| Our physicians perform surgery at
Augusta Eye Surgery (located in our office building) Augusta Surgical Center, University Hospital, Doctor's Hospital and
Trinity Hospital.
Click here to view pictures of the surgical team at work.
Cataract Extraction with Intraocular Lens Implantation
What is cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation?
A cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation is a procedure in which an eye surgeon removes a clouded lens (cataract) from the eye and replaces it with an artificial lens (lens implant).
Click here for an illustration.
YAG Laser Capsulotomy
What is a YAG laser capsulotomy?
A YAG laser capsulotomy is a procedure in which an eye surgeon makes a small opening in the capsule of your eye. The capsule is the thin, clear membrane that holds the lens in place.
During a YAG laser capsulotomy, your eye surgeon uses a special laser to make a cut in the capsule. This makes a clear opening for light rays to pass through.
When is it used?
Sometimes, especially after cataract surgery, the capsule becomes cloudy. Your vision becomes blurry. This procedure can improve your vision.
Click here for an illustration.
Strabismus
What is strabismus?
Strabismus is a condition in which the eyes point in different directions. Usually one eye is pointed straight ahead and the other is pointed in, out, up or down.
With normal vision, the brain fuses the images from two eyes that are aimed at the same target into one clear image (called binocular vision). With strabismus, two different images are sent to the brain. In a young child, the brain starts to ignore the image from the turned eye, and the child loses depth perception. Adults who develop strabismus often have double vision because the brain is used to receiving two images and cannot easily ignore the image from the turned eye.
Some types of strabismus are:
- estropia or "crossed eye" - an eye turns in
- exotropia or "wall " eye - an eye turns out
- hypertropia - an eye turns up
- hypotropia - an eye turns down
Treatment of strabismus includes:
- Treating any amblyopia by patching or using special eyedrops in the good eye. These treatments force the brain to pay attention to the weak eye. Then it works harder and develops more normally.
- Glasses for farsightedness or to improve the focus of the eyes. An eye with poor vision is more likely to drift. Farsighted children have to work harder to focus their eyes. This can cause the eyes to cross. Glasses that correct the farsightedness help keep the eyes from crossing while they are worn.
- Eye exercises to train the eyes to move together and focus on the same object at the same time. Unfortunately, most forms of strabismus do not improve with eye exercises.
- Prism glasses for adults. These glasses can sometimes eliminate double vision while they are being worn.
- Surgery on the eye muscles. Muscles may be loosened, tightened, or repositioned. If this surgery is performed early enough in some children, they may develop normal binocular vision. Strabismus surgery is not cosmetic surgery. Having eyes that are not aligned normally interferes with a person's ability to communicate with others through eye contact. Most insurance plans pay for this surgery for children and adults who do not have binocular vision.
Chalazion
What is a chalazion?
A chalazion is a small lump in the eyelid. It is similar to a stye, which is an infection of the edge of the eyelid caused by bacteria. However, a chalazion is away from the edge and is usually not caused by bacteria.
How is it treated?
Sometimes a chalazion will go away without treatment.
Usually, you will need to apply hot compresses to the closed eyelid. A compress is a clean washcloth moistened with hot water. You may need to apply hot compresses for at least 10 to 15 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day, for several days. The moist heat helps to reduce inflammation and may help remove the plug that is blocking the oil gland.
If compresses do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe steroids in the form of eyedrops or shots into the lump. Other treatment may include antibiotics in the form of eyedrops, ointment, pills or shots.
If the chalazion is still present after 6 weeks, an ophthalmologist ( a medical eye doctor) may need to remove the lump during minor surgery. The surgery is generally safe and effective.
Trabeculectomy
What is trabeculectomy?
Trabeculectomy is a type of surgery to treat glaucoma. In this procedure, the surgeon creates a microscopic passageway from the inside to the outside of the eye. This procedure can be used:
- when medicines do not lower your eye pressure
- when medicines have harmful side effects
- when laser surgery has not worked
Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty
What is argon laser trabeculoplasty?
Argon laser trabeculoplasty is a procedure that promotes drainage of fluid from your eye. Often it is used after you have tried eyedrops or pills. Sometimes medicines do not reduce eye pressure. Sometimes they cause harmful side effects.
Argon laser trabeculoplasty is a common procedure that is usually done in the doctor's office. In this procedure, laser energy is directed at the drainage pathways (called the trabecular meshwork). After several days or weeks, the flow of fluid from the eye generally improves. Improved flow usually reduces the pressure inside the eye.
This procedure is usually successful. However, in time the results are reduced. You may need to have the laser procedure again. |