Below are brief descriptions of procedures we conduct at Eye Surgical-Medical Associates. For more detailed information, please click on the name of each condition to download a printable document. You will need Adobe Reader to view these documents. Click here to download your free copy of Adobe Reader.
To read more about these topics, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology website at www.aao.org.
Eye Surgical-Medical Associates offers comprehensive eye health examinations and full scope medical eye care at our state-of-the-art facility. We also have a full-scale optical shop with highly qualified opticians on staff to help with your every eye care need. We recommend visiting us every one or two years for a full eye exam to maintain optimal eyesight. By visiting us regularly, we can also detect any irregular findings and start the best treatment at an early stage.
Botox has been proven effective for temporarily treating blepharospasm. Botox injections help relax the muscles in the eyelids where they will not contract, or twitch. After the injection, the results may last up to six months. Temporary side effects may include slight bruising and redness around the injection area. Safely used for over 30 years, Botox is a popular treatment for many ophthalmologic disorders.
https://www.botox.com/
While there are no procedures to completely prevent or reverse cataracts, we can successfully remove cataracts surgically at Eye Surgical-Medical Associates. Cataract surgery has become so advanced over the years that over one million procedures are performed each year. Patients go home the day of surgery, and we recommend taking it easy the rest of the day. Many refractive options are currently available to perfect vision during cataract surgery, including special intraocular lenses and corneal procedures to correct astigmatism and presbyopia.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery
A chalazion refers to a swelling in the eyelid caused by inflammation of one of the small oil-producing glands located in the upper and lower eyelids. A chalazion is an inflammatory reaction to trapped oil secretions. It is not caused by bacteria, although the site can become infected by bacteria. Large chalazion that do not respond to other treatments can be surgically opened after the early inflammation is reduced. Alternate treatment includes a small injection of steroid to reduce the inflammation and expedite resolution of the lesion.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/chalazion-stye-treatment
Ectropion is a defect in which the area where the lashes are located (the eyelid margin) turns out. Entropion, on the other hand, is when the eyelid margin turns in with lashes rubbing on the eye. Both defects can cause irritation, red eye and infection, although the symptoms are more severe with entropion since the eyelashes are touching the eye surface. Surgery can effectively correct this problem, with minimal scarring improving both appearance and symptoms caused by these conditions.
https://www.asoprs.org/entropion
https://www.asoprs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93:ectropion&catid=20:site-content
Blepharoplasty can correct drooping eyelids and puffiness around the eyes. For those from Asian descent, this procedure can also add an upper eyelid crease. Patients with realistic expectations for results and people who are physically and emotionally healthy are the best candidates. Local anesthesia is used for the procedure and can take from one to three hours to complete. Swelling, bruising and discomfort are common post-surgery, but these will subside as you begin to heal.
Those with diabetes are at risk of developing a disease known as diabetic retinopathy. There are two different types of laser treatments that can be performed, depending on how advanced the disease is. Focal laser treatment is recommended for those whose diabetes affects the macula portion of the eye. Your eye is anesthetized and the laser is applied in a procedure lasting around 15 minutes. When the disease is more advanced, panretinal laser treatment may be used. In this procedure, the laser concentrates on the outer retinal area. Multiple treatments may be necessary in either case.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/diabetic-retinopathy-treatment
Laser iridotomy is a laser procedure that makes a small opening in the iris (the colored part of the eye) to relieve increased eye pressure due to a type of glaucoma called angle-closure glaucoma. Laser iridotomy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and is a safe and effective procedure with few risks. In general, there are no activity restrictions following the laser treatment, although you may want to have someone drive you home after the procedure.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a procedure used to lower intraocular pressure in the eye for people with glaucoma. Approved by the FDA in 2001, SLT can lower pressure by up to 30% and has nearly an 80% success rate. SLT takes about two minutes and only targets the pigmented cells that clog the drain. Safe and effective in glaucoma patients, the procedure is completely painless.
https://www.glaucoma.org/treatment/laser-iridotomy-and-narrow-angles.php
https://www.glaucoma.org/treatment/selective-laser-trabeculoplasty-10-commonly-asked-questions.php
Ptosis surgery is also referred to as an “eyelid lift.” Ptosis is when the eyelid margin on the upper eyelid sags to the point where vision may be blocked. The muscle is stretched and many may complain of fatigue and headaches due to the excess stress of trying to keep their eyelids raised. Ptosis can be hereditary or can simply occur due to age. Surgery can reattach the muscle in its original location to raise the eyelid again.
https://www.asoprs.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=109:droopy-eyelids--ptosis-&catid=20:site-content
Punctal occlusion can effectively manage and treat dry eye. The puncta are the tiny openings in the corner of each eyelid that allow tears to drain into the nose. Our doctors utilize small temporary collagen plugs and permanent silicone plugs to occlude these openings. This helps to lessen drainage and increase the tear volume. With less drainage of tears into the nose, the eyes are able to stay better lubricated. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and the permanent plugs can easily be removed if the patient cannot tolerate them in the future or has excess tearing.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/punctal-plugs
Laser surgery can now correct a variety of retinal diseases. The laser can focus solely on the retina to allow for treatment on the affected area and not damaging the surrounding tissue. The laser energy can repair damaged tissue and destroy lesions. Retinal laser surgery can treat conditions and diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion, wet macular degeneration and retinal tears/detachment.
https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/26/retinal-tears
Glaucoma Surgery
When drops and lasers cannot adequately control intraocular pressure, patients may need glaucoma surgery to prevent further vision loss. We offer multiple varieties of such procedures, including the new Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries (MIGS), traditional trabeculectomies and tube shunt procedures (Ahmed, Baerveldt, Malteno). These procedures maybe done as stand-alone surgeries, or in combination with cataract extraction. Our doctors will discuss the options best suited for you.
https://www.glaucoma-association.com/about-glaucoma/treatments/surgery/trabeculectomy/
https://www.glaucoma.org/treatment/glaucoma-implants.php
https://www.xengelstent.com/XENGelStent
https://www.newworldmedical.com/patients/
Pterygium Excision
Pterygium is an overgrowth of conjunctiva that occurs due to excessive sun exposure. The symptoms typically include dryness, irritation and foreign body sensation. Conservative treatment begins with lubrication of the affected eye using artificial tears and ointments. When these measures are not effective, surgical excision can be undertaken with conjunctival autograft or amniotic membrane graft.
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pinguecula-pterygium-diagnosis-treatment
Dry Eye Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
Dry Eye Disease is a complex multifactorial condition requiring correct diagnosis of the underlying pathology and targeted treatment. Some patients may not be producing enough tears, producing excessive tears of poor consistency, have allergies, poor eyelid closure or other causes of ocular irritation. We aim to diagnose the underlying cause of dry eye and treat it in the most effective manner possible.Treatments may include lubrication, using Restasis and Xiidra to improve tear quality, lid hygiene, punctal occlusion or surgical intervention.