LASIK and Cataract Surgery Co-Management

Dr. Bang values his patients, and wants them to have the best vision possible in a manner that fits their lifestyle.

He wants his patients who choose LASIK to have the best ophthalmic surgeon available. On the basis of his research of LASIK surgeons in South Carolina, Dr. Bang has chosen to partner with Clemson Eye. They utilize only the latest technology, Customized LASIK with Intralase (Bladeless LASIK), and techniques to ensure the safest and most precise procedure available.

What is LASIK?

LASIK – Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis -is the most common refractive eye surgery today. As of 2011, over 11 million LASIK procedures have been performed in the United States and as of 2009 over 28 million have been performed worldwide.

LASIK, often referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a type of refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. LASIK surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser or microkeratome to reshape the eye’s cornea in order to improve visual acuity. For most patients, LASIK provides a permanent alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses.

LASIK is most similar to another surgical corrective procedure, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and both represent advances over radial keratotomy in the surgical treatment of refractive errors of vision. For patients with moderate to high myopia or thin corneas which cannot be treated with LASIK and PRK, the phakic intraocular lens is an alternative.

LASIK is the premier surgery for vision correction. It is quick, almost painless and there is little or no discomfort after the procedure. Vision recovery is rapid – patients report seeing 20/20 within 24 hours.

LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and even astigmatism. With a technique called mono-vision, it can reduce the need for reading glasses among patients over age 40 who wear bifocals.

Who Are The Optimal LASIK Candidates?

The best candidate for LASIK is age 18+, has healthy eyes with adequate corneal thickness. This is necessary because LASIK procedure removes tissue from the cornea to reshape the eye.

Chronic dry eye, corneal disease or other abnormalities may disqualify a candidate from LASIK surgery. A comprehensive eye exam is required to be sure. For your convenience, we are happy to provide LASIK pre-operative exams and consultations at our office.

Note that LASIK is an elective procedure and proper consideration must include the weight of personal needs, potential gain and willingness to accept the risks involved. There are no guarantees that LASIK will absolutely succeed to your expectations. The results are not always perfect vision. In some cases, your vision after LASIK may be permanently less clear than it was with glasses before LASIK. This outcome must be factored before deciding on LASIK surgery.

Certainly there is upside. In normal circumstances and conditions LASIK can reduce your dependence on glasses and almost always gives you the ability to function well without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

What needs to be done before receiving a referral for LASIK surgery?

You must have FREE LASIK CONSULTATION.

How do I know if LASIK is right for me?

If you are considering this exciting alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses, wouldn’t it be helpful to have a much clearer view of how to proceed to the next step?

Amidst all the noise and confusion of competing radio, TV, and newspaper advertisements there are three basic questions to consider:

Am I a suitable candidate for the LASIK procedure?
How do I choose the finest doctors and appropriate technology to achieve the safest and most satisfying visual results?
How do I get the highest standard of quality professional care at an affordable fee?

Fortunately, our doctor, Dr. David Antonyan, in partnership with Dr. Alan M Berg of Berg-Feinfield Vision Correction, has been trained and specializes in the management of refractive surgery. He can confidently answer all three important questions in an accurate and honest manner to assist you in making a well informed decision.

Pre-Operative Procedure

With recent technology advances in the development of lasers for vision correction, millions of people who are nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic can now see without depending on glasses or contact lenses for most or all activities. Dr. Antonyan will provide an independent, objective opinion on how to best achieve vision correction to fit your lifestyle. He has chosen to partner with Berg-Feinfield Vision Correction and Dr. Alan M. Berg, a top-rated ophthalmic surgeon with vast experience in laser vision correction to provide the best technology and care for his patients.

Once it is determined that you are a candidate, Dr. Antonyan will perform a comprehensive pre-operative examination in the comfort and convenience of our office. This will help determine the precise details needed for your customized surgical procedure. He believes in working closely with Dr. Berg to give you quality patient care and assure you of successful outcomes.

The Surgical Procedure

Your Customized LASIK procedure will be performed at the state-of-the-art Berg-Feinfield Laser Center.

On the day of surgery you will arrive ahead of your scheduled surgery time. All measurements will be re-checked and additional information will be captured to ensure that your procedure is truly personalized for your visual needs. The procedure is painless and only takes a few short minutes. Afterward, you will be given all necessary medications and sent home to rest.

Post-Operative Care

You will be seen for post-operative by Dr. Antonyan.

At these visits your vision will be monitored as will the general health of your eyes. Through the entire process of post-operative care there will be constant communication with Berg-Feinfield Vision Center. You will be seen the day after your procedure and typical follow-up is one week after, one month following surgery and three months later. There may be some variation to your post-operative care if indicated by your doctor.

Annual exams should be scheduled regularly. These exams are designed to monitor and detect early signs of eye disease and other health problems. As your eye care professional, Dr. Antonyan’s primary concern is ensuring the health of your eyes throughout your lifetime.

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Cataract Surgery Co-Management

Cataracts is a disease of the eye that results in the clouding of the lens of the eyeball. Cataracts prevent clear images from appearing on the eye’s retina; causing mild, moderate, even severe blurred vision.

Typically an eye disorder associated with aging (over half of the people in America over age 80 have either had a cataract or cataract surgery), cataracts generally occur later in life as the lens structure within the human eye changes and gets older.

During the evaluation of your eye health we will carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is noticed and the clouding is causing visual disruption, the optometrist will refer you to a trusted and respected surgeon for surgery, which is the only known cure for cataracts. Our Eye Care Practice will be there for you providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of the eye (also called “crystalline lens”) that has developed an opacification, which is referred to as a cataract. Metabolic changes of the crystalline lens fibers over the time lead to the development of the cataract and loss of transparency, causing impairment or loss of vision. During cataract surgery, a patient’s cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a synthetic lens to restore the lens’s transparency.

Following surgical removal of the natural lens, an artificial intraocular lens implant is inserted (eye surgeons say that the lens is “implanted”). Cataract surgery is generally performed by an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) in an ambulatory (rather than inpatient) setting, in a surgical center or hospital, using local anesthesia (either topical, peribulbar, or retrobulbar), usually causing little or no discomfort to the patient. Well over 90% of operations are successful in restoring useful vision, with a low complication rate. Day care, high volume, minimally invasive, small incision phacoemulsification with quick post-op recovery has become the standard of care in cataract surgery all over the world.

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lasik

Cataract

Cataract Surgery & Treatment

Treatment for cataracts involves surgery, but being diagnosed with a cataract does not mean that you need to have surgery immediately, or maybe ever. You may be able to live with symptoms of early cataracts for a while by using vision aids such as glasses, anti-glare sunglasses, magnification lenses, strong bifocals or brighter lighting to suit your needs.

Surgery should be considered when the condition begins to seriously impair your vision to the extent that it affects your daily life such as reading or driving, playing golf, playing cards, watching TV, etc. Sometimes surgery is also necessary if the cataracts are preventing treatment of another eye problem. The good news is that cataract surgery is typically very successful in restoring your vision. Together with your eye doctor, you will decide if and when the time for surgery has arrived.

Preventing Cataracts

While development of cataracts is largely associated with age, there are other factors that can increase the risk of developing the condition. By knowing these risk factors, there are steps you can take to delay or prevent the development of cataracts:

Sun Protection: Ultraviolet radiation can be a factor in the development of cataracts. It is recommended to protect your eyes from ultraviolet sunlight by wearing 100% UV protective sunglasses and a hat with a brim when you are exposed to the sun.

Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol Intake: These habits have been shown to increase the chances of developing cataracts, so if you smoke or regularly consume large amounts of alcohol – stop these habits.

Proper Nutrition: Research shows that maintaining good health and nutrition can also reduce the risk of age-related cataracts, particularly by eating foods rich with vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E and other antioxidants found in green leafy vegetables, fruit and a diet rich in Omega-3s.

Regular Eye Exams: Once you reach the age of 50, or if you have diabetes or other eye conditions, it is important to have a comprehensive eye exam every year to check for signs of cataracts and other age-related eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or glaucoma. Early detection and treatment for many of these eye and vision disorders is often essential to save your vision.