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DOCTOR REFERRAL

A Call to Action: Schedule Your Routine Eye Exam

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As South Carolina emerges from the coronavirus epidemic and doctor offices begin reopening fully, the public is encouraged to catch up on any routine doctor exams that may have been skipped during the last 18 months. This includes your routine eye exam. Adults over the age of 40 are encouraged to have an eye exam conducted every 1-2 years, and a doctor may recommend more frequent visits depending on family history and if the doctor finds something of concern during the exam.

According to the CDC, an estimated 93 million US adults are at a high risk of vision loss, but only half of this population visits their eye doctor for a routine eye exam. Due to the rising age of the US population, the number of visually impaired and blind people is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.

The routine eye exam provides an opportunity to identify eye issues early, potentially avoiding the need for more aggressive treatments in the future, and potentially preventing loss of eyesight. A robust eye exam includes more than just checking visual acuity to determine the need for glasses or contact lenses. The ophthalmologist will also run tests to confirm the health of eye muscles and nerves. The eye will be examined through a microscope to look for early signs of diseases such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

The Eye Center in Columbia is more than just a leader in the medical treatment of serious eye diseases. They are also one of South Carolina’s largest providers of routine eye examinations. New and returning patients are encouraged to call The Eye Center to schedule their next eye exam. Making this call is important to maintaining healthy eyes for the rest of your life.

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.

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

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The Eye Center Now Offers the Vivity® Intraocular Lens

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The doctors at The Eye Center discuss the new Vivity® intraocular lens, a new option for the treatment of cataracts.

The skilled ophthalmologists at The Eye Center in Columbia are excited to announce that they are now offering a new option for patients who experience cataracts and are considering cataract surgery in Columbia, SC. The recently FDA-approved Alcon AcrySof IQ Vivity® is the first range of multifocal intraocular lenses in the United States to offer a non-diffractive extended depth of focus, which helps to improve patients’ vision at both close and far distances.

The Vivity® intraocular lens creates an extended focal range in the eye with the use of X-Wave technology, which shifts and stretches the wavefront into several different focal points. This revolutionary advancement in cataract treatment in Columbia, SC allows the artificial lens to use all of the light available in an area, which helps patients to maintain the same visual quality offered by a monofocal intraocular lens. The advantage over a monofocal lens is immediate sharper vision at all distance ranges, near and far.

Patients concerned about the glare that usually comes along with cataract surgery in Columbia, SC will be happy to hear that Vivity® will not show any increased glare once it is implanted. This makes this intraocular lens an ideal choice for those with active lifestyles, or for those who have hobbies or jobs that require focusing on objects that are close to the eyes.

The new Vivity® intraocular lens is often also a good option for those who wish to receive cataract treatment in Columbia, SC, but are not good candidates for traditional options due to conditions such as macular puckers, macular degeneration, and several others. If you have a condition that makes traditional options for cataract surgery unfeasible, ask your doctor at a Columbia eye center if Vivity® might work for you.

The experienced and skilled ophthalmologists at The Eye Center have been offering many options for both cataract treatment and cataract surgery for years, and Vivity® is just one of their newest offerings. To learn more about this revolutionary cataract treatment, or to get more information on all of your treatment options, contact the doctors at this Columbia eye center and make an appointment today.

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.

803.256.0641
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Dr. Clary discusses DURYSTA™ at 2021 Kiawah Eye Meeting

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Last week, Dr. Clary had the honor of delivering the first lecture of the 2021 Kiawah Eye Meeting. He spoke on the benefits and successes of DURYSTA™ in our patients. If you or your loved one struggle with either the administration or side effects of eye drops for glaucoma, DURYSTA™ may be able to help you reduce or eliminate the need for drops. Contact us to learn more or schedule your appointment today.

Dr. Clary had the honor of delivering the first lecture of the 2021 Kiawah Eye Meeting

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.

803.256.0641
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The LASIK Difference

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Individuals who struggle with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, an inability to read, or other vision problems can find relief through LASIK. The Eye Center, a Columbia, South Carolina eye clinic, provides top-quality laser eye correction surgery. Their team of qualified and highly skilled ophthalmologists is a pioneer in the field of corrective eye surgery.

Reliance on prescription eyewear can reduce the quality of life for many people, especially those who are highly active and play sports. LASIK can help reduce a patient’s need for glasses and contacts. In some patients, the use of glasses and contacts is eliminated.

A painless procedure with few risks, LASIK is recommended for patients aged 21 and older who have experienced little change in vision over the last year. While those with auto-immune disorders and other health concerns may not qualify, consulting an eye doctor can help a patient determine their eligibility.

During the procedure, an ophthalmologist uses a laser to remove microscope areas of tissue to reshape the cornea, which increases its ability to focus. As a result, Dr. Matthew Clary and his team of qualified ophthalmologists in Columbia, South Carolina, have noted that patients experience better vision within minutes.

LASIK is also beneficial to contact wearers who suffer from dry eyes or allergies. Such conditions can make wearing contacts difficult and unbearable. Patients who receive LASIK surgery also save money. Eyewear, such as contact lenses, glasses frames, and other expenses like contact solutions and visits to eye doctors, can cost money, which adds up over the years. LASIK is a one-time expense, reducing a patient’s need for corrective lenses, saving them money.

For individuals struggling with everyday tasks such as reading, typing, driving, working, and playing sports because of vision problems, LASIK surgery can drastically improve their quality of life. Corrective laser eye surgery is quick and painless. The risk of side effects is low, and patients can resume normal activities almost immediately.

Consult with the experts at The Eye Center to learn more and to find out if LASIK is right for you.

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.

803.256.0641
Contact Us

The Eye Center Treats All Kinds of Eye Diseases

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The doctors at The Eye Center, a Columbia, SC eye clinic, offer patients a variety of treatment options for all kinds of eye diseases and problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. This full-service clinic employs skilled ophthalmologists in Columbia, SC, and specializes in a range of refractive surgeries, including LASIK, cataract surgery, and corneal transplants.

If cataracts are slowly but increasingly affecting your ability to see properly, the doctors at this clinic may recommend either traditional cataract surgery or PreLex. Both of these surgeries feature Tecnis multifocal lenses to allow for improvements at both close and far distances.

On the other hand, if you’ve been diagnosed with any form of glaucoma, the doctors at this Columbia eye center might recommend topical eye drops, a long-term implant, or a surgical procedure. The treatment that the doctor recommends will depend on the severity of your case and your circumstances.

Apart from refractive surgeries, The Eye Center also offers traditional eye care. You can visit this Columbia eye center for a routine check-up to assess whether you need glasses or contacts, or when you’re experiencing discomfort in order to diagnose and begin treatment for any conditions the doctor finds.

In addition to all the services above, The Eye Center also works with patients to determine the cause and find an appropriate treatment for uncomfortable dry eyes. There are a variety of dry eye treatments available, including artificial tears, prescription eye drops, and in severe cases, surgery.

If you’re looking for a new ophthalmologist in Columbia, SC, you won’t find more experienced or compassionate doctors than those at The Eye Center. “At The Eye Center, our focus is on providing high-quality care to the patients we serve,” the doctors at this Columbia, SC eye clinic say. “We offer the highest standards of sterile technique, stringent safety measures, superior services and state-of-the-art, FDA approved equipment.”

All of the ophthalmologists employed at The Eye Center are board-certified with years of experience, expert-level skills, and the utmost dedication and compassion for their patients. This Columbia, SC eye clinic places patient satisfaction above all else, and their mission is to always provide you with the best care possible. 

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.

803.256.0641
Contact Us

Get Rid Of Those Eyedrops

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If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT), a DURYSTA™ implant may be a viable option. Keep reading to learn all about how DURYSTA™ can help you or your loved one!
 
What is DURYSTA™?
DURYSTA™ is an FDA-approved, sustained-release, biodegradable implant available at The Eye Center in Columbia. It’s meant to reduce intraocular pressure in those with open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension who have trouble administering their daily eye drop medication.

This implant takes minutes for our ophthalmologists to install, and provides patients with relief for up to 6-12 months. A single dose of DURYSTA™ is loaded into an applicator and directly administered to the anterior chamber of the eye during a painless procedure at The Eye Center.

Studies have shown that DURYSTA™ can lower IOP in patients by up to 33% when administered by an ophthalmologist. It should only be implanted once per eye and will release preservative-free medication over a sustained period of time, eliminating the need for eye drops.

DURYSTA™ Can Help Patients Who Struggle with Eye Drops
Many OAG and OHT patients report difficulties with properly administering their medicated eye drops. Doing so may be difficult for people with:

  • Itchy or irritated eyes
  • Arthritis
  • Forgetfulness due to memory loss disorders

 Unfortunately, failure to regularly administer eye drops prescribed by a doctor may place patients at a greater risk for vision loss. Thankfully, DURYSTA™ provides relief from IOP symptoms and gives both patients and their doctors confidence that the condition is under control.

While DURYSTA™ is suitable for many OAG and OHT patients who have been diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, some patients should avoid it due to the high risk of contradictory results. DURYSTA™ is not recommended for anyone with: 

  • Fuch’s Dystrophy
  • History of corneal transplant
  • Hypersensitivity to bimatoprost
  • Aphakia

 You can learn more about DURYSTA™ by contacting our professionals 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.

803.256.0641
Contact Us

Comprehensive Eye Exams Are The Key To Preventing Eye Disease

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Patients should have regular visits to The Eye Center to combat eye disease

Ophthalmology is the study of diseases in the eye, ranging from dry eye to cataracts. Many diseases are preventable, and those which are unpreventable are better treated when detected early. South Carolinians should book their comprehensive eye exam at Columbia’s The Eye Center before experiencing problems with their vision.

The team of licensed physicians at The Eye Center is well-versed in detecting various forms of eye disease and deterioration. Their comprehensive eye exam is designed to encompass a wide range of possible maladies, including the need for corrective lenses or a risk of glaucoma. The exam measures each patient’s visual acuity, peripheral vision, and eye muscle coordination. As part of their exam, patients may receive pupil dilation in order to test the pupils’ responsiveness to light. The eyelids and the insides of the eye are also taken into account using specialized optical instruments.

If the exam yields unhealthy or problematic results, the physician will discuss these issues with the patient and provide a consultation on their best options for future or immediate treatment. The Eye Center not only diagnoses but also treats the gamut of eye diseases, which a comprehensive eye exam may indicate. This Columbia SC eye clinic provides services for treating cataracts, glaucoma, dry eyes, macular degeneration, astigmatism, near-sightedness and far-sightedness, diseases related to diabetes, and much more. Patients can receive laser vision surgery, cataract surgery, and even surgery to correct ptosis or droopy eyelid syndrome. As a comprehensive eye clinic, The Eye Center also provides post-operative consultations for issues such as flashers, floaters, and post-cataract capsular haze.

Treating eye disease becomes increasingly riskier and more expensive, the longer a patient delays treatment. By examining eyes early and regularly, the physicians at The Eye Center can help patients proactively treat their eye disease and prevent the formation of a new one.

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.

803.256.0641
Contact Us

Panoptix IOL Is The Clear Choice For Cataract Patients

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Columbia, SC, Nov 15, 2020 – The future is bright for patients seeking cataract surgery in the Midlands area. An innovative technology called Panoptix IOL is available at The Eye Center, an eye care clinic in Columbia, South Carolina. The first Panoptix IOL implant was successfully administered last year by Dr. Matthew Clary at the Columbia eye center and is now available for all eligible patients.

Cataract surgery is recommended whenever the natural lens in a patient’s eye has become increasingly cloudy with age, impairing vision. The cataract is removed in surgery and replaced with a special implant called an intraocular lens (IOL). Most patients find that cataract surgery restores their vision supremely well, although prescription glasses are sometimes necessary following the surgery. However, with the Panoptix IOL, a trifocal lens, patients can improve their post-cataract vision at near, far, and intermediate distances without the need for glasses. Patients might still choose to use glasses for precise tasks such as extensive reading.

Panoptix IOL was developed by Alcon in Geneva, Switzerland, and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cataract treatments in the U.S. Overseas studies have shown that 90% of patients would recommend Panoptix lens for successive cataract surgery.

The trifocal vision improvement provided by a Panoptix IOL is not only cutting-edge but also strongly in demand. Patients seeking to part with their glasses after a South Carolina cataract surgery should consider this service at The Eye Center.

Dr. Matthew Clary joined The Eye Center in 2008 and is the Chairman of Ophthalmology for Providence Hospital. He is board-certified to specialize in cataract surgery, having set a record for the most cataract surgeries performed under a single residency. He brings his unmatched expertise to The Eye Center in concert with the internationally-acclaimed Panoptix IOL technology.

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.

803.256.0641
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The iStent Procedure for Glaucoma Treatment: What Patients Should Know

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The doctors at The Eye Center offer an innovative new procedure available to control the progression of glaucoma.

Columbia, S.C., Oct. 15, 2020 – Glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness, and it is estimated that over 75 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. Up until recently, glaucoma could only be treated with eye drops and complex surgery. Now, technology has advanced to allow a new option for glaucoma treatment in Columbia.

Any patient undergoing cataract surgery at a Columbia, SC eye clinic, and taking at least one medication to lower eye pressure, may be a candidate for a new implant called iStent.

The iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent reduces eye pressure and can be implanted during cataract surgery performed by an ophthalmologist in Columbia, SC. The doctors at The Eye Center, P.A. say this method allows for “Treatment of your open-angle glaucoma in a completely new way.”

iStent works similarly to stents used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. “When blood vessels get clogged, a stent creates access to the vessel flow,” an ophthalmologist in Columbia, SC explains. With glaucoma, the Eye Center says, “Over time the eye’s natural drainage system becomes clogged. iStent creates a permanent opening through the blockage to improve the eye’s natural outflow & spares the eye tissue often damaged in traditional surgeries.”

The procedure involves the insertion of two small stents into the eye to lower pressure. iStent is the smallest medical device to date approved by the FDA, and this revolutionary procedure is now a viable option for glaucoma treatment in Columbia, SC.

The Eye Center is a Columbia, SC eye clinic with ophthalmologists trained to perform this procedure. iStent is available now, and any patient currently taking medications to control glaucoma should seriously consider it.

The Eye Center explains, “If you forget to take your eye drops or ‘skip a dose,’ this can cause large changes in your eye pressure. Large changes in eye pressure can increase the risk of vision loss.” Many patients were able to stop using their prescription eye drops entirely after having iStent inserted. It dramatically mitigates the risk of vision loss due to glaucoma, and patients who suffer from both cataracts and glaucoma can now solve both issues with one procedure.

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.

803.256.0641
Contact Us

Columbia Eye Center Promises to Observe COVID-19 Best Practices for Cataract Surgery

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Cataracts are the second leading preventable cause of blindness across the world, and early surgical intervention is crucial to effectively treating this illness. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has plunged the world of medicine into uncertainty. Therefore, many Columbia, SC cataract surgeries have been delayed due to questions about potential health risks.

Patients and providers alike are uncertain about how to proceed in this situation. However, clear COVID-19 best-practices guidelines for cataract surgeries have been released. That is why The Eye Center is pleased to announce best practices will be employed for all cataract surgeries, so you can save your vision safely under these new protective measures.

CDC Compliance
We know that our cataract patients are often members of COVID-19 high-risk populations, so we are taking CDC guidelines very seriously to ensure your safety.

All Eye Center facilities will comply with CDC mask and social distancing requirements whenever feasible. Masks are always required to be worn by patients and staff, and we are staggering appointments to allow for more effective social distancing inside the facilities.

A Focus On Screening
One of the most important aspects of best practices during a time of pandemic is screening. The Eye Center in Columbia is committed to serving our cataract patients’ best interests through regular screening of both patients and staff for COVID-19.

Prioritizing Protection
The Eye Center will implement protective measures whenever possible. All our doctors are equipped with high-quality personal protective equipment and sanitation materials while conducting cataract surgeries.

Expanded Telemedicine
Another way The Eye Center is protecting cataract patients through the COVID-19 crisis is with an expansion of telemedicine. While of course, the surgery itself will need to be performed inside the facility, we are abiding with COVID-19 cataract surgery best-practices by allowing for the possibility that screening and follow-up visits could be conducted remotely.

We will also attempt to make all administrative procedures as touch-free as possible, advocating online registration, check-in, and payment options.

Our Promise
You should not have to suffer vision loss from cataracts, and you also shouldn’t have to be exposed to COVID-19. We understand how difficult it can be to make medical decisions during uncertain times. But rest assured, we at The Eye Center are working hard to implement best-practices for eye surgeries so that all our cataract patients receive the care and protection they deserve.

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.

803.256.0641
Contact Us