In Office Eye Procedures
See Clearly & Comfortably with Our Eye Procedures
Our skilled optometrists can correct vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. We also treat dry eyes with punctal plugs that keep eyes hydrated.
Our procedures are done right in our office using advanced technology and techniques. We make the process easy and painless for you. Most procedures take less than an hour and have minimal recovery time.
If you’re tired of vision issues interfering with your life, it’s time to take action. Call or email us today to learn more about our eye procedures and improve your eyesight. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to answer your questions and schedule a consultation.
Don’t wait to get the clear, comfortable vision you deserve. Contact us now to explore your options for better sight.
Procedures
Yag Laser Procedure
Sometimes the tissue that encloses the artificial intraocular lens becomes cloudy and blurs the vision. This is called a secondary cataract. This can develop months or even years after cataract surgery. The procedure to treat this is called YAG laser capsulotomy. The doctor will first use drops to dilate the pupil and then use a laser to make a small hole in the eye tissue behind the lens to let light clearly pass through it. This outpatient procedure is painless and takes just minutes to perform. Most patients will have instant improvement in their vision while others will notice a gradual improvement over several days.
Procedures
Excisions
Eyelid lesions appear as bumps along the eyelid skin that can vary in size and appearance. While most eyelid lesions are benign, some can be cancerous. Eyelid lesions can be surgically removed for cosmetic reasons or if they interfere with vision.
There are many different types of eyelid lesions including:
- Skin tags (papillomas)
- Seborrheic Keratosis (greasy, stuck-on lesions)
- Cysts
- Xanthelasma (yellow plaque-like lesions)
- Actinic Keratosis
- Chalazion or stye
Surgical excision of an eyelid lesion is normally done in the office and takes about 20-30 minutes to perform. You will be given a local anesthetic around the eye to prevent any discomfort. An incision will then be made in the eyelid to remove the lesion. Depending on the type of incision and location, the wound may be left alone to heal or closed with small sutures.
Immediately after the surgery, you may be given an antibiotic ointment. Your eyelid may appear slightly bruised and swollen following the procedure. However, you should not have any significant discomfort. It is important to keep all follow up appointments to monitor the incision site.
Procedures
Amniotic Membrane Graft
Amniotic Membrane (AM) has been proven to be an effective way of promoting corneal healing.
AM is harvested from placenta tissue obtained during elective cesarean section births. The tissue may be preserved through dehydration or cryogenics (freezing).
AM acts as a physical barrier to protect the cornea as it heals. Amniotic membrane is known to contain many growth factors and proteins that provide an enriched environment which aids the cornea in healing. It also reduces friction and pain from the eyelid during blinking, promotes the growth of cells, and reduces inflammation.
The procedure is effective for treating a number of conditions, including:
- Pterygium
- Dry Eye
- Corneal Trauma
- Corneal Infections
- Neurotrophic Keratitis
- Recurrent Corneal Erosion
- Non-healing corneal epithelial defects
- Filamentary keratitis
The Procedure
In the past, the amniotic membrane graft had to be surgically inserted and sutured into the eye in an operating room. New developments, however, mean that in many cases AM can be placed on the eye under a contact lens in the office. The AM tissue remains in the eye for a period of time to promote healing, the tissue itself dissolves and the contact lens is removed. For more severe cases, multiple layers of amniotic membrane tissue can be glued or sutured to the surface of the eye in the operating room.
Components of the amniotic membrane graft are similar in composition to the conjunctiva, the clear, thin membrane that covers part of the front surface of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Researchers believe that this similarity helps promote growth of similar cells in the cornea and reduces inflammation, allowing the cornea to heal.
Because it is harvested living tissue, the AM graft is carefully screened before use. It is tested for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis. It is then treated and cleaned with balanced saline solution and a cocktail of antibiotics to remove impurities and any potential pathogens.
Healing time varies depending upon the patient and the complexity of the procedure, but the AM graft typically promotes healing within two to 15 days. It may take some time after that, however, for vision to improve and multiple amniotic membrane grafts may be required to complete the healing process.
Procedures
Punctal Plugs
Punctal plugs are tiny plugs inserted into the puncta, which is the opening of the tear drainage duct in the corner of the eye. Blocking the puncta with a plug slows the drainage of tears, allowing moisture to remain on the eye’s surface for a longer period of time.
Procedures
Irrigation & Probing
Your provider may dilate the puncta with a small probe then flush a saline solution through your tear drainage system to check how well it’s draining. This is called irrigation. Irrigation is a simple outpatient procedure that often provides at least temporary relief. Or a slender instrument may be inserted through the tiny drainage holes at the corner of your lid, called puncta, to check for blockages. In some cases, this probing may even fix the problem.