Trust Your Eye Care to Specialists

Transcription

1 Trust Your Eye Care to Specialists Patient Information Guide

2 Welcome to Coastal Eye Institute, a premier ophthalmology practice on the Gulf Coast of Florida. While our practice has grown over the years to meet the evolving needs of our community, our guiding principle is the same to provide outstanding medical and surgical eye care in a caring and comfortable environment. On behalf of all of our physicians and staff, we thank you for placing your trust in us to meet your eye care needs. With specialists in every area of ophthalmology, we are uniquely qualified to care for patients through all stages of life, from infancy to the golden years. In addition to providing routine eye care for children and adults, our team of ophthalmologists brings a wealth of experience and surgical expertise to the practice. All of our physicians are fellowship-trained ophthalmologists who have received advanced training in a subspecialty of ophthalmology, enabling Coastal Eye Institute to offer expertise across the full spectrum of eye care: } Routine Eye Care for Children and Adults } Dry Eye Disease } Cornea Transplants } Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery } Laser Cataract Surgery } Advanced Lens Implants: Crystalens, ReSTOR and astigmatism-correcting Toric } Glaucoma Care } Macular Degeneration } SLT Glaucoma Laser Treatment } Diabetic Eye Care } Eyelid Plastic Surgery and BOTOX } Eye Muscle Surgery } Neuro-Ophthalmology } LASIK Laser Vision Correction CoastalEye.com 2

3 Table of Contents Routine Eye Care... Page 4 About Our Practice... Page 5 Meet Our Physicians... Page 6 Our Commitment to Care...Page 10 Cornea Transplants /Dry Eyes...Page 11 Cataract Surgery...Page 12 LASIK Laser Vision Correction...Page 14 Glaucoma Care...Page 16 Macular Degeneration...Page 18 Retinal Diseases...Page 19 Cosmetic / Neuro-Ophthalmology...Page 20 Pediatric Eye Care / Eye Muscle Surgery...Page 22 Locator Map u 2020 Cattlemen Road, Suite 500 Sarasota, FL (941) v 1427 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL (941) w 6310 Health Park Way, Suite 340 Lakewood Ranch, FL (941) x 217 Manatee Ave East Bradenton, FL (941) y 1515 Sun City Center Plaza Sun City Center, FL (813)

4 Routine Eye Care for a Lifetime of Healthy Vision Routine eye exams are an important part of your health and well-being, and help to promote healthy eyes and optimal vision. By employing advanced technology and modern equipment, we carefully monitor your eye health on an ongoing basis so that you may enjoy a lifetime of healthy vision. Modern Surgical Care Our surgeons perform most procedures at Gulf Coast Surgery Center, a freestanding outpatient surgery center adjacent to our main office in Bradenton. The surgical staff is comprised of dedicated professionals, and all nurses are ACLS certified (trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support). In addition, the surgery center is Medicare certified and voluntarily participates in the quality assessment program of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation symbolizes Gulf Coast Surgery Center s commitment to providing high-quality health care by meeting its rigorous, nationally-recognized standards for safe and quality health care services. Our physicians maintain staff privileges at the following surgery centers and hospitals: } Gulf Coast Surgery Center, Bradenton } Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Lakewood Ranch } Manatee Memorial Hospital, Bradenton } All Children s Hospital, St. Petersburg } Sarasota Physicians Surgical Center Visit our Web Site Visit us online at to get helpful information about doctors, services, upcoming seminars, patient education materials, directions to our offices and more. CoastalEye.com 4

5 About Our Practice The Physicians of Coastal Eye Institute Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated by the extensive training all of our physicians pursue, including subspecialty fellowships at some of the most prestigious facilities in the country. In addition to superior academics and training, our ophthalmologists genuinely care for their patients and consistently strive to provide the best experience possible. For over 45 years we have been providing quality eye care to your friends and neighbors. Come and see for yourself the difference a caring physician makes. Preparing for Your Appointment } New patient forms: If you would like to complete your paperwork prior to your visit, the forms are available on our website at } Insurance: Be sure to bring your current insurance or Medicare card to each visit. Please notify us as soon as possible if you have a change in your insurance coverage. Most insurance plans require us to check your insurance card during each visit. } Transportation: Most new patient exams require that we use dilating eye drops. We recommend that patients do not drive if their eyes have been dilated. } Payment: All balances are the responsibility of the patient and due at the time of service. Insurance providers also require us to collect any co-pays or deductibles at that time. Patients are responsible for obtaining authorization from their insurance provider prior to appointments. Financing As a service to our patients, we offer financing through an independent finance program. This program enables patients to obtain treatment immediately, and pay for it over time with low monthly payments. After a short application process, many patients receive a decision in minutes. One of our counselors will be happy to provide you with more information. 5

6 Murray Friedberg, M.D. Cornea Specialist and Cataract Surgeon Board-Certified Ophthalmologist, Fellowship-Trained Refractive and Cornea Specialist and Cataract Surgeon. Certified in Cataract Surgery by the American Board of Eye Surgery } Advanced Cataract Lens Implants / Crystalens, ReSTOR, Toric } Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery } Laser Cataract Surgery } Cornea Transplants / DSEK } Routine Eye Care Education Office Locations Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: Pennsylvania State University Pennsylvania State University / Hershey Medical Center Cleveland Clinic Foundation Medical College of Virginia UCLA /Jules Stein Eye Institute Robert Edelman, M.D. Glaucoma Specialist and Cataract Surgeon Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Fellowship-Trained Glaucoma Specialist and Cataract Surgeon } Advanced Cataract Lens Implants/ Crystalens, ReSTOR, Toric } Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery } Laser Cataract Surgery } Glaucoma Management and Surgery } Laser Surgery } Routine Eye Care Education Office Locations Sarasota Bradenton Sun City Center Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: Washington University in St. Louis University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Jackson Memorial Hospital Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein New York Eye and Ear Infirmary CoastalEye.com 6

7 Meet Our Physicians Scott Silverman, M.D., M.S. Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Eye Muscle Surgeon Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Strabismus Surgeon } Pediatric Eye Care } Treatment of Amblyopia and Strabismus ( Lazy Eye ) } Eye Muscle Surgery in Children and Adults } Tear Duct Surgery in Children Education Office Locations Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Bachelors: Masters: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges Washington University in St. Louis Washington University Medical Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center University of Southern California/Doheny Eye Institute Texas Children s Hospital/Baylor College of Medicine Eric Berman, M.D. Neuro-Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained Neuro-Ophthalmologist, Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgeon } Eyelid Plastic Surgery } Eye disorders associated with neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson s Disease, strokes, facial nerve palsy, pseudotumor cerebri and headaches } Orbital and Reconstructive Surgery Education Office Locations Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Sun City Center Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: University of Chicago State University of New York Long Island College Hospital State University of New York University of Minnesota 7

8 Robert Sambursky, M.D. Cornea Specialist, LASIK and Cataract Surgeon Board-Certified Ophthalmologist, Fellowship-Trained Refractive and Cornea Specialist, LASIK and Cataract Surgeon } Advanced Cataract Lens Implants / Crystalens, ReSTOR, Toric } Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery } Laser Cataract Surgery } Custom LASIK Vision Correction } Dry Eyes } Routine Eye Care Education Office Locations Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: Brown University Boston University Mount Auburn Hospital Wills Eye Hospital Wills Eye Hospital Pooja Khator, M.D. Glaucoma Specialist and Cataract Surgeon Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Fellowship-Trained Glaucoma Specialist } Advanced Cataract Lens Implants / Crystalens, ReSTOR, Toric } Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery } Laser Cataract Surgery } Glaucoma Management and Surgery } Laser Surgery } Routine Eye Care Office Locations Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Education Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: University of Miami University of Miami School of Medicine University of Florida Maryland General Hospital Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ranked the #1 Eye Hospital in the Country by U.S. News & World Report ten years standing CoastalEye.com 8

9 Meet Our Physicians Allison Menezes, M.D., F.A.C.S. Retina Specialist and Laser Surgeon Board-Certified Ophthalmologist and Fellowship-Trained Retina Specialist } Macular Degeneration } Diabetic Retinopathy } Laser Surgery of the Retina } Retinal Diseases /Tears Education M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: McGill University, Montreal, Canada Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto University of Toronto University of Toronto Office Locations Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Jeffrey Davis, M.D. Cornea Specialist and Cataract Surgeon Board-Certified and Fellowship-Trained Refractive and Cornea Specialist and Cataract Surgeon } Advanced Cataract Lens Implants/Crystalens, ReSTOR, Toric } Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery } Laser Cataract Surgery } Cornea Transplants / DSEK } Dry Eyes } Routine Eye Care Education Office Locations Sarasota Lakewood Ranch Bradenton Sun City Center Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: Stetson University University of Florida College of Medicine Resurrection Medical Center Eastern Virginia Medical School University of Texas Southwestern 9

10 Anita Shane, M.D. Retina Specialist and Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon Board-Certified Opthalmologist and Fellowship-Trained Retina Specialist } Macular Degeneration } Diabetic Retinopathy } Laser Surgery of the Retina } Retinal Diseases/Tears/Detachments and Surgery Education Office Locations Bradenton Sun City Center Bachelors: M.D.: Internship: Residency: Fellowship: Rice University Baylor College of Medicine Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Ranked the #1 Eye Hospital in the Country by U.S. News & World Report ten years standing Our Commitment to Care Patient Education We view our relationship with patients as a partnership and encourage our patients to take an active role in their treatment plans. Our physicians and staff will provide detailed information about your diagnosis and treatment options during your visit in the form of consultation, literature and educational videos. Our physicians also lecture in our offices and in the community, sharing their expertise on eye diseases and treatments. To register for an upcoming seminar and to view our comprehensive library of educational video animations, visit our website at CoastalEye.com 10

11 Cornea Transplants/Dry Eyes Latest Cornea Transplant Technique Allows for Quicker Recovery Dr. Murray Friedberg and Dr. Jeffrey Davis, cornea specialists, offer an innovative surgical procedure for cornea transplants called DSEK (Descemet s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty). DSEK allows for quicker recovery from surgery and leaves the eye stronger and more resistant to injury, compared to traditional cornea transplants. Our fellowship-trained cornea transplant surgeons perform DSEK surgery on an outpatient basis. Dry Eyes Dry Eye Syndrome is one of the most misdiagnosed and misunderstood eye conditions. The physicians of Coastal Eye Institute are committed to the proper diagnosis and effective treatment of this disease. We will take the time to listen to your concerns and develop a treatment plan to relieve your dry eye symptoms. About Dry Eyes For some patients, the cause of dry eyes is lack of tears or an imbalance in the composition of tears. Others do not produce enough tears to keep their eyes comfortably lubricated. Eyelid problems, allergic reactions, medications and environmental irritants can also lead to dry eyes. Any of the following complaints could be a symptom of Dry Eye Syndrome: } Redness } Itching } Sensitivity to light } Burning } Excess tearing } Grittiness or foreign body sensation } Dryness } Blurry vision } Contact lens discomfort Treatment Since Dry Eye Syndrome can be caused by a variety of different problems, treatments also vary widely, and may include any one of the following: } Medications, such as Restasis } Punctal plugs } Artificial tears } Ointments During your dry eye evaluation, your doctor will evaluate tear quality, production, distribution, drainage and maintenance. We have been able to help many patients improve their quality of life and vision through the effective management of Dry Eye Syndrome. 11

12 Cataract Surgery: Restoring Youthful Vision that is Tailored to Your Lifestyle At Coastal Eye Institute, our surgeons have performed thousands of successful cataract surgeries. Advances in cataract surgery have made it one of the safest, most effective and most common surgical procedures. In many cases, cataract surgery can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. What Are Cataracts? Cataracts can cause vision to appear dark and dull. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear lens implant to restore vision. With recent technological advancements in cataract surgery, surgeons now have options that allow patients to make informed decisions on how their cataracts will be removed. Patients can choose between standard cataract surgery and laser refractive cataract surgery. Before After Standard cataract surgery starts with an incision made with a scalpel to enter the eye. The natural lens of the eye has an outer layer that is then opened with a cutting instrument. The substance of the lens is then removed with an ultrasound probe. Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery uses laser technology and advanced lens implants to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses. After the cloudy cataract is removed, it is replaced with a clear lens implant. Multifocal lens implants, such as the ReSTOR can improve vision at distance, near and intermediate. For patients with astigmatism, laser corneal astigmatism correction or the use of advanced astigmatism-correcting toric lens implants can be used to improve and sharpen vision. Laser cataract surgery brings a new level of accuracy and reproducibility by automating some of the most challenging steps of cataract surgery. The laser allows the surgeon to create precise, repeatable incisions using an image-guided laser. In laser cataract surgery, the initial incision is made with a laser that provides precision and consistency individualized for each patient. After the initial incision, the outer layer of the lens is removed with a laser, producing a more exact circular opening. The accuracy, reproducibility and customizable nature of the laser opening cannot be matched by manual techniques used in standard cataract surgery. The precision in the creation of the circular opening permits a lens implant to be placed in a more optimal position. Another advantage of laser cataract surgery is the laser-assisted separation of the cataract into smaller segments for more efficient removal and with less ultrasonic power. This helps to reduce the risk of injury to the eye. Cataract patients who have astigmatism or who desire a multifocal lens implant to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses may be candidates for laser refractive cataract surgery. Your surgeon will discuss with you the risks and benefits of surgery and help determine an individualized treatment plan and lens implant that best serves your visual needs and lifestyle. CoastalEye.com 12

13 Cataract Surgery Modern Lens Implant Technology One of the decisions that you will make together with your surgeon is what type of lens to implant during cataract surgery. Until recently, the only option for patients undergoing cataract surgery was a traditional monofocal lens implant. These Intraocular Lenses (IOL s) provided good distance vision or good near vision, but not both. Technological advances in lens implants have made it possible to individually customize the cataract procedure. There are different types of lifestyle lens implant technologies to meet individual eye health and lifestyle needs, significantly reducing the need for glasses after cataract surgery. Three of the most common types of advanced lens implants available today are Crystalens, ReSTOR, and Toric. } The Crystalens accommodating lens takes its design cues from a single source nature. Working in concert with your eye s natural muscle, Crystalens flexes to accommodate near, intermediate and distance subjects. It comes close to mirroring the function of your natural lens, and provides less dependence on glasses. } ReSTOR multifocal lenses allow patients to see near to far, usually without glasses. ReSTOR is an advanced type of multi-focal intraocular lens that enables most people to see the big picture without missing the details. } Toric lenses can significantly reduce or correct astigmatism. These lenses help to restore the focus of the eye with astigmatism when the natural lens or cataract is removed. Quality vision can be regained with Toric lenses. Speak with your ophthalmologist to ACRYSo discover f IQ ReSTOR which Toric implant Logo will work best for you. PANTONE PANTONE PANTONE COOL GRAY Controlled Color Version Process Color Version 13

14 What is LASIK? LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, and is a method of correcting poor vision by reshaping the cornea with the patient s prescription. Performed by our surgeons as an outpatient procedure, LASIK can reduce or eliminate a patient s need for glasses or contacts by treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Experience the Freedom of LASIK Laser Vision Correction The LASIK specialists at Coastal Eye Institute have an experienced, fellowship-trained cornea and refractive surgeon who focuses on providing each patient with individual attention. Your surgeon will handle each step of your treatment plan, including the pre-operative exam and measurements, surgical procedure and post-operative care. We feel that this personalized approach, paired with advanced technology, is the ideal combination to achieve excellent results. About Our LASIK Surgeon Dr. Robert Sambursky is a fellowship-trained specialist in cornea and refractive surgery. His philosphy places a tremendous emphasis on careful selection of candidates in order to achieve optimal results. Robert Sambursky, M.D. CoastalEye.com 14

15 LASIK Laser Vision Correction Wavefront Technology Wavefront LASIK uses advanced mapping technology to create a map of the patient s cornea. The map is used during LASIK surgery so that the reshaping action of the laser is extremely precise and tailored for each patient. Wavefront technology can produce sharper and clearer vision than previous technology. Schedule Your Free Consultation Today The first step on the road to excellent vision is scheduling a free consultation with our surgeon. During this initial screening appointment, special tests and measurements will be completed to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery. Your complimentary consultation will include evaluation of your prescription, pupil size and corneal thickness, along with computerized corneal topography. Your surgeon will explain your test results and answer any questions you may have. To schedule your free LASIK screening, call (941)

16 Glaucoma Care: Partner with Your Doctor to Preserve Your Vision We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. We will do everything possible to maintain your best vision; however, managing your glaucoma is a partnership between you and your doctor. Glaucoma is a lifelong disease that can cause blindness; but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, severe vision loss can usually be prevented. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eyeball is high enough to cause damage to the optic nerve. Similar to high blood pressure, patients usually do not feel the pressure in the eye. Glaucoma is often referred to as the secret thief of sight, as visual impairment begins in the periphery and progresses slowly. The early damage is usually not noticed by the patient. As the condition progresses, more nerve cells are damaged and the field of vision narrows. If left unchecked, this process can lead to complete blindness. Glaucoma first affects the periphery, and may cause the effect of tunnel vision. v Visual Field u Eye Pressure w Optic Nerve The Three Pieces of the Glaucoma Puzzle u Eye Pressure is checked frequently. Maintaining pressure at the normal level is a primary goal of treatment. v Visual Field Tests are performed once or twice yearly. These very important tests evaluate any peripheral visual field loss caused by glaucoma. w Optic Nerve - Your doctor will evaluate the health of your optic nerve through annual dilated eye exams, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) testing. Optic Nerve Photos will also help to monitor any optic nerve damage. CoastalEye.com 16

17 Glaucoma Care Speak with one of our fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists, Dr. Robert Edelman or Dr. Pooja Khator, to see which procedure will work best for you. Innovations in Glaucoma Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) SLT is a laser treatment that uses short pulses of low-energy laser light to target melanin- (pigment-) containing cells in the outflow channels of the eye. These pulses of energy cause the macrophages (cleaning cells) in the body to open the clogged drains of the eye and allow increased drainage of fluid, thus releasing pressure from the eye. This procedure only takes a few minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis. Who is a good candidate? } Patients who have open-angle glaucoma. } Patients who cannot tolerate glaucoma medications. } Patients for whom medications do not adequately control their eye pressure. Trabeculectomy Constructing a flap of tissue that acts as a valve to let fluid in the eye release out of the eye, helping to lower the intraocular pressure. Who is a good candidate? } Patients for whom medications do not adequately control their eye pressure. } Patients for whom selective laser trabeculoplasty is insufficient to reduce pressure in the eye. Glaucoma Tube Implants A glaucoma tube implant is a tiny tube connected to a round or oval plate, which can be used to direct the fluid within the front part of the eye to a space just outside, helping to lower the pressure in the eye. Who is a good candidate? } Patients for whom medications do not adequately control their eye pressure. } Patients who have already had their cataracts removed. } Patients for whom selective laser trabeculoplasty is insufficient to reduce pressure in the eye. istent Trabecular Micro-Bypass istent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA and is placed in your eye during cataract surgery. It is a device designed to improve your eye s natural fluid outflow safely lowering eye pressure and creating a permanent opening in the trabecular meshwork. istent is the only FDA-approved device for the treatment of mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma. The istent } is safely implanted during cataract surgery. } spares important eye tissue that is often damaged by traditional surgeries. } does not limit treatment options that could help maintain your vision in the future. 17

18 Retina Care: Partner with Your Doctor to Preserve Your Vision With our fellowship-trained retina specialists, Dr. Allison Menezes and Dr. Anita Shane, we provide a full spectrum of medical and surgical treatments for conditions that affect the retina, vitreous, and macula. Age-Related Macular Degeneration Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys the central vision needed for reading and driving. In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that little vision change is noticed. In others, the disease progresses faster and may rapidly lead to a loss of vision. AMD is the leading cause of blindness in Americans 60 years of age and older, and occurs in two forms: wet and dry. Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration occurs when the light-sensitive cells in the macula become unhealthy, gradually blurring central vision in the affected eye. } The National Eye Institute found that taking a specific high-dose formulation of vitamins can reduce the risk of progressive vision loss and advanced AMD. Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration is caused by blood vessels growing and leaking fluid into and damaging the central part of the retina (known as the macula), which results in rapid central vision loss. Ten percent of people develop this form of macular degeneration. } The primary treatment for wet AMD is an injection of Lucentis, Avastin or Eylea. These medications can reduce the risk of further vision loss and, in some cases, can improve vision. Consult our retina specialist to discuss options specific to you. Anita Shane, M.D. and Allison Menezes, M.D. An Amsler Grid is used to assess vision. A patient with Age-Related Macular Degeneration may see distortion when viewing an Amsler Grid. CoastalEye.com 18

19 Retinal Diseases Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels of the eye. Vision loss can be caused by fluid leaking out of the blood vessels or by the growth of new abnormal blood vessels that bleed and scar. Intraocular injections of Avastin or laser treatment can be used to treat diabetic retinopathy. It is very important for patients with diabetes to work closely with their family doctor to control blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is equally as important for patients to have a dilated eye exam at least once per year. Early detection is critical in the prevention of vision loss. Epiretinal Membrane The surface of the macula can become wrinkled by an abnormal growth of cells which can cause distortion or blurring of central vision. When this wrinkling causes a significant impairment of vision, the epiretinal membrane can be surgically removed and may improve vision. Macular Hole This condition occurs when the center of the retina, known as the macula, develops a hole. Central vision can be significantly impaired. In some cases, surgery can be performed and may improve vision. Healthy Retina Diabetic Retinopathy Flashes and Floaters You may sometimes see small specks or clouds moving in your field of vision. These are called floaters. Floaters are usually tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous, the clear jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the eye. While these objects look like they are in front of your eye, they are actually floating inside. When floaters first appear, they may be accompanied by what appears to be flashes of light. Patients with new flashes and floaters are at risk for retinal tears and retinal detachments, which can cause blindness. If you notice flashes or floaters, you should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist promptly. Retinal Tears and Detachments The vitreous gel can pull on the retina to cause a tear in the retina, especially in those who are nearsighted or have had previous eye surgery. When the retina tears, fluid leaks between the retina and the back of the eye, pushing the retina off the eye and causing a retinal detachment. Without prompt treatment, retinal detachment will lead to permanent loss of vision, so it is important to know the symptoms: } New flashes or floaters } Blurring of your vision } A curtain coming into } A new blind spot your vision from any direction Retinal Detachment If you notice any of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Early treatment with laser or surgery can often preserve vision. 19

20 Cosmetic Options and Neuro-Ophthalmology by a Highly Trained Specialist Dr. Eric Berman is a board-certified and fellowshiptrained neuro-ophthalmologist treating patients in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Sun City Center. He is one of only 500 such specialists in the United States and treats visual problems in patients with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson s disease, strokes, facial nerve palsy, pseudotumor cerebri and headaches. In addition, he performs cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries and BOTOX injections for both spasm disorders and cosmetic purposes. Strokes and Vision Visual problems are common in stroke victims. A stroke is defined as the interruption of blood flow to a region of the head or eye. There are six major ways a stroke may affect vision: } Blindness a stroke can affect one eye only, or if the stroke damages the back of the brain, both eyes will be affected. } Loss of vision to one side the ability to see on one side through both eyes. } Double vision. } Inability to understand what is seen. } Inability to read. } Facial nerve (Bell s) palsy inability to close the eye on that side. A neuro-ophthalmologist can detect and treat vision problems associated with stroke. It is important that you see someone if you have any of the above problems soon after a stroke to stop the progression and to help in your overall recovery. Vision and Neurologic Diseases Diseases that affect the nervous system (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson s, etc.) can affect eyesight by involvement of the optic nerve (supplying vision from the eye to the brain), oculomotor nerves (controlling eye movements) or accommodation and convergence (ability to change focus from distance to near). In addition, neurologic processes can damage the areas responsible for interpretation of visual information. Patients suffering from these conditions should have regular neuro-ophthalmic exams to look for treatable problems which may affect their vision. CoastalEye.com 20

21 Cosmetic/Neuro-Ophthalmology Evaluation and Removal of Lesions Lesions (bumps) and skin tags on the skin surrounding the eyelids are common. Lesions can be benign, pre-cancerous or cancerous. A lesion or skin tag can usually be safely removed with a simple surgical procedure which typically leaves minimal scarring and is often covered by insurance. Cosmetic Surgery In some cases, sagging or drooping eyelids have such an impact on vision that surgery is considered medically necessary and is covered by insurance. Some patients choose to have eyelid surgery to rejuvenate puffy, sagging or tired-looking eyes. The most common cosmetic eyelid procedures are: } Blepharoplasty Removing excess fat, skin and muscle from the upper or lower eyelids, improving the look of the eyes and surrounding tissue. } Brow Lift Removing or altering the muscles above the eyes to smooth lines and raise the eyebrows. } Ptosis Repair Repairing the muscles to raise a droopy eyelid, improving vision and appearance. See photos below. Upper Lid Blepharoplasty Before After Lower Lid Blepharoplasty Before After Ptosis Repair Before After Before eyelid plastic surgery, eyelids are droopy. After excess skin & fat are removed, appearance is greatly improved. 21

22 Pediatric Eye Care: Your Child s First Exam Dr. Scott Silverman is a fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist with advanced training in the evaluation and treatment of eye problems in children. There is no need to feel apprehensive about your child s first eye exam. He or she does not need to know the alphabet to have their vision checked. The exam is completely painless except for a few seconds of stinging from the dilating eye drops. We take special care to ensure that your child s visit is an enjoyable experience. Signs of vision problems in children: } Squinting or blinking } Drifting or crossing of an eye } Closing or covering an eye } Sitting close to television } Headaches while reading } Drop in school performance Common eye problems in children } Nearsightedness: Distant objects appear blurry. This is usually detected in elementary school when problems seeing the board arise. } Farsightedness: A small amount of farsightedness is normal in children. However, with more pronounced farsightedness, the eye is unable to see near objects without extreme focusing. This can cause headaches and crossing of the eyes. } Astigmatism: Astigmatism is an irregularity in the shape of the cornea. Instead of being shaped round, the cornea is shaped oval, causing a blurred image at all distances. Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can be inherited and are all treated with glasses or contact lenses. Lasik can be considered for those 18 years or older with a stable prescription. } Tear Duct Obstruction: When the tear duct is incompletely formed at birth, excessive tearing and crusting of the eyelids occur. This condition is treated with tear duct massage and antibiotics. Tear duct surgery is recommended for those who do not improve by one year of age. } Amblyopia (lazy eye): Amblyopia is poor vision in an eye that did not develop normal sight during childhood. Without treatment, children with amblyopia will never see well in one eye, even with glasses. Patching treatment and eye drops are effective in the treatment of amblyopia, especially when initiated prior to seven years of age. CoastalEye.com 22

23 Pediatric Eye Care / Eye Muscle Surgery Strabismus Strabismus is misalignment of the eyes. The eyes may cross, drift up or out. Strabismus may be present from birth or may develop later in life. Eye Muscle Surgery Corrects Crossed Eyes in Children and Adults Dr. Scott Silverman, a specialist in eye muscle surgery, treats strabismus in both children and adults. Strabismus can sometimes be cured with glasses, but often requires eye muscle surgery. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and takes less than an hour to complete. During the procedure, the eye muscles are carefully repositioned to straighten the eyes. Children are usually back to school and adults back to work within three days after surgery. Before After Surgery Find us on Facebook: 23

24 Sarasota: (941) South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL or 2020 Cattlemen Road Suite 500 Sarasota, FL Visit Us Online at CoastalEye.com Find us on Facebook: Lakewood Ranch: (941) Health Park Way Suite 340 Lakewood Ranch, FL Bradenton: (941) Manatee Ave East Bradenton, FL Sun City Center: (813) Sun City Center Plaza Sun City Center, FL /15