The cornea and lens combine to focus visual images on the back of the eye. When the overall shape of the eye is incorrect or when the curvature of the cornea is incorrect, the visual images are not in focus. The cornea accounts for approximately 2/3rds of the focusing power of the eye. By surgically changing the corneal curvature, most or all of the blur can be overcome.
ASTIGMATIC KERATOTOMY (AK)
Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK) is used to help people with astigmatism. Astigmatism is an uneven curvature of the cornea. It is curved more in one direction than the other, causing a distortion in vision. During AK, one or more surgical incisions are made in the cornea. These incisions help eliminate the uneven curvature and "round out" the cornea. A rounder cornea means objects no longer appear blurred or distorted. AK is sometimes performed at the time of cataract surgery, in order to reduce or eliminate the patient's pre-existing astigmatism.
REMOVING YOUR DEPENDENCE ON READING GLASSES
Presbyopia is what we call the gradual decrease of one's near vision as we get older. About 100 million people above age 40 use glasses to read or perform near tasks.
People who have grown up wearing glasses not only need them for distance, but also for near vision at mid-life. This bothered Benjamin Franklin so much that he invented bifocals in 1760. Bifocals are eyeglasses that contain a lens for distance vision on top, and a lens for near vision at the bottom.
This progressive decrease in one's ability to focus with age was believed, for the past 150 years, to be due to the human lens's loss of elasticity. This theory is in all the textbooks and was put forth in 1855 by a German scientist named Helmholtz.
A 30-40 minute outpatient procedure is performed using topical eye drops. It is all done on the outside or the "white of the eye." The purpose is to give the eye room to focus by gently expanding it to a size that it was when you were younger.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery, in which the normal cloudy lens is removed, is now a very successful procedure. The most widely used technique is called phaco-emulsification. A very small incision is made and a tiny ultrasonic probe is used to break up the cataract and gently suction it away. A clear membrane is left in your eye where an intraocular lens is placed (IOL). This IOL is necessary to replace the focusing power of the natural lens, which was removed. With insertion of an IOL, there is little need for thick cataract glasses and contact lenses that were used years ago.
Small incision surgery has several benefits. The procedure is very quick, sometimes taking less than 20 minutes. Also, recovery time is short. Patients are able to eat a light snack and drink immediately after the surgery. The results of the surgery are almost immediate. Most people notice an improvement in their vision soon after surgery. You will still need glasses to read after the surgery. Your new prescription is given several weeks after the procedure.
Blepharoplasty-Eyelid Surgery Grand Blanc
Eyelid Surgery
The area surrounding the eyes is one of the first to show the signs of aging. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, corrects for sagging upper eyelids and for the bags that form just below the eyes. Eyelid surgery can wash away years of aging, giving your eyes a smoother, more natural and youthful appearance. We have a location in Grand Blanc to serve your Blepharoplasty-Eyelid Surgery needs.
The Surgery
The surgeon begins by making incisions along the natural creases of the upper lid, and/or directly under the lower eyelashes. The skin is then separated from the underlying tissue and the excess fat, skin, and muscle are extracted. The surgeon then replaces and stitches the skin, leaving it smooth and tight. Blepharoplasty lasts anywhere from one to three hours and is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
Alternative Approaches
In some cases, a surgeon may opt for transconjunctival blepharoplasty. The surgeon makes several incisions on the lower eyelid and removes pockets of fat, but no skin. This procedure is ideal for patients with less pronounced bags under the eyes, and leaves no visible scar.
After Surgery
Following surgery, the eyelids are rubbed lightly with ointment and bandaged. The eyes will feel tight and sore, although medication alleviates much of this discomfort. The head should be kept elevated for several days. Application of a cold compress minimizes swelling and bruising. The sutures are removed within a week of the surgery. Most patients can return to work in seven to ten days, but must take care to protect the eyes from harmful contact and irritants.
Health Concerns
As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, complications are rare, but include a reaction to the anesthesia and infection. More minor complications include temporarily blurred vision and a slight disparity in the healing and/or scarring of the two eyes. Once the sutures are removed, tiny whiteheads may appear around the eyelids, but can be removed easily by your surgeon. To maximize the success of surgery and minimize the risk of complication, always follow your doctor's instructions for surgical preparation and post-operative care.
Call today for your FREE refractive consultation toll-free 877-579-0202, we would love to hear from you!