Dr. Joseph Dello Russo: Shining A Light On Laser Surgery

If you live in the Metro New York, you know the name Dello Russo is synonymous with corrective laser surgery. Tell us how it all began?

In 1980, I purchased a research laser from a new company, VISX. The laser’s purpose was to change the front layer’s shape of the eye and eliminate glasses. That same year, the FDA selected me as an investigator to test the laser on one of my patients. The research would help the FDA decide whether it should approve that laser company for treating the public in the future. In 1996, the FDA approved the laser company, and thus the age of LASIK began. Today, Dello Russo Laser Surgery offices can be found in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Long Island, and New Jersey.

For those who wear glasses and the required facial mask during the pandemic, there has been a condition known as “foggy glasses.” Have you seen an uptick in patients wanting LASIK surgery to prevent this?

Yes. Warm breath escapes to the top of the mask, and if we wear glasses, it will cloud up the glasses. Many first responders are having this issue especially, and it has motivated them to have LASIK done. Dello Russo has seen a massive uptick in cases. And with the surgery performed, no more foggy glasses!

Dr. James Dello Russo with patient

What happens during the procedure?

Since the eye is anesthetized with numbing drops to prevent any discomfort during the surgery. The procedure is quick, usually lasting ten minutes.

Can LASIK be performed on both eyes at the same time?

Most people have both eyes done on the same day.

How long does the surgery take, and will a patient see immediately after the procedure?

The FDA decided in 1996 that LASIK was “safe and effective.”

Dr. Jeff Dello Russo with patient

Explain LASIK surgery and how it affects eyesight?

If the shape of a person’s eye is not perfect, then the sight will not focus. The purpose of the laser is to reshape the cornea to an ideal shape. Originally, the procedure directly reshaped the surface but took a few days to heal properly. LASIK does not treat the surface. In fact, the surface layer is first lifted out of the way, and the cornea’s reshaping is done under this layer. This way, as soon as the layer is repositioned, the eye’s surface is smooth, and sight occurs immediately with no pain.

Who is eligible for LASIK surgery?

Not everyone is eligible, which is why an experienced surgeon must perform a thorough evaluation. Just because you wear eyeglasses or contacts doesn’t mean you are the right candidate for laser eye surgery. The most important criterion is that your vision is no longer changing. People with cataracts, extreme myopia or astigmatism, or damage to their corneas can’t benefit from laser surgery.

How does a patient prepare for surgery?

There is usually no preparation needed, so some people will elect to have surgery the same day as the consultation. We advise most people who wear contact lenses to not wear them for a few days before their visit if they decide to have LASIK after the exam.

What are the risks of LASIK surgery?

Most people have surgery to improve their distance vision. A small percentage of patients’ eyes may experience a slight natural change in the cornea’s shape. In those cases, we recommend having another surgery.

For more information on Dello Russo Laser Vision, visit laservision.com. •

HEALTH & WELLNESS BREATHE EASY

INDOOR AIR QUALITY—COVID AND BEYOND

By Melanie Carden ir quality has been on my mind, and I’m not alone. Even before the pandemic, I was becoming more aware of the urgency for improving indoor air quality. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency notes that “…indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks.” Knowing people who live with the daily struggles of COPD lung disease—and now the pandemic—it was time to get a better understanding of residential air purification. I called upon air quality expert Ian Cull, who has worked with NASA and is a well-known speaker on the subject. To simplify this complex topic, I asked Cull to help us sift through all the air purifier claims and lingo. WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The essential is an air cleaner with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR). For a small bedroom or enclosed office space, 100 is fine; something around 300 is better for large open areas. For COVID, choose a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter and avoid other technologies, especially those claiming to kill the virus.

When it comes to removing particles, HEPA is the king of the hill. Most other technologies will underperform, and those that might exceed it do so only nominally.

THE COSTS

Westinghouse 1702 Cull explains that non-HEPA technologies are often more costly—resulting in a nominal increase in effectiveness but at a higher price point. He mentioned that other methods may have redeeming qualities but to be cautious. For example, “Ultraviolet (UV) and high heat are designed to kill micro-organisms and viruses, rather than physically remove them. UV can work but there are safety concerns as these germicidal wavelengths can cause eye damage if not properly shielded. High heat is very energy intensive when compared to HEPA,” he said.

If you’re thinking of investing in an air purifier, you can explore several affordable smallspace purifiers as well as the brands below—each offering a HEPA filter, at a minimum. Be sure to measure the space and choose an appropriate option—otherwise you risk reducing the unit’s ability to exchange the air efficiently. Do you have central air in your home? Check to see if you have a “whole house fan” setting. If so, it might very well have a HEPA filter, and this might be an option as well.

EnviroKlenz Air System Plus

Those working from home and seeing only household family members, may not feel the need for an air purifier in terms of the pandemic. An essential worker, on the other hand— might want to add one into their already existing COVID-awareness layers. But even when we move beyond the pandemic, the quality of our indoor air is essential to our health—so be sure to change the filter according to manufacturer directions. Westinghouse 1702 The long-trusted brand offers this well-designed, living-ready unit starting at $500. It uses both HEPA filtration and its own patented NCCO activated oxygen technology. It is appropriate for spaces up to 500 square feet. Info: westinghousecleanair.com. Oransi ModIt began as an engineer’s quest to find better indoor air quality for his asthmatic son. Oransi Mod boasts a smart design—from the glass user interface to the cylindrical shape with an orange carry handle and filter handle so a dirty filter will never be touched. This powerful unit is $600 and boasts a super-quiet user experience. It is appropriate for spaces up to 1,250 square feet. Info: oransi.com. EnviroKlenz Air System Plus Military-grade technology is the cornerstone of the EnviroKlenz Air System Plus. It uses HEPA filtrations with the added feature of non-ozone producing UVC bulbs to provide additional germicidal irradiation and internal system cleaning. Rated for spaces up to 1,000 square feet, it comes in either white or black. Info: enviroklenz.com. •