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From
time to time, a number of new events take place at Beitman Laser Eye Institute,
like seminars, new personnel or books either written by or in which Dr.
Beitman is featured. As these events occur, we will post them on our Bulletin
Board. If you want more information on any topic posted in this section,
please call our office at (248) 855-6200, or toll-free, 1-800-826-EYES
(3937). You may also send an e-mail.
Beitman Laser Eye Institute Patient Shares Experience on Epinions.com:
"LASIK - Incredible Results"
Please click
here to open the story.
The Wall Street Journal: All-Laser LASIK Makes the Cut
By RHONDA L. RUNDLE
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
January 4, 2005; Page D4
Teaser ads promote "all-laser Lasik" as the latest innovation
in vision-correction surgery. The pitch is aimed at consumers who fear
the riskiest step in the conventional Lasik procedure. But is the new
technology really safer? And does it produce better vision?
* * *
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or Lasik, has a good overall safety
record. But complications can arise when a surgeon cuts a flap in the
cornea before reshaping the underlying tissue with laser pulses. The flap
is usually created with a hand-held blade but can be made by a computer-guided
laser that is different from the one used to carve the cornea. The flap-making
laser costs the surgeon about $375,000, which can be more than six times
the cost of the manual tool, called a microkeratome.
The pros and cons of the new laser are being debated by eye surgeons at
medical meetings in the U.S. and Europe. Many prominent surgeons say they
are satisfied with the microkeratome, which has a decadelong track record.
They say the laser's growing popularity is driven by consumer marketing
that exploits irrational patient fears of rare flap mishaps. Its use can
add a couple hundred dollars or more to the per-eye cost of Lasik, which
already ranges from $1,500 to $2,800, including state-of-the-art custom
software.
But the new laser, sold by IntraLase Corp. is gaining converts among physicians
who were naysayers as recently as a year ago. The shift comes as evidence
is mounting that laser-made flaps are more precise and produce better
vision -- especially contrast sensitivity, a component of vision quality
that isn't measured on a standard eye chart. The advantages aren't huge
but are enough to sway many ophthalmologists who seek an edge for their
patients.
One of the largest studies is being conducted by researchers at the Naval
Medical Center in San Diego. They are exploring various technologies to
identify the best Lasik treatment options for Navy pilots who perform
vision-demanding feats such as landing fighter jets on aircraft carriers
at night. The research is funded by the Defense Department and not by
IntraLase or its paid consultants.
Preliminary results from a 199-patient Navy study showed that military
personnel treated with the IntraLase laser experienced more light sensitivity
and had "a scratchy feeling" in the eye on the first day after
Lasik, compared with those whose flaps were created using a hand-held
blade, said Steve C. Schallhorn, a Navy captain and ophthalmologist overseeing
the study. But the IntraLase patients had faster visual recovery, he said.
More important, the IntraLase patients had better contrast sensitivity
and acuity "at all postoperative time periods" he said. "The
crispness and clarity of vision, especially at night, is a very important
outcome for us," he added. The results are preliminary but if confirmed,
as expected, "we will likely use IntraLase to cut flaps for our aviators."
Dr. Schallhorn said he saw no evidence of "delayed acute photophobia,"
a debilitating problem that some surgeons have reported between six and
seven weeks after IntraLase use. Based on those case reports, the syndrome
"leaves patients incapacitated and unable to tolerate even normal
light conditions for up to six months," noted Bausch & Lomb Inc.,
of Rochester, N.Y., which dominates the market for microkeratomes.
The Detroit News: Soldiers fill laser eye clinics
Please click
here to open the Detroit News article.
CBS MarketWatch: New Surgeries Restore Boomers' Youthful Vision
Please click
here to open the CBS MarketWatch article.
Related press release: FDA-Approved
Presbyopic Technology
Dr. Rautio Invited to Lecture on "Benefits of Integrating Wavefront
into Your Practice"
Please click here to
view course information.
Published Articles
About
or regarding Beitman Laser Eye Institute
The
Detroit News
--NEW ARTICLE
----[-May
5, 2004---Focus
of LASIK widens-]
Detroit
Free Press
----[-April
18, 2003---Eye
surgeon focuses on services, profits-]
Crain's
Detroit Business
----[-October
23, 2000---An
eye-opening business-]
The
Observer & Eccentric
----[-June
11, 2000---Local
surgeon provides painless sight correction-]
Muscular
Dystrophy Telethon
Don Watkins (second from right), Executive Director of the Beitman Laser
Eye Institute, represented the Institute at the 2003 Muscular Dystrophy
Telethon in Detroit. The Beitman Laser Eye Institute has supported local
Muscular Dystrophy fundraising efforts for several years.
Beitman
Laser Eye Institute Welcomes
Nationally Renown Ophthalmologist,
Stephen Trokel, M.D.
The Beitman Laser Eye Institute was privileged to welcome Dr. Stephen
Trokel to our West Bloomfield, Michigan office in June 2003 to observe
Dr. Beitman performing LASIK with the new, all-laser, blade-less IntraLASIK
technology. Dr. Trokel's visit was particularly meaningful because he
is hailed as the first ophthalmologist to recognize the significance of
the excimer laser for use in corneal refractive surgery and was named
one of the most influential ophthalmologists of the 20th Century in 1999.
Dr. Beitman and all of the Beitman Laser Eye Institute Staff wish to extend
our thanks to Dr. Trokel for his interest in our Michigan launch of IntraLASIK!
FDA
Approval of CustomVue
The Beitman Laser Eye Institute in West Bloomfield is among the first
LASIK practices in Michigan to offer the new VISX®
WaveScan System for CustomVue laser
vision correction of myopia and astigmatism. CustomVue, also referred
to as custom ablation, uses wavefront guided technology to produce superior
LASIK outcomes with corrected vision potentially exceeding 20/20. The
FDA approval of CustomVue was announced on Friday, May 23, 2003.
Additional information about CustomVue:
VISX
All
About Vision
Personal
Best Vision
Press release
Employment
Opportunities
The Beitman Laser Eye Institute welcomes applications from qualified candidates
for positions in Surgical Counselor, Surgical Assistant, Ophthalmic Technician
and other Refractive Surgery Center positions.
Please forward resume to:
Beitman Laser Eye Institute
5813 West Maple Road, Suite 137
West Bloomfield, Michigan 48322
Attn: Employment Opportunities
Experienced and/or qualified candidates may also fill out an employment
application form. Click
here to open form. Then print, complete and mail to the address above,
or fax it to (248) 855-7721.
[
PDF format - download
Adobe Acrobat Reader ]
Dr. Beitman in the Wall Street Journal
An October 9, 2002 article in the Wall Street Journal about bank financing
and debt re-payment plans quotes Dr. Beitman on the innovative payment
programs available through the Beitman Laser Eye Institute. Dr. Beitman
was the first surgeon in the metropolitan Detroit area to offer a 0% financing
option for elective laser surgery. If you would like further information,
you may go to www.wsj.com.
Birmingham Lions' Run
Dr. Beitman sponsored the Birmingham Lions' Run through downtown Birmingham
on Sunday, September 29, 2002. Thank you to all that participated.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Dr. Beitman has been involved in recent years with the Muscular Dystrophy
Association and wants to thank all of his patients who generously contributed
to the MDA telethon over Labor Day weekend!
Dr. Beitman on Detroit's WJR Radio 760
Dr. Beitman was interviewed by Vanessa Denha on WJR radio's Secrets
to Good Health program. Dr. Beitman discussed the newest developments
in LASIK surgery and responded to questions about the procedure. A transcript
of this program will soon be available on this website.
Laser Surgery Battle - Worthy In Army's Eyes
Vision
Treatment Shown To Give Soldiers an Edge
By Steve Vogel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, April 1, 2002; Page A01
- - Excerpt - -
The Army is building itself
a better soldier, one eye at a time.
After years of skepticism, the military is embracing laser eye surgery
with enthusiasm, envisioning soldiers in Afghanistan and other hot spots
who no longer have to worry about glasses fogging up or contacts popping
out during combat. "It makes people into potentially better soldiers,
better able to perform their duties," said Bower, director of refractive
surgery at Walter Reed, in Northwest Washington.
Just two years ago, anyone who had undergone such surgery would have been
disqualified from active duty.
Now, laser eye surgery is not only allowed, but it is also actively promoted
by the military. Today, Walter Reed is launching its Warfighter Refractive
Eye Surgery Program. There and at other Army hospitals across the country,
the surgeons expect to correct the vision of thousands of soldiers in
coming years. The Air Force and Navy offer similar programs.
"There's a huge demand for the procedure -- probably more demand than
we're going to be able to handle," Bower said.
The about-face came after a Department of Defense medical panel, after
evaluating several years of research by the Navy, concluded that concerns
about laser surgery damaging the structure of the eyes had not been borne
out and that -- to the contrary -- the surgery was a way to improve the
fighting forces. Congress subsequently approved $15 million for the program.
Officials are quick to point out that the laser surgery is strictly voluntary.
Eyeglasses have long been troublesome for soldiers, and modern warfare
has made the problem worse. Increasingly, the military is employing sophisticated
weapons and gadgets where glasses can get in the way. Soldiers who wear
glasses need prescription inserts to wear gas masks. The same is true
of goggles being developed to protect soldiers from enemy lasers.
"If your glasses steam up or fall off, you've become a liability," Madigan
said. "You're no longer part of the solution -- you're part of the problem."
In harsh environments where U.S. troops often are deployed, contact lenses
can be even worse. Many soldiers who wore contact lenses during the Gulf
War ended up ditching them and wearing glasses, Madigan said.
Laser eye surgery was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in
1995. Since then, more than 3 million Americans have had the surgery.
As part of its review, the Army monitored how members of its elite combat
force, the Rangers, fared in rugged training conditions after having the
surgery. "They could jump out of planes at night, fight with pugil sticks,
slog through the swamps for weeks and not have problems," Madigan said.
"They reported that it gave them an edge. They didn't have to worry about
fogging up their glasses or losing their [contact] lens."
The Army has established criteria for who should get the surgery first,
according to Madigan. Top priority will be given to infantry and Special
Forces, followed by others deemed likely to face combat, including armor,
artillery and combat engineers -- "The people actually mixing it up,"
Madigan said. Within a unit, commanders may decide the priority, Madigan
said.
The services estimate that 35 percent to 50 percent of service members
need corrective lenses, but eligibility for laser surgery depends on the
type of eye problem and other medical factors. Initially, officials predicted
that perhaps 30 percent of eligible troops would opt for the procedure.
But given its increasing popularity, the figure may be 70 percent to 80
percent, Rimm said.
Walter Reed's refractive surgery center has corrected the vision of nearly
200 service members since opening in January. Soldiers who have had the
procedure have given it rave reviews.
"It was 15 minutes, and I was out and seeing," said Spec. Antoine Flowers,
assigned to a satellite control battalion at Fort Meade, while reporting
for his one-week checkup. "This is the best thing since sliced bread.
I can see."
©2002 The Washington Post Company
washingtonpost.com
Military Discount
Attention military
personnel and families of military personnel!
Be sure to ask one of our surgical advisors about our military discount.
Call our office at (248)
855-6200, or toll-free, 1-800-826-EYES (3937). Please see the
article above announcing the U.S. Army's recent approval
of LASIK.
LASIK
Vision Correction
by Robert D. Beitman, M.D.
Beyond Glasses!
The Consumer's Guide to Laser Vision Correction
by Franette Armstrong
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A Resource Guide to the most experienced doctors in the U.S. and Canada - including those who offer procedures now in clinical trials [Dr. Beitman is one of the three surgeons listed in the book for Michigan]. |
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A Complete Care Guide to help you get the best results, with the least possible discomfort and downtime. |
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A Complete Analysis of the possible side effects and complications - and whether you should worry about having them. |
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A Complete Comparison of procedures such as PRK, LASIK, LTK, RK, implantable contacts and rings, as well as the nonsurgical methods. |
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The True Stories of 35 real patients including stars and star athletes! |
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The Advice and Experience of over two dozen of the world's leading eye surgeons... the pioneers of vision correction. |
A copy of this book can be obtained at Barnes-&-Noble!
Dr. Beitman Selected to VISX® Star Surgeons Group
For the second consecutive year, Dr. Beitman was named to the 1999 VISX® Star Surgeons Group by the manufacturer of the Excimer laser. Dr. Beitman also received this recognition in 1998, the inaugural year of the program. As a member of this elite group, he is recognized as one of the top vision correction surgeons in the country, based on experience and results with the VISX® laser used in conjunction with vision correction surgery.
.
For your
complimentary consultation:
1-800-826-EYES (3937)
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