Medical marijuana

Who Qualifies For A Medical Marijuana License In Hawaii?

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Medical marijuanaStudies have shown that the therapeutic effect of cannabinoids, the chemicals that make up cannabis, have beneficial therapeutic effects. From clinically significant reductions in pain to functioning as an antiemetic for those suffering from chemotherapy related vomiting, medical marijuana can help.

The process of getting approved for a medical marijuana license in Hawaii is a simple one. Let’s take a look at who can benefit from medical marijuana and what you need to qualify for a license.

What Can Medical Marijuana Help With 

Cannabis has a long history of being used for its medicinal effects, dating back nearly two millennia. In fact, marijuana was used in US history as a medicine until its removal. Cannabis can help with a variety of issues that include but aren’t limited to:

  • Chemotherapy related nausea
  • Chronic pain
  • Glaucoma
  • Lupus
  • Epilepsy
  • Mental conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder

Speaking to a doctor can help you understand how medical marijuana may help bring relief to you and your condition.

What To Know About Medical Marijuana Licenses in Hawaii

Some important information to know about medical marijuana licenses in Hawaii is that your license pertains only to Hawaii. So even if other states have medical marijuana available, your license would not allow you to purchase medical cannabis in that state.

Obtaining a medical marijuana license can take up to four weeks and even if you’ve been assured for approval you may not purchase medical marijuana until you have your card.

If you have any further questions, consulting with a doctor is a certain way to obtain any answers you need.

What Do You Need To Qualify For A Medical Marijuana Licence In Hawaii? 

There are clear guidelines to getting a medical marijuana license in Hawaii. To begin, you must register with the Medical Cannabis Registry Program. Then, working with a doctor to determine your qualifying medical condition. The medical marijuana evaluation carried out by a professional typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.

At Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser, we understand the need for pain relief. That is why we are proud to offer medical marijuana license assessments.

In the state of Hawaii, yearly renewal is required for medical marijuana licenses. If you are looking to obtain a license or renew your current one contact Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808-955-3937 or schedule an appointment today.

How Belotero Balance® is Different Than Other Dermal Fillers

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Many dermal fillers and injectable treatments are available to address nearly every effect of aging around the face. Each of the treatments works best when treating specific aesthetic conditions and changes.

From injections like BOTOX® that temporarily block muscle contraction to others that restore lost volume with hyaluronic acid (HA), these treatments are safe, easy, and provide excellent results. With so many options, there are not a lot of specific formulas that stand out among the others in the same category.

Belotero Balance®, however, takes the benefits of HA and is created with a proprietary Cohesive Polydensified Matrix (CPM) process, which can provide even better results than other HA treatments available.

Although our bodies naturally create HA, this production decreases around age 20. Along with the decrease in collagen production, this can create sunken areas on the face where decreased volume does not push outward on the skin. This can lead to lines and wrinkles and even larger creases to form.

Belotero Balance® restores this lost volume with its HA that absorbs nearby water molecules and increases volume from below the skin. And with the specific formulation, Belotero Balance® blends much better into the skin than many other HA treatments. This can lead to a more even and natural-looking enhancement to the aesthetics of your face.

Not only does Belotero Balance® give exceptional results, it blends in with the surrounding skin tissue, making it safe and successful at addressing many areas around the face, including the nasolabial folds around the nose, chin wrinkles, and creases around the lips.

Like other HA treatments, however, the results are not permanent, and as the body metabolizes the HA, you may notice a decrease in volume. However, since this special formula blends well with your skin, the results generally last at least a year.

The doctors and aestheticians at Maehara Eye Surgery and Laser in Honolulu, HI, have the experience and knowledge needed to select the best dermal treatment from all the options available to help best meet your aesthetic goals. Visit www.maeharaeyes.com or call 808-955-3937 to schedule a consultation and get started on your aesthetic journey.

How Restylane Can Smooth Lip Wrinkles

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As a non-surgical procedure that can give you the fuller and more voluptuous lips you want with almost no recovery needed, lip fillers are a great solution. Using the state-of-the-art injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) Restylane, you can smooth wrinkles around your mouth and increase lip volume.

Restylane, as well as Juvederm can be used as lip enhancement to treat several potentially unflattering lip shapes, including thin or small lips, uneven lip shapes, a flat cupid’s bow, etc. During your consultation, the doctor will work with you to create a plan based on your wishes. The improvement can be small or minor refinements or a more robust treatment plan to perfect your mouth shape.

With either product, the HA, which is also naturally found in your body, binds with nearby water molecules to add volume and hydration to your lips. This creates a smooth and natural-looking enhancement to flat or thin lips.

Not only are these proven safe and effective, they are also FDA-approved fillers for lip augmentation. Both fillers can also be incorporated into a more comprehensive facial treatment for a complete cosmetic plan to give you the look you want. Since there is nearly no recovery period needed, you can enjoy the results almost immediately, with little inconvenience.

At Maehara Eye Surgery and Laser, we know that not every patient is the same in their expectations and recovery. Regardless of the procedure, the expert staff will combine state-of-the-art technology and years of experience to provide you with the best care possible while meeting your expectations.

The doctors at Maehara Eye Surgery and Laser know that no two procedures are the same, even of the same type. Your doctor will use their artful eye to guide precise surgical operations to meet your specific aesthetic goals. You will receive warm and compassionate care from the entire team, as well as a board-certified doctor who understands the importance of creating results that are both elegant and natural-looking.

Call Maehara Eye Surgery and Laser in Honolulu, HI at 808-955-3937, or visit www.maeharaeyes.com to schedule a consultation, today.

beauty woman clean skin and hairstyle brunette

How does Radiesse work to remove lines and wrinkles?

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Cosmetic injectables are increasingly popular ways to turn back the hands of time on your face. Botox is a household name for smoothing out lines and wrinkles in the upper third of the face, but doesn’t correct all lines and wrinkles. That’s where dermal fillers come into play. One of the most popular fillers is called Radiesse.

Read on to learn what makes it a great option to help you achieve a more youthful appearance.

  • Radiesse is an FDA-approved injectable filler for reducing moderate-to-severe wrinkles, folds and creases around the nose and mouth. Is specifically improves the appearance of nasolabial folds, which run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth, marionette lines, which run downward from the corners of the mouth, downturned corners of the mouth, jowl pre-sagging and chin wrinkles.
  • Radiesses is composed of microspheres in a water-based gel that are made of calcium hydroxylapatite. This substance stimulates the production of collagen and, when injected into lines and wrinkles, smoothes out the lines and wrinkles and adds volume to the skin to give you a more youthful appearance.
  • If you are between the ages of 35 and 60 and have developed folds and wrinkles around your mouth and nose, you may be an ideal candidate for Radiesse treatments. If you have experienced fat loss in your face due to HIV infection, Radiesse may work for you as well.
  • One of the reasons why cosmetic injectables like Radiesse are so popular is the fact that you can get treatment in about 15-30 minutes, with no required downtime. Most patients return to their normal activities right after treatment.
  • The results from Radiesse treatment are immediate and can last up to 1-2 years. As it works, it also stimulates the collagen production beneath the skin. Since results are temporary, you will want to return for touch-up treatments to prolong the effects of the filler.

If you’d like to learn whether Radiesse or other cosmetic injectables are right for you, call 808.955.3937 for an appointment with Dr. Maehara.

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What Botox can and can’t do

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Botox is a household name as the worldwide leader in non-surgical wrinkle treatment. You may have been thinking about getting Botox injections to treat your lines and wrinkles, but how much do you know about this popular treatment?

Read on for what Botox can and can’t do and why you should consider it.

  • Botox can treat dynamic lines and wrinkles, which are wrinkles that form over a contracting muscle in your face when you smile, frown or squint or make other expressions. It blocks messages sent by the nerves in the muscle to the brain to prevent the muscle from contracting.
  • Botox smooths out crow’s feet, forehead lines, frown lines, lip lines and bunny lines. It can be used to diminish neck bands and even correct a gummy smile.
  • Botox can’t treat static wrinkles, which are wrinkles that are always present and are caused by sun damage, genetics, smoking and other lifestyle choices. Prolonged dynamic wrinkles can become static wrinkles. Dermal fillers are a good choice to smooth out static wrinkles.
  • Unlike dermal fillers, which deliver instant results, the results from Botox will take 1-3 days to fully appear. That’s because it takes time for the injection to work on blocking the muscle contraction and erase the wrinkles.
  • Even though it’s made from botulinum toxin type A, which is a purified substance that’s derived from bacteria and may sound scary, it is the quickest and safest way to remove wrinkles.
  • If you are in good health and have a healthy frame of mind with realistic expectations for the outcome from Botox injections, then you would be a good candidate for this treatment.
  • Botox treatment only takes about 15 minutes, and most people return to their jobs or other activities after their appointment.
  • Botox is not a permanent solution to wrinkle reduction. Botox will keep your lines and wrinkles at bay for 3-4 months. The muscles will start contracting again. You will want to set up follow-up sessions to maintain results.

If you’re ready to learn more about whether Botox is right for you, call 808.955.3937 for an appointment with Dr. Maehara.

Beautiful female eye in scanning circle closeup and eyechart.

What you should know about LASIK

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If you have been considering LASIK surgery to help reduce or remove the need for wearing glasses or contacts, there are several things you should know. Read on for eight things you should know about LASIK.

  1. Your eyes must be healthy to undergo LASIK surgery. If you have severe dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis or pink eye, or any type of eye injury where you are still recovering, you will need to wait until those conditions are resolved before you can undergo LASIK.
  2. If you have cataracts or uncontrolled glaucoma, you may not be a candidate for LASIK.
  3. You must be in good health to be considered for LASIK. Uncontrolled degenerative conditions or autoimmune diseases may prevent you from having LASIK done. Certain medications may also interfere with post-operative healing and contribute to dry eye syndrome. You will want to share your complete list of medications and vitamins and supplements with your doctor during your consultation.
  4. Your corneas cannot be too thin. LASIK works by reshaping the front surface of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea must have enough tissue thickness in order for you to have surgery. Other surgical options may be better suited for you.
  5. You must be at least 18 or older to have LASIK. When you are a teenager, and even a young adult, your eyes continue to change.
  6. If you have a prescription, it’s important that your prescription is stable for at least a year before you are able to proceed with LASIK.
  7. Women who are pregnant or nursing are not good candidates for LASIK as hormonal changes can alter the shape of the cornea. You will want to wait until a few months after you have finished nursing before getting LASIK done.
  8. It’s important to have a positive frame of mind and realistic expectations for the outcome of surgery. Be sure to discuss all potential risks and possible side effects before you decide to undergo LASIK surgery.

To learn whether you are a candidate for LASIK, call 808.955.3937 for a consultation.

Botox vs. Xeomin: Which is best for me?

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It’s no doubt that Botox is a household name as it’s the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment around. Xeomin is a similar injectable made from the same botulinum toxin, but it’s important to know which one is best for your needs as they have some differences. Here we break down the differences between both. 

Botulinum toxin type A

Botox and Xeomin are made from the botulinum toxin type A, which is the same bacteria that cause botulism. While Botox and Xeomin both relax muscles in the treatment area, Xeomin is made only with the botulinum toxin and no other ingredients, thus getting the name “the naked injectable.” Botox contains additional proteins.

Blepharospasm

Some people have a condition called blepharospasm, in which they experience involuntary muscle spasms and contractions of the muscles around the eyes. Xeomin is an effective treatment for blepharospasm. It is injected into the muscle, blocking the signal from the nerve and effectively stopping the spasms. Treatment takes about 15-30 minutes and starts to work within a few days after injection. Effects or results last for up to three months, at which point you may need to return for treatment. 

Lines and wrinkles

Botox is the worldwide choice for the temporary reduction of lines and wrinkles on the upper third of the face, but Xeomin may be substituted for patients who have a reaction to the proteins in Botox. 

Botox works on dynamic wrinkles that form on the skin when the muscle beneath the skin contracts. These wrinkles are caused by repeated expressions such as laughing or frowning. Forehead lines, frown lines or 11 lines between the eyebrows and crow’s feet around the eyes can all be successfully treated with Botox. Similarly to Xeomin, treatment only takes 15-30 minutes, results appear in a few days and last for about 3-4 months. You may need additional treatment to maintain results. 

To learn more about cosmetic injectables and how they may help you with your cosmetic concerns or functional needs, call 808.955.3937 today to schedule an appointment.

The latest technique in corneal transplantation

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The cornea is known as the “window of the eye,” protecting the eye from infection and foreign material and focusing or refracting light. The cornea needs to be clear and the correct shape for you to see accurately. When it becomes cloudy or misshapen, a cornea transplant may be necessary. Read on to learn about the latest technique in corneal transplantation called the DSAEK procedure.

What is DSAEK?

DSAEK is short for Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty. It is a less-invasive procedure that gives the patient clear vision and a shorter recovery time than with traditional corneal transplantation methods. Conventional surgery requires 16 surgeries and a prolonged recovery time, plus many patients experience astigmatism after surgery, with full recovery taking up to two years.

What happens during the DSAEK Procedure?

During this outpatient procedure, the patient is given topical anesthesia so they don’t feel anything. The damaged endothelial layer is replaced, while the remainder of the cornea is left undisturbed. The new cornea is inserted through a tiny incision that needs one suture for closure. The surgeon then injects an air bubble underneath the cornea to make sure it is centered on the eye.

What is recovery like?

The DSAEK Procedure offers a shorter post-op recovery, fast visual recovery and less chance of rejection than conventional surgery. Patients will take antibiotics and steroid eye drops and return the next day for post-surgical follow-up. Some patients may need a second air bubble injection to re-center the cornea. Patients will need to use eye drops for several years to help with anti-rejection.

What will my vision be like after surgery?

You can expect blurry vision immediately after surgery due to swelling and the air bubble used to center the cornea. When the bubble dissolves and swelling dissipates, your vision will improve. Some patients will need to wear new glasses during healing.

When can I expect full results?

It may take up to three months for your best vision to reveal itself.

If you are interested in learning more about corneal transplants and the DSAEK Procedure, set up a consultation by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.

How Belotero Balance works to rejuvenate the lower third of the face

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So much attention has been paid to the upper third of the face with all the mask-wearing over the last year. But the lower third of the face shows the signs of aging and can make you look older than you are. Between the loss of collagen and elastin as you age, and repetitive expressions such as smiling and laughing, all contribute to lines and wrinkles around the lips and mouth. A cosmetic filler called Belotero Balance will help smooth out lines and wrinkles and help you appear more youthful.

What is Belotero Balance?

Belotero Balance is an injectable gel that is used to temporarily smooth out and fill moderate-to-severe nasolabial folds and other moderate-to-severe lines and wrinkles around the lips and mouth. It’s made of a substance called hyaluronic acid, which is naturally occurring in the skin. It’s formulated into a uniquely smooth and cohesive injectable gel that blends into the natural structure of the skin to fill in those unwanted lines and wrinkles.

Is treatment painful?

There may be some slight pinches as with all injectable treatments, but your doctor can help you with any discomfort you may feel. There is no downtime, so patients can return to their normal activities right after their treatment.

How is Belotero Balance different from other fillers?

It is a hyaluronic acid filler that is designed to integrate into facial skin tissue. Once injected, the soft, cohesive gel fills the skin to smooth out lines and wrinkles. It’s designed for moderate-to-severe lines, but also can treat delicate areas such as etched-in smile lines and vertical lip lines, which are thin lines above and around the lips.

When will I see results?

Like many fillers, you will see results upon treatment. While individual results will vary, it should last about six or more months. Repetitive movement such as eating, talking and smiling may affect how long results last.

Cosmetic injectables can temporarily smooth out lines and wrinkles and help you look more youthful. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule an appointment by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.

Are you at risk for cataracts?

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If your vision has been getting blurry or you have an increased sensitivity to glare, you may be starting to develop cataracts. Over time, this slow-progressing condition will interfere with your vision and may lead to cataract surgery. Can you prevent cataracts? Read on to learn more about cataracts and treatment.

What are cataracts?

The lens of your eye is normally clear. It’s positioned behind the colored part of the eye called the iris. The lens focuses light that passes through your eye and produces clear images on your retina. The retina function like the film in a camera. Age-related conditions and other medical conditions can cause tissues in the lens to break down, causing a clouding within the lens. A cataract develops slowly as the clouding becomes denser and consumes a larger part of the lens. Over time, your vision will become blurred.

What are the risk factors?

Age, smoking, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and excessive exposure to sunlight are some of the risk factors for cataracts. Previous eye injuries or surgery also increase your risk. Prolonged use of certain medications may be a factor as well.

Can you prevent cataracts?

While there isn’t a way to prevent cataracts, there are some things you can do to improve your risk factors. Be sure to have regular eye examinations based on your age and family history. If you smoke, quit. It’s important to manage certain health conditions such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure that increase your risk. Consume a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. If you drink, reduce your use of alcohol. Be sure to wear broad-spectrum sunglasses that block ultraviolet B rays when you’re outside.

What are the treatment options?

Once your lenses have started to cloud, they will not stop and won’t return to their original clear condition. The only treatment for cataracts is surgery to replace the lenses. Surgery consists of replacing the clouded lens with an intraocular lens implant, or IOL. It’s a minimally invasive, small-incision, no-stitch procedure. Vision begins to improve a few days after surgery, and full healing can take up to two months. If both eyes require surgery, the second surgery will be done 1-2 months after the first surgery.

If you’re concerned about cataracts or other eye conditions, schedule an eye exam today by calling Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937.