Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

About Laser eye surgery: If I(30 yrs. old) am thinking of having children in a few years, should I wait until after I have them to have the procedure done? Once I have the procedure done and in the future I need a little correction due to age, is it possible to ever wear contacts again?

Answer:

No need to wait unless you are already pregnant. Also, you should not be nursing at the time of your evaluation and surgery. Contacts can usually, but not always be worn after LASIK (if you could prior to LASIK)

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

I was to have bilateral LASIK last Friday, however, after starting the first eye, the doctor stopped the procedure and said that the flap was irregular and she could not proceed. She did not lift the flap. She said that I would have to wait 3 months before surgery again. I have a very steep cornea and wonder if this could have been part of the problem. I asked the surgeon at an earlier visit what her experiece was and she said that she had performed about 50 LASIKs but several hundred PRKs, but that LASIK was easier since a computer did all the work. When I asked her about the problem at surgery, she said it had to do with the steepness of my cornea. Now I am concerned that I chose the wrong doctor and she is simply not experienced enough. The doctor is with an extremely highly regarded eye center that specializes in cataract surgery. Would you shop for another doctor in my situation? IS the three months waiting time appropriate? By the way, I have healed very well since the procedure. Thank you for any advice that you can give me as I am very upset with this turn of events.

Answer:

Your situation is a complex one, and needs to be reviewed in detail by a qualified physician. Factors that can be important are the steepness of the cornea, the experience of your surgeon and (very importantly) the equipment utilized. I highly recommend the 'Down-Up' LASIK procedure, as flap complications are quite rare, even with steeper corneas. This involved using one of the newest generation micro-keratomes, which we have used for the past two years without a single complication. If you would like a complimentary consultation please call Pam at 1-800-824-1073. Thank you. Sincerely, John Zdral, M.D.

Question:

What year did eye laser surgery get started?

Answer:

Dear Ron, Laser eye Surgery has been performed since around 1987. Sincerely Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

What are the complications of lasik vision surgery? I have capillary fragility, would that cause a problem with lasik surgery? I am 53 years old, is that a problem

Answer:

Please go to the following site for excellent information. http://www.locateadoc.com/scripts/LDredirect.cfm?client=lasikinstitute

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

I have 2 questions: 1. My daughter who is nearly 7 years old, has inherited Class III, skeletal malocclusion. Two out of three orthos we've consulted recommend starting treatment right now. Treatment would consist of expanding the upper arch and the use of a chin cup with anterior traction to upper teeth. We've read studies that indicate that in the short-term results from this treatment are very effective but that long-term, growth of the lower jaw can resume, in adolescence. What is the success rate for permanent treatment of class III at an early age? Can early treatment lead to greater problems later on to correct additional growth at a later age? Do you recommend treatment at this age? 2. My other daughter who is nearly 9 has excessive overcrowding. Two orthos we've consulted recommend we wait until more adult teeth come out. One ortho recommends the extraction of 7 baby teeth and the use of a space maintainer to allow more room for the adult teeth. Do the baby teeth not already act as a space maintainer, therefore making this apparatus unnecessary? Is there a chance that her jaw will develop normally allowing room for all her adult teeth? What do you recommend? Any info. you can provide would be greatly appreciated, as we are a little confused given the differences of opinion. Thank You

Answer:

1) Class III malocclusions are very difficult to correct. If the discrepancy between the upper and lower jaw is too great, jaw surgery in combination with orthodontics is required to achieve a correction. Consequently, children in the 7 to 9 year range who demonstrate class III growth are frequently treated to re-direct this unfavorable growth. I treat each patient individually addressing their specific circumstances. Sometimes I do begin treatment at 7 years of age. 2) While I can't diagnose a patient without seeing him/her, generally the space for the permanent teeth in front of the first permanent molars has been determined as soon as these molars erupt. There are appliances available to expand the dental arches to some extent. Although all orthodontists have similar goals for the patient, the method of achieving those goals can vary from orthodontist to orthodontist. Sometimes there can be a significant variance in the treatment plan.

Question:

I am 16 and have the dreams of becomming an Air Force pilot. I have been reading up on the qualifications and found out that pilots can have no history of corrective eye surgey. I was wondering if there are other ways to correct vision. I don't think that my eyes are that bad, I used to have perfect vision then one day I found that I could not read the black board from the back of the classroom. Please tell me that I have a chance of my eyes getting better without surgery.

Answer:

Dear Stefanie, It is most unusual for myopia to get better rather than worse. If you are far-sighted, this may improve. Sincerely, Alexandra Chebil M.D.

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

My Aunt, 88 years old, has retina degeneration. Recently a doctor gave a speech about a new "air" surgery treatment that some of her friends attended. She now thinks that she'll be able to see well enough to drive a car again. What can I find out about this new process? Is this something that she should be so excited about?

Answer:

I am not sure that I know what you are talking about. Could you get more information. The specific name of the procedure would be helpful.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

Dear sir, I am considering having lasik surgery done to clear up my astigmatism. I read that if I have a certain type of vision problem, that often when a person gets older and starts to lose his vision do to age, the two problems being the oposite of each other balance themselves out. If I have this certain type of vision problem and have lasik surgery done, then when I get older and start to lose my vision due to age, the two problems will not balance each other out because I would have already eliminated one of the problems. Therefore I will be left with a vision problem due to old age and once again continue to have to use glasses. The story I read did not explain exactly which vision problem it was that balances itself with age so I can check if it is the problem I have. Is all this true? Can you explain a little more in detail how this balancing process works and if i'm better off waiting ? I'm 31 years old now. Thank you very much. Tobias Maes

Answer:

If astigmatism is your main problem, and if you need glasses for most or all tasks at distance and near, then you are not losing much. Presbyopia affects everyone ~40 y/o and gets worse with age. You will have to deal with it wether you have LASIK or not. People with low amounts of myopia (with little or no astigmatism) can take their glasses off to read. Those people need to understand that having their distance vision corrected means they will need glasses for reading. The best way to decide is to think about when you would prefer to wear glasses.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

I wore braces on my teeth for three years. After removing the braces I am still not satisfied with my teeth structure, and food gets stuck in the roof of my mouth when eating. I have a lot of gum over my upper teeth and this causes my mouth to protrude thus giving me a very ugly profile. I am forty years of age. Am I too old to have maxillofacial surgery? What do you recommend?

Answer:

No you are not to old for maxillofacial surgery. However the more important question is will maxillofacial surgery help you. I would sugest that you discuse your concerns with your orthodontist and seek their referal to a qulified surgeon. Good Luck

Question:

I am very nearsighted, with healthy corneas. How nearsighted can one be and still be a candidate for corrective surgery ? How safe is it, and can I wear contact lenses afterward in the event my vision cannot be corrected to 20/20

Answer:

Thank you for your email. We can treat up to -12 glasses with lasik. The procedure is very safe and most people can still wear contacts after, although I usually recommend a re-treatment if you are not satisfied with your vision. Sincerely, Alexandra Chebil M.D. The Lasik Center

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

Will this be a permanent change to my vision? Will my vision change back or get worse? Typically what will the surgery cost for both eyes with myself being nearsighted and having an astigmatism?

Answer:

Yes, but other factors (cataracts,etc.)can influence your sight in the future. LASIK typically costs around $4500. total for both eyes.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

I am thinking of having breast augmentation done. I would like to go from a small 34B/C to a 34 D cup. I run for exercise and I'm wondering what you suggest for patients who have breast augmentation and run for exercise. Will I still be able to run? Will it be hard on my body and my new breasts? Will they sag if I keep running? Thank you for your time.

Answer:

Patients who run for exercise should continue to do so after their procedure, and should wear a good supportive jog/exercize bra. You may have some discomfort when you first return to running (around 3 weeks after surgery). Your breasts may "sag" whether or not you continue to run.

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• Learn about Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in the Articles Section
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