Corneal Prosthesis

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Siems Lasik

The cornea is the clear outer covering of the front part of the eye. The main functions of the cornea are: 1. to help focus incoming light on the retina  2. to protect the inside contents of the eye. The cornea may be harmed in many ways including infection, trauma, genetic disorders, dryness and metabolic problems. The result of this harm is frequently scarring and new blood vessel growth (neovascularization). If the scarring is significant and centrally located, the clarity of the cornea may be compromised resulting in decreased vision (corneal blindness). Historically, the surgical approach used to correct this problem has been corneal transplantation using human donor tissue. Although highly successful in most cases, visual rehabilitation may be limited by rejection of the donor tissue. Eyes with extensive pre-surgical neovascularization are particularly prone to rejection. If a donor cornea is rejected, it is likely that subsequent grafts with human tissue will also be rejected. Given this, some unfortunate patients confronted a future of blindness with no hope of beneficial surgical intervention. Recently, synthetic donor transplant material has been made available. The benefit of this material is that it is not susceptible to rejection (destruction) by the recipient of the transplant.

I would like to introduce you to Mr. John Doe. Mr. Doe has not been able to see for 30 years due to corneal blindness. Prior corneal transplants had not been successful due to rejection. Given a strong desire to see again, Mr. agreed to a synthetic corneal transplant. He underwent successful surgery on his left eye. This was the first of this type of eye surgery ever performed in Nevada! The following day, he saw the face of his care giver for the very first time in 30 years. Words can not capture the emotions of this moment. The following are pictures of him before and after surgery.

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Posted on July 1, 2011 by Siems Lasik

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Revealing the Magic Behind LASIK Surgery

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Siems Lasik

All of us are familiar with the word ‘LASIK’ and know that it is a procedure to improve vision.  You may have had a friend, or a parent, or a co-worker that had their sight improved through LASIK.  But for many of you, what happens in the procedure and HOW it can permanently change vision may remain a mystery.   I’ve been involved with LASIK since its experimental stages in the 90s and through all of its modern advancements.  So, today I aim to simply explain the basic procedure and the latest LASIK technological advance, the Intralase procedure, which I am proud to offer here at Siems Eye Center. 

How Conventional LASIK Works

The cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, is a part of the eye that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. This 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.   LASIK surgery is an FDA-approved procedure that reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power, and therefore, a person’s vision.  LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and permanently changes the shape of the cornea using an excimer laser.  A mechanical microkeratome (a blade 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.  The procedure takes less than ten minutes and many patients see results as soon as 1 day after surgery.

In its early days, LASIK could only correct certain refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.  With recent technological advances, LASIK surgery may be able to significantly reduce what’s known as higher-order distortions.  These distortions, which generally account for 15-20% of total visual distortions, can cause glare, halos, and shadows. Treatment of these distortions with custom LASIK can greatly enhance the overall quality of your vision.

The Intralase Procedure, or “Bladeless LASIK”

The difference between traditional LASIK and “Bladeless LASIK”  is the method by which the corneal flap is created.  In Bladeless LASIK, a laser device called a laser keratome, instead of a mechanical blade, is used to cut a corneal flap for LASIK surgery.  Intralase is the name of the technology which makes bladeless LASIK surgery possible. Intralase is the only 100% bladeless surgery/procedure available today which enhances not only the safety of the procedure, but also the end-results for patients.  Also, with this technology, more and more people are candidates for LASIK surgery. Even if you’ve been turned down before, you may now be a viable candidate.

If you have any questions about LASIK procedures, please feel free to leave me a comment in the box below or call our offices at 702-948-2010.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon L. Siems

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Lasik Summer Special!

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Siems Lasik

Enjoy the coming summer FREE of glasses and contact lenses.

Siems Lasik is offering $1000 off bladeless High-Definition LASIK eye surgery!

Call us today to schedule your life changing evaluation.

*Lasik surgery with Dr. Siems was the best decision I ever made
Tammy K (Lasik February 2011)

Refer a friend or family member and receive $100 for every referral that has surgery with us!

Dr. Jon Siems

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Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Siems Lasik

There’s one thing in life that we are all guaranteed: the joy of aging!  Do you ever wonder how others guess your age?  According to a study published in the February issue of Ophthalmology, it’s mostly by looking at your eyes.  Over time, our eyes deteriorate both functionally and aesthetically.  As we age, excess skin forms in the eye area, and the skin loses elasticity. Fatty tissue can accumulate under the skin.  These aging processes leave the eyes appearing tired, wrinkled or puffy. Even with good skincare and eye care, wrinkles, puffiness and drooping eyelids will catch up to you.  Genetic factors and body chemistry can cause these aging effects in younger people.  Sometimes the excess skin overhangs the eyelid and eyelashes thereby obstructing your vision, or causing the eye to feel increasingly tired or strain.  These conditions can be eliminated via surgery for either cosmetic or functional reasons.  

Cosmetic eyelid surgery, also known as Blepharoplasty which we offer at Siems Eye Center, removes the excess skin and reapportions the skin for a natural, more youthful look.  Eyelid surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient.  Depending on the extent of the procedure, time in surgery is three hours or less. Patients return home typically within hours of the surgery with instructions to care for their eyes for the next several days.  Stitches are removed about a week after surgery.  Normal activities can resume after about 10 days.

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) ranked as one of the top five cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the United States in 2007 and was also the most popular surgical procedure among people aged 51 to 64 in 2007, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

I have performed eyelid surgery on many patients with beautiful results.  If you have any questions about eyelid surgery, or would like to come in for a consultation, please feel free to leave me a comment in the box below or call our offices at 702-948-2010.

Until next time, 

Dr. Jon L. Siems

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Eye Health Tips You Need to Know

Posted on August 16, 2010 by Siems Lasik

We’re more than halfway through the summer and I hope you are doing your best to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.  Here are some essential eye health tips to protect your eyes during EVERY season:

Wear UV protective sunglasses:  Our eyes are affected by harmful ultra violet rays. The best way to protect them would be to wear UV protective sunglasses. Make sure you buy polarized lenses, which protect your eyes from UV rays.

Have your eyes examined regularly: It’s recommended that you have your eyes checked at least every two years, even if you have 20/20 vision.  A routine exam will ensure your eyes are in good health, and if you need vision correction. For kids and older adults, it’s best to get eyes checked even more often, perhaps yearly.

Don’t squint or strain your eyes:  Squinting and forcing your eyes to work hard can cause eye fatigue. When your eyes are tired, you can experience headaches and other similar symptoms. Straining your eyes is usually a sign of poor vision, so if you have tired eyes on a regular basis, you may need an eye exam.

Pay attention to warning signs:  If you experience eye fatigue, blurry vision, trouble focusing, headaches, red eyes, sudden loss of vision, and general eye pain, see an ophthalmologist immediately.

Be cautious of what you put in your eyes:  Read the label before using eye drops. Some eye drops aren’t meant to be used while you’re wearing contact lenses. Other eye drops can actually stop working or cause problems if you continue use for too long. Eye drops should typically be used sparingly.

Eat fruits and veggies:  Include a lot of vegetables and fruits in your diet. They not only help you have an improved vision, but assist in keeping your eyes healthy as well. Carrots are full of beta carotene which is good for eye health.  Lack of Vitamin A can cause severe eye damage, so make sure to increase the intake of foods rich in the vitamin.

Don’t smoke:  Studies have shown that smoking causes cataract and macular degeneration, a condition where cells in the retina die.

Wear goggles when necessary: If you are working with chemicals, harmful airborne particulates, or doing a task that places you at risk of an object lodging in your eye, make sure you take preventive measures. Goggles or any other eye protective wear is a must in these situations.

Limit contact lens wear:  Those wearing contact lenses should not extend the duration to more than 12 hours each day.  When worn for a long time, on a continuous basis, contact lenses might cause permanent damage and discomfort.  Never sleep in contact lenses.

– Dr. Jon Siems

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See Siems. Share the Love.

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Siems Lasik

There are a lot of new, exciting developments going on at Siems Eye Center that we would like to share with you.  We have recently launched an integrated marketing campaign, which includes advertising, social media, and Public Relations.  We are thrilled to announce a special partnership with the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).  At Siems Eye Center, animal safety and care is important to us and we appreciate everything the NSPCA does to protect animals in our community.

So now you may see us on TV, hear us on the radio, read about us in the media, and also find us on Facebook and Twitter.  From your personal Facebook page, you can now “Like” our page to keep up and interact with us, learn about fellow patient success stories, read the latest news on eye health and advances in vision correction, and be notified of any special Siems deals you or your friends or family may want to know about. 

As part of our new relationship with the NSPCA, Siems Eye Center will donate $1 to the NSPCA for every person who ‘Likes’ the Siems Facebook page.  We hope you will take this simple step to join us in lending your support to the organization’s worthy causes.  Share this video featuring Dr. Siems and animals of the NSPCA with your friends on Facebook to spread the word!

We hope to see you on Facebook and Twitter soon! Feel free to also leave any thoughts or questions in the comments box below.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon Siems

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Getting Older doesn’t have to include Getting Glasses

Posted on November 25, 2009 by Siems Lasik

As we all inevitably age, so do our eyes. This is reflected in the slow natural degeneration of the eye’s ability to focus on near objects, called Presbyopia. This explains why most middle-aged people need to get reading glasses after being caught holding the newspaper at arm’s length. Common symptoms of presbyopia are decreased focusing ability for near objects, eyestrain and headache. If this sounds anything like you or someone you know, it may be time you to look into treatment for this progressive condition.

At Siems Advanced Lasik Eye Center in Las Vegas, they offer complete eye care for this and all other optic conditions. Dr. Siems and his staff would love to meet with you to not only give you a complete eye exam, but to suggest options for treatment. If you think you are suffering from presbyopia or another condition, you have several options for treatment. Glasses are not the only way. Lasik surgery has been proven to correct this inevitable condition quickly, painlessly and without the need for costly contact lenses or glasses.

Call (702) 948-2010 or visit us at www.siemslasik.com today to schedule an appointment. 

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Need an alternative to Lasik surgery?

Posted on November 12, 2009 by Siems Lasik

If unfortunately you are not a candidate for Lasik surgery because of thin corneas or a high prescription, you may still be able to become free of optical aides such as glasses and external contacts. Unlike traditional contact lenses, an implantable contact lens is surgically placed in front of the eye’s natural lens and works with the natural lens to correct your vision. These thin, pliable lenses can be an alternative to LASIK surgery and are used to correct conditions that laser surgery may be unable to correct, such as extreme myopia (nearsightedness). The ICL procedure is virtually pain free and has a 95 percent success rate. This surgical technique takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes and the contact lens is permanent, alleviating the hassle of daily contacts and glasses. Dr. Siems successfully implanted ICLs in his own nephew. To learn more about ICL’s or to ask Dr. Siems a question, please Click Here.

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Free Lasik Surgery Drawing this Saturday!

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Siems Lasik

Siems Advanced Lasik Center is holding a drawing this Saturday, November 7th for FREE LASIK SURGERY!

If you suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism now is your chance to have perfect vision without the use of bothersome contact lenses or eyeglasses.  Treatment with custom Lasik can greatly enhance the overall quality of your vision. 

Set yourself free from eyeglasses and contact lenses! Click Here to register for Free Lasik Surgery.

We have become the busiest and most highly respected refractive surgical practice in Nevada by providing impeccable care and service, utilizing the most advanced eye care technology, and by creating an environment specifically designed to instill confidence and comfort in our valued patients. 

At Siems, we utilize IntraLase technology, the only 100% bladeless Lasik surgery available today. This enhances not only the safety of the procedure, but also the end-results for our patients. Also, with this technology, more and more people are candidates for Lasik surgery. Even if you’ve been turned down before, you may now be a viable candidate.

Click Here to register for FREE Lasik Surgery, or call 702-948-2010.   Don’t Miss Out on FREE Lasik Surgery! The drawing will be held this Saturday, November 7th, 2009!

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