Dedicated Care From Renowned Surgeons
Our eyes have a transparent lens that refracts or bends, light rays that enter the eye to help us see. As people advance into their later years, various proteins form and accumulate within this lens, causing it to lose its transparency and become cloudy. This hampers the ability of light to enter the eye, adversely affecting vision. This can lead to vision loss and in severe cases, blindness. Correcting this issue requires a complex surgical procedure. If you have an issue that is affecting you, you can turn to our qualified Orange County eye surgeon for treatment. We can diagnose and treat a variety of eye disorders and conditions. Do not ignore any symptoms that you may be experiencing. Our team has received numerous accolades, including “Best Doctors of America”. Schedule a consultation with Retina Associates of Orange County so that you can receive personalized and effective treatment for your vision problems.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents- Dedicated Care From Renowned Surgeons
- LASIK Eye Surgery
- Types Of Laser Eye Surgery
- Infographic
- Eye Surgery Statistics
- FAQs
- Retina Associates of Orange County, Orange County Eye Surgeon
- Contact Us Today
How Eye Surgery Works And When It’s Necessary
Eye surgery, also known as ocular surgery, is a medical procedure performed to correct various vision problems or eye conditions. It involves delicate manipulation of the eye’s tissues and structures to restore or enhance visual acuity. There are several types of eye surgeries, each targeting specific issues. One common type is laser eye surgery, which reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Another type is cataract surgery, wherein a cloudy lens is replaced with an artificial one to improve vision.
Eye surgery becomes necessary when conventional methods such as eyeglasses or contact lenses are insufficient in correcting vision problems. Refractive errors can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life. Additionally, conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal detachment can severely impair vision and, if left untreated, lead to permanent vision loss. In such cases, eye surgery becomes essential to preserve or restore vision, allowing individuals to maintain their independence and quality of life.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) And Associated Risk Factors
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss among individuals aged 50 and above. It primarily affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed and central vision. AMD can manifest in two forms: dry AMD, characterized by the gradual breakdown of light-sensitive cells in the macula, and wet AMD, caused by abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina.
Consulting An Eye Doctor And Post-Surgery Recovery
Regular eye check-ups are crucial for maintaining eye health and catching potential issues early. If you experience sudden or gradual changes in your vision, you must consult an eye doctor promptly. This includes symptoms such as blurred vision, difficulty seeing at night, distortion of straight lines, or changes in color perception. Routine eye exams can also help in detecting conditions like glaucoma, which often have no noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
After undergoing eye surgery, proper post-operative care is essential for a successful recovery. Depending on the type of surgery, patients may be required to use prescribed eye drops, follow specific hygiene routines, and avoid strenuous activities that could strain the eyes. It’s normal to experience some discomfort, mild pain, or blurred vision immediately after surgery, but these symptoms usually subside with time. Following the doctor’s instructions diligently, attending follow-up appointments, and reporting any unusual symptoms are crucial to ensure a smooth healing process and the best possible outcome.
Eye surgery has revolutionized the treatment of various vision problems, enabling individuals to regain clear and focused vision. It becomes necessary when other methods prove ineffective or when eye conditions pose a threat to vision. Age-related macular Degeneration (AMD) is a condition that particularly affects older individuals and those with specific risk factors. Regular consultations with an eye doctor are essential for maintaining eye health, and post-surgery recovery requires strict adherence to medical instructions. As medical technology advances, eye surgery continues to offer hope to those facing visual challenges, restoring their ability to perceive the world around them with clarity.
LASIK Eye Surgery
If you are one of the many people who wear glasses or contact lenses, clear vision is something you likely dream of having. This dream can easily become a reality. LASIK eye surgery can make poor vision a thing of the past. Our eye surgeons at Retina Associates of Orange County are highly trained and well-practiced in LASIK eye surgery. The procedure is quick and the recovery time is short. It is a procedure that has helped many people obtain a clear vision. Our decades of combined experience can assure you that by choosing Retina Associates of Orange County you are in very capable hands. Call today to schedule an exam with our eye surgeon to learn if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery.
Understanding LASIK
LASIK (pronounced “lay-sik”) eye surgery stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses” and is the most commonly performed eye surgery for myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism in the United States.
Our eye surgeons at the Retina Associates of Orange County are available to provide LASIK to qualified candidates. LASIK corrective eye surgery is performed by first using a precise surgical tool called a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser to create a flap in the cornea. Once this flap is created, a highly specialized laser called an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea in such a way that light is more properly focused on the retina.
LASIK eye surgery will render contacts and prescription glasses unnecessary. If you are someone who has lived much of your life wearing glasses or contacts to see, this may sound like the answer to lifelong aggravation. However, it is possible to significantly improve your vision. Our skilled eye surgeon performs LASIK surgery, a procedure that only takes about 15 minutes to complete. The surgery works as follows.
Our eye surgeon uses a laser to cut a small flap in the cornea. He will then pull back the flap and remove tissue to correct your vision. As part of the process, our surgeon will reshape the cornea as needed, depending on the type of vision issue you suffer from.
Before undergoing LASIK, your eye surgeon will meet with you to evaluate your eyes and assess your candidacy for the procedure. Most patients do not experience any pain during or after the procedure, which takes about 15 minutes to complete. Most patients can expect to see a difference in their vision within 24 hours.
LASIK is the most popular way of correcting vision issues. A person who has mild vision problems such as nearsightedness has the highest likelihood of achieving a positive result. Patients with astigmatism or vision issues that are far more severe can have less predictable results. However, in most cases, our Orange County eye surgeons will tell you that a patient can expect to receive the benefit of perfect vision or better. It is important to note that despite LASIK, vision can still deteriorate with age. Several procedures can be used to repair vision, but LASIK is the most prevalent choice.
The LASIK Procedure
Before the surgery, you will be given eye drops to numb all sensations. After the medication has taken effect, an instrument called an eye speculum is used to keep your eyelids retracted. Your eye surgeon will keep your eyes wet to avoid dryness.
A suction ring is placed on the surface of your eye to prevent eye movements during the creation of the corneal flap. The flap is first created using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. Once done, your eye surgeon will use a computer to align the excimer laser settings to your specific prescription. You will be asked to look at a laser light, which will send pulses that painlessly reshape, or ablate, your cornea into the specified shape. In total, the actual LASIK laser procedure takes about five minutes.
Types Of Eye Surgery
There are several reasons why you may find you need the help of our experienced surgeons to treat a medical condition concerning your vision. At Retina Associates of Orange County, we have been helping patients with optical issues for many years and understand how frightening a medical problem with your vision can be. We know how to diagnose and treat many types of medical conditions that affect vision. If you are seeking treatment for mild eye conditions like nearsightedness, our team can help you find the best treatment option that you are eligible for. Call us now and schedule an appointment to learn more about our available services.
At Retina Associates of Orange County, there are several different reasons why patients need eye surgery. Some of the more common types of surgical treatment we offer are:
- Macular Degeneration Laser Surgery
The majority of macular degeneration is dry and does not usually require treatment. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of these cases will progress to wet macular degeneration. This type is much more aggressive, however, there are laser treatment options now available. Laser surgery can help stabilize the condition and in some cases, patients have even experienced improvement of the condition. The laser can be used to help prevent the “blind spot” that patients suffer from with this condition from increasing in size.
- Glaucoma Laser Surgery
Many patients use drops to control their glaucoma condition, but some patients can benefit from laser surgery administered by an eye surgeon for this condition. The surgery permanently opens the areas of the eyes where the pressure builds up and only takes 10 to 15 minutes to perform.
- After Cataract Surgery Laser Surgery
There are situations where a patient will experience cloudy vision even after they have had cataract surgery. It is not a cataract but is actual clouding of the capsule behind the lens. This capsule can become hazy and cause cloudiness. Laser surgery is an effective way to clear that area so the light can focus on the retina, allowing clear vision again.
- Diabetic Retinopathy Laser Surgery
Patients who suffer from diabetes can also suffer from tiny blood vessels located in the retina leaking or becoming closed off. This can cause vision loss. Laser surgery can shrink these blood vessels, stop them from leaking, or reduce swelling. These treatments typically take 10 to 20 minutes to complete and usually require an eye surgeon to administer local or topical anesthetic for the procedure. It is not uncommon for patients to require multiple surgeries over time, as well as other types of retinal therapy.
Infographic
Eye Surgery Statistics
According to the CDC, one of the leading causes of blindness in the U.S. is cataracts; around 20.5 million adults aged 40 or older suffer from cataracts. Cataracts are a medical condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, which can lead to vision impairment and often leads to blindness. It is a condition that is more common in older or elderly adults. If you think you are suffering from cataracts and would like to know if LASIK eye surgery can help your vision, contact an eye surgeon today.
FAQs
How can I tell if I have cataracts?
If you have a cloudy vision and have trouble focusing on objects, it may be a sign that you have cataracts. You can only find out if you have cataracts if you are diagnosed by an eye doctor.
Symptoms of cataracts can vary and may include any of the following:
- Blurry vision. This can be diffused across your visual field or be splotchy in appearance
- Light sensitivity. Imagine seeing headlights when they head toward you while driving. If these appear to cause more glare than previously, this could be a sign of developing cataracts, as the cloudiness of the proteins distorts the light and appears as glare. You may want to speak with a doctor for treatment.
- Seeing double, or distorted images
- Dullness. Normally bright colors now appear dull or faded
- Night blindness. Also known as nyctalopia, can be an early presenting symptom of cataracts
- Visual halos. If every light you see appears to have a halo around it, this can be another sign that the normal entry of light into your eye is being distorted
How are cataracts treated?
The definitive treatment for cataracts is surgery. The surgery is fairly quick and takes less than an hour to complete. It is an outpatient procedure so a patient does not need to recover in a hospital overnight. Patients are awake while they undergo surgery, but it is not a painful procedure. It involves little to no discomfort for many patients. After the surgery is performed, the eye surgeon usually administers eye drops in the affected area. While the idea of surgery on an eye may be frightening, surgical correction of cataracts is one of the safest and most effective surgeries in existence.
Before surgery, your eye surgeon will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the level of correction, if any, that will be necessary after the clouded lens is removed, as well as to determine the presence of any risk factors or contraindications you might have to surgery.
The actual procedure time is between 15 and 30 minutes. The clouded lens is removed using a high-frequency ultrasound device that uses vibrational force to break up the clouded lens into smaller, extractable fragments. This process is called phacoemulsification, or “phaco” for short. Once the clouded lens has been removed, it is replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens, with specific parameters based on the diagnostic results from the pre-operative eye exam.
Who is a good candidate for cataract surgery?
You may be a good candidate to undergo cataract surgery if you have a mild case. An eye doctor evaluates your medical history, current medical conditions, and the stage your disease is in to determine whether surgery is appropriate. For people who have an early stage of cataracts, they may not need to have surgery until their condition progresses to a more advanced stage. A doctor may recommend non-surgical treatment options such as special lenses for people with mild cataracts. To find out more about whether or not you can receive cataract surgery, consult with an eye surgeon to discuss your treatment options.
What is the recovery like for cataract surgery?
Surgery normally takes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, however, more time should be allotted for setting up and the administration of preoperative medications. Cataract surgery is generally very safe and well-tolerated and does not require admission to a hospital. Following surgery, you will be unable to drive, so make sure to have a friend or family member with you to drive you home. You will need someone to look after you following surgery while you recover. You should avoid driving until you have been seen by your eye surgeon and an eye exam is performed to ensure your vision is adequate for driving.
You may notice an improvement in your vision as soon as one day following your surgery. The time it takes to experience results varies from patient to patient. Eye redness, pain, and blurriness are common in the days following surgery. You will be given protective sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight as your eye recovers. Your eyes will be highly sensitive to light in the days following your cataract surgery. You will not be able to return to work right away. In the first week following your surgery, you should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting, contact with the operated eye with water (e.g. hot tubs, swimming pools, eye-opening during showers), and any activity that could expose your eye to contaminants. If you experience any unusual symptoms like pain or other complications, notify your eye surgeon.
Orange County Eye Surgeon
At Retina Associates of Orange County, our Orange County eye surgeon knows that there are complex eye surgery terms that the average person may not understand. When assisting patients, knowing the terms in this field is critical. In this article, we will define and explain at least five important legal terms that are commonly used in eye surgery.
Refractive Surgery
As eye surgeons, we often perform refractive surgery, a term that refers to procedures designed to correct vision by reshaping the cornea. These surgeries help reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses by correcting conditions such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
Some of the most common types of refractive surgery include LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), and SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). Each procedure involves different techniques but shares the same goal—improving how the eye focuses light onto the retina.
Phacoemulsification
One of the most common surgical techniques our Orange County eye surgeons use in cataract surgery is phacoemulsification. This method involves using ultrasound waves to break up a cloudy lens (cataract) into tiny fragments, which are then suctioned out of the eye. Once the natural lens is removed, we implant an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision.
Phacoemulsification is considered the gold standard in modern cataract surgery because it requires only a small incision, leading to faster recovery times and reduced risk of complications.
Vitrectomy
In cases involving serious retinal conditions, such as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and macular holes, we perform a vitrectomy. This procedure involves removing the vitreous humor (the gel-like substance inside the eye) to allow access to the retina for repairs. After we complete the necessary repairs, the vitreous is replaced with a saline solution, gas, or silicone oil to help the eye maintain its shape.
Vitrectomy is a delicate procedure that requires precision and expertise, as working on the retina carries risks, but it is often essential for preserving vision in patients with severe retinal diseases.
Keratoplasty (Corneal Transplant)
For patients with corneal diseases, severe scarring, or keratoconus, we may recommend a keratoplasty, commonly known as a corneal transplant. This procedure involves replacing a damaged or diseased cornea with a donor cornea to restore vision.
There are different types of corneal transplants, including:
- Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP): A full-thickness corneal transplant.
- Endothelial Keratoplasty (EK): A partial-thickness transplant that replaces only the damaged inner layer.
- Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK): A transplant that preserves the innermost corneal layers while replacing the outer layers.
Corneal transplants can significantly improve vision and quality of life, but they also require a careful post-operative recovery process to prevent rejection and complications.
Trabeculectomy
For patients with glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP), we often perform a trabeculectomy. This surgical procedure creates a new drainage channel to reduce eye pressure and prevent further damage to the optic nerve.
In a trabeculectomy, we make a small flap in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and create a filtering bleb, which helps fluid drain out more effectively. This procedure is typically reserved for cases where medications and laser treatments have failed to control intraocular pressure.
Retina Associates of Orange County, Orange County Eye Surgeon
Contact Us Today
Call us today to schedule a consultation so that we can help you determine whether or not you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Our eye surgeon in Orange County will be happy to answer your questions regarding LASIK Eye Surgery. We are truly dedicated to helping people strive for good vision, one eye at a time. Our office staff and physicians are kind and speak many languages, so you can feel comfortable visiting our team.
Client Review
“I received excellent care from the Retina Associates of Orange County. The front office and all the staff are pleasant and efficient. Dr. Hwang explained my procedure and took time to answer any questions I had. He has a confident, calm demeanor that puts you at ease at a stressful time knowing you will be under the best of care. My procedure went well, and I am pleased with the outcome.” – Pam M.