texaneyecare.com

 

Cataract surgery can help you get your vision back, but it is important to take care of your eyes after the surgery to ensure they will heal well.

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.