Blog Archives | Page 3 of 21 | Specialty Eye Institute

Why Should You Consider Traveling for Cataract Surgery

Reasons To Travel For Cataract Surgery

An estimated 60 percent of Americans will eventually develop cataracts.

Once a cataract has progressed to advanced stages, surgery will be needed to ease the symptoms and restore visual acuity. The cost of cataract surgery will be an important factor in deciding where and when to have the procedure done, among other factors.

In searching for the best facility for your eye surgery, it might be wise to look beyond your hometown and consider traveling to get a better experience with your corrective surgery.

Research & Technology

At Specialty Eye Institute, you can feel confident about the quality of eye care you will receive because our doctors are committed to research and clinical studies using the most advanced equipment available to allow for early detection of eye conditions.

By diagnosing eye conditions early, the doctors have the best chance of giving each patient a successful outcome in treatment.

Traditional surgery to treat cataracts has been proven to be among the safest and most successful procedures in modern medicine. The popularity of laser cataract surgery has increased the degree of precision involved in performing certain critical steps of the procedure.

Types of Surgery & Lenses

Do you prefer a specific type of cataract surgery?

With the cutting-edge equipment and superior technology available at Specialty Eye Institute, our doctors will customize your surgery to give you the best possible results.

Traditional cataract surgery uses a no-stitch incision and is very safe and efficient and now with laser cataract surgery, Specialty Eye Institute can create incisions and potentially reduce astigmatism up to 10 times more precise than manual techniques for some portions of the cataract surgical procedure.

During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens will be removed and an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) will be inserted in its place. With the new, crystal clear lens, light rays will be able to penetrate to the retina and allow visual images to be sent to the brain.

A variety of lenses are available to choose from, and the type of lens used will affect the price and outcome of your surgery. And, certain lens options aren’t right for everyone so your doctor will help guide you to find the best option that fits your individual needs.

Different Lens Options:

Depth-of-Focus Lens
Toric Lens
Multifocal Lens
Monofocal Lens

Cost, Insurance & Payment Plans

Most private insurance carriers and Medicare cover the costs of basic surgery for cataracts. There will be some out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles. Costs will also vary depending on the type of lenses chosen for your surgery.

Specialty Eye Institute’s staff will work with you every step to give you the best possible care at the most affordable price.

Financing is also available to expedite your needed surgery. We offer the Alphaeon credit card to spread out your payments over time, with low monthly payments that fit your budget. Alphaeon offers you financing plans that might not be available with your current credit card companies.

Specialty Eye offers competitive pricing to help in your search for affordable eye surgery. We are committed to helping you preserve your eye health and can assist with arranging for discounts on hotel rooms to accommodate you during your surgical experience.

Combined with the technological advantages, cutting-edge equipment and some of the best doctors and medical staff to be found, traveling to Michigan for your cataract treatment could be one of the best decisions you have ever made!

Why Specialty Eye Institute?

The highly qualified doctors at Specialty Eye Institute offer state-of-the-art technology and Board Certified Eye Surgeons to give you the optimal experience in traditional or laser cataract surgery.

Dr. Paul H. Ernest founded Specialty Eye Institute in Jackson, Michigan in 1978. The Institute currently has 10 locations in Michigan and Ohio, with more than 20 physicians on staff.

Additional Resources:

Mahmoud El-Yassir, M.D. Joins Specialty Eye Institute’s Team of Experienced Surgeons

Mahmoud El-Yassir Joins Specialty Eye Institute

Specialty Eye Institute is pleased to welcome Mahmoud El-Yassir, M.D. to the practice. Dr. El-Yassir is a Cataract and Glaucoma Specialist who will be seeing patients in the Jackson and Kalamazoo locations.

“Dr. El-Yassir brings a great blend of clinical experience and knowledge with a strong passion for providing community-based care," says Trent Roark, CEO of Specialty Eye Institute.

Dr. El-Yassir earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of California, Davis, and received his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University. He went on to complete his ophthalmology training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he received advanced training in the medical and surgical treatment of ocular disease and conditions.

“I am very excited to join Specialty Eye Institute and become part of this great team,” states Dr. El-Yassir.

“I am passionate about quality patient care and I sincerely look forward to serving the community.”

Specialty Eye Institute began in 1978 when Paul H. Ernest, M.D., the company’s founder opened Jackson Eye Center in Jackson, Michigan. Since then, the company has grown into a multispecialty ophthalmology practice with 24 doctors in 10 locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. We strive to provide the highest level of ophthalmic care at an affordable price.

What Happens During The LASIK Procedure? Step-by-Step

LASIK surgery can change the way that you see the world around you. With its typically quick recovery and mostly painless procedure, it’s easy to see why LASIK is one of the most popular eye surgeries in the US. If you’re considering it, too, it’s important to know what exactly to expect if you undergo the surgery.

We’ll discuss pre-procedure preparation, what will happen during the surgery, and what you can expect after in terms of recovery.

How To Prepare For LASIK Surgery

What To Expect

The first step on your journey to LASIK is to set up a consultation. At this point, your doctor will walk you through the process, explain the benefits, and warn you about the risks.

The benefits of LASIK include:

LASIK can give you improved vision that reduces your reliance on glasses or contacts
About 99% of people have vision of 20/40 or better after the procedure without glasses
More than 90% end up with 20/20 vision

There are some risks, though, including:

Issues with your cornea that require further treatment or surgery
Corneal ectasia, which is the weakening of your cornea
Inflammation or infection that will need to be treated with medication
Vision that’s worse than before you had LASIK, which will require treatment

Some side effects that you may experience are:

Glare around lights
Reduced night vision
Blurred vision
Tiny red or pink spots on the white of your eye
Sensitivity to light
Dry Eyes

Comprehensive Eye Exam

After your consultation, they will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine your eligibility for the surgery. During your comprehensive eye surgery, they will look at:

Your general medical history
Any medications you're currently taking
The shape and thickness of your cornea
Your pupil size
Your refractive errors
Any pre-existing ocular conditions

Once you’re approved, you can get your surgery scheduled.

Pre-Procedure Instructions

Your preparation for your LASIK surgery will need to start a couple of weeks beforehand.

Be Informed

Make sure that you’ve read any information that’s been given to you about the surgery, and ask any questions that you have. It’s better to go prepared with knowledge of what’s going to happen than to be surprised during the procedure.

Avoid Contacts

If you’re wearing soft contact lenses, most surgeons will ask that you stop using them about two weeks before your surgery.

If you’re wearing rigid contact lenses, then it may be asked that you stop using them about four weeks before your surgery.

Stop Using Make-Up and Lotions

On the day of your procedure, or even a couple of days before, make sure that you are not wearing make-up, perfumes, or facial moisturizers. These products can get into your eyes and increase your risk of infection.

Arrange For Someone To Drive You

After your surgery, you should not drive until your doctor has given you permission to. You will need to ask someone to drive you home after the procedure, as well as for your check-up the next day.

The LASIK Procedure: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Arrival and Pre-Procedure Prep

You are asked to arrive promptly at the appointment time for your procedure, especially if there is paperwork that needs to be filled out.

Anesthetic Eye Drops and Lid Speculum

Before the procedure begins, numbing eye drops will be administered to ensure that the surgery is as pain-free as possible.

Next, a small, metal instrument called a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open and in place for the surgery.

Creating The Corneal Flap

Once the lid speculum is in place, a precision flap-making instrument will be meticulously put into position. You’ll be asked to focus on a special fixation light and the surgeon will activate the precision instrument electronically. This will fold away a corneal flap, making the middle layer of the cornea accessible.

Reshaping the Cornea

After, the cornea is reshaped by an excimer laser. This is done differently depending on which ocular condition you are trying to treat.

Myopia

The cornea is flattened to reduce the converging power of the eye. This is done by removing more tissue from the center of the cornea than around.

Hyperopia

The central cornea is steepened to enhance the converging power of the eye. This is done by removing more tissue from the periphery than the center.

Astigmatism

The cornea will be made more spherical by changing the pattern of the beam, which can remove tissue in one direction more than the other.

Repositioning The Corneal Flap

Once the reshaping is finished, the flap will be put back in place and will naturally be held there by the moisture in your eye for fast healing.

Immediate Post-Procedure Steps

Once the surgery is completed, you will be prescribed eye drops to help reduce inflammation and avoid infection while your eyes heal. It may cause slight stinging when you start using them, but this is normal and they should continue to be administered as directed by your doctor.

You may also be prescribed artificial tears to avoid dry eyes after surgery. The artificial tears should keep your eyes full of moisture and comfortable. They may also provide you with a shield to protect your eyes and stop you from touching them.

What to Expect After The LASIK Procedure

LASIK Recovery

In most cases, recovery from LASIK surgery is extremely fast.

Many can return to work within a few days and, with caution, can start driving again. A side effect of LASIK surgery is blurred vision, so be aware of the state of your vision before you get behind the wheel.

Some activities should be limited while your eyes heal. It is situational, but the general guidelines are:

Wait three days before exercising
Wait two weeks to use make-up or lotion near your eyes
Wait at least one month to play contact sports
Wait one to two months to swim or use hot tubs

Healing Timeline

Most people have 90% of their best vision possible after the procedure. Within a couple of days, you will notice an improvement. But it will take three to six months for your eyes to fully recover and heal.

For the first week after your surgery, you may experience:

Dry eyes
Watery eyes
Sensitivity to light
Discomfort or mild pain in your eyes
Puffy eyelids

It’s vital that you do not touch your eyes during this week so that they can heal.

Long-Term Care

For long-term recovery, you will need to attend check-ups with your doctor to monitor your progress. After your post-op check-in, you should be checking in with your doctor about once every one or two years, unless they recommend more frequent visits.

The LASIK Procedure With Specialty Eye Institute

LASIK surgery is a life-changing procedure with the ability to vastly improve your vision and reduce your reliance on glasses or contacts. It’s a huge decision that can cause monumental change, and you should only let the most experienced, skilled doctors help you make it.

The trusted team at Specialty Eye Institute is here to help you every step of the way, from deciding to undergo LASIK surgery, to efficiently and safely performing the procedure, to ensuring that your recovery goes smoothly.

If you’re interested in discussing LASIK surgery with us, call us at 866-435-8935 or request an appointment on our website. You can also take our LASIK self-test online for free.

See our list of FAQs about LASIK surgery for more information.

Firework Safety

Safely Setting off Fireworks

The 4th of July is almost here! For many, fireworks are set off in celebration of this holiday.

While beautiful, they can be dangerous. Follow these safety tips while celebrating.

Wear Protective Eyewear

An estimated 8,700 fireworks-related injuries (or 67 percent of the total estimated fireworks-related injuries in 2017) were treated in U.S. hospital emergency.

14% of these were eye injuries

Basic Fireworks Safety

Follow the instructions
Never attempt to make your own fireworks
Never light fireworks off indoors
Keep a bucket of water nearby
Wet fireworks down after use
Don't attempt to light a dud firework
Keep pets indoors

Sparklers are fireworks, too

Young children shouldn't handle sparklers
Sparklers burn at a temperature of 2,000 degrees
Always have an adult present
Keep sparklers away from face & clothing
Don't throw sparklers

What to do with an injury

Seek medical attention immediately
Do not rub your eyes
Do not rinse your eyes
Do not apply pressure
Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye
Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen

Specialty Eye Institute wishes you a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

How the Femtosecond Laser is Improving Cataract Surgery

It's estimated that 60 percent of Americans will develop a cataract in their lifetime. As the most common cause of vision loss, untreated cataracts potentially could lead to blindness.

There are varying treatment options for cataracts and revolutionary technology is making cataract surgery more precise and effective than ever. That technology is the femtosecond laser.

What is femtosecond laser technology?

Femtosecond laser technology has improved the safety and accuracy of cataract surgery. At Specialty Eye Institute, we specialize in treating cataracts and performing laser cataract surgery.

What’s the difference between traditional and laser cataract surgery?

In traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a handheld instrument to make incisions in the cornea. After the incisions have been made, the surgeon will manually create an opening in the lens capsule where the cataract is located.

During laser cataract surgery, the femtosecond laser replaces or assists the hand-held surgical tool, and the laser creates a circular opening for accessing and removing the cataract. Clinical studies have said cataract surgery can be 10 times more accurate when using a laser.

Learn More