Questions about Presbyopia

What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is the age-related loss of the ability to see close-up. Presbyopia can be identified by your need to hold objects at arm's length to be able to see them clearly. Often this condition prompts people to buy over-the-counter reading glasses or get bifocals when they are beyond the ages of 40-45.

Is Presbyopia common?
Presbyopia is one eye condition that every person is at risk for, because every person is aging. Although it may not affect every individual, it is very common, and there is no one theory on what causes presbyopia. Some theories have to do with the muscles surrounding the lens getting weaker with age, or the hardening of the lens. But until the true cause of presbyopia can be discovered, it cannot be prevented, only treated.

What are my options to treat Presbyopia?
At Carter Eye Center, we offer our patients in Dallas, Texas many options for the treatment of presbyopia. Conductive keratoplasty (CK) can reshape your cornea to give you a better field of vision. IOLs, or intraocular lenses, are used to replace your natural lenses. These can give you good vision at many distances, and have the advantage of preventing cataracts.

You can find out more about how to see clearly without the nuisance of reading glasses by asking us your questions today.

Questions about Cataracts

What are cataracts?
Cataracts are a clouding in the eye that blocks light from reaching the retina, making it more difficult to see. It is possible to have cataracts in only one eye. The most common cataracts are caused by aging, but younger people can also develop cataracts from various conditions, or may even be born with them.

Who gets cataracts?
Almost anyone may develop a cataract. The early symptoms of cataracts may include a lowered ability to see blue colors, and a yellowing of the eye lens. Blurry vision, halos, glares, and sensitivity to light may also be symptoms of developing cataracts. If you think you might have cataracts, you should make an eye appointment immediately.

Is there a cure for cataracts?
At this point, there is no cure for cataracts. However, the affected lens can be replaced with a substitute lens, an IOL (intraocular lens). There are various types of IOL which can be compared to other types of vision lenses. IOLs are placed under the surface of the eye, and may be for near vision or may be multifocal.

If you have cataracts or know someone who does, find out the answers to more of your questions by visiting our Cataract FAQ page, or contact us today to learn about your treatment options at Carter Eye Center in Dallas, Texas.

Questions About LASIK

What is LASIK?
LASIK is so commonly used that many people don’t know that the acronym stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. In simple phrasing, it means surgery to the cornea with the use of a laser. Lasers were first used to perform corneal surgery around 1950, but the procedures used have changed and improved over the years.
Wavefront-guided LASIK, the kind used by Dr. Carter, uses technology utilized for years by astronomers but was only recently applied to LASIK. It allows Dr. Carter to precisely map the shape of your eyes and achieve a more uniform shape of the cornea. This allows greater accuracy in the procedure and helps you have even better vision.

Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
There are many factors which contribute to whether or not you are a good candidate for LASIK. Some indicators that you may be a good candidate for LASIK are:

• You are over 21
• You aren't nursing or pregnant
• You currently use glasses or contacts
• Your prescription has not changed within the past year
• You understand risks associated with LASIK
• You don't have a history of scarring or dry eyes

What will happen at my LASIK consultation?
When you come see Dr. Carter for a consultation, you will be asked about your health history and your eye history. Dr. Carter will then examine your eyes and let you know if you are a good candidate for LASIK. If you are disqualified from LASIK, Dr. Carter may be able to offer you another option for seeing without glasses and contacts.

The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK at the Carter Eye Center in Dallas is to make an appointment with Dr. Carter today.

Visian ICL

You probably already know that not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. But did you know there is an option for near-sighted adults that can still allow you to see clearly without contacts or eyeglasses?

Rather than adjusting your natural lens, Visian ICL is a lens which is placed over the front of your eye's natural lens, adjusting the refraction of light to help you see clearly. Other lenses have been used for older adults (over the age of 45), but Visian ICL is specifically for younger adults between the ages of 21 and 45 who may not be good candidates for traditional LASIK.

ICL stands for Implantable Collamer® Lens, a hypoallergenic material that is safe for use in the eye. Unlike a contact, which sits on top of the eye, Visian ICL is inserted under a flap in the eye, so you will not be able to feel it like you would contacts. Also, if your vision changes in the future, Dr. Carter can replace the ICL with a new lens to adjust for the change.

You can learn more about Visian ICL at the Carter Eye Center in Dallas by emailing Dr. Carter. If you have been told LASIK isn't a good option for you, Visian ICL may be the right choice.