From owner-i_see@indiana.edu Fri Aug 25 14:19:01 EST 1995 Date: Fri, 25 Aug 1995 13:43:39 +0100 From: Rob Barnett Subject: Re: PCM Status: RO X-Status: On Thu, 3 Aug 1995, Glenn Turner wrote: > My name is Glenn Turner. I just happen to have exactly the same > prescriptions as you had prior to treatment. I have never heard of precise > corneal molding before, but it sure sounds a lot more attractive than > surgery. Do you have more detailed information or know of where I can get > more detailed information on the subject. In particular, I would like to > see some info on long term effects, cost, and side effects (ie, does the > treatment affect peripheral vision). Any help would be greatly appreciated. > Thank you and congratulations on your incredible improvements. Hello Glenn, Sorry about the delay, I have been on vacation. I am glad to see some interest in PCM. I have posted to some news groups but have not gotten any responses. I seem to be a lone duck here with any PCM experience. Since I am a patient, and I only see the doctor once a month, my answers will be slow if they are too specific. I started Jan 15, 1995 with -5.0 and -4.75. My last exam was -1.25 and -1.75. Some mornings when I wake up and take off my molds, I can see the leaves in the trees and notice the sun splarking off a spider web (which is just outside my bedroom window) from across the room. I was excited the first time I noticed this difference. :-) My astigmatism was gone the first week. Peripheral vision is unaffected as far as I can tell. I believe there is a success rate of 97% (3% is the drop out rate). It is _not_ a fast eye sight correction method, but I think it is faster than the Bates method (which might have an even higher drop out rate). It is also not cheap. The program starts at $1900 with each mold at $80. The prices could be higher or lower depending on where you are located and the degree of correction needed. The following is from a pamphlet I got at the doctor's office: _______________________________________________________________________ Page 1 Precise Corneal Molding(tm) - PCM(tm) Safe Affordable Gentle Non-Surgical Visual Freedom from glasses. Mid-South PCM(tm) Group, P.C. J. Mason Hurt, O.D. 2865 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901/382-7803 800/947-4257 Page 2 thru 4 _What is PCM(tm)?_ Image being able to easily read an alarm clock without your glasses, see street signs clearly, or participate in sports without lenses of any kind ... These are just a few of the freedoms people are enjoying through Precise Corneal Molding(tm) PCM(tm). PCM(tm) is a safe, gentle, affordable, and non-surgical procedure that dramatically improves natural vision by reshaping the front of the eye, the cornea, with scientifically shaped molds. Because the procedure is non-invasive, PCM(tm) has provided thousands of patients with better vision without the risks or complications of surgery. Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism occur when light rays [A entering the eye through the cornea focus incorrectly. PCM(tm) utilizes a series of prescription eye molds to reshape the cornea much like orthodontists use braces to straighten teeth. The result is a gradual correction of vision, enabling patients to see clearly throughout the procedure. The PCM(tm) procedure involves a series of thorough examinations by Dr. J. Mason Hurt, recognized in the medical community as an expert in PCM(tm), and a series of mold modifications. The benefits are realized[A in weeks or months, depending on the severity of vision problems. Retainer molds will be used on a limited basis to maintain the new shape of the cornea. Since 1962, PCM(tm) and its predecesor, Orthokeratology, have been used to help pilots, athletes and others requiring unaided vision. Now, new research developments such as computerized corneal topography and new mold designs and materials have established PCM(tm) as the eye care trend of the future. _The Safest Option_ In contrast to Radial Keratotomy and laser surgery, PCM(tm) does not require injury to the eye, resulting in glare-induceing scars. There is also no disruption of vision as eyesight improves. _PCM(tm) for Children_ One of the most exciting uses for PCM(tm) is controlling nearsightedness in children. Unfortunately, nearsightedness is a progressive condition, which is why 75% of patients who are nearsighted must periodically increase their prescription. for example, only 4% of 8-year-olds are nearsighted, while over 30% of the general population is nearsighted.[A PCM(tm) prevents deteriorating vision and even reverses it. _Proven Safe Results_ PCM(tm) is highly effective in correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Even severe cases find great benefit from PCM(tm). University research studies have shown corneal molding to be safe and effective. These studies include the: University of Houston College of Optometry (5 years), University of California at San Diego Medical School (7 years), University of California at Berkeley College of Optometry (3 years), and Pacific University College of Optometry (5 years). Page 5 _Patients See The Difference_ "I shifted from soft contact lenses to PCM(tm) and I can see 20/20 when I take them off!" -- T.K. "I have been through the program and I am very happy with the results. I'm taking my daughter in for Precise Corneal Molding(tm), too!" -- A.S. "I am very happy with PCM(tm) and would recommend it with no reservation." -- D.M. "I never realized how precious the gift of sight was until I underwent the PCM(tm) procedure." -- A.S. _Compare!_ PCM(tm) is a safe, gentle, affordable, non-surgical alternative for wearers of glasses. _Surgery PCM(tm)_ Age as a limiting factor Yes No Reversibility No Yes Loss of work time Yes No Worsening of night vision Yes No FAA and military approval No Yes Page 6 _Find Out If PCM(tm) Is Right For You_ Call for a free PCM(tm) consultation. Come in and view an informational video to help determine if you are a candidate for this procedure. If PCM(tm) is determined to be an option for you, you too may be one of the many who are no longer dependent on glasses. _____________________________________________________________________ Thanks, RobJB ========================================================================= From owner-aeulenbe_i_see_digest@indiana.edu Mon Oct 30 10:58:19 EST 1995 Date: Mon, 30 Oct 1995 10:50:16 -0500 (EST) From: Alex Eulenberg Subject: corneal molding Status: RO X-Status: ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 27 Oct 1995 17:01:27 +0100 From: Rob Barnett To: i_see Subject: PCM PCM - Precise Corneal Molding For those who are interested in my progress: I saw Dr. Hurt yesterday. This is how the office visit went. I am taken into an examination room. Patti asks if I am still wearing the molds 18-20 hours a day. I say no, I am only wearing it about 12 hours and I am not sleeping in them. She turns out the lights and asks that I look at the wall chart. I can not see the 20/20 line, just the line above it. (I have my molds in while this exam is taking place.) I now cover my left eye. I can only see the 2nd line from the top. (The wall chart is projected onto the wall.) I now cover my right eye. I can see 20/20 with my left eye. Note: When the molds are off, I can see better with my right eye than my left eye. When the molds are on, it is the opposite. I then go and take the molds off. I enter the next examination room. I do not know what the machines are, so I will describe the procedure instead. 1) I look into this machine (with my eyes closed at first because it has a bright light). I open my eyes and blink once. (Each eye is done individually.) Patti then puts a yellow dye into my eye and I do the same procedure as above. The computer monitor now has four eye images. 2) The next machine has a small cone that I look into. (This machine replaces another that has a large cone.) A map is taken of each eye. Note: Patti is very impressed with the results from the previous visit. She shows me the maps and there is a significant difference. 3) The next machine I look into has a picture of a Hot Air Balloon in it. The picture comes into and out of focus. I now go into the doctor's examination room. He looks at the computer monitor with the images of my eyes. He uses this to make sure that the molds are moving and sitting correctly on my cornea. I then look at the wall chart thru some device that he adjusts. Then he look at the maps of my eyes and seems to be impressed by them. He basicly says that next month I will be going on some kind of wearing schedule different than what I am currently on. I think this is a positive sign since he usually says that I am improving and to see him in a month. Conclusion: Since some members of this group mentioned bilberry, I started taking it with Super Blue Green(tm) algae. The bilberry should help my eyes and the algae should help my health. I have been doing PCM since 15 Jan 1995. I had significant improvement the first week I was in the program. I could not tell the improvement since I still could not see without my contacts. Over the summer improvements came slow even though I changed molds at least three to four times. I do not know if I can credit the bilberry for the latest improvements, but I sure am not going to discount the fact that I have been using it and results have happened. As far as the algae is concerned, I have fewer sinus problems. I can now sleep at night without waking up sneezing at 2am. I am the kind of person that will suffer before I take any kind of manufactured chemical. Aspartame Section: I have also eliminated aspartame (Equal(tm)) from my diet. I usually don't drink diet drinks, but when I need something cool to drink I would pick up a diet drink if nothing else was available. I no longer do that. I also suggested to my wife that she quit drinking diet drinks. She did and noticed that her joints no longer gave her pain. She is a doctor and has to travel to about 3 hospitals and round on her patients. She has to do a lot of walking. She also bought some vitamins for our children the other day. I looked at the label and discovered that the number one ingredient was aspartame! We did *not* give this to our children. If you are trying to eliminate aspartame from your diet beware of anything labeled sugar free. I have found it in gum, jelly, and cough drops. Your for better health, RobJB ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 29 Oct 1995 11:05:22 -0500 From: JimDayOD@aol.com To: quarn@u.washington.edu Cc: I_see@indiana.edu Subject: Re: Ortho-K, Dammit! If you are with the FDA it is a custom, theraputic or corrective, Contact lens. The use of the designs described was an undocumented application of rigid contacts which was taught and scientificly studied prior to 1962. (In fact 1880's was first reported in France) The reverse aspheric back surface design is very different than a Contact Lens. Almost all US contact lens designs are based on following exactly the surface contou of the eye with a spherical shape back surface contact. In fact the surface of the eye is not spherical but multiaspheric. So the doctors must bridge over the central area to get a "lens" to center. A corneal mold uses the fluid forces to reshape the central cornea. The same shape change from RK, PRK, Corneal Molding, ALK, or Corneal Rings will improve vision. A -1.00 Dioptor eye needs a "shape" change of 0.20 mm. A very small amount produced a significant visual handicap for the patient. Night wear of a corneal mold will easily produce up to 0.40 mm change. Gentle, safe, reversable, effective correction of a vision handicap. The new corneal molds use a CNC lathe to put multiaspheric curves on the back surface of the molds. Several computer designs are custom applied to each patients needs. They are made out of FDA approved materials and methods. All night wear molds are "extended wear" rigid materials. I find the best case has 2 hours a week wear, the worse case only gets functional vision for 6 hours after removeal of the molds. The patient can drop out and have "surgery" at any time. After all refractive surgery, Corneal Molding can be applied to "tune up" and smoothe irregular astigmatism, nearsighted, or farsighted vision. After 10 years all "surgery" patients may require a "tune up" due to the fact that the original cause for surgery, myopia, will get worse. The Orthokeratology molds cause myopia to stop progressing. Now out 20 to 30 years, these patients only replace molds due to material failure. Thanks for the question. Jim H Day, Jr OD, FIOS Fellow International Orthokeratology Section Call1800-621-2258 for the practioner near you that offers Orthokeratology Corneal Molding. ========================================================================= From owner-i_see@indiana.edu Thu Nov 30 16:41:51 EST 1995 Date: Thu, 30 Nov 1995 16:15:28 +0000 From: Rob Barnett Subject: PCM Status: RO X-Status: 30 Nov 1995 Checkup Background: PCM - Precise Corneal Molding (Corneal correction without surgery.) Started Jan 15, 1995 with about -5.0 diopters Current: Wear schedule: 18 hours, I might sleep in them once a week. Right mold sticks to eye at the end of the wear schedule, possibly because eye has taken on too much of the shape of the mold. Decreased sight in both eyes while wearing the molds since I first started wearing this set of molds. Checkup: Nothing new, molds are continuing to shape my corneal. The top part of my cornea is flatting out and moving toward the center. I was told to think of the cornea as a ballon. When you flatten the top part the bottom part bulges. This bulge is moved to th[Ae lower part of the cornea, out of my line of sight and the flatten area moves into view. The checkup went as described in the last report. At the conclusion of my checkup, I tried to put my molds back on. But, I broke my right mold. Mold Replacement: This will be the second time I have had to replace the molds thru a mishap. The first time I dropped it in the sink and it when down the drain. I now have a pancake sized strainer that goes into my sink. I only replaced the lost mold, not the set, which I discovered was a mistake. My eyes no longer focused correctly together. I tried to live with it for a week, but had headacks. I went back and asked to have the left mold changed. Another week went by before I received the left mold. I was not happy for those three weeks. Whenever a mold is replaced, it is updated. This time I insisted that both molds be replaced. In the mean time, I was given a mold that I had previously used in my left eye (it was close to what I needed). Actually, I can see better with it than the right mold it is replacing. I also can see better in my right eye than my left eye with both molds on. Helpful stuff: Bilberry - keep eyes healthy which helps tear formation. This keeps the molds moving and working so that the end result is faster. Super Bluegreen Algae - cuts down on alergies, keeps sinus open, general health promoter. Calcium - Cold killer. Aspartame (Equal(tm)) - Don't even think about it! Patient Interviews (brief encounters): 1) Female, in her 20's, another doctor recommend she try PCM. Started about two months ago at -2.75 diopters. Astigmatism gone the first two weeks. She became alergic to contacts. She has noticed a good improvement in her vision. She doesn't like it when a speck of dust gets behind the mold. She must take the mold out to get rid of it. I also have experienced the same problem. 2) Female, in her 20's. She said that if she must wear contacts, she might as well have them do something. She said once you have surgery, you can't wear contact (mmm.., don't know about that). Her brother has had eye surgery three times to try and correct his eyesight. He still wears glasses. 3) Female, in her 30's, she has been wearing the molds for about one and a half years. She started at -7.0 diopters. She has gone through lots of molds. 4) Male, in his 30's, he gave up on the program and is wearing glasses full time. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a reporter. The interviews were obtained through casual conversion and observation. My next appointment is in two months. I will be picking up my new set of molds on Monday. Have a happy holiday, RobJB