How do I Know if IntraLASIK is Best for me?

The LASIK procedure is the most popular vision correction surgery in the country. But many people decide against it because the hand-held blade used in the procedure can be intimidating. The IntraLase laser technology is calming many peoples’ fears by replacing the blade with a laser. This new level of bladeless precision is a good alternative for many who are not good LASIK candidates.

What is IntraLASIK?
In traditional LASIK surgery, Dr. Carter creates a flap on the cornea using a microkeratome blade and reshapes the cornea to improve your vision. IntraLASIK allows Dr. Carter to use computer technology to program the desired depth and position of the flap prior to your surgery and to create it with a laser. This makes flap creation a safer and more accurate procedure for those who have thinner-than-average corneas.

Is IntraLASIK the Best Choice for You?
To decide if IntraLASIK should be your chosen procedure, Dr. Carter will examine your eyes and answer your questions about IntraLase technology. He will explain the potential complications and benefits offered by IntraLASIK.

Two advantages of IntraLASIK

1. The IntraLase laser makes it possible for patients with thin corneas to undergo the procedure. With traditional LASIK, those with thin corneas are ineligible because the blade is unable to cut corneal flaps thin enough for safety. 
2. The laser follows the cornea’s curvature when creating the flap. This enables a smoother corneal surface for treatment and more gradation on the flap edges, both of which help to guard against astigmatism. 
   

Two drawbacks of IntraLASIK

1. IntraLase is associated with fewer flap complications than LASIK, but surgeons are noticing a postoperative complication of increased sensitivity to light. According to some reports, this complication has occurred in up to 20% of IntraLASIK patients.
   
2. Using the IntraLase system instead of a blade increases overall safety, but it also raises the cost. IntraLASIK can mean an additional $300 per eye over traditional LASIK. 
   

Dr. Carter will take the necessary time to discuss your options and help you make the best choice for you. If you are ready to discuss vision correction options, please contact an IntraLASIK specialist to receive Carter Custom Care™ in the Dallas, Texas area.

ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens

The ReSTOR lens is an artificial lens implant designed to replace a damaged or faulty natural lens. It is made from a flexible plastic material that allows it to focus light on the retina. This allows for clear vision at near, far, and in-between distances. Dr. Carter can insert a ReSTOR lens in a short office visit. The result is significant improvement in both the quality and range of vision.

The ReSTOR lens is FDA-approved for the treatment of cataracts and can also be used to treat presbyopia (“middle-aged” vision). If you are in your 40s and have trouble with close-up vision, you may be experiencing the first effects of presbyopia, a problem with the eye’s lens. As we age, the lens becomes less able to focus on nearby objects for reading and other activities. Dr. Carter can replace it with a flexible lens like ReSTOR and help repair vision reduced by presbyopia.

In a recent study, approximately 80 percent of patients who received the ReSTOR lens reported that they no longer needed their glasses. It became easier to read, drive or play sports without any kind of external corrective lens.

Let Dr. Carter help you decide how to proceed with your cataract or presbyopia concerns and answer any questions you may have. Please call or email our vision correction office in Dallas, Texas to schedule a free consultation.

ReZoom

The ReZoom Multifocal Lens is a clear, acrylic foldable lens implant. The new technology of the multifocal lens is designed to provide an improvement in the full range of your vision, whether far away, close up, or somewhere in the middle. Your eye’s natural lens deteriorates as you age. The result is often cataracts or presbyopia (blurry close vision). ReZoom is FDA-approved to treat both conditions.

Dr. Carter’s goal is to help you see better anywhere and at anytime, in all lighting conditions. If you have good eye health but are dependent on reading glasses or bifocals, you could be a candidate for ReZoom. You don’t need to be a candidate for cataract surgery to qualify for the ReZoom lens.

The procedure typically takes about 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. Before surgery, Dr. Carter will treat your eye with anesthetic to avoid any eye discomfort. A tiny incision is made in your eye, allowing him to use a small ultrasound probe to break up the cloudy or faulty lens. Gentle suction easily removes the pieces and the ReZoom lens is then inserted and set into its position.

Following the surgery, you will rest in Dr. Carter’s office for a short time before going home. Prescription eye drops will be necessary to prevent infection and help you heal. You may also need to use a protective shield to keep you from rubbing your eye(s) in your sleep. Everyone heals differently, but most patients see well enough to return to normal activities within a day of the procedure.

Dr. Carter can help you decide how to proceed with your cataract concerns and he will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact eye surgeon Dr. Carter in Dallas, Texas to arrange your free consultation.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the name of a group of eye diseases which damage the optic nerve. It is often caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP). This pressure is typically the result of a malfunction or malformation of the eye’s drainage systems. Untreated, increased IOP causes permanent damage to the optic nerve and retina and the result is progressive, irreversible loss of vision. However, early detection and treatment of glaucoma can slow, or even halt its progression.

What Causes Glaucoma?

The eyes have a clear fluid called aqueous humor, (or just “aqueous”), which fills the space between the cornea and iris. Your eyes filter this fluid using a complex drainage system. The balance between the production and the drainage of aqueous is what determines intraocular pressure (IOP). For most, the IOP level is between 8 and 21. When it rises above this range, glaucoma becomes a concern.

However, in some glaucoma cases, IOP is normal. The determining diagnostic factor for glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma Symptoms
The most common type of glaucoma is a dangerous disease because it seldom causes symptoms and glaucoma warning signs are not always immediately detected. Early detection of glaucoma is important in preserving vision and can be done during routine eye examinations.

However, certain types of glaucoma do cause symptoms:
• Congenital Glaucoma Symptoms: tearing, enlarged cornea, and light sensitivity
• Angle Closure Symptoms: extreme eye pain, sudden decrease of vision, nausea/vomiting

Glaucoma Treatment

Most patients with glaucoma require only eyedrops to control the IOP. Surgery is necessary only when medical treatment cannot lower the pressure. Surgery enables fluid to drain from the eye more efficiently. Some procedures involve lasers and can be done in-office and others must be performed in an operating room.

Dr. Carter will take the necessary time to discuss your options and help you with any questions you may have. If you would like to discuss your options, please contact our eyecare office in Dallas, Texas.