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Are you awake during retinal detachment surgery?

If you have experienced retinal detachment and are going to require a procedure to correct it, you may be asking yourself if you are going to be awake during retinal detachment surgery. The answer is usually “yes”. 

You may be freaked out when you start seeing bright lights and you know they aren’t there. This is most likely caused by the detachment of your retina from the other layers of your eye. If this is what you are experiencing then you need to contact an eye care specialist immediately. In the event that your retina is indeed detached, your ophthalmologist will likely recommend a re-attachment surgery. 

During the retinal detachment surgery, you are placed under local anesthetic. This anesthetic does not put you to sleep but does allow for you to be comfortable throughout the procedure. Local anesthetics have fewer side effects than general anesthesia. Depending on multiple factors, your doctor may use a laser or freezing technique to correct the retina. Either way, a local anesthetic is used. 

The professionals at the Ft. Lauderdale Eye Institute are happy to further discuss with you the question, “are you awake during retinal detachment surgery?” as well as any other questions you may have.

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4 Types of Macular Related Eye Conditions

If you experience vision loss or blurriness in your central vision, you may be suffering from a macular related condition such as macular degeneration or a macular pucker. 

Macular degeneration is a condition that most commonly occurs in elderly patients. With this condition, vision starts to become blurry in the center and as it worsens, vision loss will grow outward. This is caused by the deterioration of cells the macular cells. Two types of Age-related macular degeneration exist. Dry macular degeneration is most common and wet is rarer. Although there currently is no cure, doctors can prescribe medications to slow macular deterioration and explore lifestyle changes that are proven helpful.

A macular hole is a tear in the macular region of your eye. If a macular tear occurs, you will experience distorted or blurred vision. The size and location of the hole determined the extent of the symptoms. Some macular holes heal themselves, but it is always recommended to have an evaluation completed by an eye care specialists. It is possible for tears to worsen and lead to retinal detachment. The surgery performed to correct macular holes is called a vitrectomy. During this surgery, the vitreous gel is removed to prevent it from pulling on the retina and a bubble containing a mixture of air and gas is put in place. The bubble acts as a bandage to holds the edge of the macular hole in place as it heals.

Macular Puckers present symptoms very similar to macular degeneration but are actually when scar tissue forms in the macula. In most cases, treatment is not required. Only in the most severe cases is a vitrectomy performed to relieve pressure on the retina and the scar tissue is removed.

Macular telangiectasia referred to as “MacTel”, is another macular related disease. The more common form of MacTel, Type 2, occurs when small blood vessels around the fovea leak and/or become dilated. Occasionally, new blood vessels form under the retina and also break and begin to leak. The blood build-up swells the macula and commonly blurs the vision in both eyes. The lesser common form, Type 1, usually only affects one eye and is caused by an aneurysm. Macular telangiectasia can be treated with targeted medication or a laser procedure. 

If you believe you are suffering from a macular related eye condition, contact the eye specialists in Ft. Lauderdale right away to schedule a consult and discuss treatment options.

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Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a common procedure performed on individuals over the age of 50. If your cataracts progress to a point that it is disrupting your ability to live your daily life, it may be time to consult a cataract specialist. 

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy and causes your vision to become blurry. Difficulty seeing far away and increases glare are common side effects of cataracts.

How are Cataracts Treated?

Cataracts can be controlled by wearing sunglasses to block glare or getting brighter lights in your home and office. However, when cataracts get to a certain point, cataract surgery can greatly improve your quality of life. 

During cataract surgery, a local anesthetic will be used and a small incision will be made on the side of your cornea. At the Ft. Lauderdale Eye Institute, a laser procedure is used to create the incision for the most precise outcome! Through this incision, the doctor will use an instrument to break up and remove the cloudy lens, known as a cataract. Once the cataract has been completely removed, an artificial lens is inserted. Multifocal lenses are available for people who also have astigmatism or presbyopia. 

Getting cataract surgery could be one of the best things you ever do for yourself. For a cataract specialist in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, contact the Ft. Lauderdale Eye Institute. Get a new artificial lens implant today and see the world clearly tomorrow!

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IPL Dry Eye Treatment

Nearly 5 million people in the US suffer from Dry Eye Syndrome. IPL treatment for dry eye has proven to be extremely effective. Dry eye is often caused by certain medications, diabetes, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, and autoimmune diseases.

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light and is a light-based technology. This technology is commonly used in dermatology to treat skin conditions like rosacea and reduce telangiectasia. IPL is now being used by ophthalmologists in Plantation to treat dry-eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction.

This procedure penetrates the skin under the eye with strategic light pulses to target the root causes of dry eye. This procedure is safe and effective 

night driving problems

discomfort when wearing contacts

burning, itching, or stinging sensations

light sensitivity

eyes that are watery at times, then completely dry at others

red and sore eyelids

mucus-secreting from the eye in a string-like texture

If you experience dry eye, schedule a consult with one of the top eye care specialists in Plantation today. They will tell you if IPL treatment for dry eye is right for you.