From dry eyes to cataracts, Complete Eye Care offers solutions

When it comes to finding the right team to trust with your every vision need, look no further than the doctors and staff at Complete Eye Care. Whether your child needs certain frames designed for playing sports or you find yourself suffering from chronic dry eye, the group treats it all.

"Dry eye is a common patient problem, and it's one that shouldn't be ignored," said Dr. J.D. Bonner of Complete Eye Care. "We are pleased to offer LipiFlow to help those with meibomian gland dysfunction.

"We know that many therapies provide limited relief. However, LipiFlow addresses the underlying cause for those with meibomian gland dysfunction so they can have sustained improvement."

Patients who are experiencing eye dryness, irritation, light sensitivity, vision fluctuations, contact lens intolerance and eye fatigue may be candidates for LipiFlow. Bonner said that of the millions of people in the U.S. who suffer from dry eye, a majority have evaporative dry eye, which stems from a deficiency in the oily lipid layer of the eye's tear film. The lipid deficiency is due to blockages in the meibomian glands, located in the eyelids.

"The lipids serve to protect the water (aqueous) layer of tears so that the tears do not evaporate too quickly," he explained.

How LipiFlow works

A disposable eyepiece is used to apply controlled heat to the inner eyelids and intermittent gentle pressure to the outer eyelid.

LipiFlow facilitates the release of lipids from the blocked meibomian glands, allowing the natural flow of lipids to resume.

The in-office procedure takes about 20 minutes. Both eyes can be treated simultaneously.

Cataract treatments

For those struggling with cataracts, Bonner said there are many treatments available and Complete Eye Care is ready to help.

"While the main purpose of cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens obscuring one's vision, new technology enables patients undergoing cataract surgery to have many options to improve their vision better than it may have been in the past, or to reduce the need for glasses," he noted.

Today's technology means you can treat both cataracts and astigmatism at once during cataract surgery. During surgery, your surgeon replaces the cataractous lens in your eye with a new lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL). You can choose an IOL that can treat astigmatism as well as cataracts, allowing you to enjoy more activities with reduced dependency on glasses.

IOL types:

Monofocal – If you choose to treat your cataracts but don't need or want to correct other vision problems, such as presbyopia and astigmatism, then a monofocal lens may be a good fit for you. Monofocal lenses are designed to significantly improve visual clarity and quality, though you'll still have to wear glasses or contact lenses.

Multifocal – When you opt for cataract surgery with multifocal lenses, you're opting for the opportunity for freedom from both cataracts and presbyopia condition, which makes it difficult to focus on objects that are close to you as the lenses in your eyes lose flexibility. Imagine driving with more confidence, or golfing without losing sight of the ball. From reading to playing tennis to playing bridge, you can experience clear vision at near, intermediate and far distances with the help of multifocal lenses, which can help reduce your dependency on glasses.

Toric – Toric lenses can help correct astigmatism, a common condition that usually occurs when the natural surface of your eye is misshapen.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery can also correct astigmatism

Just as you have options when it comes to choosing the lens that you receive during cataract surgery, you also have the option of choosing the technology that's used to perform the procedure. That means you have the choice between surgery performed by hand or with the assistance of laser technology. Your surgeon can help determine which is best for you.

Either type of procedure can be effective when performed by a skilled surgeon, but laser-assisted cataract surgery procedures are generally more predictable and precise. Laser-assisted cataract surgery technology can automate certain steps during the procedure with laser precision.

Customized precision with Catalys or LenSx Laser

If you opt for laser cataract surgery, Bonner operates using the Catalys or LenSx Laser, which offers a level of accuracy exceeding that of manual surgery methods. The Catalys or LenSx Laser first images your eye to plan a procedure that's unique to you. A bladeless, computer-controlled laser then assists in performing your surgery with exacting, individualized precision not attainable with traditional surgical methods.

Check out our kids collection in the Optical Shop

Kids who are getting ready to get out and play sports this spring and summer can benefit greatly from Flexon frames, of which there is a great selection for kids available in the Complete Eye Care Optical Shop.

"They are made of titanium metal and bend and twist really well," said Rachel Ridge, licensed dispensing optician. "That helps prevent lots of breaks and accidents, and we have a line of them for adults, too."

Ridge added that all the Flexon frames come with a two-year warranty that everyone can take advantage of. Complete Eye Care also offers a special of 50 percent off a second set of lenses, so now is a great time to get sunglasses or take care of the whole family's optical needs.

The optical shop is open to the public; you don't need an appointment to stop by, and you may bring in outside prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses.

Noteworthy:

"While the main purpose of cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens obscuring one's vision, new technology enables patients undergoing cataract surgery to have many options to improve their vision better than it may have been in the past, or to reduce the need for glasses." – Dr. J. D. Bonner of Complete Eye Care