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My Vision is Changing

Macular Degeneration One of the main reasons patients go to their eye doctor is because they feel that their “vision is changing.” There are many causes for changes in vision; this piece will talk about changes in vision experienced by mature patients.

Normal aging of the eyes requires us to get reading glasses. The age that reading glasses are needed varies from individual to individual. Some patients never have the problem; others start having to use reading glasses at a relatively early age.

One of the more serious problems encountered in the aging population is macular degeneration. Macular degeneration can be a serious problem, especially if it is not recognized early and treated appropriately.

A patient with macular degeneration will usually begin to notice that the central portion of the vision is changing. They can still see everything from side-to-side, but when looking straight ahead it seems that the vision is diminished.

There are two types of macular degeneration. “Dry” macular degeneration is the most common form. If you have this the doctor will see you often to make sure that the macular degeneration does not convert to “wet” macular degeneration.

Dry macular degeneration will cause vision changes. It progresses slowly and only needs to be monitored to be certain that it is not spreading.

On the other hand, wet macular degeneration is much more aggressive and, if not treated as soon as possible, can cause blindness in the individual.

If you experience changes in your vision you need to advise your doctor. He/she will test your eyes to determine the exact causes of the changes. Once a diagnosis has been made the doctor will suggest treatment options to correct the problem.

Once the problem is corrected, as long as no permanent damage has been done, you will once again be able to see with a full field of vision.

Why take chances with your eyes? Call us for an appointment and evaluation.

Posted on March 30th, 2015

Five Foods to Keep Your Eyes Healthy

Healthy Eyes Are your eyes getting all the nutrients they need to prevent macular denegation, cataracts, glaucoma, and other vision problems? There are several foods that you can be eating as part of a regular, healthy diet which can help your maintain your vision. Remember the myth that carrots are good for your eyes and can help you see in the dark? Well, it’s not entirely a myth! Check out some of the best foods to eat to help your eyes.

Kale

A rich source of zeaxanthin and lutein, this leafy green is believed to protect eye tissues from damage from the sun and lower the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. It’s recent growth in popularity has its reasons—and it’s benefits. Its “super food” status gives your eyes what they need! Other good sources of these nutrients include spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, peas, broccoli, red grapes, oranges, yellow squash, kiwi, mangoes, corn and honeydew melon.

Sweet Potatoes

A good source of beta carotene, these spuds help slow the progression of macular degeneration. Your body changes beta carotene to vitamin A, a nutrient which helps stop night blindness and dry eyes. It can also help battle an eye infection. You can also find beta carotene in other deep orange foods like butternut squash, carrots, and dark green foods like collard greens and spinach. Milk, liver and eggs are other good sources of vitamin A.

Strawberries

Juicy, fresh strawberries are good for your eyes and have a lot of vitamin C, an antioxidant which can help lessen your cataract risk.

Salmon

Omega-3 fatty acids can help to relieve dry eyes. Healthy fats from salmon or other kinds of fish, avocado, walnuts, olive oil, olives or flax seed are a healthy and tasty way to care for your eyes each day.

Green Tea

More than delicious and relaxing, a cup of green tea has antioxidants that could help lower your risk for developing macular degeneration and cataracts. It has been discovered that eye tissue can absorb these antioxidants, so it could be that the cup of green tea you had was more than just relaxing. Other foods that are high in catechins are chocolate, red wine, apples and berries.

Posted on March 15th, 2015

Ophthalmic Surgeons and Physicians in the Arizona Area

Our team of eye surgeons, specialists and technicians offer a wide range of consultations and ophthalmic services to Arizona area residents. We specialize in correcting cornea and anterior segment eye conditions.

We provide:

Corneal transplants
Dry eye treatments
Cataract surgery
LASIK
Investigative trials

Each of the doctors and technicians have successfully completed a minimum of 13 years of training, including medical school, internships and ophthalmology residency. They have also completed various additional trainings such as year-length fellowships in refractive surgery, cornea treatments and external disease.

Our team specializes in eye conditions such as ocular trauma, keratoconus, and severe ocular infections. We also help with ocular malignancies, inflammatory disease, and refractive surgery.

At our clinic, you can find technologically advanced surgeries such as LASIK, INTACS and other surgical procedures that help us solve astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. These procedures help reduce your dependency on glasses and contact lenses.

Cornea Transplants
When the clear outer covering of your eye has been scraped, scratched, or damaged, it may be in need of replacement. Cornea transplants provide a new and healthy cornea extracted from a donor.

Depending on the situation, you may be in need of partial or complete replacement of the cornea. Either way, the surgery is an outpatient procedure performed by a board certified cornea specialist.

A successful cornea transplant helps:

Improve vision
Reduce eye pain
Correct inflammation
Increase the comfort and look of the eyes

In certain instances, such as corneal damage due to congentital disorders or chemical burns, some patients are not good candidates for regular cornea transplant. For them, we can perform keratoprosthesis, or an artificial cornea transplant.

Dr. Gross, the medical director of the Donor Network of Arizona Eye Bank, is highly particular about the quality of the incoming cornea during transplant. He makes sure to minimize risk of the donated cornea with the donor tissue.

Correct Dry Eyes
Tears keep your eyes lubricated and reduce the chance of an eye infection. When you have dry eyes, the tears in your eye are insufficient to nourish or lubricate your eye. In such a case, you need to consult an expert to get your eyes looked into.

The causes of dry eyes include:

Aging
Insufficient amount of water layer (KCS)
Medications (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes)
Environmental conditions (dust, smoke)

Our expert uses a Schirmer test to determine the magnitude of the condition. We are capable of handling even chronic conditions. We also recommend Physician Recommended Nutricueticals (PRN).

Dealing with issues of the eye requires meticulous care backed by years of expertise. Our team of experts ensures maximum safety.

Book your appointment today. Call 602-258-4321.

Posted on February 27th, 2015

Easing Your Fears: Everything You Need to Know About Cornea Transplants

Did you know that every year in the United States there are over 40,000 cornea transplant surgeries performed? At Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Arizona, our surgeons treat every cornea transplant with attention and care.

We understand how overwhelming and frightening the thought of eye surgery can be. Here is some information about the procedure to help ease your fears.

When is a Cornea Transplant Needed?
An optometrist would suggest a transplant for a patient who has vision problems that prescription eyeglasses cannot fix. It is also an option when the eyes swell painfully and medication has no impact.

What Exactly is Your Cornea?
Your cornea is a thin clear tissue covering the front of each of your eyes. All of the lights and images you see pass through the cornea. Your cornea needs to stay clear in order to see well.

There are a number of issues which can damage your cornea. Each of these issues make your cornea cloudy which impacts your vision in a negative way:

Fuchs’ dystrophy – a progressive eye disease
Lattice dystrophy – a rare corneal disease
Keratoconus – a progressive eye disease

What are the Risks Associated with the Surgery?
While a cornea transplant is considered a safe procedure, there are a few risks and side effects to be aware of. These include:

Eye infection
Dry eyes
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Swelling
Transplant rejection

How Do You Know the Cornea was Rejected?
As noted above, cornea transplants are typically safe and successful. However, in about 20% of cases, a patient’s body might reject the transplant, requiring medical treatment and another transplant. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor right away:

Vision loss
Irritation in the form of pain, redness, and swelling
Light sensitivity

Recovering from the Transplant
The reason a patient needs a cornea transplant largely impacts the success rate of the surgery. Statistics and research shows that a donated cornea can last for a decade. The success rate for individuals with specific eye diseases includes:

89% success rate for keratoconus
73% for Fuchs’ dystrophy
60% for Lattice dystrophy

If you think you would benefit from a cornea transplant surgery, please call us to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today.

Posted on February 15th, 2015

Dry Eyes: a Dangerous Affliction

Your eyes are very sensitive, and no one wants to endure eye pain. Unfortunately, there are many different diseases and conditions that can affect your eyes. One of these afflictions that is much more serious that it originally appears is dry eyes.

What Causes Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes are caused when the tears produced by your eyes are not able to provide sufficient moisture content. Either your eyes are not producing enough tears to provide adequate moisture and lubrication for the surface of your eyes, or your eyes are not producing good quality tears.

Dry eyes can also be caused if the evaporation rate is increased, causing tears to evaporate from the tear film of a person’s eyes and tears get evaporated from the tear film of a person’s eyes. Tear film consists of three different layers. The outer-most layer is oily in order to smooth the eye’s surface and reduce the rate of evaporation, allowing the tears to stay on the eye. The next layer is the watery layer, which actually produces tears, helping to clean the eye and wash away any foreign and irritating particles. Then comes the innermost layer of mucus. Mucus helps the watery layer spread evenly and keeps the eye moist. Without any one of these layers, tears do not remain in the eyes, and the eyes dry up.

What Makes You a Target for Dry Eyes?

Dry eyes are most common in people above 60 years of age. If suffering from dry eyes, you will suffer from persistent dryness and scratchiness. Often it feels like a burning sensation and your eyes will be red. Although it can be a long-lasting condition due to age, it can also happen temporarily in certain situations, such as in an airplane or an air-conditioned room. Your eyes can even feel dry after looking at a computer screen for a long time.

When you visit the doctor, he or she will try to measure the amount of tears your eye is producing via a test. After your tears are measured, your doctor will prescribe an artificial tear solution based on your specific diagnosis. These solutions can easily be bought from any medical store and will cure your dry eyes. If left untreated, dry eyes could affect your vision, but this is very easy to prevent.

In case you think you are suffering from dry eyes, you should consult the qualified specialists at the Cornea Consultants of Arizona.

Posted on December 31st, 2014

The Visual Miracle of a Cornea Transplant

Cornea Transplant Every little piece of the body is a working miracle. Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that each of your fingers move? Or that your brain can control everything? Or that your eyes can receive and process images so quickly? Perhaps another miracle is that of modern medicine. Today, there are so many different treatments for when our body malfunctions and is not so miraculous. Among these blessings in the medical world is the cornea transplant surgery, which provides a ray of hope to all of those (perhaps you included!) who have partially or fully lost their eyesight due to cornea damage.

Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Arizona is your place to go for these delicate treatments. Here’s what you need to know.

What Happens During a Cornea Transplant?

A cornea transplant treats the outer portion of the eye through surgery. Also called corneal grafting, the transplant is usually done when the cornea has been ripped or otherwise damaged. You will require a healthy cornea from a donor, which is usually obtained through an eye bank. Although the whole cornea is often replaced, there are times when it will only be a partial replacement.

Cornea transplant are very beneficial and will give you the following effects:

Improvement in your vision.
Decrease in any eye inflammation.
Decrease in the pain caused by the malfunctioning eye.

Here at Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Arizona, we do our best to make sure that the surgery is beneficial to you and worth your time and money. It is only performed after extensive consultation with our board of doctors and medical specialists. They will put you at ease and answer any questions you might have.

The recovery period varies from patient to patient, depending on their prior health. However, here at our center, we ensure that each patient is carefully monitored after surgery, to both record and aid the entire recovery process. Before, during, and after surgery, we meet high, world-class standards.

Make your world (and vision) brighter today through an appointment with the Cornea & Cataract Consultants of America!

Posted on December 15th, 2014

Dry eyes can be a dangerous disease

Everybody knows that great eyes can be a blessing. They are the main feature of the human face and amongst one of the most important body parts so, a person should take good care of his or her eyes. Eyes may suffer from many diseases and dry eyes are one of them.

The causes of dry eyes:

Dry eyes are caused when the tears produced by your eyes are not able to provide sufficient moisture content. This can be caused due to many reasons; either your eyes are not producing enough tears to provide adequate moisture and lubrication or they are not producing tears of good quality to stay healthy and comfortable.

Dry eyes can also be caused if tears get evaporated to soon from the film of a person’s eyes. Tear film consists of three different layers. The outer most layer is the oil layer and its purpose is smoothing of the tears surface, but its most important role is that it reduces the rate of evaporation of tears from the surface of the tear film. The next layer is watery layer. This is the layer which actually produces tears, which are used to clean the eye and wash away any foreign and irritating particles. Then comes the innermost layer which is called mucus. Mucus helps the watery layer to spread over evenly, and helps the eye in remaining moist.

What makes you a target of dry eyes?

Dry eyes are most common in people above 60 years of age. If a person is suffering with dry eyes, his or eyes will not feel comfortable. The other symptoms of dry eyes are that, the person will feel persistent dryness and scratchiness and can also feel a burning sensation in the eyes.

Dry eyes can also occur in certain situations, such as when you are on an airplane, when you are in an air-conditioned room, while riding a bike or you can also feel dry eyes after looking at a computer screen for many hours.

When you visit the doctor, the doctor will try to measure the amount of tears that your eye is producing. After measuring the amount of tears that your body is producing, the doctor will prescribe you an artificial tear solution. These solutions can easily be bought from medical store and dry eyes will be cured and thus will prevent your vision from being affected.

In case you think you are suffering from dry eyes, you should consult some qualified specialists like, Cornea Consultants of Arizona.

Posted on November 30th, 2014

Cornea Transplant- Visual Miracles Coming Real

Nature has bestowed upon us a number of different blessings and creations. One of the greatest blessings is man himself – the human body is no less than a miracle. Every single body is a system in itself, which fulfills a vast set of activities, and we forget the importance of these blessings until we are devoid of them. Sight is amongst the most unique gifts of God, enabling us to see and cherish our surroundings. Sometimes, however, vision, or, the proper functioning of the eyes, deteriorates due to functional disorders.

Thankfully, surgical procedures are now available to repair and correct eye ailments and malfunctions. Eye surgeries and corneal transplants provide a ray of hope for all those who have long awaited the treatment of previously incurable eye ailments. Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Arizona facilitate these needs.

Procedural details of a Cornea Transplant

Cornea transplant is a surgical treatment which treats the clear outer portion of the eye. The procedure is also referred as a corneal grafting. Corneal grafting usually requires a healthy cornea from a donor. In some cases, a portion of the cornea needs to be changed, and in other cases, the entire cornea itself.

Corneal transplants result in the following improvements:

Improvement in eye vision
Decreases in eye inflammation
Decreases in pain

Surgery is performed in conjunction with the consultation of a board of doctors and medical specialists. The recovery period after surgery may vary from patient to patient, depending upon the patient’s health. All patients will be monitored post-surgery for optimal performance and results.

Posted on November 15th, 2014

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Aging can do a lot of things to our bodies and even impair our vision as we get older. Cataract, an eye condition where there is clouding of the lens, is not only caused by aging, but can also happen as a result of physical, chemical, or drug injury.

Here at Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Arizona, we offer various cataract treatments. Vision can be improved by using new eyeglasses prescribed by your eye doctor or the use of magnifying glasses. However, there are cases when cataract surgery in Phoenix is needed.

Cataract surgery is done to remove or cleanse the cloudy lens that has been affecting the patient’s vision and replace it with a clear, artificial lens. A technique called phacoemulsification is commonly used during cataract surgery. Also known as “small cut cataract surgery”, this method involves creating a small incision on the lens while its center section, which is the harder part, is liquefied and removed through a vacuuming motion.

Intraocular Lens Implantation: What Is It?

Once the cataract is completely removed, a new one, which is called an intraocular lens (IOL), is inserted. The IOL is made of clear plastic, silicone, or acrylic and helps bring back normal vision. Oftentimes, the procedure even minimizes the patient’s dependence on prescription glasses or lenses after surgery. What’s great about your new, replacement lens is that they are permanent and may not need any special care. However, cataract surgery is not a substitute for laser vision correction.

Cataract Surgery in Phoenix

To learn more about your treatment options and to know if you need cataract surgery, schedule an appointment with one of our eye experts today. You may contact us by calling 602-258-4321 or filling out this online form.

Posted on October 31st, 2014

Keep Your Eyes Bright and Healthy

The eyes are not only the “windows to the soul”, but they are also vital organs of the body. Because of this, there is never an excuse to take the health of our eyes for granted. Protecting one’s eyesight can be easily done with the following tips and practices.

Eat good food for good vision.

Make sure to eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C and E, lutein, and zinc. Such vitamins and minerals are known to ward off vision problems that are commonly caused by aging.

Just quit smoking.

If you need another reason to quit smoking, it is the fact that the habit is one common source of significant eye problems, such as cataract, macular degeneration, and optic nerve damage. Don’t get disappointed if you failed to quit the first time you tried. The more you keep trying, the more you are likely to be successful.

Wear appropriate sunglasses and eye gear.

Our eyes are a sensitive part of our body, which is why it is important that it is protected at all times. The sun’s UV rays can be harmful to the eyes and is likely to put you at risk for macular degeneration and cataracts. Wearing the right kind of sunglasses, such as those intended to block both UVA and UVB rays, help protect the eyes. Safety eyewear is also a must-wear when engaging in sports and hazardous activities that involve exposure to airborne materials.

Another way to maintain good eye health is to have regular eye exams. Our eye doctors at Cornea & Cataract Consultants of Arizona will examine your eyes and provide you with instructions on how to take care of them properly. Call us at 602-258-4321 to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.

Posted on October 15th, 2014