Linda Vision

Over the years, there have been numerous advances in the technology for removing cataracts. These improvements have made cataract treatment surgery one of the safest procedures performed today, and have significantly shortened the recovery time. Millions of people undergo this vision-improving procedure every year and experience excellent results. Am I a Good Candidate for Cataract Surgery? The visual effects of cataracts interfere with your everyday life. Poor vision keeps you from safely driving or doing your job. You can no longer watch television, read or enjoy your favorite hobbies. You feel less independent. It’s difficult to take medication or attend doctors’ appointments. Cataract Surgery Procedure Cataract surgery is usually performed one eye at a time and takes less than 30 minutes to complete. First, a small incision is made on the upper part of the eye. Then, the old, cloudy lens is removed. An artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted. Cataract surgery is a quick and generally painless procedure that takes place on an outpatient basis under local or eye drop anesthesia. Once you decide to undergo surgery, you will need to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP will perform laboratory exams and give you clearance to undergo cataract surgery. Once you have clearance, you will see our Cataract Surgeons for your pre-operative appointment. Here, the surgeons will perform multiple exams in order to get your proper lens measurements. You will need to arrange transportation to and from the surgical facility for the day of surgery. You will also need to begin your eye drop treatment one day prior to surgery. Patients should stop eating and drinking after midnight the night before surgery. You can eat and drink again after surgery. At our East Los Angeles LASIK surgery center, the procedure should take 30 minutes or less to complete. Vision recovery can be almost as rapid as with LASIK; many patients are able to see well enough to drive within a few days. Cataract Removal Process A tiny incision is made on the upper part of the eye. Through this incision, the surgeon inserts an instrument called an ultrasonic probe into the eye to break up the cataract into small pieces, then gently “vacuums” the pieces out. Your cataract surgeon will implant an artificial intraocular lens that will replace your eye’s natural lens. A stitch may be required to close the incision; this varies from patient to patient. Your eye will be patched when the surgery is complete. Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. Expectations following cataract surgery Most patients typically return home the very same day after the surgery. Eye drops will be prescribed to guard against infection and help your eye heal. You should remove the eye patch as soon as you get home after surgery so that you can continue to use your drops as directed by Cataract Surgeon. For a few days, you will need to wear an eye shield while you sleep to keep away irritants and prevent you from touching or hurting your eye while sleeping. Everyone heals differently, but most patients see well enough to return to most of their routine activities within a few days after surgery. Cataract Treatment Follow-Up Care Your post-operative care is just as important to your recovery as the procedure itself. It is important that you use your eye drops as prescribed and keep all scheduled follow-up appointments. Our trusted medical team will closely monitor your recovery. We are available to answer any questions or concerns you may have during your process. Post Operative Restrictions No driving for at least 24 hours Do not sleep on the operated side for 1 week No heavy lifting or bending over for 1 week No eye makeup or lotions for 1 week No aerobic activity for 1 week No swimming or hot tubs for 1 month No contact sports for 1 month No eye rubbing for 3 months (but you should break this habit anyway) About Cataract A cataract is caused by a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. Normally, light rays are focused through your lens and onto the retina, a layer of light-sensitive cells in the back of the eye. Over time, the lens can become cloudy and prevent light rays from reaching the retina. The result is blurry or distorted vision. Cataracts generally develop slowly and painlessly. In fact, you may not even realize that your vision is changing. In its early stages, vision blurred by a cataract can be improved with glasses or contact lenses. However, it is important to note that glasses, contact lenses, dietary changes or laser treatments cannot make the cataract go away. The only way to remove a cataract is through surgery.

The purpose of cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an intraocular lens in order to restore your focus to normal and minimize your dependence on glasses. After surgery, light will be transmitted into the eye normally and the lens will help focus objects at far and/or near distances, depending on the type of lens you choose. The power of the implant will be determined by your doctor. Patients who have astigmatism however, will still require the use of glasses or in some instances, LASIK surgery, to correct their astigmatism after cataract surgery. For example, a patient who chooses a monofocal lens and has astigmatism will require bifocal glasses to correct their astigmatism and presbyopia. QUALITY CARE WITH LINDA VISION Our Los Angeles LASIK specialists have been performing LASIK surgeries for over 20 years combined, with very positive results. Linda Vision’s experience and dedication to each patient, along with the use of the Wavelight EX500 excimer laser, make Linda Vision the ideal place to have LASIK surgery. We offer unlimited LASIK follow-up exams for 12 months after your Custom Wavefront LASIK surgery.

At Linda Vision in Monterey Park, we believe that the right LASIK surgeon combined with advanced excimer laser technology will lead to a better visual outcome. When you come into our Los Angeles vision practice, you will be treated by our experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable staff who will make your visit as comfortable as possible. We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. WAVELIGHT™ EX500 LASER by Alcon Thanks to advanced technology, we can now treat not only your refractive error but also correct the subtle imperfections that are unique to your eye. The WAVELIGHT™ EX500 Excimer Laser extends possibilities beyond 20/20, and minimizes problems associated with older generation lasers, such as reduced night vision, glare, and haloes. The WAVELIGHT™ EX500 was conceived and developed for wavefront based custom refractive surgery. These wavefront principles are built into the WAVELIGHT™ EX500 LASER system, unlike some other lasers which apply wavefront principles as an add-on module. WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY One of the most innovative features of the ALCON ALLEGRETTO WAVELIGHT™ EX500 is the way it uses wavefront-optimized technology to automatically compensate for the curvature of the cornea. Maintaining the natural aspheric shape of the patient’s eye is resulting in better nighttime vision. In earlier laser correction systems, the area of correction was centered on the front of the cornea; the result was a flattened circular area that ended with an abrupt edge, causing unwanted side effects like poor night vision, glare, and haloes.Glare from lights may interfere with vision, particularly at night, and may cause difficulties driving. PERFECT PULSE TECHNOLOGY You can have peace of mind that the amount of energy in the WAVELIGHT™ EX500 excimer laser has been calibrated to exactly the right level. After the beam has been created, it passes through three checkpoints on its way to your eye. At each of these points, the energy level is checked and adjusted if necessary, ensuring that the beam is perfectly attuned at its destination. When the laser light meets the edge of the cornea, it is partially reflected due to the eye’s curved shape. Perfect Pulse Technology applies more laser pulses in order to compensate for this effect and to prevent spherical aberrations (nighttime driving glare and glare from bright lights). Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. LARGE OPTICAL ZONE TECHNOLOGY The optical zone refers to the portion of the cornea that has been corrected by the laser. The WAVELIGHT™ EX500 Excimer Laser is capable of producing some of the largest available optical zones, especially important for night vision, and for patients with very large pupils. If a patient’s pupil is larger than the optical zone, they may experience poor peripheral vision, poor night vision, and a higher than normal incidence of “haloes” and glare. In the past, this has been one of the biggest drawbacks to conventional laser correction surgery. SMALL SPOT BEAM TECHNOLOGY The WAVELIGHT™ EX500 excimer laser uses small, round beams for a smoother treatment and improved healing. EYE TRACKING TECHNOLOGY The laser beam needs to be constantly and minutely adjusted to the position of the eye at any given time. Three eye trackers survey and track movement at 500 times per second. More importantly, the WAVELIGHT™ EX500’s response time is the fastest available for any laser, which ensures precision because every pulse is delivered to the exact location that was intended. You will also be comforted knowing the eye tracking automatically pauses treatment should the eye ever move out of range. You may be surprised to know that some lasers out in the market do not even use an eye tracker! Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times.

At Linda Vision in Monterey Park, we believe that the right LASIK surgeon combined with advanced excimer laser technology will lead to a better visual outcome. When you come into our Los Angeles vision practice, you will be treated by our experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable staff who will make your visit as comfortable as possible. We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. Flapless Epi-LASIK Also known as Advanced Surface Treatment, is ideal for patients with higher prescriptions, thin corneas, dry eyes, and/or strong prescriptions. It involves treatment to the surface of the cornea, without creating an incision flap. The procedure usually takes longer to heal than LASIK, but it causes less thinning of the cornea. Patients who want to further maximize safety and steer clear of the added risks of LASIK are good candidates for Epi-LASIK. EPI-LASIK PROCEDURE LASIK involves creating a flap in the cornea with either a microkeratome or a laser. In Epi-LASIK however, a special oscillating “separator” is used to remove the surface of the cornea (epithelium). By removing the epithelium mechanically, there is less injury to the surrounding tissues. After the epithelium is removed, the excimer laser treats the underlying corneal tissue. A bandage contact lens is then placed on the eye to protect the surface while it heals. AFTER EPI-LASIK Initially, vision will be blurry, but as the surface heals, the vision will improve slowly over the following few days. The bandage contact lens is usually removed after one week. The vision will not be perfect immediately; some patients do achieve 20/40 or even 20/20 vision within a few days, but others can take longer — possibly three to six months — to reach their final result. However, most patients can see well enough to drive about a week after surgery. As with any laser eye surgery, it is very important to follow all instructions exactly, since the quality of the final vision you achieve is affected by how well your corneas heal. EVOLUTION OF EPI-LASIK Prior to LASIK, Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was once the most common refractive surgery procedure. It involves removing the surface of the cornea (epithelium) to expose the corneal tissue to be sculpted. PRK was invented in the early 1980’s. Laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) is a newer variation of PRK, and relies on concentrated alcohol to remove the epitehlium. Epi-LASIK is the next generation of LASEK.

LASIK is the most popular vision correction procedure with the highest rate of satisfaction and success. LASIK corrects your eyes by reshaping the cornea according to the power of your prescription glasses. Since 1989 when the first LASIK operation was performed, over 10 million procedures have been completed worldwide, and many technological advancements have been introduced. What to Expect from Custom LASIK Surgery At Linda Vision, you will be treated by our experienced, friendly and knowledgeable eye doctor and staff who will make your short visit as comfortable as possible. We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. The most common response among Dr. Vu’s patients moments after their custom procedure is “Wow! If had known how easy my LASIK surgery would be, I would have stopped using glasses years ago.” Your eyes will be thoroughly examined to see if you are suitable for LASIK eye surgery in Monterey Park, Custom Wavefront LASIK, or one of the LASIK alternatives, based on your prescription, a number of specialized tests, and a comprehensive health eye exam. Before the custom LASIK eye surgery preoperative tests are performed to screen for glaucoma, cataracts and other disqualifying conditions. Possible risks and complications will be discussed with the doctor. Your procedure will then be scheduled, and you will be advised how long you need to stop wearing contact lenses prior to your treatment, if you wear them normally. The procedure is performed while you are awake, but we will numb your eyes so there is no discomfort. The procedure takes about 20 minutes for both eyes. When you open your eyes after the procedure, you will be able to see better immediately! POST Custom LASIK Surgery Restrictions No driving for at least 24 hours, and only if you feel comfortable No eye makeup for 1 week No aerobic activity for 1 week No contacts sport for 1 month No eye rubbing for 3 month, but you should break this habit anyway After the LASIK treatment You are encouraged to go home and rest for at least 4 hours. You will experience some mild discomfort including gritty sensation, watery eyes, and light sensitivity, but this is normal part of the healing process. The symptoms usually last for 2-4 hours only. Follow up care for Wavefront LASIK Your post op care is just as important to your visual recovery as the procedure itself. It is important that you use your eye drops as prescribed and keep all scheduled appointments for your custom wavefront Lasik eye surgery. Contact Linda Vision in Monterey Park for custom LASIK surgery. Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times.

If you are experiencing discomfort and/or vision problems due to pterygium or pinguecula (the initial stage of pterygium), Dr. Linda Vu of Linda Vision can help. The board-certified ophthalmologist has extensive experience treating pterygium with both non-surgical and surgical methods. She can evaluate the size of the pterygium and your symptoms in order to determine the appropriate treatment plan. Pterygium, commonly known as “surfer’s eye,” is a benign elevated growth of fleshy pink scar tissue that develops on the white portion of the eye (conjunctiva) and can sometimes cross the cornea (the transparent portion of the front of the eye). Pterygium can vary in size and cause several symptoms including irritation, itchiness and a burning sensation. In some cases, the patient may not experience any symptoms and therefore does not need treatment. But if the pterygium grows large enough, it can scar the cornea and permanently distort vision. Non-surgical Pterygium Treatment If a pterygium is small and the symptoms are mild, Dr. Vu may prescribe lubricants or a mild steroid eye drop to reduce swelling and redness. Contact lenses can also be prescribed to cover the growth and protect it from the effects of dryness or UV exposure, which can worsen the pterygium. In some cases, non-surgical treatment only offers a temporary solution. Follow-up appointments with Dr. Vu are necessary to monitor the pterygium and determine whether surgery is necessary. Linda Vision’s Pterygium Treatment Program Regardless of symptoms and the severity of the pterygium, the condition should be monitored by a board certified ophthalmologist regularly in order to prevent it from getting progressively worse. As a leading pterygium surgeon, Dr. Vu offers patients comprehensive care that includes a full eye exam to evaluate symptoms and follow-up appointments for 12 months after surgery. To learn more about pterygium treatment, please contact Linda Vision. Schedule a FREE pterygium consultation with Dr. Vu by calling (626) 382-2020 today. Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. Pterygium Surgery Surgical intervention may be necessary when the pterygium has caused serious visual distortion or excessive discomfort. It is important to note that there is a high chance of the pterygium returning after surgery. In order to minimize the chances of regrowth, Dr. Vu removes an unaffected portion of the conjunctiva and sutures it onto the affected area. Studies have shown that this grafting technique lowers the pterygium recurrence rate to less than 5 percent. Surgery is performed in Dr. Vu’s office under local anesthesia. The surgery typically takes no more than 30 minutes to complete. Following your procedure, Dr. Vu will provide you with all the information you need to know for recovery after pterygium surgery. You may need to wear an eye patch to protect your eye as it heals and you may also be prescribed steroid eye drops to use for several weeks following the procedure. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities the following day. In order to lower your risk of pterygium recurrence, protection from the sun, dust and wind are advised. Pterygium Surgery QUALITY CARE WITH LINDA VISION Our Los Angeles LASIK specialists have been performing LASIK surgeries for over 20 years combined, with very positive results. Linda Vision’s experience and dedication to each patient, along with the use of the Wavelight EX500 excimer laser, make Linda Vision the ideal place to have LASIK surgery. We offer unlimited LASIK follow-up exams for 12 months after your Custom Wavefront LASIK surgery.

What Blepharoplasty Can Correct Baggy or puffy upper eyelids Excess skin of the upper eyelid that interferes with your vision Droopy lower eyelids, which may cause white to show below the iris (colored part of the eye) Excess skin on lower eyelids Bags under your eyes Preparing for Eyelid Surgery There are a number of actions you can take to prepare you for Blepharoplasty surgery. Dr. Vu will discuss any specific restrictions for surgery with you during your pre-operative appointment. Plan to have someone drive you home after the procedure. You should avoid taking any medications containing Aspirin (Anacin, or Bufferin, or Baby Aspirin), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), Naproxen (Aleve), any other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or Vitamin E for seven days before surgery. These substances impair platelet function in the normal clotting process and thus promote bleeding and bruising. It is permissible to take acetaminophen (Tylenol or Anacin-3). You will begin taking antibiotics prior to surgery. Do not drink alcohol for 2 days prior to surgery; this might cause excessive bleeding, decrease resistance to infection. You should eat a light, low fat meal, such as toast and juice, fruit, dry cereal and/or non-fat milk no closer than two hours prior to surgery. Please minimize caffeine the day of surgery. Wash your hair and face before surgery, and do not wear any makeup or lotions the morning of surgery. You can’t wash your face and shower until 24 hours after surgery. Eyelid Surgery Procedure Blepharoplasty is usually done on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Before surgery begins, pre-operative photographs will be taken. The eyelids to be treated will be marked with a black felt-tip pen and you will be given a sedative pill. Local anesthesia is injected with a very fine needle to the eyelids. Then, the face is cleansed with an antiseptic cleaning solution and the face is draped to isolate the eyes. The procedure itself can vary depending on the condition of the eyes and the cosmetic goals of the patient. In general however, each eyelid surgery places incisions above the eyes. In the upper eyelids, the incision is placed in the natural fold. In the lower eyelids, the incision is placed just below the eyelash margin or on the inside of the lower eyelid. Next, prolapsed fat and excess skin is removed. Finally, the eyelid skin is sutured with stitches. After completing eyelid surgery, ice packs wrapped in cloth are placed over the eyes. After a period of observation, you are ready to get up and go home. Because of residual local anesthesia, it will be several hours after completing the eyelid surgery before any significant soreness begins. Tylenol is usually sufficient to treat post-operative discomfort. Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. When to Consider Eyelid Surgery This procedure can give a more youthful appearance to an otherwise older, more tired looking face. Blepharoplasty is intended to improve your appearance and your self-confidence, but it will not necessarily change your looks to match your “ideal.” The goal is to still look like yourself. Only better. You will however, appear younger and more alert. If the lids are loose enough to block your vision, removing excess tissue from the upper eyelids, lower eyelids, or both, may improve how you see. Blepharoplasty Follow-up Care In most cases, Dr. Vu will need to see you one week after surgery. Future appointments depend on each patient’s individual recovery. It is important that you keep all follow-up appointments. Eyelid Surgery Recovery You should plan to rest the entire day after surgery. Dr. Vu will monitor you during your recovery to make sure everything is going smoothly. Most patients can resume light activities including driving the next day, and slowly return back to normal activities within a few days. Bruising around the eyes can be noticeable for about 2 weeks. Most people look presentable in 1-2 weeks, but scars from the incisions may take six months or longer to fade. You can begin to wear makeup one week after surgery, once the stiches are removed. You should protect your delicate eyelid skin from too much sun exposure during your recovery by wearing good UV protecting sunglasses.

Patients who are not candidates for laser vision correction or who would rather not undergo a surgical procedure to correct their vision, may want to consider ortho-keratology, or Ortho-K. This innovative, non-surgical vision correction treatment uses a revolutionary nighttime corrective gas-permeable lens to gently reshape the cornea. This allows light entering the eye to properly focus on the retina for clearer vision. The lenses are removed in the morning and patients are able to see clearly for the rest of the day. There is no surgery involved. What Are the Advantages of Ortho-K Over LASIK? The biggest advantage of Ortho-K is that it is minimally invasive. Unlike LASIK, Ortho-K does not require surgery. A second advantage of Ortho-K is that if patients are unhappy with the treatment or results, they can simply stop using the lenses and vision will return to its pre-treatment state. Who Are the Best Candidates for Ortho-K? The best candidates for Ortho-K are individuals who have myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism and want to reduce their dependence on prescription glasses and contact lenses. In some cases, Ortho-K can be used to treat presbyopia (farsightedness). Ortho-K is especially advantageous for individuals who regularly participate in contact sports or work in dusty environments that can make daily contact lens wear difficult or dangerous. Ortho-K is also very effective for children, as it allows them to play sports and attend afterschool activities without the hassle of prescription eyewear. Since LASIK eye surgery cannot be performed on children, many patients begin Ortho-k as kids and consider laser eye surgery when they are old enough to be candidates for LASIK. What to Expect During the Ortho-K Consultation During the initial consultation, the eye doctor will conduct a thorough eye exam to determine the patient’s eligibility for Ortho-K. Measurements of the cornea’s curvature will be taken using topography, a painless scan that takes a minute to complete and produces a map of the eye’s surface. This map that details the irregularities in the cornea, will be used to determine the specially designed gas permeable lenses. Once the lenses are selected, the patient will receive instructions on how to insert the lenses into the eyes and care for them. Ready to schedule an Appointment? We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times. Ortho K FAQS Is Treatment Comfortable? How Long Does It Take to Start Working? What Happens If You Lose Or Damage a Lens? What Type of Ortho-K Lenses Do You Recommend? Will Paragon CRT® Lenses Improve My Vision Better Than Traditional Glasses or Contacts? Is CRT Safe? What Are My Financing Options? Call to schedule your free Ortho-K consultation today with Dr. Linda Vu or Dr. Jenny Soo Hoo, well-recognized eye surgeons and optometrist who can help you start seeing life clearly.