The Popularity of IntraLase

IntraLASIK or All Laser LASIK is a 100% blade-free approach to creating your LASIK flap – the thin flap of tissue that the doctors at Vista Eye Specialists, VA fold back in order to perform your LASIK procedure for corrective eye surgery.

IntraLase is the name of the first manufacturer to achieve Food and Drug Administration approval of a femtosecond laser for use in the United States and the surgical procedure 'LASIK' in 2001. IntraLase Inc. later introduced several new models of this laser with advanced features.

IntraLase is regarded by many in the field of ophthalmology as an improvement over traditional LASIK because of a greater accuracy in flap size, shape, and thickness. This is the reason over 5 million procedures have been performed using the IntraLase Method and its popularity continues to grow.

IntraLase at Vista Eye Specialists:

At Vista Eye Specialists the computer-guided infrared femtosecond laser is focused just below the surface of the cornea. Each laser pulse creates a tiny bubble there. A pattern of many overlapping bubbles allows the lifting of a flap off the cornea. The process continues as in case of traditional LASIK, with an excimer laser. Energy from this type of laser is applied to the newly exposed eye surface, where tissue is removed in a precise pattern to alter the cornea's shape.

The long-term clinical outcome of LASIK with a mechanical microkeratome and IntraLASIK with a femtosecond laser is deemed similar, yet IntraLase offers an increased accuracy of the flap with the femtosecond laser, adding to the margin of safety.

Once an eye is reshaped by IntraLASIK or IntraLase by the reputed team at Vista Eye Specialists at Culpeper and Fredericksburg, it should have an improved ability to focus light rays onto the retina for significantly sharper vision.

Call us now to take an appointment for all your eye concerns because Vista Eye Specialists focuses on your total eye health.

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Recovery from Cataract Surgery

After you have had cataract surgery performed at Vista Eye Specialists, VA you’re on your way to better vision!

Before a patient is discharged, the team of eye doctors at Vista Eye Specialists will always share what a patient should expect after cataract surgery and the care he must take. Before you leave our clinics at Culpeper and Fredericksburg, our team will instruct you to keep all outpatient follow up appointments, take medications properly and contact them in case of any problems or queries.

After the surgery:
The eye surgeons at Vista Eye Specialists, VA will cover your eye with a bandage or shield or simply provide a pair of sunglasses and ask you to rest for a short time after the cataract procedure. You will probably rest in the post-operative room for about an hour.

Vista Eye Specialists will call you for an eye examination the day after your surgery. Further appointments are usually dated for at 1 week and 1 month after your operation.

On the day following surgery, the lids may be slightly crusted due to the dried residue from watering. Our team will instruct you to gently wipe away the residue with cotton wool dampened with sterile saline. No undue pressure should be put on the eye.

After the cataract surgery, you may see that your eye is initially red and light sensitive or even a bruise may appear due to sub conjunctival haemorrhage. These are normal recovery symptoms.

After the surgery, the regime of administering the post-operative eye drops should begin. One or two drops should be placed just inside the lower lid. The patient should look slightly upwards and the lower lid should be pulled slightly downwards. Close your eyes for a few minutes and dab lightly with a tissue to absorb any excess drops. Use the eye shield as instructed.

Recovery Period:
The recovery period from your cataract surgery may vary from patient to patient. If cataract was the only problem with the eye many patients may be able to see better within a few days. The intention is to restore clear and focused distance vision to the eye. When successful, you will see after the operation without your old distance spectacles, though new near vision spectacles will be required. The precise requirement for spectacles following cataract surgery varies from case to case and you will be guided by our ophthalmologists.

Resuming your routine:
Eager to get back to your routine? You may certainly do so, but avoid strenuous activities. You can go about washing your face, bathing and showering. Just avoid getting soap and shampoo in your eyes, avoid face down positions and do not put pressure on the eye. Do not swim; do not use a hot tub, visit a sauna or spa; try not to bend over or carry heavy loads.

Wait for a go-ahead from our surgical team to resume your job and driving your vehicle. Give your eye time to heal.

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PRK Surgery-The Right Option to Correct your Vision

 Vista Eye Specialists will always suggest the most accurate, safe and long term solution methods to correct vision problems.

Photo refractive keratectomy or PRK, is a type of laser eye surgery used to correct mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism. This procedure has helped give 20/20 vision to approximately 80% to 90% of patients one year after surgery.

PRK For Whom?:
This is recommended for patients who have unusually thin corneas as PRK eye surgery doesn't require an incision in the cornea. PRK is also apt for you if the thickness and/or shape of your cornea may be unusual. In such a scenario a surface treatment like PRK surgery is the correct option which doesn't require a corneal flap as in the LASIK procedure.

PRK at Vista Eye:
If the ophthalmologists at Vista Eye Specialists, Culpeper and Fredericksburg, believe that Photo refractive keratectomy is the best option to correct your vision, you will first meet with an eye surgeon or a coordinator who will discuss with you what you should expect during and after the surgery.

After attaining your medical history, you will undergo eye tests to measure corneal thickness,refraction, corneal mapping, air pressure, and pupil dilation.

Our team will advise you not to wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses starting three weeks before your evaluation. Other types of contact lenses shouldn't be worn for at least three days before the evaluation.

On the day of your PRK surgery you will be advised to take a light meal and take all the medicines our doctors have prescribed.

The team of eye surgeons led by Dr. Jani at Vista Eye Specialists, VA will remove the thin outer membrane of the cornea, called the epithelium, exposing the surface of the thick central part of the cornea called the stromal bed. A laser is used to reshape the cornea’s stromal surface according to the patient’s vision error. This laser delivers a cool pulsing beam of ultraviolet light on the surface of the cornea, not underneath the cornea, as in LASIK.

Recovery from PRK:
As compared to the LASIK procedure PRK takes a longer time to correct vision. This is because PRK involves the removal and absence of the epithelium which takes longer to heal.

One might experience sensitivity to light, mild discomfort, eye irritation and watering, for one to three days following the procedure and our team will prescribe you pain relief medication and other pain prevention support.

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Eyelid Rejuvenation—Look better, See Better

Are you annoyed with the sagging, droopy, tired look of your eyelids? Excessive hooding of ones lower eyebrows and excessive upper eyelid skin can not only make you look older and unattractive but can limit your visual fields, blocking your vision in the upward and outward direction.

At Vista Eye Specialists, VA, Dr. Jani and his team of eye surgeons carry out eyelid rejuvenation surgery by administering a local anesthetic to the surgical area to reduce discomfort. A mild sedative will help relieve anxiety.

Vista Eye Specialists eye surgeons work along the natural folds of your eyes to remove excess skin, muscle, and fatty tissue. The experienced eye surgeons will strategically place incisions to hide the visible traces of your eyelid rejuvenation. This is done to attempt to enhance your natural features.

Not only will this give you a more youthful and attractive appearance but functionally improve your vision. It gives one the ability to see in all directions and the issue of heaviness of eyelids is resolved. Some slight pain or discomfort following the procedure can generally be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications prescribed by our team of ophthalmologists.

Recovery from eyelid rejuvenation surgery takes about two days. Vista Eye Specialists recommend rest and applying a cold compresses to your eyes. Normal activities can be resumed but strenuous activities should be avoided for at least two weeks.

Call us for an appointment now for all your vision concerns.

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