Cataracts

Cataracts are still the leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 55. Cataract surgery is also one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the United States today. The latest innovation in cataract surgery promotes patient comfort and convenience. Over the past several years, advances in technology in cataract surgery have made this procedure one of the safest and most effective surgeries available.

The latest technology calls for the use of eye drops to numb the eye. No needles are used in and around the eye. This promotes patient comfort and reduces anxiety. An added benefit of using numbing drops is a rapid recovery time, allowing the patient to see better quicker and return to normal activities in a minimal amount of time.

This specialized surgery also takes advantage of the eye's natural ability to heal itself. Once the cataract is removed and the artificial lens is implanted, the eye tissue is closed over the incision and sealed naturally — no stitches. This natural seal is much stronger than stitches and reduces patient discomfort. No-stitch surgery also reduces the chances of complications, like astigmatism that sometimes occurs in traditional cataract surgery requiring stitches.

Intraocular Lenses (IOL'S) implanted at the same time as cataract removal. This provides the best vision following surgery. Bifocal style IOL'S are now available and help eliminate the need for glasses. 

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in the United States. A simple painless eye exam can detect the disease. With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can usually be controlled and blindness prevented.

Glaucoma can affect anyone from newborn infants to the elderly. It has been estimated that up to 3 million Americans have glaucoma. At least half of those people do not know they have it because glaucoma usually has no symptoms. People who are at a greater risk for glaucoma usually have the following conditions:

• at least 45 years old without regular eye exams
• a family history of glaucoma
• abnormally high eye pressure
• African descent
• nearsightedness
• diabetes
• previous eye injury
• regular, long-term use of cortisone/steroid products

To detect glaucoma, Dr. Bacotti will test your visual acuity, visual field, dilate your pupils and test the pressure in your eye. Regular and complete eye exams help to monitor the changes in your eyesight and will help to determine whether you may develop glaucoma.

Treatment to control glaucoma include medications in the form of either eye drops or pills, laser surgery and conventional surgery.

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Medical Retina

Retinal Tear
Retinal tears commonly occur when there is traction on the retina by the vitreous gel inside the eye. In a child’s eye, the vitreous has an egg-white consistency and is firmly attached to certain areas of the retina. Over time, the vitreous gradually becomes thinner, more liquid and separates from the retina. This is known as a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

PVD's are typically harmless and cause floaters in the eye; but in some cases, the traction on the retina may create a tear. Retinal tears frequently lead to detachments as fluids seep underneath the retina, causing it to separate and detach.

Retinal Detachment
A retinal detachment occurs when the retina’s sensory and pigment layers separate. Because it can cause devastating damage to the vision if left untreated, retinal detachment is considered an ocular emergency that requires immediate medical attention and surgery. It is a problem that occurs most frequently in the middle-aged and elderly.

There are three types of retinal detachments. The most common type occurs when there is a break in the sensory layer of the retina, and fluid seeps underneath, causing the layers of the retina to separate. Those who are very nearsighted, have undergone eye surgery, or have experienced a serious eye injury are at greater risk for this type of detachment. Nearsighted people are more susceptible because their eyes are longer than average from front to back, causing the retina to be thinner and more fragile.

Refractive Surgery

Many individuals have turned to refractive surgery to eliminate the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses. Radial keratotomy is the procedure in which a knife is used to make radial spokes in the cornea surface. This procedure is only effective in individuals with low degrees of astigmatism and myopia (nearsightedness) and is therefore seldom utilized. LASIK, which is a form of laser vision correction, is now the recognized standard of care for refractive surgery in the US today.

With the advent of laser technology, vision correction has entered a new era. Today, laser vision correction is recognized as the most important development since the introduction of contact lenses over three decades ago. Correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism with the excimer laser is the most technologically advanced method available to reduce your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. This exciting technology uses a cool laser beam of light to gently reshape the front surface of your eye. Over one million laser vision correction procedures have been performed, in 52 countries around the world, for more than a decade.

Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is the physical disturbance of the center of the retina
known as the macula. The macula is the part of the retina which enables acute and detailed vision. The macula is used for reading, driving, recognizing faces, and watching television. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over age 55. Surgery to remove the scar produced by macular degeneration has been successful in younger patients, but less successful in older patients.

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Dry Eye Syndrome

Tears serve to lubricate the eye and they are produced around the clock, but when insufficient moisture is produced stinging, burning, scratchiness and other symptoms are experienced and may be referred to as Dry Eye, Keratitis Sicca, Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) or Xerophthalmia.

About 10 million Americans suffer from dry eye syndrome. Most of these cases result from normal aging of the glands in the eye, but dry eye can occur at any age. People suffering from allergies and those wearing contact lenses have greater risk of developing dry eye.

Dry eye cannot be cured, but your eyes' sensitivity can be lessened and measures taken so your eyes remain healthy. The most frequent method of treatment is the use of artificial tears or tear substitutes. For more severe dry eye, ointment can be used, typically at bedtime. In some cases, small plugs may be inserted in the corner of the eyelids to slow drainage and loss of tears.

To keep dry eye symptoms in check, you Dr. Bacotti need to work together. Follow instructions carefully. If you have increased dryness or redness that is not relieved by the prescribed treatment, let Dr. Bacotti know as soon as possible.

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Diabetic Retinopathy

Long-term, uncontrolled diabetes can cause progressive damage to the eye's retina, resulting in vision loss.

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy is painless and often produces no symptoms. If this non-proliferative or background retinopathy leads to macular edema, you may notice a gradual blurring of your vision. Reading and other close work may become more difficult.

If the abnormal blood vessels bleed, vision may become spotty, hazy, or disappear completely.

But because diabetic retinopathy often causes no symptoms. even in advanced cases. it is very important to have a yearly dilated eye exam.

The disease can be treated and vision loss prevented, if diagnosed early enough.

Dr. Bacotti can tell you if you show signs of diabetic eye disease by looking at the inside of the eye with a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope.

To better see inside the eye, we may dilate (widen) your pupil with eye drops. Your eyes will be more sensitive to light for a brief time after a dilated eye exam, so bring sunglasses to your exam or have someone drive you home.

Routine Eye Exams

Our office is equipped with the latest technology in diagnostic and examination equipment. This allows us to provide our patients with the most thorough, comprehensive eye examinations available.

We thoroughly check the internal and external health of your eyes including tests for cataracts and glaucoma. Dr. Bacotti also checks for the presence of corneal disorders and will examine the retina to ensure proper health and continued good vision.

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