Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The risk of glaucoma increases with age. Family history is also a strong risk factor. The most common type of glaucoma, chronic open-angle glaucoma, causes a slow, "silent" loss of vision. With routine eye exams, early signs of glaucoma can be detected and appropriate testing and treatment can be implemented. Treatment options include eyedrops, laser surgery, or more complex surgical procedures. We offer the latest in diagnostic technology including the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer.

Cataracts

A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens in the front of the eye. A cataract is not a film over the eye nor is it caused by "overusing" the eyes -- rather, cataracts are caused by chemical changes. Cataracts cause progressive, painless loss of vision. The lens clouds naturally as we age, so people usually see a gradual reduction of vision.

Risk factors for developing cataracts include being over 55 years old, having eye injuries or disease, having a family history of cataracts, smoking cigarettes or using certain medications.

Vision with cataract.

There is no pain associated with the condition, but there are several symptoms that indicate failing vision due to cataracts. These include:

• Blurred/hazy vision
• Spots in front of the eye(s)
• Sensitivity to glare
• A feeling of “film” over the eye(s)
• A temporary improvement in near vision

If cataracts interfere with your ability to read, work, or do the things you enjoy, you'll want to consider cataract surgery. It is the only proven means of effectively treating cataracts.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common surgical procedures in the U.S., with over 2.5 million people undergoing it every year. It is relatively painless and has a very high success rate -- more than 90 percent of patients regain useful vision. It is an outpatient procedure that takes only a few hours start to finish. During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial one called an intraocular lens or IOL.

We perform a minimally invasive, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification ("phaco") surgery. First, the eye is numbed with anesthesia. Then a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and gently sucks, or aspirates, those pieces out of the eye. After the cloudy lens has been removed, a new IOL is implanted in its place. With the recent advance of foldable IOLs, these artificial lenses can be implanted through the same small incision from the phaco procedure. Once moved into position inside the eye, the IOL unfolds to its proper shape, restoring clearer vision.

IOL technology has advanced a great deal in the past few years. Click here to learn more about the sophisticated lenses we offer to improve your vision after cataract surgery, including the ReZoom™, ReSTOR® and Crystalens™.

Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in Americans under the age of 55. Prevention or early detection and treatment are vital to preserving sight. All diabetics should have yearly dialated eye exams to detect any retinopathy. With the latest in high-resolution digital imaging, flourescein angiography, and laser technology, we provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options.

Dry Eye

Dry eye can make a person's eyes dry, red, or irritated. The condition occurs because the tear ducts don't produce enough tears, or because the tears themselves have a chemical imbalance. In addition to being uncomfortable, dry eye can damage the eye's tissues and impair vision. People usually begin experiencing dry eye symptoms as they age, but the condition can also result from eyelid or blinking problems, certain medications, environment, injury, and various health problems.

Mild dry eye sufferers may experience symptoms only occasionally -- when wearing contact lenses, for example, or after several hours sitting at a computer. The symptoms include itching, tearing, burning, mild redness, or a gritty sensation in the eye. The standard treatment for mild and moderate dry eye is artificial tears.

Patients with severe dry eye experience more painful symptoms more frequently than mild sufferers. These can include significant itching or burning, persistent redness, blurred vision and mucous discharge from the eye. For these patients, punctal plugs can be an effective treatment. Punctal plugs are placed in the opening of the tear ducts (called "puncta") in the eyelids to block tear drainage and keep the eyes moist. Implantation should reduce the need for artificial tear drops and increase the patient’s overall comfort.