Laser-assisted cataract surgery is a delicate procedure that should only be performed by a specially trained and highly experienced ophthalmologist using state-of-the-art equipment. Understanding the steps involved can make you more comfortable leading up to the procedure and allow you to explain the recovery process to loved ones.

Step 1: Consultation

You will have a comprehensive eye exam including specialized cataract diagnosis. Your ophthalmologist will evaluate the progression of your cataract symptoms and recommend surgery if necessary at this stage. All cataracts eventually require surgery to correct.

Step 2: Surgery Preparation

When you arrive at the eye surgery center, you will be greeted by friendly staff, and asked to complete some basic paperwork. You are then brought to the surgical prep area where you will change into a surgical gown and then rest briefly in a hospital bed. The doctor will come in to greet you and answer any remaining questions. Surgery center staff will then apply sensors to monitor your well being during the surgery.

Step 3: Moving into the Surgical Suite

You will be taken to the surgical suite in your hospital bed. The surgeon, nurses and assistants will be waiting, dressed in scrubs, surgical gowns, caps and masks. Nurses will then administer local anesthesia. Laser cataract surgery only requires local anesthesia, so you will be awake throughout the brief procedure. Most laser cataract surgeries take just 10-15 minutes. 

Step 4: Mapping the Eye

The surgeon will move the laser-assisted cataract system’s camera into place above your eyes. It feeds detailed images and video of your eye lens to a specialized computer to precisely map the surfaces and allow the surgeon to identify the ideal location for the incision.

Step 5: Cataract Lens Removal

The surgeon will use the laser to make a tiny incision in the eye surface. He will then insert a small probe that uses ultrasonic energy (sound waves) to break up the cataract-damaged lens into small pieces. That probe is then removed and a second probe moved into position to suction out the lens pieces. This process is completely pain-free. 

Step 6: Artificial Lens Placement

Your new intraocular lens implant will be pre-loaded into another small probe. The artificial lens is rolled up inside the tip of the probe, making it slender enough to insert through the original incision. The surgeon then unrolls the lens and carefully positions it for optimal vision. This too, is pain-free. The incision used for laser cataract surgery is so small that it does not require stitches to close. A protective shield will be placed over the eye to block out excess light and allow your eye time to adjust.

Step 7: On-site Recovery

Following your surgery, you will be taken into the recovery room at the eye surgery center. There, nurses will make you comfortable while your eyes quickly adjust to the new lens. Your family can visit with you during this time. Many patients report improved vision while still in the recovery room. Once you feel ready, typically after just 30-60 minutes, you’re released to go home. You will need someone to drive you. You will be provided a pair of sunglasses to wear on the ride home.

Step 8: At-home Recovery

You may choose to rest for a few hours when you arrive home. Your surgeon will likely suggest you keep the shield on continually for several hours. You can later take it off, but it should be put back in place during sleep for the next several days. You may experience cloudy or blurred vision at first, and potentially some redness. These are normal short-term side effects. Each patient heals differently. Some see clearly almost immediately. Others require a week or two. 

Step 9: Follow-up Visit

Most surgeons will ask you to come into the office for a follow-up visit the day after surgery. The doctor will examine your eye to ensure there are no complications and that you’re healing normally.

Dr. Gregory Snodgrass has performed more than 20,000 successful cataract surgeries, and was the first local surgeon to use the LenSx laser cataract surgical system. If you or a loved one is suffering from cataracts, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today to schedule a consultation.

Need another reason to quit smoking? How about dry, irritated eyes? Millions of Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome, and smoking is among the leading environmental factors. In fact, smokers are twice as likely to suffer from chronic dry eye symptoms.

Dry eye syndrome results when the structures of the eye fail to produce sufficient tears – or the right mixture of tear elements – to effectively lubricate the eye surface. Dry eye symptoms include gritty feeling, redness, stinging and general discomfort among others.

As a known eye irritant, tobacco smoke can contribute to dry eye syndrome. A Banskent University study found tobacco smoke breaks down the lipid layer of tear film, leading to dry eye symptoms. The effects often extend beyond the smoker to friends and loved ones via second-hand smoke.

Of course, dryness isn’t smoking’s only negative impact on the eyes. Smokers are twice as likely to develop cataracts and three times as likely to develop age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, studies show smokers are twice as likely to develop diabetes, which can lead to diabetic retinopathy.

While quitting smoking may help reduce your dry eye symptoms over time, it’s a good idea to schedule an eye exam to explore the root cause of your specific dry eye ailment. Through our Dry Eye Center of Excellence, Gainesville Eye Physicians offers a number of dry eye treatments, including LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation for patients with evaporative dry eye disease.

Evaporative dry eye generally results when meibomian glands in the eyelids are blocked, preventing them from yielding necessary oils as part of tear film. With LipiFlow treatment, the physician applies controlled heat and light pressure to unclog glands and return normal function. The positive results can last up to two years.

The takeaways here are: if you smoke, quit today, and if you have dry eyes, schedule an appointment with Gainesville Eye Physicians. Our friendly staff will work with you to diagnose the cause of your dry eye symptoms and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. Contact us today at 352-373-4300. Relief from dry eyes may be just a phone call away.

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As we age, systems of the body naturally degrade, from the sore knees of your 40’s to the diminished hearing of your 60’s. Vision is no different. By age 80, more than half of all Americans develop cataracts. When you add dementia to the mix, quality of life can be seriously impaired.

At least five million Americans suffer from age-related dementia, most of which also have cataracts. Often, these individuals and their families are reluctant to seek treatment for their vision impairment. They may think cataract surgery will be too involved, or simply write off the vision loss as part of growing older.

Research by Case Western University provides compelling evidence of the value of cataract surgery for patients with dementia. The study found that renewed vision dramatically improved quality of life for both the patient and caregivers.

In addition to improving visual acuity, patients demonstrated a decline in behavioral symptoms. Researchers observed that timely cataract surgery even slowed the rate of cognitive decline, reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms and lessened caregiver stress.

“These preliminary results indicate that improved vision can have a variety of benefits for people with dementia and their loved ones, both visual and non-visual,” says principal investigator Alan J. Lerner, MD.

Poor vision impairs an individual’s ability to effectively navigate the world around him or her, potentially leading to injury and often resulting in increased reliance on caregivers.

According to Maria Carrillo, PhD, vice president, medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association, “if a person with dementia falls because they can't see properly and has to be hospitalized because of a broken hip bone, they may never recover. In addition, vision loss is very socially isolating. I don't think people really understand that healthcare in general is a very important part of quality of life for people with dementia. This not only helps the patient, it also helps the family.”

If you or a loved suffers from dementia and cataracts, there’s hope. Contact Gainesville Eye Physicians today to discuss your cataract treatment options.

Dry eye syndrome can be extremely uncomfortable. Sufferers often experience burning, itching, watering eyes, grittiness and more. When we meet with these patients at Gainesville Eye Physicians, talking through the symptoms is usually enough to identify dry eye syndrome as the culprit. Accurately diagnosing the underlying cause of dry eye, however, requires testing.

Here are our most common diagnostic tests for dry eye syndrome…

TearLab Osmolarity

An important indicator of eye health is osmolarity, the amount of salt in the tear film. Too much salt means the watery part of the tear film is drying up, leaving excess salt behind. With the TearLab Osmolarity system, we take a small sample of your tears and quickly know your exact salt concentration. Regular osmolarity testing helps us track the severity of your dry eye and evaluate which treatments have the best results.

LipiView II with Dynamic Meibomian Imaging

Healthy eyes have a coating of lipids (oils) to keep them moist. These oils are produced by meibomian glands in the eyelids. Insufficient oil production can lead to evaporative dry eye syndrome. LipiView II allows us to evaluate the thickness of the lipid layer while simultaneously assessing the structure and function of the meibomian glands. At Gainesville Eye Physicians, LipiFlow is our preferred treatment for evaporative dry eye disease.

Manual Meibomian Gland Expression

When too little oil exists in the lipid layer, it’s often because some of the meibomian glands are clogged. The oils within can be too thick to flow naturally. To evaluate this, the doctor will gently press on your lower eyelids to manually squeeze out some of the oils. He will be able to tell how many of the glands are clogged while also seeing the consistency of the meibum, the oil they produce.

Lid Seal Test

Some people’s eyelids don’t close completely when they sleep. Even a small gap can allow in air and cause drying, especially for those who sleep with a fan on or use a CPAP machine. A simple evaluation allows us to determine if this is the case for you. If so, moisture chamber goggles may provide relief.

RPS Detector's InflammaDry

Many patients with dry eye have an enzyme called MMP-9 (Matrix Metalloproteinase-9) in their tears. Presence of this marker is a crucial piece of information to point us in the right direction for your treatment. We introduce a small tear sample from the inner lining of your lower eyelid into RPS Detector’s InflammaDry system and within 10 minutes have a definitive result.

If dry eyes cause you discomfort, schedule a consultation with Gainesville Eye Physicians today. We specialize in dry eye treatment and would be honored to include you on our list of satisfied patients.

People often ignore early signs of vision problems, hoping their eyesight will miraculously clear up. That’s not very likely. Early diagnosis of eye problems followed by professional treatment can help preserve or even improve your vision.

Here are five of the most commonly diagnosed eye conditions…

1. Cataracts

Clouding of the lens can eventually make seeing nearly impossible. Cataracts will not go away on their own, they will continually get worse. The only treatment option is surgery. At Gainesville Eye Physicians, we recommend the LenSx laser-assisted surgery system for many patients. Laser surgery generally improves recovery time, with patients reporting improved vision before even leaving the recovery room.

2. Diabetic Retinopathy

The most common diabetic eye disease, retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina. In early stages, the blood vessels leak fluid within the eye. Later, growth of abnormal blood vessels on the retina cause swelling and scar tissue that may cause the retina to detach, resulting in severe, irreversible vision loss. People with diabetes should have annual eye exams including retinopathy screenings.

3. Macular Degeneration

The part of the retina that allows you to see fine details is called the macula. It can degrade with age, causing everything from hazy vision to complete loss of central vision. Little can be done to improve vision once someone has age-related macular degeneration, but catching it early can slow its progress. So, be sure to get regular eye exams as you age.

4. Refractive Errors

When light passes through the cornea and the lens, it is bent – or refracted – to form the images we see. If that refraction is skewed, vision suffers. The most common reasons people wear glasses or contacts, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, are caused by refractive errors. Getting the ideal prescription lenses for your eyewear requires guidance from an expert, licensed optician. At Gainesville Eye Physicians, our optical department is among the best in Florida.

5. Glaucoma

Within the eye is liquid called aqueous humor that must be maintained at an appropriate pressure. Too much pressure due to glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting images from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma rarely shows symptoms early. By the time you notice symptoms – usually blind spots in peripheral vision – optic nerve damage is severe. The most common treatment is medicated prescription eye drops.

For all your vision needs, contact the friendly staff at Gainesville Eye Physicians. With four convenient offices, we serve all of North Central Florida. Schedule your appointment today.