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The iStent – Tiny Technology for Brighter Eyes

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The Latest in Eye Care
The Eye Center in Columbia, South Carolina, is continually seeking innovative new ways to help our patients. A common issue that we tend to see is glaucoma, which causes impaired vision to clients as they age. To combat the more severe problems with glaucoma, we offer the iStent implant.
 
Who is at Risk?
Although glaucoma is common, there are certain groups of people who run a higher risk of developing the disease. High-risk groups include:
 

  • People over 40
  • Individuals with a history of eye injury
  • People of African American or Hispanic descent
  • Those who suffer from frequent bouts of eye pressure

Consider making an appointment for an eye exam if you fall into any of these categories and are experiencing problems. While you shouldn’t assume those issues are related to glaucoma, an ophthalmologist can give you a precise diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, a popular option for treatment is the iStent. Patients in the Columbia, SC area who require ophthalmology services should contact us to set an appointment today!
 
What is the iStent?
The iStent is currently the smallest medical apparatus in existence. Though small, it performs the difficult task of helping to decrease compression within the eyes through the reduction of moisture. The doctors in our clinic are trained professionals who perform several iStent implants each year. They guide all patients through the recovery process and will take great care of you.
 
Call Now For Glaucoma Relief
Glaucoma affects the eyesight of millions of people all around the world. Though there is currently no cure, the iStent works to slow the disease and ultimately improve and prolong vision. If you have been diagnosed with glaucoma or suspect you may have it, visit us at The Eye Center in Columbia, SC. Our specialists lead the city of Columbia in ophthalmology and are the best of the best.

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What to Look for in a Modern Eye Care Practice

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Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

LenSx® Femtosecond Laser procedure offered by The Eye Center in South Carolina

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Columbia, S.C, – Femtosecond Laser Surgery is a type of laser-assisted cataract surgery that utilizes advanced Femtosecond laser technology for absolute accuracy. The Eye Center in South Carolina now offers this advanced procedure using state-of-the-art technology matched with expert doctors to provide superior results for everyone involved.
Every individual is different. People may have heard of this phrase before, but not many have listened to it regarding their own eyes. The size, depth, and shape of eyes are unique for every individual. With that, comes a necessity for exact precision in cataract surgeries tailored to every patient.

The benefits include reducing certain risks and allowing for optimal results to improve visual outcomes. The advantages provided include the performance of a bladeless incision, astigmatism reduction, a reliable capsulotomy creation, and gentler lens fragmentation. These improvements result in quicker healing time, sharper visionary results, and an increase in the overall safety of the surgery.

This procedure does utilize the advanced mechanization for precision-based performance, but it does not mean the entire process is performed technologically. A surgeon or doctor at The Eye Center still oversees the procedure as the whole and manually performs the removal of the cataract using a traditional Phaco ultrasound tube. The LenSx® Femtosecond Laser provides support for some of the more challenging portions of the operation.

“If you are someone who embraces innovative technologies, wants the latest, greatest methods, or has significant astigmatism, this may be an excellent option,” state the doctors at The Eye Center. The technological supplement makes it easier for the doctor to perform the corneal incision, the anterior capsulotomy, and the lens and cataract fragmentation. With this assistance, it only leaves the patient that much more satisfied.

It’s important to place everything in perspective when deciding between different types of surgeries. Femtosecond Laser procedure combines the best of both worlds, using specialization that is second-to-none.

To find out more about LenSx® Femtosecond Laser Surgery or to put an appointment on the books, reach out to the doctors at The Eye Center, or visit the practice online at TheEyeCenterSC.com.
 
About The Eye Center
The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full-service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Diabetic Eye Disorders – How does diabetes affect the eyes?

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Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high in an individual. The effects of diabetes can vary from an increased risk of heart disease to visionary impairment. According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), there are two major types of diabetic eye disorders: diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema (DME). Due to the increased likelihood of eye disorders and a potential lack of symptoms, the NEI recommends that a comprehensive eye exam should be completed at least once every year for those with diabetes.
 
Effects of Diabetes on the Eyes
The effects of diabetes on the eyes can vary, aside from the two major diabetic eye disorders. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults ranging from 20-74 years old. The side effects can be as simple as blurry vision, vision loss, and eye aches or pain. More severe consequences can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, or the aforementioned diabetic eye disorders.
 
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disorder caused by diabetes. It can result in severe visual impairment and may even lead to blindness. Transformations in the blood vessels of the retina lead to diabetic retinopathy. A healthy retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, is crucial to healthy vision. With this disorder, blood vessels in the eye, stemming from the retina, may swell and lead to fluid leaks. In other cases, irregular new blood vessels may emerge on the outer layer of the retina. Symptoms may include spotty or blurred vision. If left untreated, this diabetic disorder can gradually get worse.
 
Diabetic macular edema, or DME, like diabetic retinopathy, is one of the leading causes of blindness for those who have diabetes. DME develops when tiny blood vessels in the eye begin to leak. The leaked fluid can lead to swelling of the central portion of the retina or the macula, which results in blurred vision. Image distortion, color or contrast changes, and scotomas, or blind spots in one’s eyesight, all can derive from DME. These symptoms gradually get worse if left untreated and should be carefully examined by an eye doctor.
 
Importance of Eye Exams
An annual eye exam can recognize and treat an irregularity in the early stages before it gets too late. Consistently visiting The Eye Center can be the reason you save yourself from an ongoing eye disorder or the need for extensive surgery. In essence, eye exams at every stage in your life are crucial to keeping your vision healthy and robust, so be sure to keep up with them.

Our Featured Posts

Beyond Reading Glasses: Understanding Monovision and PRELEX

Navigating Your Options: Choosing the Right Intraocular Lens (IOL)

Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, and Modern Solutions

What to Look for in a Modern Eye Care Practice

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Corneal Transplants and More: The Importance of Eye Surgery

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The doctors at The Eye Center talk about new eye surgeries such as corneal transplant surgery
 
Columbia, S.C, – Corneal transplant surgery is a thirty-minute surface treatment for those experiencing vision loss. Surgeons numb the eye and prepare it for a laser treatment using a polish. The surgeons then remove a layer of eye tissue in order to improve vision. This surgery helps rays of light to focus on the retina, which is what enhances vision overall. Plus, it is virtually painless.
 
“For months, I was losing sight in my right eye and didn’t know the cause of it,” says a patient from The Eye Center in Columbia. After a few minutes with Dr. Bryan and a secondary observation with Dr. Huff, I am on the road to recovery.” 
 
For those seeking help with their vision, they can visit The Eye Center’s website to make an appointment. They can also speak to doctors such as Dr. Brian Huff in South Carolina. The Eye Center offers the latest eye surgeries for those struggling with vision problems or other eye problems. Specifically, they are proud to say that they provide the latest transplant surgery for the cornea and Lasik surgeries.
 
People can schedule appointments at their convenience. The Lasik clinic in South Carolina is open Monday through Thursday from seven-thirty in the morning until four-thirty in the afternoon. They are also open on Fridays from seven-thirty in the morning until noon. The Eye Center wants to work with as many schedules as possible.
 
“Five weeks ago, I had Lasik surgery by Dr. Clary, and my vision has never been better. It was truly one of the best decisions that I have made medically,” says a patient from The Eye Center. “There is no other office that I would have trusted.”
 
There are many people who have been diagnosed with underlying eye conditions. Schedule an appointment with a vision care specialist. They can prevent eye problems from worsening as well as strengthen vision overall.
 
To find out more about various eye surgeries such as corneal transplants, Lasik, and cataract, reach out to the doctors at The Eye Center or visit the practice online at The Eye Center.
 
About The Eye Center
The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Diabetic and Concerned About Your Vision? Here’s What You Should Know

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If you have diabetes and have been developing problems with your vision, you may have something scientists refer to as “Diabetic Retinopathy.” The disease is caused by high blood sugar levels and affects the area in the back of your eye (called your “retina”). Consistently high levels may cause damage to the blood vessels located there, causing them to swell, leak, close, or even promote the growth of new, weaker vessels. While it may be asymptomatic in its early stages, symptoms indicated worsening conditions might include:

  • Seeing black ‘floaters’
  • Blurriness
  • Deteriorating night vision
  • Imperceptible areas of your vision

Make sure to visit The Eye Center in Columbia if you feel you may be experiencing these symptoms. Diabetic Retinopathy is characterized by two distinct stages.

Non-Proliferative Retinopathy
With Non-Proliferative Retinopathy (aka NPDR), retinal blood vessels may swell and leak, which is called “macular edema.” Vessels may also close off completely, which is called “macular ischemia.” In either of these cases, your vision will be blurry but not completely gone. Left untreated, however, NPDR may advance into a more detrimental stage called Proliferative Retinopathy. Contact your local Ophthalmologist at your Columbia, S.C. Eye Center if you fear you may already have, or be developing, NPDR.

Proliferative Retinopathy
In this more advanced form, your retina actually begins to grow a new set of blood vessels, called “neovascularization.” These new, weaker vessels have a high chance of bleeding and depending on the amount of blood expelled, and your vision may be seriously restricted. Complete blindness may also occur in more severe cases. Do not wait to seek treatment if you think you have PDR.

Prevention
There are multiple preventative measures you can take depending on how far advanced your Diabetic Retinopathy is. Some avenues to consider:

  • Diet and Nutrition: Lowering sugar levels may reverse damages
  • Medicine
  • Laser Surgery: Laser surgery may be used to stop blood vessel leakage
  • Vitrectomy: In advanced cases, some optic surgery may be required to remove blood or scar tissue

Contact The Eye Center in Columbia, S.C., to find out if laser eye surgery or other treatments are right for you.

Our Featured Posts

Beyond Reading Glasses: Understanding Monovision and PRELEX

Navigating Your Options: Choosing the Right Intraocular Lens (IOL)

Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, and Modern Solutions

What to Look for in a Modern Eye Care Practice

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

What Causes Dry Eyes? Here are some of the causes of this itchy affliction

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Even when we are not crying, our eyes are still full of tears. Tears are a delicate mixture of mucus and oils and water, and when that balance is disrupted, there is decreased tear production. This reduced production in tears is the reason for dry eyes. Dry eye can happen to both men and women, but it is more common in women.
 
Itchy & Scratchy
Dry eye symptoms can be painful and irritating and can vary from person to person. The Eye Center in Columbia lists some of the symptoms as scratchiness or itchiness, light sensitivity, or feeling like you always have something in your eye. Sometimes the eye can even produce too many tears, much like when you get something in your eye, and your eye starts to water.
 
A decrease in tear production can occur for a variety of reasons:

  • Aging, especially menopause
  • Different medications such as antihistamines or hormone replacement therapy
  • Various medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or a thyroid disorder
  • Lasik – although this is often temporary
  • Eyelids that turn out or in and don’t shut properly

 
Take breaks for healthier eyes
Other causes of dry eye can be something as simple as spending too much time in air-conditioning or even environmental issues like fires or dust storms. There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from the causes of dry eye, like stop spending too much time on your phone or computer, take out your contacts, take eye breaks, stop smoking and try artificial tears.
 
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your doctor, like Dr. Brian Huff in SC for Dry Eye Treatment in Columbia SC, and let them know. Don’t continue to suffer from dry eyes, contact The Eye Center in South Carolina today, and gain relief!

Our Featured Posts

Beyond Reading Glasses: Understanding Monovision and PRELEX

Navigating Your Options: Choosing the Right Intraocular Lens (IOL)

Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, and Modern Solutions

What to Look for in a Modern Eye Care Practice

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?

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For many in Columbia, SC, cataract surgery may be the best option to correct cloudy lenses. One of the most commonly asked questions for cataract surgery is whether the patient will need glasses after surgery. Many factors affect the operation’s success, but almost 90 percent of patients gain significant improvements in their vision. With these gains, some may still need a form of eyeglasses after surgery.
 
Following cataract surgery, some people need to wear eye protection for certain activities, according to the Mayo Clinic. There are many factors that impact whether patients need glasses post-surgery. Some of these include:
 

  • Current eyeglasses prescription
  • Level of astigmatism that the patient may have
  • Visual needs
  • Overall eye health
  • Type of artificial lens used in the procedure

 
The most commonly used lens for cataract surgery is the Monofocal IOL. These lenses set the best-uncorrected vision for each patient at a single focal point. Because the lens is designed for either great distance vision or great close vision, the patient will need glasses or contacts for the opposite activities.
 
Another type of lens used in cataract surgery is the Astigmatism-correcting IOL. These are implanted during cataract surgery to decrease the patient’s dependence on contacts or glasses. This type of lens is considered a Monofocal lens, so contacts or glasses are still needed for some or all activities.
 
Regardless of the lens chosen for surgery, the patient’s reliance on glasses or contacts will be significantly reduced after surgery. The patient’s ophthalmologist helps to select the most appropriate lens for each patient and can estimate the patient’s need for glasses following the procedure. Surgeons recommend waiting for the eye or eyes to fully heal before being assessed for a new prescription.
 
Every patient’s vision needs are different, so dependency on glasses and the level of visual improvement after cataract surgery will vary based on the patient’s previous vision and vision priorities following surgery.

Our Featured Posts

Beyond Reading Glasses: Understanding Monovision and PRELEX

Navigating Your Options: Choosing the Right Intraocular Lens (IOL)

Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, and Modern Solutions

What to Look for in a Modern Eye Care Practice

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Eye Center Offers New Technology for Cataract Surgery

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The Eye Center now uses LenSx Femtosecond Laser Procedure
 
Columbia, S.C, – The Eye Center continues to be a leader in setting the industry standards for vision care in Columbia, SC. Now they offer the latest in vision correction technology: the LenSx Femtosecond Laser.
 
Cataracts form as a cloudiness on the natural lens of the eye. Traditional cataract surgery is performed through manual incision and removal of the natural lens. The natural lens is replaced with a manufactured lens, and the result is a clearer vision and reduced reliance on glasses or contacts.
 
This laser offers increased precision allowing for more customized corrective treatment. In cataract surgery, each individual’s eye has to be measured and mapped for a successful procedure to decrease the patient’s dependence on glasses. The LenSx laser has advanced technology that increases the accuracy of these measurements. It pulses a laser in femtoseconds to make the incisions in the cornea, lens capsule, and crystalline lens.
 
The Eye Center knows the many advantages of the LenSx laser can improve patient experiences and outcomes. The bladeless incision increases the reliability and consistency of each incision. The laser centralizes the opening where the cataract is removed, which reduces complications after surgery. Because the Eye Center treats patients with astigmatism, the LenSx laser provides sharper vision after surgery. The cataract is pulverized by the laser to make removing it easier. This can reduce patient healing times and quicker vision stabilizing.
 
The Eye Center’s surgeons still remove the cataract with traditional ultrasound, but using the LenSx laser, the incisions are created, and the cataract is broken into tiny pieces for much quicker and easier removal. For patients with significant astigmatism, The Eye Center knows that this procedure is particularly effective.
 
The Eye Center has regularly treated cataract patients since its inception. By always looking to provide the highest quality eye care and the best treatment outcomes possible for their patients, it’s not surprising The Eye Center is among the first to offer LenSx femtosecond laser treatment.
 
With this new procedure, patients may experience better outcomes, reduced healing times, and clearer vision. The Eye Center recommends patients consult with their ophthalmologist before undergoing any surgical procedures to identify the one that best fits their vision needs.
 
About The Eye Center
The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Advanced Surface Treatment is an Excellent Choice for Laser Vision Correction

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For patients in Columbia, SC in need of laser vision correction, like Lasik, Advanced Surface Treatment (AST) can be an excellent option. Some patients who weren’t good candidates for Lasik can achieve great results with AST. Because the cornea is reshaped by removing a tiny layer of tissue, there is no need for a flap. The light rays can focus on the retina perfectly, which dramatically improves vision.
 

  • The Procedure is Quick: AST is a quick procedure, lasting as little as 30 minutes. The surgeon numbs the eye and then prepares the eye for the laser treatment by gently using a micro polisher. A microscopic layer of tissue is removed to reshape the cornea. Each surgery is custom-designed to meet the vision needs of each patient. Patients do not generally experience any pain or discomfort during this procedure.

 

  • Recovery: After surgery, the cornea is protected by a contact lens temporarily. Some patients experience three to five days of blurry vision and a little discomfort during the healing process. Discomfort or pain is greatly reduced through medication, the protective lens, and eye drops.  Depending on their healing tendencies, patients typically experience their final vision results over a few days to a few months.

 

  • Ideal Candidates: For Advanced Surface Treatment, ideal candidates are 21 years of age or older with a stable prescription. That is, no significant prescription changes within the past year. Here are the conditions commonly treated with AST:
    • Nearsightedness (Myopia) with or without astigmatism
    • Over or under corrected vision from cataract surgery or other refractive surgeries
    • Farsightedness (Hyperopia) with or without astigmatism

 
Advanced Surface Treatment procedures may not be the best option for every patient. As with all procedures, discussing your concerns and treatment goals with your eye doctor is critical in planning any next steps in vision care.

Our Featured Posts

Beyond Reading Glasses: Understanding Monovision and PRELEX

Navigating Your Options: Choosing the Right Intraocular Lens (IOL)

Understanding Cataracts: Causes, Symptoms, and Modern Solutions

What to Look for in a Modern Eye Care Practice

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

The Eye Center Has New Treatment for Glaucoma

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The Eye Center Now Offers Kahook Dual Blade Treatment for Glaucoma Patients
 
Columbia, S.C, – The Eye Center remains at the forefront of merging new technology with the highest standards in patient care, overall improving health outcomes for their patients.  In addition to the other cutting edge services offered by the center, they now have added Kahook Dual Blade technology to their treatment for their glaucoma patients.
 
Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that can leave patients with severe vision loss or blindness if left untreated. It is caused by diseased tissue blocking the drainage ducts so that fluid is unable to drain from the eye. The build-up of the excess fluid increases pressure in the eye, which can damage the optic nerve. The Eye Center is extremely experienced in treating glaucoma with the latest procedures proven to be safe and effective for their patients.
 
The newest addition, Kahook Dual Blade treatment, is designed to improve glaucoma patient outcomes in goniotomy procedures. Goniotomy involves removing the diseased tissue that has been blocking fluid from draining out of the eye. The Kahook Dual Blade technology is proven to reduce the risk of complications and improve patients’ post-operative recovery experiences.
 
The Kahook Dual Blade is a single-use, high-tech ophthalmic blade that can be used in standalone goniotomies or those performed in conjunction with a cataract procedure. The blade has a narrow, long shaft to ease access to the eye’s anterior chamber. The dual blade design lets surgeons make simultaneous incisions to the diseased tissue, making removal easier.
 
The blade design speeds up the goniotomy procedure, making it quick and relatively painless. It reduces the risks of infections or leaks and alleviates the need for any sutures. Patients have reported a quicker recovery time using this blade than in other glaucoma treatments. With the Eye Center surgeons, patients can expect their intraocular pressure to be released with much more precise and targeted incisions. This increase in precision and ability to make simultaneous incisions are two of the major innovations the Kahook Dual Blade brings to glaucoma treatment.
 
The Eye Center continues to prove its dedication to high-quality care for all their patients. Before any procedure, surgeons at The Eye Center examine a patient’s diagnosis and medical history, working with the patient to provide the best treatment options for them.
 
About the Author
The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.

Get In Touch With Us
Have Questions? Feel free to contact us and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.