Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

I have worn hard or gas-permeable contact lenses for 28 years, but I am now having to wear bifocal glasses along with the contacts. If I had LASIK surgery, would I still need reading glasses? Also, how long would I need to be without my contacts before surgery could be performed?

Answer:

Yes, everyone needs reading glasses after turning 40 you should be out of your contacts for at least two weeks

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

Hi, I am a seventeen year old boy and I really want and can get this surgery, but I want to know what the effectiveness is. Will I be able to see 20-20 or better. My eyesight right now is 20-55. will my eyesight deteriorate as I get older. My eyes haven't changed in the last 1&1/2 years. I do alot of sports and I really want this surgery. One more thing. Does it matter who I have it done by? Sorry this question is so long. Sincerely, Steve

Answer:

Dear Steve, Thanks for your letter. As long as your eye-sight has remained stable, then you probably would do very well with the treatment, and your eyes will not get worse as you get older. the treatment is VERY effective- most people get 20/20 vision. Like any surgery, the results depend to a large extent on the experience of the doctor. I recommend talking to people who the doctor has treated, or asking someone you know who had treatment done. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil M.D.(800) 841-3717 "http://lalasik.com"

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

Hello... I had LASIK performed on the OD 11/98, and an enhancement done on the same eye 6/99. OS has NOT been done, because with OD, I had loose epithelial tissue (the flap "fell apart"), followed by ingrowth, and my vision changed constantly (from 20/40 to 20/100) for the first several months. I am a 31 yo diabetic, and I notice that high bG values do correspond to the feeling of *very* dry eye in the OD. Although I've noticed the higher the bG, the dryer the eye, I have also had times when my eye was dry and my bG was not high...I've considered the possibility of it rising and the dry eye being an early warning sign, but I'm not sure if it will always be dry when my bG is high, for the rest of my life. I try to avoid high bG, but at times I have higher readings (e.g., cortisone shot), will I always be plagued with an unbearably tired and dry eye??? I also noticed that the right eye now looks smaller than the left eye. The eyelid is puffy, and therefore my eye is actually somewhat closed. I did not notice a difference in the size of my eyes until I renewed my driver's license this year. When I looked at the photo, it was clear that one eye looks sleepy. Why is this eye puffy all the time? It has been ever since the surgery. I don't want to get the left eye done partly because of the pain in the right eye when it's dry, which is usually but not always due to high blood glucose values, and partly because I don't want two "squinty" eyes. I also can't function with the left contact lens out. I can't use my eyeglasses with the right lens removed because the images don't line up. I had originally planned to have both eyes done, but now I am concerned that I will be stuck forever with one small puffy-lidded dry eye, and one eye that will need contacts. I wear a contact in the left eye at all times of day except to bed, because I just can't function with one eye nearsighted. Will the puffiness ever go away? Would something like a monocle be practical for days when I don't want to wear a contact lens because I'm sick and my eyes are watery and itchy? I've checked the askadoc website for similar posts related to dry eye, puffy eye, one eye smaller than the other, but I haven't seen anything that corresponds to my problem. Please help!

Answer:

You should consider using Theratears four times a day .

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

This question is for a dermatologist but I could not find that field. I have a dark, round spot near by mouth. I had gone to a doctor and he tried peeling the screen 3 times (I believe using trisulfcloride or something) but it just kept getting darker and he didn't know how I got the spot in the first place. (I have had the spot now for almost 4 months). Then I went to another doctor and he suggested that the spot may be due to a allergic reaction of toothpaste which I have been using since I was very young. So, I used baking soda and salt for a while to brush my teeth but that didn't help. I have tried two different types of ointment (elcon and lustos) but it appears to be no different and the spot is VERY noticeable. Someone suggested that I may have to do laser surgery on it. Is there no other way to get rid of it. would appreciate any help that you can provide. thanks

Answer:

I am very concerned that the dark spot which you first noted 4 months ago may be a form of skin cancer called melanoma. Although I have not examined you, I strongly recommend that you consult with a plastic surgeon or a general surgeon immediately so that they may examine you and determine if a biopsy or complete excision is appropriate. Examination of the removed tissue should provide the correct diagnosis. Further treatment may also be indicated, based on the results of the microscopic examination of the tissue.

Question:

Dear Sir, does laser correct both near and far sight. I wear glasses both for short and long distance.What i'm asking is, will laser correct both. Also would like to know the cost and is there a difference in the quality of the physician.

Answer:

Most people want the best possible distance vision after LASIK surgery. Most people over forty will need glasses to read after LASIK. Costs tend to be around $2000-2500 per eye. Look for a surgeon that evaluates you with an Orbscan not just a topographer.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

I am considering to have my nearsightedness corrected. I have an eye prescription of 7.5 and 7.0. A doctor I recently consulted recommended for me to have a 'Monovision'. He mentioned that this will not only help me see things from far away but will also help me read or see things clearly without the use of reading glasses. I am only 34 years old and wondering if I really need to have my eyes corrected for farsightedness (which I don't have). He said the I wont see the benefit of the 'Monovision' until I am in my 40s. a) Do I need 'Monovision' at this age? b) I mostly used computer at my job. Is staring at the computer screen will make my eyes go bad to where it used to be, after I had my surgery?

Answer:

The computer will not change your eyes or your vision. Monovision is usually only an option for people over 40, that would require reading glasses. If you wish to have a complimentary consultation please contact Pam, our laser vision coordinator, at 1-800-824-1073.

Question:

I am 27 and have been wearing contacts since the sixth grade.Recently an optometrist told me that my eyes were very dry and that i shouldn't wear contacts. if my eyes are really dry will this make me a bad candidate for lasik surgery? and woud my eyes heal o.k.?

Answer:

The main consideration is that your dry eye condition would need to be treated effectively before wearing contacts or have the laser procedure. We have many diverse treatments for dry eye conditions. Please schedule an appointment at our office and we will review this further. To make an appointment please call 714-879-7372. Sincerely, John Zdral, M.D.

Question:

I am 29 years old. I have a slight underbite and a bad crossbite. I do NOT want oral surgery. My ortho wants to "expand" my palate. I would be happy if my top front teeth overlapped my bottom slightly (right now they are basically set on edge and when I relax my jaw they drift to a place where they are totally "crossed and set on edge" which is very uncomfortable and is driving me nuts. I don't need a movie star smile - I would be happy if my teeth rested comfortably in my mouth. It seems like if my upper jaw was 1 millimeter forward this would be the case. I understand that jaw bones are no longer growing in an adult. If my ortho thinks he can "expand" my upper jaw (to correct my crossbite) isn't he moving or "stretching" my hardened bones? Is this possible? If it is possible, then it seems to me that "stretching" my upperjaw would be possible as well. I understand that you can't really make an evaluation without "seeing" my particular case. However, could you please answer this question to the best of your knowledge: Can bone be minutely "stretched" or "moved" in an adult jaw? I am fairly confident that one millimeter (maybe even slightly less) would be enough to improve my bite and my comfort level drastically. Also: I am very embarassed about getting braces . . . can braces be applied to the back of my front teeth during the treatment? Please let me know what you think. Thanks. - seeking a second opinion in Chicago.

Answer:

Bones cannot be moved in adults without surgery. In some cases, teeth can be extracted to compensate for skeletal discrepancies. Ask your Orthodontist if you are a candidate for lingual braces.

Question:

How do I find out how reputable the eye doctor I have selected is? Or what his success rate is?

Answer:

Dear Keely, THe best way is word of mouth from happy patients. Also, the State Licensing Board can tell you if there have been any official complaints by patients- but then again, if your doctor does very little surgery, then he/she could still have a good record. The "success rate" is difficult to determine- if you trust the doctor, then just ask him/her. Sincerely, Alexandra Chebil M.D.

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

My Father who is 67 years old, recently had corneal transplant surgery. Myself (38) and my older brother (40) have been disagnosed with the same condition...corneal guttata. Can you give me more information on this disease? My brother and I both experience very blurred vision early in the morning and late at night with much sensitivity to light. The eye doctors we have seen have basically told us there is no option for us other than transplant surgery, which they obviously don't reccommend at our age. After seeing what our Father has gone through with his transplant, with infections and not much improvement in his vision that option looks pretty bleak to us unless the future holds more technology that could help our condition. I noticed on one of your "Ask A doc" message boards that a doctor responded stating that there were some eye drops and ointments available that were helpful? I have used Muro128 in the past, but it didn't seem to help much. Is there something else that we could inquire about?

Answer:

Dear Marie, I'm afraid you need to re-direct your questions to a "corneal specialist". I personnaly do only "laser vision correction". Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil, M.D.

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

recently i had to have an operation to close a hole in my retina that was leaking fluid, can you please explain to me what causes this to happen ?? and could my previous cataract surgery could have caused this? Could this somehow have been caused by a mistake made during that surgery leading to the hole that was not there before. please take time to awnser my question as i am quite worried about this. thank you, MARY

Answer:

Dear Mary, I'm afraid you would need to re-direct your question to a "retinal Specialist". I personnally do only "laser vision correction". Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil M.D.

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

i was just wondering i have what is called an "imaculate puck" smack in the middle on my left eye... i was wondering if i could get that fix or get it remove so i can see better???

Answer:

I believe you are referring to a thin membrane over the surface of the retina. There is a surgery that can remove the membrane, and this is typically done by a retinal specialist. I would advise you to have an examination by the nearest retinal surgeon in your area.

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