Our Services
CATARACT SURGERY
What is a Cataract?
When your eye has a clear, normal lens, images are focused on the retina; vision is clear. If cataracts occur, the lens is cloudy causing images to appear to be blurred and yellowed. The cataract will also cause the images to be faded, and cause constant problems with everyday vision.
The Procedure…
A tiny (no stitch) incision is made in the side of the cornea. This incision promotes faster healing and increased comfort during recovery.
The back of the lens is opened, and a special ultrasonic probe (phacoemulsifier) removes the blurred lens.
A small foldable artificial lens is inserted through the incision replacing the cloudy lens. The final replacement lens is now in place. No stitches are required to close the (no stitch) incision.
Results
The blurred vision that was a problem before the surgery is now a thing of the past. Vision is clear, and the patient can resume normal activities that may have been a challenge before the procedure.
CRYSTALENS
Crystalens is a revolutionary new procedure for vision enhancement. This IOL (intraocular lens) replacement focuses like the eye’s natural lens. This new technology allows the eye to focus up close, far away, and all distances in between, utilizing the eye’s muscle to focus naturally. Crystalens, manufactured by Eyeonics, enables the eye to focus continuously through a range of distances.
Patients experience the vision they had when they were younger, for most without the need for corrective glasses (although individual results may vary).
It is important to note, however, that low light vision may not receive the same benefits. Age will play an important in this, as we naturally have less low light vision as we get older. Not everyone will gain 20/20 vision at all distances with this procedure. The overall health of each patient will also be a deciding factor in the success of IOL replacement.
The Procedure…
The Crystalens implant is a proven refractive procedure that can be safely performed in an outpatient facility. Recovery time is quick and comfortable for this pain free, no stitch procedure.
The procedure is normally performed during two separate appointments, with the dominant eye being enhanced first. The surgeon inserts the second implant about two weeks later to assure proper balance for reading and distance vision for both eyes.
Are YOU a Candidate?
For patients who want to increase both vision clarity near, intermediate and distance vision, Crystalens is the ideal choice. Healthy patients with cataracts and no serious eye diseases are usually good candidates. Even those who have had previous refractive surgery may be a candidate.
Glaucoma…The Silent Threat
Glaucoma is called the silent thief due to its lack of symptoms; when it strikes, the resulting loss of vision is irreversible. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States today and is a threat for approximately 2% of the population aged 35 and over.
Early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma may prevent loss of vision or blindness. For this reason, a glaucoma screening is recommended every 2 years for people over the age of 35 and persons with a family history of the disease are encouraged to get exams even more often.
About Glaucoma
In everyday terms, glaucoma is an elevated pressure within the eye. The buildup
of pressure inside the eye subsequently damages the optic nerve, causing vision loss. As the millions of nerve bundles within the optic nerve are damaged, loss of vision will occur, usually in the peripheral areas of vision first. This loss of vision often goes unnoticed.
Since glaucoma is typically a painless disease, early diagnosis through routine exams is critical to prevent permanent vision loss.
Treatment
Glaucoma can often be treated through the use of special prescription eye drops, or oral medication. These medications relieve fluid pressure within the eye.
These treatments have possible side effects.
Laser treatment may be indicated to decrease pressures and preserve vision if medications prove to be ineffective.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration is the leading cause of impaired reading or detailed vision. The center portion of the retina, (the macula) breaks down, and loss of vision occurs. This condition causes distortion in the central field of vision; peripheral (side) vision is not damaged.
Who gets macular degeneration
|Most common in people over 60 years old, macular degeneration can occur as young as 40. This condition is the most common cause of vision loss in seniors, and as life expectancy increases, so does the occurrence of this condition.
Causes
|Macular degeneration is most often a result of the normal aging process. As we age, retinal tissue breaks down, and gradual deterioration causes loss of function of the macula.
In a small percentage of cases, macular degeneration is compounded by the leakage of blood vessels that nourish the retina. Scar tissue and new abnormal vessels grow. Leakage from these new vessels is common, causing blurred and distorted vision. This dense scar tissue formation can have severe effects on the central vision.
Injury or some types of infection may also cause macular degeneration. In addition, genetics may play a role, as the condition may also be hereditary
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of macular degeneration is distorted central vision.
Trouble with ordinary activities such as reading, driving, etc. may also be noticed.
Blurry words on a written page, distortion of lines, or dark areas in the center of vision are all symptoms to be aware of.
Macular degeneration may also cause a fading of color vision. Side vision is not affected, so there is never a total loss of sight. This condition often causes the good eye to compensate for the bad eye, if only one eye is involved. In turn, this compensation often disguises the symptoms of the disease.
Treatment
There is no cure for this condition. Laser treatment may act to slow the progression of the disease and may be used to seal leaky blood vessels, and destroy abnormal vessels, lessening the scarring that will damage central vision.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) lowers intraocular pressure by using short pulses of low energy laser light to target specific melanin containing cells in the trabecular meshwork, which stimulates an increase in fluid outflow. SLT retains the therapeutic benefit of a standard laser treatment in reducing intraocular pressure, without the thermal damage to the delicate trabecular meshwork structure.
Dr. Joseph Gira is the first in our area (and second in the state of Missouri) to offer this new laser to patients with glaucoma. Treatment with the Lumenis Selecta II is a short, outpatient procedure performed in the physician's office. Selecta laser can benefit patients who do not desire or are unable to take eye drop medications. SLT may also be used in patients as additive therapy when drops are inadequate and can be performed in patients who have had previous laser or regular eye surgery for glaucoma.
Low Vision Aids
Low vision aids can help people who have macular degeneration.
Magnifiers or specialized eyeglasses, large print reading materials and special, bright illumination devices can be helpful. See more about Low Vision.
Dry Eye
If you experience excessive watering of the eyes, it may be confusing for your doctor to tell you that it may be dry eye syndrome. To clarify, the eye makes two kinds of tears: lubricating and reflex tears.
Lubricating tears are manufactured slowly and constantly throughout the day and contain a balanced mixture of oil, water, nutrients and antibodies that act to nourish and protect the surface of the eye.
Reflex tears are quite different. These tears help the eye wash itself of irritations such as smoke, foreign bodies, or as a reflex to injury. If you are not producing enough lubricating tears, the irritation that will occur will also cause reflex tears to flow.
If you do not produce enough lubricating tears…you have “dry eye.”
Symptoms
-
Red and / or irritated eyes with a mucus discharge
-
Itching and burning eyes
-
Feeling as if there is a foreign body in your eye
-
Watering
-
Blurred vision after computer use, reading, etc.
Causes
-
Decreased lubricating tear production as we age
-
Diseases such as Parkinson’s, or diabetes
-
Hormonal changes
-
Certain prescription or over the counter medications
-
Hot, windy weather…high altitude, air conditioning, or smoky rooms
-
Reading, watching TV
-
Contacts
-
Certain eye surgeries, including Lasik
-
Inflammation due to imbalances in “good” and “bad” fats
Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose dry eye by using a variety of simple tests, such as measuring tear production. He or she may also check for scratches on the surface of the eye caused by dryness using special colored eye drops.
Treatment
Artificial lubricating eye drops are commonly used for the treatment of dry eye, and are available in liquid, gel and ointment forms. Your doctor will determine the type that is best for you, based on your individual needs and severity of the condition.
In special cases involving infection, inflammation of the eyelids, or clogged oil glands, special lid cleansing procedures or antibiotics may be used. Avoiding environments with smoky or hot, dry conditions may also be warranted, and a humidifier may be used to help in indoor environments. |
