Most people with vision correction issues are wanting to know more about LASIK and whether it is right for them. Here is a brief description of the procedure;

A flap is surgically cut in the cornea and gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea into a flatter shape (this is much like a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea). The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage. The healing process is quick and the discomfort level is quite low.

People will often say that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have improved vision in 24-48 hours. but it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, often continues to improve for some weeks, even months.

LASIK is not for everyone. Everyone's eyes are different, so even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it may not be the best course of treatment for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you.

After the procedure, we take great care to monitor your eyes and adjust your medication for the best possible results.

Surgery Co-Management

Our office provides many of the surgical services such as pre- and post-operative care for Cataract surgery, Laser surgery, Refractive surgery and Strabismic surgery. We offer this in conjunction with the hospital and local eye surgeons.

Additionally, we have working arrangements established with other specialized eye care doctors to manage such things are retinal detachments, retinal tears and hemmorhages. Our office uses the latest in technology to detect and document retinal and corneal abnormalities to discuss with your surgeon, giving you the best care possible.

Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 503-698-2375 during office hours. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.

Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy eyes, burning, mild redness and gritty feeling eyes. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate marginally dry eyes. Dry eyes can be diagnosed by using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and from review of your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears; eye drops for treating allergies; and/or punctal plugs inserted in the tear drainage canals.

Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.

Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.

The human visual system is complex. It involves the visual pathway (anatomy), visual skills (eye focusing, eye teaming, and eye tracking), and visual information processing (identification and integration with other senses). The efficiency of our visual system influences how we collect and process information. Inefficient vision may interfere with speed, accuracy, comprehension, or enjoyment of visual tasks.

Reading, in particular, requires efficient visual abilities. Inefficient or poorly developed vision requires individuals to divide their attention between the task itself and the involved visual abilities. Some individuals have symptoms such as eyestrain, headaches, fatigue, errors, loss of place, and difficulty sustaining attention. Others may have no symptoms, due to the avoidance of visually demanding tasks.

Many visual conditions can be treated effectively with spectacles or contact lenses alone; however, some are most effectively treated with vision therapy.

Vision therapy is a sequence of activities individually prescribed and monitored by a doctor (optometrist) to develop efficient visual skills and processing. The program is based on the patient’s signs and symptoms, the results of standardized tests, and the needs of the patient. The therapy is administered in the office, requiring several visits, with supporting exercises prescribed as “home work.” The length of the program ranges from weeks to months, depending on the severity of the diagnosed conditions. Age is often not a deterrent to the achievement of successful vision therapy outcomes, but motivation can be very important.

Research has demonstrated vision therapy can be an effective treatment option for:

Binocular disorders (inefficient eye-teaming)

Strabismus (misalignment of the eyes)

Amblyopia (poorly developed vision)

Accommodative disorders (focusing problems)

Oculomotor dysfunctions (eye movement disorders)

Visual information processing disorders, including visual-motor integration (eye-hand or body coordination) and integration with other senses, as well as reading skills.

Vision therapy is considered successful when the visual skills are fully developed and integrated with other systems. When visual skills are automatic, the patient can concentrate on visual tasks without signs and symptoms, improving their quality of life.