Bagan Winkels Vision

Dr. Bagan and Dr. Winkels combined have been doing laser vision correction procedures for 25 years. We have done more procedures, and more types of vision correction surgeries, than anyone in this region. We have an experienced, cautious and honest approach to this important subject. Whether or not to have laser vision correction done, and where to have it done, are two of the most important decisions you will make. We can answer questions and help you make a confident decision. We have the latest in technology, and we can fix almost any amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. We do Lasik and a similar procedure called PRK, and we will discuss the differences, and which is better for you. The LASIK Procedure These procedures are done right here in our office, in a special surgical suite designed for Lasik. It is normal to be anxious about the procedure, even though there is no pain, so we offer a mild sedative taken by mouth, that helps greatly to relax you. Lasik and PRK both take only about five minutes to complete both eyes. Everything is done with lasers, we have a ‘bladeless’ technique. The results are almost immediate with Lasik, and you will notice the improvement right away. PRK involves a bit longer recovery, but has other advantages for some patients. In almost every case, our patients no longer need eyeglasses for distance vision. Older patients who have been wearing bifocals may need reading glasses afterwards. We have experienced staff members who will take your call or inquiry and discuss your individual situation. Please take the time to let us help you make this important decision.

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that occur naturally in about 1 in 50 people. It is even more common if you have a family history. Glaucoma is very slow to develop in most cases, and is not noticeable to you until late stages when you have already lost vision. For that reason it is very important that it be detected early, as in most cases, treatment can prevent vision loss. A routine eye exam should be able to detect early glaucoma, but it can be missed if you don’t have an eye doctor experienced in examining the optic nerve. Most cases can be effectively treated by using eye drops to lower the eye pressure, but some patients will need laser treatment or even eye surgery. Why Choose Our Eye Clinic for Glaucoma Care At Bagan Winkels Vision, we have hundreds of patients with all stages of glaucoma, and the latest technology to detect and treat it. We will spend the extra time it takes to educate you about glaucoma, and follow through with a long-term plan to maintain your vision.

Good vision is one of life’s most precious gifts. Many eye diseases, for example glaucoma and macular degeneration, might not be noticeable until advanced, so we recommend regular eye exams to detect problems before they become worse. Impeccable Eye Care Services at Bagan Winkels Vision! Bagan Winkels Vision’s doctors are specialists in eye diseases, laser treatments, Lasik, and eye surgery, but you can have a routine eye exam here if you prefer. Your family Optometrist does a good job at this, also. A routine eye checkup will include some questions about eye problems you may be having, questions about any history of eye disease in your family, and any medical problems or medications that may have an impact on your eyes. General Eye Exam Our eye vision exams typically involve tests and evaluations that an optometrist or ophthalmologist performs to assess your eyes’ overall health and vision quality. These specific tests and assessments at Bagan Winkels Vision included in an eye vision exam may vary depending on your age, medical history, and any current symptoms you are experiencing. Here are a few evaluations we perform using our high-end precision tools to assess any possible disease: Visual Acuity Test Your ‘visual acuity’ will be checked. That is measured by finding out what size letters you can see on the ‘E’ chart. You will have a refraction; that is checking to see if you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism that may be causing blurry vision. Your Doctor will look at the eye with a microscope, called a ‘slit lamp’, to check for diseases of the cornea, cataracts, and other things. Your eye pressure will be checked, which is one way of screening for glaucoma. A look through your pupil will reveal any problems with the retina, the optic nerve, or ‘floaters’. At BWV, we have a camera that can view the back of the eye, for a reasonable fee, for patients who don’t want to have their pupils dilated. Please don’t neglect routine eye care! Vision lost from undetected eye disease sometimes cannot be recovered. Make an appointment with us or your favorite Optometrist. Evaluation of Tear Production Assessment of tear production is part of a comprehensive eye exam that evaluates the amount and quality of tears produced by the eyes. Tears are important for maintaining the health and comfort of the eyes, as they help to keep the eyes moist, lubricated, and free from debris and bacteria. Contact Bagan Winkels For The Safest Eyelid Procedures Bagan Winkels has the most experienced and trained eye surgeons who can improve or eliminate your eye problems. Our experts will look into your problem and come up with possible solutions. Our procedures offer a speedy recovery and personalized follow up care. If you’re in the Fargo area or somewhere nearby, get in touch with us to solve your eyelid problems! Our goal is to help you feel educated and prepared for any eyelid procedure. Our patient is always our number one priority.

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure commonly known as eyelid surgery. It involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the eyelids to improve their appearance and/or function. Depending on the patient’s needs, either the upper or lower eyelids may be treated, or both. The goal of upper eyelid surgery is to improve the patient’s field of vision and give them a more awake, youthful appearance by removing extra skin and fat from the top eyelids. Lower eyelid surgery involves removing excess fat and/or skin from the lower eyelids to reduce puffiness and under-eye bags. Blepharoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation. The recovery period can take several weeks, during which time patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the eyes. However, most patients are able to resume normal activities soon after the procedure. Blepharoplasty can have both functional and cosmetic benefits. Excess skin on the upper eyelids can cause drooping and obstruct the visual field, which can be corrected through blepharoplasty. Bags under the eyes can make someone look tired and older than they actually are. Blepharoplasty can remove excess fat and skin from the lower eyelids to reduce the appearance of bags. Aging can cause the skin around the eyes to lose elasticity, resulting in sagging and wrinkles. Blepharoplasty can tighten and smooth the skin, giving a more youthful appearance. By improving the appearance of the eyes, blepharoplasty can increase self-confidence and self-esteem. Eye Exam for Blepharoplasty Before undergoing blepharoplasty, we will conduct a comprehensive eye exam to assess the health of your eyes and ensure that there are no underlying conditions that could affect the success of the surgery or your overall health. Contact Bagan Winkels For The Safest Eyelid Procedures Bagan Winkels has the most experienced and trained eye surgeons who can improve or eliminate your eye problems. Our experts will look into your problem and come up with possible solutions. Our procedures offer a speedy recovery and personalized follow up care. If you’re in the Fargo area or somewhere nearby, get in touch with us to solve your eyelid problems! Our goal is to help you feel educated and prepared for any eyelid procedure. Our patient is always our number one priority.

Evaluating and treating cataracts are what we are best known for. BWV surgeons do over 1,000 cataract surgeries each year. But, each person is evaluated carefully by one of our surgeons in our clinic, to determine if surgery is indicated, and to make a specific plan for each eye. Many people don’t really understand what a cataract is. Our eyes have a lens, right behind the pupil. The lens of our eye bends the light that passes into the eye, focusing the light onto the retina. Over time, as we mature, the lens naturally becomes less soft, and starts to become cloudy. This usually occurs very slowly over a period of years, and often people aren’t even that aware of how cloudy, or blurry, their vision has gotten as it has happened so slowly. This clouded lens doesn’t get ‘ripe’, or harm the eye, so there is no particular time when you have to have surgery. Cataract Symptoms Symptoms of cataracts are blurry or cloudy vision, glare from lights when driving after dark, haloes around lights, or needing stronger light to read. Common complaints are not being able to read the text that rolls across the bottom of the television screen, or trouble reading road signs until closer. Eventually your vision gets to the point that you want to get something done. That is what we specialize in. At our clinic, we take pride on not being a ‘mill’, where you might feel like you are ‘just another case’, and never get to meet the surgeon. You will be examined by one of our surgeons, who will go over the unique aspects of your situation. Maybe you will be advised that you don’t need surgery yet. If surgery is indicated, there are many details to talk over; if you are ready for surgery; one or both eyes; what type of lens implant you want; what your recovery will be like; and more. The Procedure of Cataract Surgery Cataract surgery is done at Northern Plains Surgery Center, an independent outpatient center dedicated solely to eye surgery. We have anesthesia staff there, and you will be attended full-time by them. It is very common to be anxious about having something done to your eye, and we understand that. Every patient undergoes sedation, and we don’t start anything until you are well sedated. We hold the eye open for you, you don’t have to worry that you will blink. You won’t feel any needles, shots, or sharp things around your eye, in fact you won’t feel much of anything at all. The procedure takes about ten minutes, and within minutes you will wake up and able to move around normally. In most cases, you can have your other eye done very soon, even the next day if you want to. Cataracts are a common condition that occur when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. This can happen slowly over time and can make it difficult for you to see. According to the National Eye Institute “The risk of having cataracts increases with every passing decade of life around 40. By the age of 75, half of Americans have cataracts.” Since we are removing the human lens, it has to be replaced with an artificial lens so that you can see properly. These lenses are called lens implants, or IOLs (intraocular lens). At the time of your pre-op visit, we will measure your eye to see what power of lens implant will focus best for your eye. We can choose a lens that will correct your focusing problem, too. For example, if you have been dependent on strong eyeglasses all your life to see well, we can implant a lens that will correct that, so you will need much less correction in your new glasses. We keep hundreds of lens implants on hand at Northern Plains so that we can correct virtually any focusing problem. Some patients hope to not need eyeglasses at all after surgery, and we have options for that, too. If you have astigmatism, or bifocals, we have several types of ‘premium’ lens implants to minimize your need for eyeglasses. These are not covered by insurance, so an extra fee applies. An especially exciting lens is the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL). It is made of a material that is sensitive to a particular laser, and it can actually be adjusted after surgery, by looking into a laser at our office, to fine tune the focus. Difference between Intraocular Lens & Natural Lens We spend a lot of time with you to determine which lens implant is best for you. Not everyone wants or needs a premium lens implant. Your vision result will be just as good whether you choose a classic lens implant or a premium one – the only difference being that you will be less likely to need glasses with a premium implant. Please be careful of clinics that try to convince you that you ‘should’ pay extra for a premium lens implant. We will give you honest answers on that issue.