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Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases, in which high pressure within the eye damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma cannot be cured. However, treatments can reduce vision loss. Glaucoma treatment options include medication, laser eye surgery, and conventional surgery.

Glaucoma is a common group of eye diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. It can be detected during a routine eye exam, and must be treated early in order to prevent irreversible vision loss.

Monovision is a refractive surgical technique that is used to help reduce the use of bifocals or glasses used due to presbyopia or nearsightedenss.

Cataracts occur when the eye’s lens develops a cloudy appearance which interferes with vision. Nearly every adult will develop cataracts by the age of 75. Cataract surgery, in which the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant, is the only available treatment for cataracts.

For some reason or another, there is always a lot of misinformation where LASIK is concerned. In this article, we look over some of the most common misconceptions about LASIK.

Our senses help us to identify the world around us. Taste, touch, sound, and sense of smell help us to know what we have come upon in many situations. Perhaps one of the most precious gifts in this grouping is the sense of sight. Vision allows us to capture a picture of our surroundings to go with our memories, thoughts, and dreams. It helps us to enjoy on an even greater level the beauty surrounding us whether it is mountains, valleys, parties, or people. This sense also happens to be at the most risk of diminishing throughout our living years, sometimes earlier than anticipated. Most of today's population needs corrective lenses in one shape or form to enhance their failing eyesight. What can one do when glasses and contacts alone no longer help as much as they hinder? Technology shows us the way with the introduction of LASIK eye surgery. LASIK is an acronym which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. In this procedure, the cornea of the eye is permanently changed in shape. Using a laser, a small flap is cut in this clear covering, revealing the stroma, or midsection of the cornea. A small portion of this area is burnt away by the laser and then the flap is laid back in place. In preparation for this type of eye surgery, several steps have been suggested. If you are generally a contact lens wearer, it is recommended to stop use of your lenses and switch to eyeglasses anywhere from two to four weeks prior to your initial LASIK eye evaluation, as the contact lenses change your eye shape from their normal measurements. You should discuss your past eye problems as well as any medications you are currently taking. A thorough eye exam will be conducted to review your candidate status, risks, benefits, and any questions that you may have. As with any medical endeavor, you should always research the procedure first using all resources available. Search the internet, books, magazines, first hand accounts, and always consult your doctor. With a little knowledge under your belt, you will help assure a positive outcome with your LASIK procedure.

For patients who need treatment for cataracts or presbyopia, intraocular lenses (IOLs) are often an excellent option, since they replace the natural lens with a better-functioning artificial one.  crystalens® IOLs to be one of the leading brands of IOLs on the market. Below is a list of benefits for those interested in crystalens® IOLs. Your eye doctor should be able to provide you with additional information.

Crystalens® Benefits

After receiving crystalens® IOLs, many patients report great satisfaction with their results. This success is due to the structure of the crystalens® as well as its unique placement process. Benefits of crystalens® IOLs include:

• Crystalens® IOLs curve and flex just like a natural lens, which allows the eye to focus on near, far, and mid-range objects.
• IOLs reduce or eliminate patients' dependence on contact lenses.
• The removal of the natural lens eliminates the need for future cataract treatments. This distinguishes IOLs from implantable contact lenses (ICLs), which are placed over the natural lens. While often effective at improving vision, ICLs do not correct the faulty lens and may necessitate future surgeries.
• An FDA clinical study found that 93.5 percent of the subjects studied achieved 20/32 or better near, far, and mid-range vision at one year after surgery. The study also compared crystalens® results with standard monofocal IOLs and found visual clarity with crystalens® to be superior. 
• The corneal incision made in the crystalens® IOL procedure is self-sealing and requires no stitches. This promotes a relatively quick, comfortable recovery period.   
• crystalens® IOLs are sometimes recommended for patients who seek an alternative to LASIK eye surgery. In some cases, a patient with presbyopia can benefit from IOLs as much as from LASIK.

LASIK is an elective, corrective eye surgery. There are several options to assist you in your decision to have LASIK or ASA. Contact Texan Eye to discuss financing. As LASIK and ASA are elective eye surgery procedures, they are generally not covered by insurance. However, because health insurance policies are varied and undergo frequent changes, patients are encouraged to contact their individual carriers to inquire about the specific details of their plans. Many LASIK and ASA patients capitalize on Flexible Spending plans offered through their place of work, which allow patients to set aside an amount of pre-tax funds to use toward their medical procedure. Additionally, financing is available through www.carecredit.com and Capital One Healthcare. LASIK costs will vary depending on factors such as the type of procedure you are having done, the  specialized equipment selected to treat your specific visual condition, as well as the surgeon’s experience and expertise. Furthermore, certain upgrades in technology such as Wavefront™ and Intralase® will incur a higher fee. In general, the cost for LASIK and ASA is approximately $2,000 and up per eye, with higher fees associated with Intralase® and Wavefront™.

Presbyopia is an eye condition that naturally occurs around the age of 40. It results in blurry near vision. There are numerous advanced treatment options available to correct presbyopia in the realm of surgery, including a new class of accommodating and multifocal intraocular lens implants. Fortunately, there are multiple modalities of treatment for presbyopia. In general, there are three ways to treat presbyopia: through the use of glasses or contact lenses, monovision LASIK or monovision ASA, or intraocular lens implants. Corrective eye wear includes prescribed or over-the-counter reading glasses, bifocals and trifocals, and progressive ("no-line" trifocals) glasses. Contact lenses are also an option with monovision spherical contact lenses or multifocal contact lenses. Those with presbyopia can also benefit from monovision applications in LASIK and ASA. Monovision utilizes the phenomenon of "monocular" vision, whereby the dominant eye is corrected for distance and the non-dominant eye is placed for near. Many patients elect this procedure and enjoy the benefits of near and far vision afforded by monovision LASIK and ASA. Finally, for those with presbyopia, with or without cataracts, there is a new, advanced class of accommodating and multifocal lens implants. Intraocular lens implants such as Crystalens®, Tecnis® Multifocal, and ReSTOR® are designed for distance, intermediate, and near vision, thereby treating the problem of focusing up close, while simultaneously correcting the vision for distance. Following a complete eye exam and an assessment of your visual needs and lifestyle, your doctors at Texan Eye will recommend the best treatment option for your presbyopia.

Cataract surgery is considered highly effective and safe by doctors and researchers. Complications are rare, and there are only moderate restrictions in the post-operative period. Cataract surgery is considered highly safe and effective. It is the most common surgery performed in the United States with more than three million Americans seeking the procedure annually. Complications are rare, and proper post-operative care is essential to the success of your vision and progress.

Recovery and Post-Surgical Instructions

Following cataract surgery, you will need to use various eye drops to keep you comfortable and aid in the healing process. These drops are typically administered several times a day for several weeks. You will also be given protective eye gear, including goggles to wear while you sleep, and dark shades to protect your eyes from sunlight and wind during the day. You should refrain from heavy lifting for at least a week following your procedure. Furthermore, you should avoid bending over or doing vigorous physical exercise during this time. It is important to protect your eyes from water. Keep your eyes covered or closed while bathing or showering, and avoid swimming pools and hot tubs. Pollutants should also be avoided while you recover. Steer clear of excessively smoky environments, dust, and other irritants. If you note a sensation of pressure in your eye following cataract surgery, you should contact your doctor immediately. The same follows for bruising, pain, or any signs of infection. These are some of the most common post-operative instructions for cataract patients. Your doctor may have other recommendations based on your lifestyle and occupation.

Cataracts occur as a natural function of time. It is a clouding of the natural crystalline lens. The result over time is that of generalized blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the natural crystalline lens. There are many types and causes of cataracts, and cataract removal is a highly effective and safe procedure.

Causes of Cataracts

Cataracts develop from a variety of reasons, including long term exposure to UV light and radiation, as secondary effects of such medical conditions as diabetes and hypertension, as a side effect of certain medications such as steroids, and as a result of an ocular injury. A person may also be born with congenital cataracts. But the most common cause of cataracts is advanced age. As we age, the proteins that make up our lenses break down and bind together in clusters that obscure the lens. This process progressively impairs vision as the affected area becomes larger and larger.

Types of Cataracts

In general, there are three types of cataracts: A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high hyperopia (farsightedness), or those taking steroids may develop a subcapsular cataract. A nuclear cataract is the most common type and forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, due to advanced aging. A cortical cataract forms in the lens cortex, and gradually extends its spokes from the outside to the center. People with diabetes may develop cortical cataracts.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

As cataracts develop, vision becomes cloudy and there is a gradual loss of visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity and color vision are also affected, and glare can be problematic as light is scattered by the cataract into the eye. In the early stages of cataract formation, you may require more frequent changes in your glasses prescription as cataracts alter your vision. If you suspect that you may be developing cataracts, consult a cataract surgeon for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Groundbreaking advances in laser vision correction offer individuals a highly effective and successful way to treat their nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Over the last decade, laser vision correction with LASIK and ASA has helped more than 16 million people worldwide achieve visual independence from glasses and contact lenses. Thanks to new advances in laser technology, LASIK and ASA offer a solution for people with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism with unprecedented safety and unsurpassed clarity and visual results. LASIK corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism by permanently reshaping the tissue of the cornea. LASIK surgery involves two steps: the creation of a corneal flap using a femtosecond laser called the Intralase and the reshaping of the cornea using a "cool" light from an excimer laser. This procedure is also commonly refered to as "all-laser" LASIK. Studies have shown that this advanced form of LASIK provides a degree of accuracy that is unparalleled and visual results that exceed that of older technologies. Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) is a technologically enhanced version of traditional PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). It refers to the treatment of the surface of the eye using modernized eye tracking Wavefront™ guided excimer lasers. Similar to LASIK, ASA treats myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The defining difference between LASIK and ASA is the flap. With ASA, the superficial layer of cells on the cornea are gently removed before the laser is applied; no flap is created. Certain patients are better candidates for this procedure due to the shape of their eyes, making ASA a safe and equally effective alternative to LASIK. A major advance in laser vision correction in recent years has been the use of Wavefront™-guided "Custom" treatments. The principle behind Custom LASIK and Custom ASA is that, like fingerprints, no two eyes are alike. Therefore, a personalized treatment plan is formulated for each patient based on the unique Wavefront™ aberrations found in their eyes. The result? Highly detailed information that translates to groundbreaking precision and improved night vision. Before the advent of Custom LASIK and Custom ASA, traditional forms of LASIK and PRK were unable to correct these minute aberrations which sometimes led to visual imperfections. Now, each individual's unique set aberrations are precisely treated. Consequently, the majority of patients who undergo Custom LASIK and Custom ASA achieve 20/20 vision or better, and further report a significant improvement in day and night time vision. Coupled with Intralase®, Custom Wavefront™ LASIK and Custom Wavefront™ ASA have produced unrivaled visual sharpness and clarity. To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK or ASA, contact Texan Eye today for a Refractive Surgery Consultation.