Improving Eye Care Through New Technology.

New Laser Test Detects Glaucoma: The HRT Test
When people hear HRT today, they think of hormone replacement therapy. But in this case, HRT stands for Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph, a new diagnostic procedure proving effective in the early identification of glaucoma. In addition to this timely detection of glaucoma, it also provides information for monitoring the disease in follow-up examinations.

Glaucoma affects about 3 million Americans, and half of these people don't know they have it! A leading cause of blindness in the United States glaucoma is a disease that commonly affects older people, but can occur at any age. It has no symptoms at first; however, over the years glaucoma can steal your sight. With early treatment, you can protect your eyes against vision loss and blindness.

The HRT test is beneficial for people at risk for glaucoma. This includes individuals with a family history of glaucoma, anyone over age 60, anyone who is extremely nearsighted, anyone who has diabetes, high blood pressure, migraines, or heart disease, and those of African-American or Hispanic descent.

The HRT scanning laser ophthalmoscope displays the depth and shape of the optic nerve and surrounding tissue of the retina. It provides detail of early damage and degeneration. Our innovative HRT program and our upgrade to the newly released HRT3 program is part of our commitment to provide vision and eye health care that is the most current and effective.

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Retinal Imaging and You
Computerized digital images of your retina dramatically enhance our capability to help us care for your vision and eye health. Retinal imaging helps us to help you! Our new Helioasis-Canon Retinal Imaging System enables us to detect and make an early diagnosis of many abnormal conditions.

With this advancing technology, we are able to compare the initial images of the inside of your eyes with those images that we take in the future. Diabetes, hypertension, glaucoma, macular degeneration, brain tumor, and stroke may all be detected through retinal imaging. Subtle changes can easily be discovered, and if required, early treatment can be instituted.

Retinal imaging is also important if there is a family history of these diseases, as early detection may help to prevent future vision or health problems.

You have come to expect the highest level of care at our office. The extensive enhancement of our retinal imaging system now includes computer monitors in our examination rooms for improved patient education. This will allow us to show you any abnormality that we discover in your eyes.

Medical insurance typically will cover the cost for retinal imaging only when there is an existing eye disease. All screening imaging is non-reimbursable by insurance.

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Corneal Refractive Therapy – Correct Your Vision While You Sleep
Imagine seeing clearly at a distance without wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses! Corneal Refractive Therapy, also known as corneal molding or orthokeratology, is a safe, effective, non-surgical process clinically developed to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness.

We will either use the Wave Contact Lens System or Paragon CRT to gently reshape your cornea. These systems provide a unique, therapeutic lens, or "eye brace", was developed with the latest technology to gently reshape the cornea while you sleep. The result is crisp clear vision without contact lenses or glasses during your daily activities.

• Freedom from the hassles of daytime contact lenses or eyeglasses.
• Completely pain free procedure.
• Exceptional oxygen permeability ensures that your eyes get the safe level of oxygen they need during sleep to promote eye health.
• You can see with these special lenses on and off.
• Completely reversible if the therapeutic lens wear is discontinued.
• No contact lens induced dry eyes and discomfort.
• No fuzzy vision because your contact lenses are dirty or warped.
• No hassles with active/sport lifestyles, or in dusty/windy environments.
• No calls from the school nurse that “Brian broke his glasses” or “Amy lost a contact lens”.
• These special therapeutic contact lenses can be worn patients by all ages.
• The procedure is free from surgical risk, safe, convenient, comfortable, and does not disrupt visual performance.
• Natural unaided vision for recreation, sports, and leisure.
• Uses Z-wave technology to address vision problems associated with corneal irregularities.

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Vitamins for Your Eyes …Now There Is Something You Can Do
The macula is the nerve center of eye, a pinhead size area where all fine vision takes place. This central vision area is required for all detailed work including “straight ahead” viewing, reading, and driving a car. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD or ARMD) is the leading cause of blindness in Americans over the age of 65.

The risk of AMD significantly increases with age. Between the ages of 64 and 74, one in four people have AMD. Over age 75, the number increases to one in three.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), a ten-year clinical research study recently released by The National Eye Institute (NEI), proved that a specific formula of antioxidant vitamins plus zinc slowed the progression of AMD by 25 percent. This study proved that only this specific formula was effective in delaying the progression of macular degeneration.

The recommended AREDS dosage is found in two daily Viteyes capsules. This formula is now available at our office.

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Dry Eyes and Tear-Saver Plugs
Millions of people are affected with dry eyes. Approximately 75% of all people over age 65 will suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome. This is a condition in which the tear glands of the upper and lower lids do not work properly. Either not enough tears are produced, or the tear ducts drain away too much tears off the surface of the eye.

There are actually three distinct layers in our tears. The oily and mucous layers lubricate the eye, and the watery layer is produced in response to an irritation, injury, or emotion. Sometimes, the lack of oily or mucous lubricating layers is irritating enough to cause an over-production of the watery layer. In this case, you have a “wet dry eye”. Left untreated your symptoms will probably get worse, and possibly cause a decrease in your visual acuity.

Treatments vary with the intensity of the problem. Artificial tears can be used several times per day in the uncomplicated conditions. However, in more persistent situations, tiny tear-saver plugs are available to provide long-term relief.

These tiny tear-saver plugs are inserted into the tear duct opening in a simple, non-surgical procedure right here in our office. This widely performed procedure is safe, quick, painless, and totally reversible.

If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, tear-saver plugs maybe the solution.

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