Our Services

During traditional cataract surgery, numbing drops are used to anesthetize the eye, and a light IV sedation is used to make the patient calm and comfortable. A small incision is made into which an ultrasound probe is inserted to break up or emulsify the cataract into tiny pieces. These tiny pieces are then suctioned from the eye. Once the cataract has been removed, a new artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to help improve the vision. All of this is usually done in about 15 minutes!

Establishing an accurate corneal power is the most important task in arriving at a good refractive outcome following cataract surgery.

ORA is a state-of-the-art inoperative aberrometer affixed to the microscope that is used during the cataract surgery. An ORA reading at the time of surgery allows the surgeon to obtain the most accurate measurements possible. The cataract, being opaque, acts as an obstruction. Once it is removed, a clear path is opened to the back of the eye allowing for increased accuracy in determining the best intraocular lens implant.  This technology is not covered by most medical insurance. Please discuss how you can customize your vision with your surgeon PRIOR to the date of your cataract procedure.

Prior to surgery, measurements are taken to enable cataract surgeons to choose the most beneficial toric IOL power and the required orientation of the implant in the eye to correct the astigmatism successfully.

Toric IOLs have special markers on the peripheral parts of the lens that enable the surgeon to see the orientation of the astigmatism correction in the lens. Once the toric IOL is implanted in the eye, the surgeon then rotates the lens so the astigmatism correction is properly aligned for best results.  This specialty lens is available to all patients with astigmatism but requires an additional patient expense as the “upgraded” lens is not considered medically necessary and is not covered by most health insurance.  Please discuss this option with your SURGEON prior to your surgery date.

In the past, intraocular lenses were monofocal, meaning they were only able to correct for one focal point often set for distance, leaving patients with the need for reading glasses. Multifocal intraocular lenses offer patients more freedom from glasses after cataract surgery by improving vision at all distances, from near to far. Most patients do not need glasses after using this type of implant, but a small amount may need glasses for specific tasks. This implant also works better when placed in both eyes, and it does not correct for astigmatism. This specialty lens is available to all patients at the time of cataract surgery but requires an additional patient expense as the “upgraded” lens is not considered medically necessary and is not covered by Medicare or most health plans.  Please discuss this option with your SURGEON prior to your surgery date.

Pterygium surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed to remove noncancerous conjunctiva growths (pterygia) from the eye.  The conjunctiva is the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye. If the growth of the pterygia is bothersome and encroaching into your vision, causing blurry vision, dryness and/ or irritation your surgeon may recommend removal . During pterygium excision you will be given numbing drops to anesthetize the eye, light IV sedation and block to assist in making the patient calm and comfortable.  Your surgeon will often remove the growth by slowly excising below the surface of the pterygium to remove it. They will then take a small graft from the eye that is covered by your eyelid and use specialty glue vs stitches to cover the area in which your pterygium was removed.  This procedure usually takes 30-45 minutes.  Your doctor will provide you with general guidelines to prepare for your pterygium surgery.

As skin around your eyes ages, it gradually loses its elasticity. A lack of elasticity plus the constant pull from gravity causes excessive skin to collect on the upper and lower eyelids. Excess skin on the upper and/or lower eyelids can result in wrinkles, bulges or can get in the way of seeing.  While this type of procedure can be for cosmetic reasons, careful documentation of specific symptoms will sometimes allow payment by insurance.  This MUST be determined prior to surgery or payment in full is expected from the patient.

A YAG capsulotomy is a special laser treatment used to improve your vision after cataract surgery. During your cataract operation, the natural lens inside your eye was removed. A new plastic lens was put inside the lens membrane (called the bag or capsule) in your eye. In some patients, the capsule thickens after the initial surgery and becomes cloudy. This interferes with the light reaching the back of the eye. When this happens, your sight becomes misty, and you may get glare in bright light or from lights at night-time. It frequently is referred to as a “secondary cataract” but the procedure is much different. A YAG procedure is a simple, commonly performed laser procedure.  Numbing drops are used. Anesthesia is not required! 

Your doctor may determine that laser treatment is recommended to control the pressure inside of your eye. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) works in a similar way to medications to increase the outflow of fluid from the diseased drainage system. The laser does not make holes in the eye, but rather uses low-energy to stimulate the cells to improve cleanup of the drainage system.