Ophthalmology

Moreland Surgery Center offers an array of ophthalmic surgical procedures to help our patients maintain their ocular health. Some of the more common procedures performed at our center include:

Cataracts (Phacoemulsification)

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Your eye becomes like a window that is frosted or yellowed. Cataracts are a common cause of vision loss, especially as we age, but they are treatable. Cataract surgery is almost always performed in one eye at a time

Topical or local anesthesia is used so that the operation will be painless. You will not need to be concerned about keeping your eye open during the procedure. You may notice light or movement but will not be able to see the surgery as it is performed.

Phacoemulsification is the most effective and common cataract removal method in use today. After the eye is numbed with anesthetic, a small incision is made in the side of the cornea (the front window of the eye). A tiny ultrasound instrument is inserted and used to break up the cloudy lens, which is then suctioned out of the eye. In rare cases another technique called extracapsular extraction of the cataract is required instead.

Next, an IOL is inserted to replace the natural lens. Usually it is placed behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. Stitches are often not needed, but when used they dissolve naturally over time.

After cataract surgery, most people need reading glasses and many people need glasses for distance. Although every surgery has risks, the majority of patients who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward.

Capsulotomy

The natural lens of the eye is situated in an elastic-like capsular bag that holds it in place. When performing cataract surgery, the surgeon carefully opens the front portion of the capsule in order to remove the lens. After completely removing the natural lens, the intraocular lens is positioned inside the capsular bag. The capsule holds the intraocular lens and serves as a protective barrier for the back of the eye.

Following cataract surgery, the capsule may produce cloudy cells that typically cause blurred, hazy vision. Some patients may also experience glare problems when driving at night. This common condition, known as posterior capsular haze, occurs in as many as 40% of patients who undergo cataract surgery. Posterior capsular haze may occur months or years postoperatively.

Posterior capsular haze can be simply treated using a YAG laser. Dilating drops are instilled and the laser is used to create an opening in the center of the cloudy capsule. Most patients notice an instant improvement in their vision, while others experience a gradual improvement over several days. YAG capsulotomy is an out-patient procedure and takes just minutes to perform.

After the procedure is complete, your vital signs and intraocular pressure will be assessed and you will be free to return to normal activity for the rest of the day.

Iridotomy

A laser iridotomy is a procedure used in the treatment of primary closed angle glaucoma (acute glaucoma). Laser iridotomy uses a very focused beam of light to create a hole on the outer edge, or rim, of the iris, the colored part of the eye. This opening allows fluid (aqueous humor) to flow between the anterior chamber, the front part of the eye, and the area behind the iris, the posterior chamber. This opening may decrease pressure in the eye and usually prevents sudden buildup of pressure within the eye, which occurs during an episode of acute closed-angle glaucoma.

Some people feel a sensation of heat in the eye during laser surgeries. But there usually is no pain after laser iridotomy.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty

Selective laser trabeculoplasty, or SLT, is a gentle and non-invasive treatment for glaucoma. This quick and simple procedure is an effective option for most glaucoma patients, but is especially suited to patients who cannot tolerate or are unable to self-administer glaucoma medications. Highly effective, SLT is used as a primary treatment for the early stages of open angle glaucoma, and can also be used in combination with drug therapy, or as an alternative therapy when drugs fail. It is also a flexible treatment option, because it can be repeated, if necessary, depending on the individual patient's response.

The SLT technique is not associated with adverse side effects and is a pain-free, outpatient-based procedure. SLT uses short pulses of low-energy light to target the melanin, or pigment, in specific cells of the affected eye. In response, the body's natural healing mechanisms go to work to rebuild these cells - a process that improves drainage and lowers intraocular pressure. The surrounding, non-pigmented cells - as well as the rest of the eye - are untouched and undamaged.

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The Lumenis Selecta II SLT laser

The Selecta II is a clip-on product; conveniently fitting onto most commercially-available converging-optics style slit lamps. The unique design of the unit’s laser-head makes it especially easy to attach and disconnect the system – allowing you to use your slit lamp as either a diagnostic tool, advanced laser delivery device or both.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a type of laser surgery that uses a combination of frequencies allowing the laser to work at very low levels. It treats specific cells “selectively” and leaves untreated portions of the trabecular meshwork (the mesh-like drainage canals surrounding the iris) intact. For this reason, it is believed that SLT, unlike other types of laser surgery, may be safely repeated many times. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty is clinically proven to treat glaucoma by safely and effectively reducing intraocular pressure in a single procedure.

SLT can be an effective adjunct to medication therapy or used as a primary treatment to reduce or eliminate the need for topical glaucoma medications, along with their common systemic side effects.

INFINITI® Vision System

The Infiniti Vision System by Alcon provides enhanced chamber stability and control and utilizes the OZil® Torsional Handpiece for superior micro-incision procedures.The staff-friendly console design allows greater access to increase surgical productivity. The system increases setup efficiency through front access connections for consumables and accessories and improves readout visibility through a large touch screen that tilts and rotates 180 degrees on two axes. The system offers increaseed staff accessibility through a height-adjustable tray design that is usable from either side. The simple screen design allows customization of your procedures and steps to tailor to your individual technique.

From lens removal to lens implantation, the INTREPID® Micro-coaxial System delivers a complete micro-incisional solution, allowing you to perform surgery safely and efficiently through a single incision without altering your normal technique.

Aura® PT™ Ophthalmic YAG Photodisruptor Laser System

The preferred product for anterior-segment procedures such as laser iridotomy and capsulotomy, the Aura PT includes advanced specifications which make treatment fast and accurate for superior patient care. Designed to be safe and easy to use, the Aura PT is the result of years of engineering and manufacturing expertise. The Aura’s advanced features – a 16 degree cone angle, precision optics, adjustable posterior & anterior offset, high repetition rate and variable burst modes – allow you to perform capsulotomies on all types of intraocular lenses (IOL) with significantly lower risk of lens pitting. In addition, the superior laser cavity design enables more efficient tissue cutting at lower power and with fewer shots.