Eye Michigan wishes everyone a magnificent 2017.
Warmest Wishes!
We are extremely grateful to have wonderful patients like you in our lives. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season from everyone at Eye Michigan!
Dry Eye Treatments
Many suffer from the occasional bout of eye dryness when the humidity drops, but for some individuals, chronic dryness may be a sign of dry eye syndrome (or dry eye disease). Nearly half of all American adults (aged 18 or older) have reported regular symptoms of dry eye.
At an anatomical level, dry eye syndrome occurs when there is a chronic lack of moisture on the eye’s surface. Because the eye is not properly lubricated, the eyes may be constantly irritated and can even eventually suffer surface scarring. Common symptoms of dry eye disease can include subtle issues like redness, soreness or a feeling of having “tired eyes,” as well as more severe and nagging issues like burning, itching, pain or blurred vision.
Fortunately for dry eye sufferers, there are many solutions available. One of the simplest solutions is to use one of several kinds of eye drops on a regular basis. Artificial tears (either over-the-counter or prescription) can provide necessary lubrication, prescription eye drops like Restasis and Xiidra can help to reduce inflammation in addition to providing lubrication, and steroid eye drops can help to quickly reduce inflammation and serious issues (though this is a short-term solution that is usually combined with a more long-term plan from your ophthalmologist). Other possible treatments include warm compresses, intense pulsed light (or IPL) treatment, and more.
If you suffer from chronic dry eyes, contact Eye Michigan to make an appointment to find out if you have dry eye syndrome and the best plan for your condition. Whether your issues are chronic or acute, your doctor will help you find an appropriate solution and develop a long-term treatment plan.
LASIK Vision Correction
In the past, unhappy glasses-wearers often made the switch to contact lenses to free themselves from the frames. In today’s modern age, however, many are taking it a step further, undergoing laser eye surgery in an effort to ditch corrective lenses. LASIK (an acronym for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis”) is a refractive eye surgery procedure that corrects various common sight issues. With a high rate of patient satisfaction, LASIK is one of the most popular options for those hoping to lose their reliance on lenses.
LASIK works to physically reshape the eye tissue in a way that directly corrects vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia and astigmatism. The surgeon first creates a thin flap on the front of the cornea with a specialized surgical laser. Then, he opens the flap and uses another laser to ablate (or remove) tissue away from the cornea. The degree and type of removal of this corneal tissue is dependent upon each individual’s eye shape and vision concerns.
One of the other major benefits of undergoing LASIK eye surgery is the fact that it is generally a short outpatient procedure with little to no pain. Post-surgical treatment includes the application of anesthetic eye drops, and requires no down-time or bandaging.
If you have an interest in possibly undergoing corrective LASIK eye surgery, your eye doctor can help you plan and prepare. He will take note of your health history and thoroughly examine your eyes to make sure you are a candidate for the procedure, noting the moistness of your eyes, the size of your pupil, the shape of your cornea and any underlying vision concerns.
If you are ready to make an appointment and learn more, contact Eye Michigan.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of excess skin, muscle, and fat that causes droopy eyelids. As you grow older, your eyelids become extended, and the muscles holding them weaken. Consequently, excess fat may form collectively above and below your eyelids. This causes your eyebrows to sag, upper eyelids to droop, and eye bags to form under your eyes.
Aside from the fact that sagging skin makes you appear older, it can also minimize your peripheral vision. Blepharoplasty can minimize or cease these vision issues and make your eyes look youthful and vibrant. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis. Before you undergo this particular procedure, you need to inform your eye doctor about your medical history and expectations. A physical test and vision examination will then follow. Make an appointment with an Eye Michigan doctor to learn more.
Lens and Corneal Disorders
When it comes to the anatomy of the eye, the lens and cornea are are in close contact with the elements of the outside world—hence the obvious possibility of damage and disorders. The cornea is the outermost layer of tissue, while the lens is the transparent tissue behind the iris and pupil that actually works to focus images onto the retina for transmission to the brain. Disorders affecting either of these layers can cause significant visual difficulty.
There are a variety of possible corneal disorders, including refractive errors (astigmatism, nearsightedness, presbyopia, farsightedness, etc.), dystrophies (clouding of the cornea), injuries, infections and allergies. The treatment for such disorders depends on the type and severity of the issue, but may include oral medicines, topical eye drops, laser surgery and/or a complete corneal transplant.
Disorders of the lens may include cataracts (clouding of the lenses), lenticonus (the development of a cone-shaped lens), rupture, dislocation, lenticulocorneal adhesion (where the lens and cornea are joined together), and others. Cataracts are the most common lens disorder, occurring in various forms as a result of numerous causes. Cataracts generally cause a clouding of vision, creating a blurred view of the world that can, eventually, lead to partial or total blindness.
Fortunately, lens and corneal issues like cataracts and nearsightedness can often be easily taken care of with the help of outpatient laser eye surgery. Your ophthalmologist will work with you to discuss your eye health and perform a full examination to determine whether you are a good candidate for such corrective surgeries. Contact Eye Michigan to make an appointment with one of our ophthalmologists to learn about your options.
LASIK – Throw Away Your Glasses and Contacts
Despite the fact that glasses have become quite the fashion statement in the last decade or so, there are still plenty of reasons an individual might want to lose the frames. For some, contacts are a perfect solution, but for others, a more permanent method is the answer. Some simply have trouble with contacts and prefer not to wear them, while others’ vision problems are too severe for contact lenses to correct. In either case, there is one overwhelmingly popular option for perfect vision: LASIK surgery.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive laser eye surgery used to correct common vision problems like farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. Essentially, LASIK uses a refractive laser to burn away tissue and reshape the cornea to correct the patient’s vision. The patient is given strong numbing eye drops to ensure a painless procedure, and may even be given a mild sedative to help them relax.
The procedure takes place in three main phases. First, a flap is created at the front of the cornea. Then, the laser is used to reshape the inner cornea, employing eye tracking to ensure accuracy. Finally, the flap is repositioned for healing. Patients are often given antibiotics and various eye drops to aid in the healing process.
If you suffer from vision issues and would like to say goodbye to glasses and contacts forever, contact our office to set up an appointment with one of our experienced ophthalmologists. Our doctors will talk with you about your vision problems, educate you on the LASIK process, and examine your eyes to determine whether you are a candidate for the surgery.
Happy Thanksgiving from Everyone at Eye Michigan
Thanksgiving is a reminder to give thanks to our family, friends and patients. We appreciate you every day of the year and wish everyone a joyful holiday season.
Consider LASIK Surgery for Christmas
Many people living with corrective eyewear, do not consider that there is a way out that is affordable. LASIK can correct the eye’s refractive error which reduces or eliminates the need for visual aids such as eyeglasses and contact lenses. The surgery is recommended for those over 18, with the most common age range of patients being 20 to 40 years of age. For such a life changing procedure, there are few risks associated with this surgery, while the benefits on the other hand, are stunning!
It Seriously Works
Unlike other surgeries, LASIK is proven to work. After receiving surgery, a staggering 96% of patients report that they no longer need to use visual aids. In addition, enhancements are possible post-surgery. Adjustments can be made even years after one first receives LASIK surgery.
Immediate Results
For those who have worn corrective eyewear for the majority of their lives, the turnaround time to see results for LASIK can be shocking. Most patients see their desired results immediately following the surgery. For some however, the full effects may not set in until the following day.
Pain Free
A serious concern expressed among patients of all major procedures is the pain and side effects associated with the surgery. Due to the numbing solution used on the patient’s eyes during the surgery, very little if any pain is felt. For the first 24 to 48 hours following the surgery, some patients experience mild side effects such as slight discomfort, glare, and dry eyes.
LASIK Is a Viable Solution
LASIK eye surgery is a real and viable solution for those who wish to be rid of contacts or glasses. LASIK is surprisingly affordable and can easily fit into most patients budgets. Contact Eye Michigan for an appointment to see if you or your loved one are candidates and to learn more.
Honoring Our Veterans
Celebrating our brave heroes who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms. Thank you to all of our Veterans and Active Duty Military for your sacrifice and service.