Fouad Melamed, OD Los Angeles Eye Doctor

We have had a lot of new people visit our websites over the last month, as well as our office in the Los Angeles Area. As a result, we have had several questions about whether Melamed Eye Care Accepts Aetna insurance for the service offered at our company. I am more than happy to tell all the people who visit my blog, or my website for the company, that we do accept Aetna Insurance for your vision care needs.

If you have a standard policy for vision from Aetna insurance, or your company uses Aetna as a TPA (third party administrator) then your typical plan should have vision coverage is for routine eye exams, glasses, and contacts. This type  of vision plan takes care of most people’s need for vision care by a Los Angeles Eye Doctor.

If you have an Aetna health care insurance, or PPO insurance, then your plan can cover medical eye visits, red and dry eyes, glaucoma, and other such medically related issues for your eyes. Minor eye injuries, like a corneal abrasion, can also be covered under this type of plan. The big difference here is that the Aetna Vision Plan takes care of the routine things.

If you would like to have more information about Aetna Insurance, and how you can use that with Melamed Eye Care, I invite you to check out our Aetna Insurance Page on Melamed Eye Care.com. Talk to you again soon.

Dr. Melamed

Los Angeles Area Eye Doctor

Did you know that it is possible to beat dry eye syndrome with Restasis, a quality product designed to treat dry eyes. Dr. Fouad Melamed, a Los Angeles Eye Doctor, is now carrying Restasis for dry eyes in Los Angeles. Here is a little more information on dry eyes, and what Restasis can do for you.

Dry eye is a condition in which there are insufficient tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. People with dry eyes either do not produce enough tears. Most people who suffer from dry eyes also  have a poor quality of tears. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in women and older adults, but it is a treatable disease.

With each blink of the eyelids, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, wash away foreign matter in the eye, and keep the surface of the eyes smooth and healthy.

Restasis Prescription eye drops help to increase production of tears, thereby helping to rid people of dry eyes. Restasis can be prescribed by your Los Angeleis optometrist.,  Additional therapy can come from omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplements. The treatment works well with prescription Restatsis. For more information on Restasis, and how Dr. Fouad Melamed can help you treat dry eye syndrome, check out his article on the subject at Melamed Eye Care. You can beat dry eye syndrome with Restasis.

Sixty percent of children identified as problem learners actually suffer from undetected vision problems, according to a 2009 study by the American Optometric Association (AOA). Undetected and untreated eye disorders, such as amblyopia and strabismus, can result in delayed reading and poorer outcomes in school.

Studies indicate that visual factors are better predictors of academic success than race or socioeconomic status. However, one in four school-age children suffers from vision problems that could have been treated if the child had been properly examined.

Unfortunately most kids do not receive a comprehensive eye exam before they enter school. Many with vision disorders fall through the cracks of “pediatrician vision screenings” and assume an “eye exam” has been performed. Yet in fact, a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist measures more than just visual acuity at distance. Optometrists not only measure vision at distance and near, but measure the child’s processing of letters numbers, movements of objects, and the abilitly to use the eyes together (a necessity for the 3D age we are in). In addition, the health of the eyes, a window into the internal health of a child is checked thoroughly with the retinal exam.

Children who are successfully treated for their eye problems show increased performance in school. Studies find that the provision of eye glasses and vision therapy to children is correlated with improved grades and higher scores on standardized tests.

The American Optometrist Association (AOA) based on science and studies, recommends that infants should have their first comprehensive eye exam at 6 months of age. This exam is a specialized exam that the optometrist can look for any abnormalities and risk factors with the parents. Children then should have additional eye exams at age 3, and just before they enter the first grade – at about age 5 or 6.

For school-aged children, the AOA recommends an eye exam every two years if no vision correction is required. Children who need eyeglasses or contact lenses should be examined annually or as recommended by their optometrist.

Sources:
Archives of Opthalmology 2003; 121:1141-1147
Vision Council of America.
American Optometric Association.

Treatment of dry eyes in Los Angles is basically the same, regardless of which Los Angeles Eye Doctor you visit. Treatment will range from things as simple as eye drops, to a slight proceduresto correct the problem. As we discuss these options, though, it is important for you to realize that you need the counsel of a dry eye optometrist, prior to undergoing any treatment for your dry eyes.

Artificial tear drops and ointments.  The first plan of attack would be to use some tear drops for your eyes. This is an over the counter remedy.  This is a safe and effective way to keep the eye lubricated.  If you suffer from chronic dry eyes, then you will be using these a lot. Even when you are not experiencing the symptoms of dry eyes, you will keep those symptoms under control with a product like artificial tears for the eyes.  Ointments can also be used to help keep the eyes moist during periods of rest, when you are not necessarily “up and at it” to be putting tears in your eyes. The type and amount of lubricating drops should be discussed with your eye doctor after an appropriate dry eye work up is performed.

Temporary punctal occlusion.  Another effective treatment involves temporarily closing off the ducts that drain tears from your eyes.  A more permanent solution is possible, but this temporary solution is always used first, to see if plugging the duct can help keep enough moisture in the eyes to solve the dry eyes problem. The temporary plug dissolves in a couple of days. It will involve a couple of visits to your Los Angeles eye doctor.

Permanent punctal occlusion. As we have already mentioned, a permanent plug can be inserted in the tear duct. But this is only done after trying a temporary plug out. Patients typically do well with the plug, and do well over time. On occasion, the plug can come out. On great occasion, the plugs will migrate down the duct as well. These conditions would obviously need to be treated by a Los Angeles Optometrist. The plugs are typically made of silicon, and can be quite comfortable.  This treatment can really help reduce the need for ongoing artificial tear therapy.

Restasis. In 2002, the FDA approved the prescription eye drop Restasis for the treatment of chronic dry eye. It is currently the only prescription eye drop that helps your eyes increase their own tear production with continued use. I have included a link for you to use to get more information on Restasis.  Other medications, like topical steroids, can also be used in some instances.

Surgery. If needed, the ducts that drain tears  can be closed for good. This surgical procedure allows more tears to remain around the eye. This is done with local anesthetic on an outpatient basis. There are no limitations in activity after having this surgery.  Patients typically have a very quick recovery also. This is a kind of last step procedure for chronic dry eyes.

Well, there you have it. We have reviewed the treatment of dry eyes in Los Angeles, and given you some options. If you still have more questions, I invite you to contact me at  Melamed Eye Care. We are always glad to help.

Fouad Melamed O.D.

Hi, my name is Fouad Melamed, O.D. , and I would like to dedicate this first blog to tell you a little about Melamed Eye Care of Los Angeles, CA. 

We provide comprehensive vision and eye health examinations.

Our complete health exams include a dilated exam for early detection of glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, diabetic eye disease, and other ocular diseases. 

Our patients know that we are their primary care providers for any eye condition including infections, allergies and dry eyes.  Our doctors also provide emergency care. 

Disease Management & Treatment

Dr. Fouad Melamed is licensed to treat most eye infections, allergies, and diseases. He is also one of the few optometrists in California that is certified to treat glaucoma, an optic nerve disease. Dr. Melamed is licensed to prescribe both topical and oral medications if the need may arise.

Consultations

Dr. Melamed performs consultations for dry eyes, cataracts, retinal problems and Free LASIK consultations. We are affiliated with only highly respected leaders in ophthalmology, including cataract, cornea and retina specialists.  We only refer to surgeons with the most extensive surgical experience.

Contact lens services

Our doctors are leaders in soft and rigid contact lens fits.  Our practice continues to grow because of referrals by satisfied patients and doctors in the Los Angeles area. 

Not only do we provide basic soft lens fittings, we also prescribe specialty contact lenses that include astigmatism and bifocal lenses.  Many of our patients who require bifocal glasses are also fit with soft or rigid multifocal (bifocal) contact lenses.