye). LASIK has quickly become the procedure of choice for most patients because they recover quickly and have fewer side effects and complications than with other methods of vision correction. In fact, most LASIK patients notice a significant improvement in their vision soon after surgery. LASIK removes tissue within the cornea to treat low to high levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Dr. Boothe Eye Center and Lasik Surgery

2010-05-22T01:53:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boothe Laser Center - Presbyopia:
LASIK surgeons cannot correct this age-related vision problem; it occurs in most individuals starting in the early 40s and progresses with age.
Muscles inside the eye lose flexibility and reading can become difficult.
People may have presbyopia in combination with another vision problem like nearsightedness.
The nearsightedness would be correctable by LASIK surgery, but the presbyopia would not; however, we may be able to find an adjustment to compensate for both.

Dr. Boothe Ophthalmologist:
An opthalmologist is a medical doctor whose specialization is vision. An opthalmologist can diagnose vision concerns, treat vision concerns, manage vision concerns, perform eye surgery, prescribe medicine, and ophthalmologists can perform laser eye surgery.

Pupil- The pupil is the dark opening in the visible eye. It will open when more light is needed to see, and it will get smaller if less light is needed to see.

Farsightedness, Hyperopia:
Farsighted people can usually see things that are far away better than things that are close. A farsighted prescription will have a positive number under the sphere column.

Boothe Eye Center: HOW LONG WILL MY LASIK PROCEDURE TAKE?
The LASIK procedure time is between five and fifteen minutes. We ask our patients to plan to be with us for approximately two hours on the day of their treatment. This gives our medical team adequate time for your procedure preparation, additional paperwork, final examination, and give you an opportunity to ask questions after your vision correction.
Keratotomy- Keratos is the greek word for cornea, and otomy means to create an incision. Together they mean to create an incision in the cornea.

Dr. Boothe Eye Care about lasik:

LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery.

Acuity- Acuity refers to the sharpness or clarity of your vision.

Cornea- The cornea is the transparent front portion of the eyeball that covers the iris and pupil; it is continuous with the sclera.
Boothe Laser Center

Refractive Error- This word refers to vision problems associated with the cornea: Astigmatism, Hyperopia, and Myopia.

Dr. Boothe Eye Center Lens- The lens of the eye is the body between the iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil to form an image on the retina. You may also want to research presbyopia.

Dr. Boothe - How Safe is LASIK Really?

2010-05-21T01:50:00.000-07:00

Dr. Boothe Laser Center - LADAR

Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, LADARVision® was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, LADARVision® has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still.

Dr. Boothe: How Safe is LASIK Really?
Corrective laser eye surgery is extremely safe when performed by qualified doctors. Like any surgical procedure, there can be complications, but the complication rate is extremely low.
Results of clinical studies indicate the chances of having a vision-reducing complication from LASIK Eye Surgery are less than 1%. There have been no reported cases of blindness resulting from laser eye treatment in the United States.
For the past 20 years Laser Eye Center has been a leader in the Refractive Surgery Industry. As one of the largest refractive-surgery centers in California, our team of highly experienced Ophthalmologists has performed over 200,000 refractive surgeries. At Laser Eye Center we believe that in addition to experience, high quality of vision correction is the essence to a successful practice. Going beyond 20/20 is our goal. At the Laser eye center we offer the latest most advanced FDA approved technology to our patients so they can attain the best quality of vision available today.
IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.

Boothe Laser Center:
Conductive Keratoplasty- CK is performed using a probe about the size of a human strand of hair, which release radiofrequency (RF) energy, shrinking the tissue to increase the curvature of the cornea. LasikPlus will not perform CK.
Excimer Laser- An excimer laser refers to a cool laser. Excimer lasers use cool beams of ultraviolet light to evaporate corneal tissue during vision correction.

Dr. Boothe Eye Center: HOW LONG WILL MY LASIK PROCEDURE TAKE?
The LASIK procedure time is between five and fifteen minutes. We ask our patients to plan to be with us for approximately two hours on the day of their treatment. This gives our medical team adequate time for your procedure preparation, additional paperwork, final examination, and give you an opportunity to ask questions after your vision correction.

LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery. Dr. William Boothe

Diopter- A diopter is one whole number on a prescription. The number of diopters on your prescription represents how much correction is needed to normalize your vision. The more myopic or hyperopic you are, the higher your prescription will be represented in diopters; or rather the farther away from zero your prescription will be.

Boothe Eye Care Iris- The iris is the colored portion of the visible eye. It is a muscle that affects the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light needed to enter the pupil.

Dr. Boothe Eye Center - Boothe Laser Center

2010-05-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Dr. William Boothe

Nearsighted, Myopia:
People can typically see things up close, but things far away may appear blurred. People who are nearsighted may find a negative number in the sphere column of their prescription. Boothe Laser Center
Iris- The iris is the colored portion of the visible eye. It is a muscle that affects the size of the pupil, depending on the amount of light needed to enter the pupil.

Good LASIK Candidates Must:
Be at Least 18 Years Old
Be in Good General Health
Have No Health Issues Affecting the Eyes
Have No Active Eye Conditions Which May Affect Healing
Have a Stable Vision Prescription for at Least One Year
Boothe Eye Center: LADAR

Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, LADARVision® was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, LADARVision® has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still.

What is LASIK?
The eye and vision errors
The cornea is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as clearly as near objects. Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness, have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant objects. Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye. Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power. Dr. Boothe Laser Center

LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The goal of this Web site is to provide objective information to the public about LASIK surgery. See other sections of this site to learn about what you should know before surgery, what will happen during the surgery, and what you should expect after surgery. There is a glossary of terms and a checklist of issues for you to consider, practices to follow, and questions to ask your doctor before undergoing LASIK surgery.
Boothe Eye Center: Nearsighted, Myopia:
People can typically see things up close, but things far away may appear blurred. People who are nearsighted may find a negative number in the sphere column of their prescription.

Dr. Boothe Eye Care

LASEK- Or epi-LASIK, may be a Laser Eye Surgery option for patients with thinner corneal epithelia. A solution is used to raise the epithelium. A "bubble" forms through the center of the microkeratome, making it safe to create a flap. After the laser application, the flap is repositioned on the cornea and held in place by a soft, non-prescription contact lens.
Boothe Laser Center

Farsightedness- Farsightedness is another name for Hyperopia or Hypermetropia. Many Farsighted patients have difficulty seeing things up close, and often have crisp-acute distance vision.
Dr. Boothe Eye Center
LASIK- LASIK is an acronym that allows us to quickly say, "laser assisted in situ keratomileusis." This is more simply said as "reshaping the cornea using a laser."

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2010-02-18T05:56:00.000-08:00

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Farsightedness, Hyperopia:
Farsighted people can usually see things that are far away better than things that are close. A farsighted prescription will have a positive number under the sphere column.

Another type of refractive surgery is thermokeratoplasty in which heat is used to reshape the cornea. The source of the heat can be a laser, but it is a different kind of laser than is used for LASIK and PRK. Other refractive devices include corneal ring segments that are inserted into the stroma and special contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea (orthokeratology).

WILL MY IMPROVED VISION BE PERMANENT?
LASIK with LasikPlus Vision Centers is designed to be a permanent correction for your vision. Studies to date show excellent vision stability for more than a decade following treatment. LasikPlus also offers an opportunity to participate in a LasikPlus Lifetime Satisfaction Plan. Because the FDA does not allow guarantees on a medical procedure, we wanted to offer patients some kind of peace of mind. A Lifetime Acuity Plan allows patients to have laser vision correction again, at no cost. Of course this only covers vision degradation related to corneal problems: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The details and restrictions will be covered by the medical team.(Boothe Laser Center - Dr. William Boothe)

The FDA does not have the authority to:

Regulate a doctor's practice. In other words, FDA does not tell doctors what to do when running their business or what they can or cannot tell their patients.
Set the amount a doctor can charge for LASIK eye surgery.
"Insist" the patient information booklet from the laser manufacturer be provided to the potential patient.
Make recommendations for individual doctors, clinics, or eye centers. FDA does not maintain nor have access to any such list of doctors performing LASIK eye surgery.
Conduct or provide a rating system on any medical device it regulates.
The first refractive laser systems approved by FDA were excimer lasers for use in PRK to treat myopia and later to treat astigmatism. However, doctors began using these lasers for LASIK (not just PRK), and to treat other refractive errors (not just myopia). Over the last several years, LASIK has become the main surgery doctors use to treat myopia in the United States. More recently, some laser manufacturers have gained FDA approval for laser systems for LASIK to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and for PRK to treat hyperopia and astigmatism.

Lens- The lens of the eye is the body between the iris and the vitreous humor that focuses light rays entering through the pupil to form an image on the retina. You may also want to research presbyopia.
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LADAR

Using laser and radar technology developed by NASA, LADARVision® was the first approved system with active eye tracking, which compensates for involuntary eye movements. Although other laser systems have now developed eye-tracking systems, LADARVision® has the only system utilizing laser radar tracking technology, a system that measures eye movement 4,000 times each second and is capable of following eye movements regardless of how rapid or erratic they may be. Successful laser application does not rely on your ability to hold your eye perfectly still.

Dr. Boothe : WHEN I HAVE LASIK SURGERY, WILL I BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE RESULTS RIGHT AWAY?
Most of our patients say this is an extremely memorable moment in their lives. You will have improved vision immediately after your laser vision correction. The majority of our patients are able to go to work the next day. Your vision will continue to improve as your eyes heal and adjust to their new shape.

Presbyopia:
LASIK surgeons cannot correct this age-related vision problem; it occurs in most individuals starting in the early 40s and progresses with age.
Muscles inside the eye lose flexibility and reading can become difficult.
People may have presbyopia in combination with another vision problem like nearsightedness.
The nearsightedness would be correctable by LASIK surgery, but the presbyopia would not; however, we may be able to find an adjustment to compensate for both.

Dr. Boothe Eye Care: IOL or Intraocular Lens Implant- A lens is implanted in front of, or in place of, the eye's natural lens. IOLs may be a great option for patients with severe vision prescriptions.

Astigmatism:
Astigmatism causes a distortion of vision, where a person may experience an overall blurriness. Information regarding an astigmatism is found in the cylinder column. Many people with myopia or hyperopia have some degree of astigmatism

Pupil- The pupil is the dark opening in the visible eye. It will open when more light is needed to see, and it will get smaller if less light is needed to see.
Dr. Boothe

Monovision- When one eye is deliberately corrected for distance vision and the other for close vision.

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