Surgery

Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a cloudiness of the normally clear lens located inside the eye. There is no pain associated with the condition but there are other symptoms, including:

Blurred or hazy vision
Sensitivity to glare
A feeling of "film" over the eye or eyes that doesn't clear with blinking
A temporary improvement in near vision
Risk factors for developing cataracts include being over 55 years old, eye injury or disease, a family history of cataracts, smoking or use of certain medications.

For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, lens replacement surgery may be recommended. Cataract surgery is the most common surgical procedure in the country and one of the most successful. During cataract replacement, the lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens or IOL. Our physicians perform cataract surgery in a surgical center. We are proud to offer the latest technology in IOLs, including astigmatism and multifocal lenses. Not all patients are candidates for these special lenses, so ask your doctor if they are right for you.

Corneal Transplant

The cornea is the clear covering of the front of the eye which bends, or refracts, light rays as they enter the eye. For clear vision to occur, the cornea must have the correct shape and clarity to focus incoming light rays precisely on the retina at the back of the eye. When the cornea becomes cloudy or hazy from injury, infection or disease, corneal transplantation may be recommended to replace it.

Corneal transplants are usually performed in a surgery center or hospital. During the procedure, the cornea is replaced with one from a human donor. The new cornea carries little risk of rejection and can last for many years. Our doctors are highly trained with the latest techniques and procedures and they will discuss the procedures with you and answer your questions before your surgery.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the leading cause of blindness in the U.S. It occurs when the pressure inside the eye is too high, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms, so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed. Symptoms that you could be developing glaucoma include blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, halo effects around lights, and painful or reddened eyes. People at high risk include those who are over the age of 40, diabetic, near-sighted, African-American, or who have a family history of glaucoma.

To detect glaucoma, your physician will test your visual acuity and visual field as well as the pressure in your eye. Other specialized test may be performed to detect glaucoma. Regular eye exams help to monitor the changes in your eyesight and to determine whether you may develop glaucoma. Once diagnosed, glaucoma can be controlled. Treatments to lower pressure in the eye include non-surgical methods such as prescription eye drops and medications, laser therapy, and surgery. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, your doctor will discuss the disease with you and decide which therapy is best for you.

There are several types of glaucoma:

Chronic or Open-Angle. This is the most commonly seen type of glaucoma. The loss of vision is painless and permanent.

Acute or Closed-Angle. This happens suddenly and is very painful. Vomiting and complaints of headaches are commonly seen in these patients. They most always present to our office as an emergency. Medical treatment usually in the form of laser surgery is required immediately to reduce the intraocular pressure. Patients subject to this form of glaucoma can usually be detected during a routine eye examination.

Congenital. Present at birth, congenital glaucoma is a rather rare condition.

Secondary. This glaucoma occurs as a result of systemic disease such as diabetes, from medication use (steroids) or from previous trauma or surgery of the eye.

LASIK

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is used to correct near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and astigmatism. It is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea and a hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. This procedure is performed with topical anesthetic eye drops. There are other techniques and many new terms related to LASIK that you may hear about. Our doctors perform the procedures using the most recent technology and equipment. They will discuss the procedures with you and after your exam, they will decide which procedure is best for you and your eyes.