Richens Eye Center

What is iLASIK? iLASIK is often referred to as “blade-free LASIK” because it uses a laser to create the corneal flap rather than the microkeratome used in traditional LASIK. Prior to the actual surgery, iLASIK WaveScan technology creates a 3D map of your eyes. This analysis looks for imperfections in your eyes, comparing your eyes to eyes with perfect vision, making for very precise correction with the iFS Advanced Femtosecond Laser creating the flap and the STAR S4 IR Excimer Laser reshaping your cornea. iLASIK is used to treat farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism, and is a proven and tested treatment that has a long history of success. If you are interested in iLASIK in St George UT, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas, contact Richens Eye Center today to schedule an appointment. iLASIK vs. LASIK The difference comes down to two things: iLASIK uses a femtosecond laser to create the corneal flap. LASIK uses a microkeratome blade handled by the surgeon. 3D mapping makes iLASIK truly customized to the specific imperfections in your eyes. The 3D mapping guides the excimer laser, which gently reshapes the cornea to the precise curvature necessary to give you perfect vision. Is iLASIK Safe? LASIK has proven to be an incredibly safe and successful surgery, but iLASIK is even safer. Because iLASIK uses a femtosecond laser to create the flap, rather than a hand-help blade in a microkeratome, the precision of the flap in iLASIK is incredibly precise. Because the thickness of the corneal flap affects the quality of the final outcome, the consistency of iLASIK’s femtosecond laser guarantees better accuracy every time. Dry eye is a common complication of LASIK, but this is rare with iLASIK. Plus, the incidence of patients needing a second surgery is 50 percent lower than with traditional LASIK (although even those rates are very low; LASIK is very safe). What Can I Expect the Day After My iLASIK Procedure? It’s normal for you to feel some moderate pain and discomfort for up to 3 days after your iLASIK procedure with Dr. Richens. You’ll probably feel as if you have an eyelash in your eye, although what you’re feeling is the corneal flap as it starts to heal. As this progresses you may have some blurriness and sensitivity to bright light. We’ll give you a protective shield to place over your eyes, but you’ll need to avoid rubbing or touching them at all. Results Of iLASIK Surgery Over 15 million iLASIK procedures have been performed worldwide with amazing results. This procedure has an initial success rate of up to 95 percent, with “touch-ups” increasing that number. Ninety-four percent of iLASIK patients see 20/20 or better six months after their laser vision correction. You may still need reading glasses to address your presbyopia if you’re over 40, but that is simply due to the muscles in your eyes becoming less flexible for up-close focus. It is not a refractive error due to a misshapen cornea, which is what iLASIK corrects. IntraLase CustomVue LASIK Dr. Sharon Richens and Dr. Shawno May of Richens Eye Center choose to exclusively use the IntraLase method to create a LASIK flap for laser eye surgery. Why? The answer can be broken down into a few parts which include: Greater Safety: Millions of procedures have been performed safely and effectively using the IntraLase method. Better Vision: The IntraLase Method is 100% blade-free, exceptionally advanced and has been shown to improve outcomes for more patients. More patients get better outcomes when their LASIK procedure is performed with the IntraLase Method. Patients may experience faster recovery, fewer LASIK flap-related complications and fewer induced higher order aberrations. Higher order aberrations may contribute to visual disturbances such as glare and halos. Ability to Personally Tailor the Procedure to Your Eye: The IntraLase Method gives your doctor the ability to tailor the dimensions of your LASIK flap based on what’s best for your eye. Individualized LASIK flaps contribute to excellent postoperative outcomes. The vision in the IntraLase-treated eye was preferred 3-to-1 (among those who stated preference). Visian ICL If you are not a candidate for iLASIK, you may be a candidate for the Visian ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) or a Clear Lens Replacement. Dr. Sharon Richens is the first and most experienced certified surgeon in Southern Utah performing this procedure. Visian ICL procedure The Visian ICL is a lens that is placed behind the iris and in front of the natural lens. The procedure only takes about 20 minutes per eye. The lens implant is rolled into an injector, then inserted into the eye through an incision measuring 2.5 mm. Once inside the eye, the lens opens up and Dr. Richens then tucks the edges of the lens in place.

Overview When our physicians at Richens Eye Center consult with a patient complaining of decreased central vision, unfortunately it is often a result of damage to their retina. The retina is the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye, filled with light-sensitive cells called rods and cones. These cells translate the image you see to neural impulses which are directed through the optic nerve to the brain, creating sight. When retina disease or retina damage occurs, oftentimes you lose your ability to see vibrant colors, details and central vision. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with one of the retina conditions listed below, or are experiencing any signs of retina problems, contact us at (435) 986-2020 to schedule an appointment with one of our respected and experienced retinal specialists, Dr. Michael P. Teske or Dr. Rachael S. Jacoby. Retina Conditions Treated at Richens Eye Center Richens Eye Center treats the following retina conditions: Macular Degeneration Retinal Detachment Diabetic Retinopathy Flashes and Floaters Macular Degeneration Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans aged 65 and older. Macular degeneration, also referred to as AMD or age-related macular degeneration, is caused when damage or deterioration occurs to the macula, which is located in the center of the retina and is responsible for detailed, central vision. Though the disease is more common in people over 60, it’s possible to develop symptoms as young as age 40. Common symptoms include blurry vision and/or straight objects appearing wavy. Small blind spots may also appear in a person’s central vision. AMD is a serious eye condition that can cause vision loss and even blindness. If you have been diagnosed with macular degeneration or have a family history of the disease, you should call us today at 435.986.2020 to set up your appointment with Dr. Michael P. Teske or Dr. Rachael S. Jacoby to prevent further vision loss and assist in slowing the progression of this disease. Retinal Detachment When the retina detaches from the supportive tissue in the back of the eye, this is a very serious condition called a retinal detachment. And, if not treated immediately, can result in rapid and even permanent vision loss. Primarily this disease affects those in their 40’s and over, but retinal detachment can present itself in anyone who has suffered from eye disease, extreme myopia (nearsightedness), an eye injury or complications following eye surgery. Retinal detachment symptoms may include flashes of light, sudden floaters seeing spots or any decreased peripheral vision. Our ophthalmologists and specialized retinal surgeons can treat retinal detachment with results that can possibly save your eyesight. Diabetic Retinopathy Another one of the leading causes of blindness for adults in the U.S. is diabetic retinopathy, which is only increasing due to the spike in diabetes diagnosis. This is a complication of diabetes that occurs when there is damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy often shows no symptoms in the early stages, but vision loss can be treated and even blindness can be prevented with regular annual comprehensive eye exams. It’s very important for diabetics of all ages to pay attention to any changes in vision, maintain healthy blood sugar levels and see an ophthalmologist at least once a year. The ophthalmologists at Richens Eye Center consistently work with patients suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes in order to preserve sight and monitor the possibility of diabetic retinopathy.

Overview Beauty, With An EYE For Detail And Finesse On staff at Richens Eye Center is Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Facial Plastic Cosmetic, Reconstructive Surgeon Kristin Tarbet, M.D. Her subspecialty focus provides a detailed knowledge of the facial region and allows her to concentrate all her skills on the most current, safest, and effective techniques in ophthalmic facial plastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The Best In Ophthalmic Facial Plastic Cosmetic And Reconstructive Surgery The face and especially the eyes are the central focus in our everyday interactions with others. Seeking improvement in these areas is often intimidating and overwhelming. Dr. Tarbet specializes in eyelids and facial plastic surgery, working with the most current and up to date research and information to ensure our patients achieve their desired results. Dr. Tarbet’s goal is to give you a truly natural result. In Facial Plastic Surgery, a doctor cannot hide their work under the patient’s clothing. That is why we pride ourselves in receiving comments from our patients regularly reporting the compliments and input they get from others. Often the compliments they receive are measured in the years of aging removed, leaving a younger, rested and softer version of themselves. Dr. Tarbet’spatients frequently report their close friends, relatives and acquaintances could not identify a procedure was done, but commented on their new youthful and refreshed appearance. Dr. Tarbet delivers these results to her patients because they remain her primary focus. She provides individual, one on one attention, listens to their goals, concerns, desired areas of improvement and post procedure expectations. This method coupled with her over 20 years of focused experience is then used to educate, recommend and counsel with the patient so they receive a result that meets or exceeds those expectations. Come in today and experience our professional team and atmosphere and see how you can get the results you deserve. Oculoplastic Surgery Facial Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery Facelift & Necklift Surgery Lacrimal Surgery Orbital Surgery Graves Disease Blepharospasm Skin Cancers/Facial Lesions Facial Cosmetic Surgery Eyebrow Lift Eyelid Surgery Botox Restylane Sculptra

What is glaucoma? Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases involving fluid in the eye and an increase in pressure. In a normal eye, fluid exits the eye in a continuous stream. But when a person has glaucoma, the fluid is blocked from exiting and this causes pressure to build in the eye. Over time, this pressure damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness across all age groups in the U.S. It is especially dangerous because most forms of glaucoma don’t exhibit any warning signs or symptoms until the patient already has permanent vision damage. Symptoms of glaucoma At first, open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms. Your vision stays normal and there is no pain. As glaucoma remains untreated, people may notice that although they see things clearly in front of them, they miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. Without treatment, people with glaucoma may find that they suddenly have no side vision. It may seem as though they are looking through a tunnel. Over time, the remaining forward vision may decrease until there is no vision left. What causes glaucoma? The interior of our eyes is filled with fluid, known as aqueous humor. When your eye is normal, this fluid flows through the eye and exits through an area of tissue known as the trabecular meshwork. This is located where the iris and the cornea meet. If a person has glaucoma, the trabecular meshwork develops a blockage or other damage, or the person’s eye produces too much aqueous humor. This causes pressure to build inside the eye. If it stays elevated, this pressure begins to damage the optic nerve. This deterioration will begin to show itself as the patient will notice blind spots in his or her visual field. Can glaucoma be treated? Yes. Although you will never be cured of glaucoma, treatment often can control it. This makes early diagnosis and treatment important to protect your sight. Glaucoma treatments include: Medicine: It is in the form of eye drops and pills. Some cause the eye to make less fluid. Others lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye. Laser surgery: Laser surgery helps fluid drain out of the eye. It is often done after trying medication. In many cases, you will need to keep taking glaucoma drugs even after laser surgery. Can glaucoma be prevented? There isn’t a way to prevent glaucoma, plus the disease can be progressing without showing signs to the person. In the most common version of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, there are no symptoms and vision loss is slow and progressive. The vision loss first occurs in a person’s peripheral vision. While you can’t prevent glaucoma, you can prevent significant vision damage through regular eye exams and early treatment with the team at our three Richens Eye Centers. During your regular eye exams, we can spot glaucoma early through tests that gauge the pressure within your eye. Once diagnosed, we can work to keep the pressure from building in your eye. This will limit any damage to the optic nerve. That’s why regular eye exams and early diagnosis is key to effectively treating glaucoma. Who is at risk of getting glaucoma? Anyone can develop glaucoma, but certain factors increase a person’s risk: Having high intraocular pressure Being over age 60 Being African-American, Asian, or Hispanic Having a family history of glaucoma Having other medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or sickle cell anemia Having corneas that are thin in the center Being extremely nearsighted or farsighted Having had an eye injury Having had certain types of eye surgery Long-time use of corticosteroid medications, particularly eye drops How is glaucoma detected? Most people think that they have glaucoma if the pressure in their eyes is increased. This is not always true. High pressure puts you at risk for glaucoma. It may not mean that you have the disease. Whether or not you get glaucoma depends on the level of pressure that your optic nerve can tolerate without being damaged. This level is different for each person. Although normal pressure is usually between 12-21 mm Hg, a person may have glaucoma even if the pressure is in this range. That is why an eye examination is very important. To detect glaucoma, the following tests should be performed: visual acuity, visual field, pupil dilation, and tonometry. Will I go blind from glaucoma? A diagnosis of glaucoma isn’t a guarantee of future vision loss. However, if you leave your glaucoma untreated, it will eventually lead to blindness. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States, trailing only macular degeneration. However, treatment with our experienced team at Richens Eye Center can lower the pressure in the eye and stem vision loss. Schedule a consultation To schedule a consultation or to learn more information about Glaucoma, contact us today at any of our three locations.

Just Because You See Well Does Not Mean Your Child Does! We often take it for granted that our children see as well as we do. This may not be the case if your child has a lazy eye or is cross eyed. Normal vision develops early in life when the brain learns to fuse the images from both the left and right eye forming a single image. This is referred to as binocularity. Lazy eye (amblyopia) on the other hand is a reduction in vision that results from abnormal visual development in infancy and early childhood. Amblyopia is the leading cause of decreased vision among children, affecting 2-3% of the population. Amblyopia develops when the nerve pathways between the brain and eye are not properly stimulated. As a result, the brain favors the eye with the clearer image and turns off or blocks the image from the eye with poor vision. Turning off an eye is called suppression. As the brain suppresses the lazy eye early in life, clear vision does not have a chance to develop and both eyes are not used together, effectively resulting in reduced binocularity. Most cases of amblyopia affect only one eye, but some cases are bilateral. Lazy eye is hereditary and commonly seen among children born prematurely or with a low birth weight, or in those who have a family history, childhood cataracts or a serious eye disease. Common Causes Of Lazy Eye / Amblyopia Strabismus – The most common cause of lazy eye is strabismus (eye turn or wandering eye), an imbalance in the muscles responsible for aligning the eyes, resulting in one eye pointing in or out, up or down. When the eyes are not aligned, two different images are being sent to the brain resulting in double vision. The brain is then forced to turn off the image coming from the misaligned eye to create a single image. The child only uses his straight eye to see, and vision in the turned eye does not have a chance to develop. Deprivation – The most severe type of amblyopia in terms of vision loss resulting from an obstruction that “deprives” the child of clear vision in the eye is deprivation. Examples include a cloudy area in the lens (cataract), droopy eyelid, or opacity. Refractive – The result of a significant difference between the vision in each eye, due to nearsightedness, farsightedness or an imperfection on the surface of the eye (astigmatism) that makes it difficult for the eyes to focus together is refractive. An infant has no way of telling his parents that one of his eyes does not see as clear as the other. Since it is difficult for the visual system to fuse a clear image with a blurred image, the brain learns to suppress the blurred eye causing vision to stop developing in that eye. Signs & Symptoms Of Lazy Eye Signs and symptoms of lazy eye include: An eye that wanders in or out, up or down Eyes that may not appear to work together Poor depth perception (3D vision) Early eye examination is key to detection and diagnosis We begin to see children as early as 6 months of age to screen for lazy eye and eye turns. As part of the examination, a thorough medical, ocular and family history is taken, visual acuity is assessed for each eye looking for differences in vision between the eyes or reduced in vision, and tests are done to check focusing, binocularity, eye teaming and eye tracking. The need for correction such as glasses and/or contact lenses and an ocular health assessment is also performed. Treatment Of Lazy Eye If a child is diagnosed with amblyopia, depending on the cause and the degree to which the vision is affected, treatment options can include: Corrective eyewear, such as glasses and/or contact lenses, to help equalize the vision in both eyes Eye patches to stimulate the weaker eye Eye drops to temporarily blur vision in the stronger eye in order to encourage the use of the weaker eye Vision therapy or eye exercises to help establish binocularity, focusing and eye tracking Surgery to align the eyes or correct the droopy eyelid or remove the cataract Ideally, the earlier the treatment is initiated the better the outcome, as the connections between the eye and brain are forming. If a lazy eye is left untreated, permanent vision loss can occur. Background & Indication For Eye Muscle Surgery Eye muscle surgery or “strabismus surgery” is an outpatient procedure. The goal of surgery is to surgically align your child’s eyes to better achieve binocular fusion (the eyes working together to give maximal depth perception) and to improve or normalize the field of vision (the total visual area, including “side vision”). Surgery is intended to align or straighten the eyes without much effort on the part of the child. Eye muscle surgery involves either tightening or weakening one or more of the six muscles on the surface of the eye. Nothing is done inside of the eye to change the vision. The eyes are never taken out during surgery.

Refractive Lens Exchange What Is Refractive Lens Exchange? Refractive Lens Exchange is a procedure in which Dr. Richens would remove your natural lens and replace it with a Intraocular Lens Implant. This is typically for patients that are 45 years of age or older who would like to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The reason you may choose this procedure over iLASIK or the Visian ICL is that the lens implants you select can be multi-focal, providing better vision for distance, intermediate and near vision. There are various multi-focal lens options available and we are here to help you determine which would best fit your lifestyle. If you are interested in Refractive Lens Exchange in St George UT, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas, contact Richens Eye Center today to schedule an appointment. Richens Eye Center proudly provides patients from St George, UT and Mesquite, NV with Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). Contact us at our St George locations at (435) 986-2020 and (435) 628-1112, or our Mesquite location at (702) 346-2950. You can also fill out our Request An Appointment form.

Intraocular Lens Implants Medicare and Health Plan benefits cover surgery with a standard, or monofocal, lens implant. However, you may choose to receive a specialized lens for an added fee. Private insurance policies vary, but many also offer policy holders the choice of receiving a specialized lens as long as they pay the difference. At Richens Eye Center, we offer a variety of intraocular lens implants. These are your basic categories of current IOL options: Fixed-Focus Monofocal — This type of IOL has a single focus strength for distance vision. You will still need reading glasses if you choose this IOL. Accommodating-Focus Monofocal — Although these lenses have a single focusing strength, they can respond to eye muscle movements and shift focus on to near or distant objects. Multifocal — These lenses are similar to glasses with progressive lenses. Different areas of the lens have different focusing strengths, allowing for near, medium, and far vision. At Richens, we’re proud to offer the Tecnis Symfony IOL, the state-of-the-art in multifocal lenses. Astigmatism Correction (Toric) — These lenses offer any of the above characteristics, plus they also correct for astigmatism. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in St. George, UT or Mesquite, NV. Intraocular Lens Options Astigmatism Correcting Intraocular Lens Astigmatism is a common condition that may cause blurred vision. The distorted vision is due to the eye’s cornea (corneal astigmatism) or lens (lenticular astigmatism) having an irregular shape. Astigmatic patients who are planning cataract surgery can request the use a Toric IOL during their lens replacement – treating the cataract and the astigmatism at the same time. The Toric IOL is ideal for cataract patients with regular, pre-existing astigmatism. Premium Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implants What is a multifocal lens implant? Unlike the monofocal lens that will focus light to only one point in space, A multifocal lens has more than one point of focus. It corrects vision at distance, intermediate and near. If you are a good candidate for these lenses, this options gives you the best possible chance to reduce your dependence on glasses. Tecnis Symfony Multi-Focal Richens Eye Center was among the first vision practices selected to offer this breakthrough lens. Dr. Sharon Richens and Dr. Shawno May of Richens Eye Center, St. George’s renowned eye surgeons and elite ophthalmology practice, continue their reputation for progressing vision correction in Southern Utah by offering the latest in refractive surgery technology, Abbott’s Tecnis Symfony Lens. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this first-of-its-kind intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract treatment that provides improved vision at near, intermediate, and far distances as other multifocal lenses before it, but with less incidence of halo and glare post-operatively. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the United States. “Modern technology has completely transformed cataract surgery. Now, it provides our patients the option to improve not only their vision but their lifestyle, by reducing their dependence on glasses.” Dr. Shawno May First approved in 1997, Multifocal IOLs enable a full range of vision, reducing the need to wear glasses or contact lenses for intermediate or near distances. Results from clinical-trials show the Tecnis Symfony IOL not only has a low occurrence of nighttime glare and halos similar to that of a standard monofocal lens while also providing continuous vision at all ranges without any drop-offs in between. In fact, 97% of patients in the trial indicated that they would elect to have the lens implanted again. “With this approval, many more people will now have access to these game-changing lenses and the accompanying benefits, including the freedom to enjoy the activities that matter to them, while wearing glasses less. Symfony not only offers patients continuous, high-quality vision, but also treats people beyond their cataracts by addressing presbyopia and astigmatism, two common vision conditions. The Symfony IOL is truly a one of a kind lens and we are thrilled to offer it to our cataract patients.” ReSTOR Multi-Focal Potentially leave your glasses behind forever with the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® intraocular lens (IOL), an innovative advancement in Lens Replacement surgery technology. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL has been uniquely designed to provide enhanced image quality and a full range of vision: up close, far away and everything in-between, giving patients the best opportunity to live life nearly free of glasses.