Wavefront Technology

Wavefront mapping is a vision diagnosis technology that makes it possible for Dr. Carter to customize your laser eye surgery more precisely than was previously possible. The Wavefront technology precisely measures and records the unique imperfections of your eyes and creates a 3D map for each eye. Dr. Carter use the recorded data and maps to plan your vision correction treatment. LASIK performed after a Wavefront diagnosis is known as custom LASIK.

How does Wavefront Mapping Work?

Wavefront mapping can detect and measure vision defects 25 times more precisely than other standard methods. To create a Wavefront map for each of your eyes, a safe and painless beam of light is passed through each eye. It travels through to the retina and then reflects back to the Wavefront system.

The Wavefront system captures and measures the changes that your eyes made to the light beam. A perfect eye would make no changes, but no person has a perfect eye. Each human eye has microscopic aberrations in its contours which create a curved formation to the front of the light beam.

These curved formations are known as Higher Order Aberrations and were not corrected by early LASIK procedures, done before Wavefront technology was developed. They mostly relate to night vision and so far about 60 have been discovered and recorded. There are just three Lower Order Aberrations: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

After a Wavefront LASIK sensor identifies, measures, and maps your eye’s aberrations (both lower and higher), computer software converts the data into a mathematic formula. This formula becomes the treatment instructions for the laser Dr. Carter uses to conduct your custom LASIK procedure.

To better understand the process or to schedule an appointment for Custom LASIK, please contact LASIK surgeon Dr. Carter today. Our office serves Dallas, Texas.

Can you Prevent Cataracts?

Cataracts are a change in the eye’s lens, where it becomes so cloudy that it impairs your vision. Cataracts happen as we age and there is no proven way to prevent them or to reverse the damage once it has begun.

Cataracts can also be caused by problems such as diabetes, eye trauma, certain drugs, or prolonged sunlight exposure. In these situations, some precautions can sometimes prevent cataracts from forming:

1. If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar and diabetes under control.
2. Pay close attention to the side effects of drugs such as steroids and psoriasis medications. Prolonged use or high doses can cause cataracts over time.
3. Protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. It is as harmful to your eyes as it is to your skin.
4. Be sure to have antioxidants in your diet and/or as a supplement. Vitamins such as beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E have been shown to slow the development of cataracts.
5. Protect your eyes from any type of injury. Trauma to the eyes can cause a cataract almost immediately, so it is important to wear safety glasses when necessary.

Preliminary studies have also indicated that vigorous exercise or caffeine intake to prohibit free radicals (unstable and damaging molecules) may be helpful in preventing cataracts. Still, the best way to care for your eye health and prevent vision loss from cataracts is to educate yourself and to have regular eye exams.

Our team is available to answer any questions you may have about eye health and disease prevention. If you'd like to have a more in-depth discussion about your own case, please call or email eye surgeon Dr. Carter for a free personal consultation.

Diabetic Retinopathy

For a diabetic, eye care is very important to preserve vision. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin, a hormone which helps in digesting sugar, or cannot use it effectively. When the blood sugar level is too high, it can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy.

The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop retinopathy. The eye’s blood vessels become fragile and start to leak. This gives blurry vision. It also impairs blood flow in the eye tissues and the lack of oxygen causes new blood vessels to develop. These new blood vessels are also fragile, and also leak and can cause scar tissue. The retina may be pulled away from the back of the eye (retinal detachment). Left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Anyone with diabetes could potentially develop diabetic retinopathy. Patients may not initially notice vision changes, but it can later lead to an extremely dangerous form of the disease and cause blindness.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Those with diabetes don't typically develop diabetic retinopathy until they have had diabetes for at least 10 years. A change in blood-sugar levels also increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina which causes them to leak fluid or bleed. This leads to swelling, formation of deposits in the retina, and impaired vision.

Dr. Carter recommends that anyone diagnosed with diabetes have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

Prevention

You can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by taking proper care of yourself.
• Keep your blood sugar under control
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor your blood pressure
• See a doctor regularly

Treatment

The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 95 percent of those with diabetic retinopathy can avoid vision loss if they are well-monitored and treated early. A laser can be used to seal off leaking blood vessels and destroy new growth. While this treatment has proven successful, Dr. Carter stresses the importance of regular eye exams for any patient with diabetes.

If you are diabetic and have more questions or need to schedule an eye exam, please contact our diabetic eye care office today. We serve the Dallas, Texas area.

IOL Risks

Complications associated with intraocular lenses and implantation surgery occur in less than 5 percent of cases, but some IOL risks do exist. Dr. Carter will examine your eyes and carefully review your medical history to determine if you are a good IOL candidate. If you are eligible, the final decision on whether to have IOL surgery is yours. IOLs can correct the vision problems of cataracts and presbyopia.

Intraocular Lens Risks
The most common IOL risk is minor infection. This is generally caught early and managed effectively with antibiotics. Other complications are possible but not necessarily severe.

• Corneal Edema: Swelling in the cornea affects most IOL patients after surgery. If the cornea was healthy before your surgery, the edema should clear up on its own within a day or two. If it persists for longer, Dr. Carter can provide treatment and medications.
• Increased Intraocular Pressure: A spike in intraocular pressure is fairly common following an IOL procedure. One cause is temporarily retained viscoelastic – a jelly-like substance used to facilitate placement and positioning of the IOL. The thick consistency of viscoelastic can inhibit draining of your eye's aqueous fluid, causing intraocular inflammation. Topical medications clear up the problem in most cases.
• Leakage: Wound leaks can cause serious complications if left without treatment. With leakage, the interior of your eye becomes exposed to infectious agents. If a leak is discovered, a bandage contact lens is placed over the eye and will usually slow the leak to allow natural healing.
• Retinal Detachment: During IOL surgery, a retinal tear can cause ocular fluid to seep behind the retina and lead to retinal detachment. Patients with retinal detachment are most often referred to a retinal specialist.

Please call or email eye surgeon Dr. Carter if you would like a free personal consultation and more information about the IOL procedure.