A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area on the lens of the eye. As it grows it
will cause changes in the light entering the lens to be focused on the
retina. Symptoms that patients mention that are characteristic of cataracts
areblurred vision, increased nearsightedness, glare or a sensitivity to light
or a distortion of images. Most people as they age will have some form of
cataract. Some factors to consider over the years are exposure to UV light
and management of other conditions such a diabetes. Wearing UV protection
over your eyes and limiting the use of steriods, diuretics, and tranquilizers
are thought to be proventative measures.
A cataract can be delt with by bifocal glasses, magnification and proper
lighting but often surgery is considered when vision deteriorates to a point
that your quality of life is diminished. Cataract at this time cannot be
removed by laser and a surgical incision must be made to remove
the cloudy lens. An examination is done before the surgery to address
questions and medical risks. At this time measurements are made to assess
the need for an intraocular lens implant. Surgery is done at our outpatient
surgical facility in DeLand, the Central Florida Cataract and Laser Surgery
Center (the first licensed and Medicare approved facility in the State of Florida).
Anesthetic drops keep the procedure painless. The eye is cleaned and you may see
some light and movement for a few moments while the lens is removed and
implant place. There is usually no stitch and no patch. You will be given a
follow up appointment and eye drops will be prescribed. After a little time
in recovery you are released to a driver and return home. In most cases you
see better the same day.
YAG LASER CAPSULOTOMIES
Many different types of lasers are used to treat various ocular
conditions. The YAG laser is used after cataract surgery to open the
posterior capsule (posterior capsulotomy). This capsule is the thin
protective membrane left in the eye following surgery. If it becomes
cloudy (posterior capsular haze), as it does in approximately 20%-25%
of the patients, this membrane can be opened safely by the YAG laser.
Usually, an increased glare with bright lights or a gradual decrease in
vision are the first signs of posterior capsular haze. Further testing will
easily confirm the diagnosis.
The posterior capsulotomy is a simple, quick procedure. A laser beam is
used to create an opening in the center of the cloudy capsule. There is
no pain or chance of infection since no incision is required. The risk and
complication is minimal: a one in 500 chance of retinal detachment, a
one in 100 chance of retina swelling (cystoid macular edema), and other
rare conditions. Overall, there is a greater than 99% chance of improved
vision.
There are no restrictions on activities, after the laser treatment. The
majority of patients enjoy improved vision almost immediately. The rest
experience a gradual improvement over the next few days.
LASIK LASER VISION CORRECTION
A life free from glasses can be yours again if you are nearsighted or have
astigmatism. You can wake up and read your alarm clock, drive a car, or
take a swim without glasses or contacts and see where you are.
The treatment can be accomplished in a minute and is computer controlled
so that you have accurate results. The doctor controls the calibration and
can stop the procedure at any time. The outpatient treatment uses a cool
beam of light to reshape the surface of the cornea. Slight pulses remove a
microscopic amount of tissue, flattening the curvature of the cornea,
allowing images to be more sharply focused on the retina.
You may have heard the terms PRK, LASIK, and RK in connection with
vision surgery. There are some differences. In PRK the laser works on the
surface of the cornea. With LASIK, the surgeon creates a flap on the
cornea and then uses the laser for treatment below the corneal surface. RK
is a non-laser procedure where the surgeon uses a diamond blade to
make a series of radial cuts into the cornea. These cuts are intended to
produce a bulging effect in order to flatten the corneal surface.
The timeline of procedure runs like this. Your eye doctors conduct a
thorough examination to determine whether your eyes are healthy and
suitable for the laser procedure. You must be at least 18 years old and have
stable vision for a year. Your eye will be photographed and a computerized
map made, called corneal topography.
This will assess the shape of your cornea to ensure precise results. The
day of treatment you go to an outpatient facility for your surgery the whole
visit can take less than an hour. You relax in a reclining chair. Anesthetic
drops are placed in your eye. The doctor positions your head under the laser and a
retainer will gently hold your eyelids open during treatment. The treatment
begins with a removal of the outermost layer of the cornea. then, pulses of
light remove microscopic amounts of tissue from your cornea. Some drops
or ointment are placed in your eye for protection and comfort and you go
home with improved vision. You can go back to work the next day.
Please call 1-800-33LASIK / 800-335-2745 and ask any member of our staff to schedule a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure.
The procedure is performed at LASERSIGHT LASIK INSTITUTE in Deland, by Dr. Gene Bird. Cost is $995 per eye for all operable prescriptions.
