If you or someone you love has cataracts, you likely wonder if they’re treatable, or if you’ll suffer with this condition the rest of your life. Good news – cataracts can be treated, and your vision restored, potentially even making your vision better than prior to your first cataract symptoms.

Cataracts most often occur as a natural result of aging. As we get older, tissues within the eye lens break down and clump together. Over time, the increased thickness and spread of these cell layers creates clouding and impaired vision. But just because it’s a natural occurrence doesn’t mean cataracts are something you have to live with.

The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgically replacing the natural eye lens with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL).

During cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist makes a small incision in the eye and then inserts a tiny probe. The probe uses ultrasonic energy (sound waves) to break up the dysfunctional lens. The resulting pieces are then suctioned out using a second probe. A final probe, this one holding the new intraocular lens, is carefully maneuvered through the incision and the artificial lens is put in position.

Cataract surgery may be conducted using traditional surgical techniques or laser-assisted methods. Laser-assisted cataract surgery is more precise and uses less ultrasonic energy, reducing trauma to the eye. That makes the surgery pain-free, stitch-free and dramatically cuts down on recovery time. Many patients report improved vision before even leaving the recovery room.

Beware false promises from so-called cataract eye drops. There is no evidence they work. Medical studies actually show they have no positive impact on cataract development or symptoms. In fact, they can do harm, as patients’ vision continually degrades as they hope for miracle results. Restating what we said before, the only proven treatment for cataracts is surgery.

If it’s time to overcome cataracts and see clearly again, schedule a consultation with Gainesville Eye Physicians. Dr. Gregory Snodgrass was the area’s first physician to use the LenSx laser cataract surgery system, and has performed more than 20,000 cataract surgeries in his career. Our friendly staff will evaluate your cataract symptoms and work with you to review treatment options and timeline. We look forward to meeting with you soon.

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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.

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from dry eye. With stinging and burning, redness, grittiness and other symptoms, dry eye is among the most common complaints for eye patients. For some, these symptoms come and go, but untreated, long-term dry eye syndrome can cause serious, irreparable vision impairment.

Dry eye results when the eyes lack necessary tear film to keep the surface of the eyes lubricated. Several things can cause dry eye including environmental factors and malfunction of the structures responsible for producing tear elements, such as the meibomian glands.

Without sufficient tear film, irritation can translate to scratches on the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface in front of the iris. The cornea is a critical component of the eye, protecting it from dust, germs and other dangerous elements. The cornea is also responsible for screening out harmful UV rays.

Over time, corneal scratches due to dry eye can produce scarring and result in permanent vision loss. In extreme cases, the entire eye can be lost.

It’s important to be examined by an eye doctor when dry eye symptoms persist for more than a couple days or when symptoms worsen. Your physician will perform a series of simple tests to diagnose dry eye and will prescribe a treatment plan based on your specific needs.

In many cases, the root cause is evaporative dry eye disease, in which the meibomian glands are underperforming or blocked. When functioning properly, these glands along the eyelid produce oils that are vital for healthy tear film.

Your eye physician can address evaporative dry eye disease using a non-surgical treatment called LipiFlow. With LipiFlow, warmth and gentle compression are combined to unblock meibomian gland ducts, restoring the natural flow of crucial oils. This is often enough to eliminate dry eye symptoms. In fact, 86% of patients experience relief after treatment.

If you suspect you have dry eye syndrome, schedule an appointment with Gainesville Eye Physicians today. With offices in Gainesville, Tioga Town Center, Lake City and Melrose, Dr. Gregory Snodgrass and his team are conveniently located to serve patients throughout North Central Florida.

If you or someone you love suffers from cataracts, you’re probably wondering which surgery option is best, laser-assister cataract surgery or traditional. At Gainesville Eye Physicians, we offer patients both options. Here’s what you should know…

Procedure

With conventional (traditional) cataract surgery, the physician makes an incision by hand, relying on his experience, expertise and steady hand to cut a perfect slit in the cornea. He then inserts a small probe to break up the affected lens using ultrasonic energy. A second probe vacuums out the resulting pieces. An artificial intraocular lens is inserted through the incision and manually moved into position. Stitches are applied to close the incision. Weeks later, during a return visit, those stitches are removed.

With LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgery, micro-imaging cameras map the surface of the eye. The surgeon uses this data to pinpoint the best location for the corneal incision. A computer-guided laser makes a cut significantly more accurate than even the most sure-handed surgeon. LenSx then uses less than half as much ultrasonic energy to dissolve the lens. After the broken up pieces of lens are removed, the computer guides an injector through the original incision to precisely place the replacement lens. The incision is self-sealing, so no stitches are required.

Recovery

Traditional cataract surgery patients are generally released to go home within a few hours of the procedure. Side effect variety and severity vary depending on how well the surgery is performed and whether any complications develop during surgery. In most cases, patients experience some discomfort in and around the eye for a few days. During this time, patients may also notice blurred vision, a feeling of grittiness, mild headache and itchy or sticky eye.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery and recovery are pain-free. As mentioned prior, the LenSx system requires less ultrasonic energy to break up the affected lens. This results in less trauma to the eye and fewer trauma-related side effects. Patients often report improved vision before even leaving the recovery room.

Cost

Laser-assisted surgery generally costs patients a few hundred dollars more per eye than traditional cataract surgery. After all, the state-of-the-art hardware and software necessary to perform laser surgery cost eye care practices hundreds of thousands of dollars. While the additional cost of laser-assisted surgery is rarely covered by health insurance, most surgeons and patients agree it is well worth it for the benefits of reduced side effects and improved recovery time.

Schedule your consultation with Gainesville Eye Physicians today to discuss your cataract surgery needs and options. We will work with you to find the right treatment for your lifestyle and budget.

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.

If you or someone you love is experiencing cloudy or blurred vision, double vision, lens discoloration, light sensitivity, glare and/or halos, cataracts may be the cause. While you may find this news disheartening, you’re certainly not alone. In fact, cataracts are more common than you might think.

By age 80, more than half of all Americans have experienced cataracts. But cataracts aren’t exclusive to seniors. More than 22 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts. By the year 2020, it’s estimated more than 30 million Americans will have cataracts. Cataracts aren’t necessarily becoming more common; people are simply living longer, and cataracts tend to occur naturally with age.

So, if you suspect you have cataracts, what should you do about it?

Cataracts will not get better over time, they will only get worse. There are no prescription pills or over-the-counter cataract remedies. The only thing that can be done to correct cataracts is surgery. It’s scary, I know. No one wants to undergo surgery, particularly on your eyes. Don’t worry, with today’s technology, cataract surgery is painless and recovering your vision can happen in just a few hours.

The first thing to do is schedule an eye exam. An eye physician will be able to quickly diagnose whether you have cataracts and, if so, whether you need surgery at this stage. Surgery may not be necessary until cataracts directly impact your quality of life.

If surgery is called for, your eye physician will walk you through the surgical options. Laser-assisted cataract surgery will likely be recommended due to its reduced trauma, better prognosis and reduced recovery time. Technology like the LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgical system used by Dr. Gregory Snodgrass at Gainesville Eye Physicians delivers pain-free cataract surgery with outstanding results for a variety of patients.

If you or a loved one would like a cataract evaluation, contact us and schedule an appointment today.

Any type of eye surgery can be scary for a prospective patient. After all, these are your eyes we’re talking about, arguably the most sensitive part of the human body. Beyond being physically sensitive, the eyes provide our windows to the world. So, when it’s time for you to consider cataract surgery, you need to know the physician you choose is among the very best.

Taking these three areas into account will help you select the right physician for your cataract surgery needs.

Experience

Cataract surgery is delicate work, requiring expert touch to deliver ideal results. Look for a surgeon who has done multiple cataract surgeries – not dozens, but thousands. Dr. Gregory Snodgrass has performed more than 20,000 cataract surgeries. His experience gives him insight into the best ways to reduce trauma and speed healing. It also prepares him for any unforeseen challenges with your specific surgery. Odds are, if it can happen, he has seen it, and he knows how to address it.

Technology

Cataract surgery has come a log way through the years. Traditional surgical methods have largely been replaced by laser-assisted cataract surgery. Gainesville Eye Physicians uses the LenSx laser cataract system to deliver the most accurate surgical care available. The LenSx system allows the physician to map the eye in advance in order to make precise incisions. It also enables the surgeon to use as little ultrasonic energy as absolutely necessary to break up the cloudy lens and remove it. In most cases, the result is less recovery time and rapidly enhanced vision. Many patients report improved vision before even leaving the recovery room.

Compassion

No one likes feeling like they’re on an assembly line, especially when it comes to healthcare. You deserve to know your health, wellbeing and happiness are important to the doctor and his staff. At North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care, every patient is listened to, and we take time to answer your questions. We’re never in a rush to get you out the door, because we know that proper eye care can be a life changing experience. Dr. Snodgrass and his team are eager to get to know you and learn about your specific vision problems. And then solve them. Your needs come first at our practice.

If you need cataract care, or just think you may have a cataract issue, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today.

Glaucoma is the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. More than three million Americans currently suffer from the disease, which progresses gradually, often with no early symptoms.

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, the pathway that carries images from the retina to the brain. Enough damage leads to blind spots, and as the damage increases, complete blindness. If glaucoma is not detected in the early stages, it can be too late.

So, if there are no early symptoms, how can you tell if you or a loved one is developing glaucoma?

The answer lies in having regular eye exams including glaucoma screenings. Proper screenings include eye pressure measurement, examination of the optic nerve, peripheral vision evaluation and review of corneal thickness.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends this routine screening schedule.

Age 20-29

Everyone – even those without any history of vision trouble – should have an eye exam at least once during this period. Young adults of African descent or those with a family history of glaucoma should be examined every 3-5 years.

Age 30-39

As we get a bit older, the frequency of eye exams should increase to at least twice during this period, or every 2-4 years for African-Americans and those with a family history of glaucoma.

Age 40-64

By age 40, everyone should be examined every 2-4 years.

Age 65+

Starting at 65, it’s wise to be examined every 1-2 years.

Optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma cannot be reversed, but early diagnosis gives you and your eye doctor treatment options to slow further damage. Prescription eye drops may help lower pressure within the eye. Laser treatments and surgical procedures are possibilities for patients who do not respond well to drop therapy.

Contact Gainesville Eye Physicians today to schedule your eye exam and glaucoma screening. Being proactive is the best way to preserve your vision.