Lenza Eye Center

THOROUGH EXAMS FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND SENIORS You will get expert care from our optometrist who is trained in the latest advances in refractions, eye measurements, contacts lenses and diagnostic equipment. This allows us to serve each person’s specific vision needs. Our optometrist is very skilled in examining children, fitting contacts on teenagers and adults, and focusing on catching sight-threatening conditions in seniors. REFRACTION Refractions involve measuring your current glasses, followed by a specific computerized prescription measurement device that is about 80% accurate. Our optometrist then refines the measurement by giving you several options, narrowing the possible choices until the difference between your options is so small that you cannot tell the difference. Refractions can vary with medical conditions, such as dry eye disease. Our optometrist is an expert at minimizing these differences by evaluating and treating dry eye disease using specialized testing. Children tend to have larger variability in their prescriptions. Our optometrist will verify a correct glasses prescription in children by performing a second refraction after dilation. Our optometrist will examine your eyes with a microscope to check for any eye conditions that might limit your vision. Specialized lenses are used to magnify the tiny structures in the back of the eye and screen you for retinal detachments, diabetic disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, and other conditions that can result in vision loss.

Early Detection Means Less Vision Loss Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. Approximately 2.2 million Americans have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Another 2 million Americans have the disease but do not know it. Glaucoma is a disease where the eye pressure slowly damages the 1.1 million nerve cells in the eye. The nerve cells carry information from the eye to the brain, so if they are damaged no signal reaches the brain. Those cells combine together to form a structure in the eye called the optic nerve. Glaucoma is a silent disease, there are no symptoms, and the damage to your vision is permanent. There is no cure for glaucoma, and there is no way of reversing the damage caused by glaucoma. Therefore, early diagnosis is the best strategy. Lenza Eye Center is dedicated to providing the most accurate and comprehensive screening for glaucoma. Getting a General Screening for Glaucoma Everybody should get a general screening. This is done as part of annual eye exam. Therefore, every person should get an eye exam once a year. As part of a general eye exam we will measure your eye pressure, get a family history, and perform a dilated eye exam to view the optic nerve. Depending on the findings of your general eye exam, your eye doctor may recommend further testing. Further Testing for Glaucoma This is recommended for patients with unusual findings on their general eye exam. It is covered under your medical insurance plan. This involves several tests: Corneal thickness analysis A lens exam of the eye’s drainage system (gonioscopy) Visual field analysis (a test that measures different points in your field of vision) Computerized optic nerve analysis A manual drawing of the shape of the optic nerve Risk Factors for Glaucoma There are several risk factors for glaucoma. Some of these factors depend on the shape of your eye and some depend on genetic factors. These include: Eye pressure over 21 Thin corneas Family history of glaucoma Unusually shaped optic nerves Very farsighted individuals Very nearsighted individuals Our doctors are dedicated to preserving your vision. You might be relieved to know that our eye center utilizes high precision diagnostic devices that catch glaucoma at the earliest possible stage. Rest assured, we are committed to providing you with exceptional accuracy in glaucoma testing and detection. Glaucoma Diagnostics Success in glaucoma treatment revolves around minimizing the side effects of glaucoma drops. Many patients being treated by outside doctors seek a second opinion from Dr. Alshiekh and Dr. Gurdian because they are frustrated with their vision, their comfort level, and their treatment plan from their optometrist. Enhanced diagnostic testing and years of experience treating glaucoma has allowed our doctors at Lenza to provide better visual outcomes and better comfort levels for our glaucoma patients.

THE “REAL” CURE TO DIABETIC BLINDNESS Diabetes is among the top three causes of permanent blindness in the United States. Oregon residents have similar statistics. Sadly most of the diabetic vision loss is preventable, yet thousands of Oregonians go blind every year. Often, people go on disability and lose their jobs and their health insurance benefits. Catching diabetic eye disease early is the single most effective way of treating and preventing diabetic vision loss. Yet more than 40% of diabetics do not get a regular annual dilated eye exam. Lenza Eye Center is committed to providing the most comprehensive diabetic eye exam. At Lenza, all diabetic exams come with the following: A check for your best vision with lens correction A dilated eye exam Detailed drawing of the retina Comprehensive counseling of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) Counseling about how to prevent further deterioration Letter to your primary care doctor Advanced high definition retinal laser scan (if diabetic eye disease is present) Advanced high definition retinal photography (if diabetic eye disease is present) diabetic-eye-exams-image YOUR BLURRY VISION AND DIABETES There are multiple causes of blurry vision from diabetes. Here is a partial list of possible causes: Change in your glasses Temporary changes in your glasses prescription from blood sugar fluctuations Cataract formation Retinal swelling Retinal bleeding Retinal detachment Glaucoma If you are a diabetic and notice blurry vision, it is advisable to see our eye doctors for a diabetic exam. The symptoms between blurry vision from new glasses and blurry vision from diabetic eye disease are very similar. Only a comprehensive eye exam can distinguish a change in your glasses from worsening diabetic eye disease. Lenza has made it very easy to an exam. We offer extended hours on the weekdays, and we accept most types of insurance plans. If you have no insurance, Lenza has special discounts. Maintain your vision and your peace of mind. Screening with Lenza Eye Center will save you a lot of expense, and time, and may even save your vision. HOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT You can call our main phone number and ask for a diabetic eye screening, or you can use one of the Schedule an Appointment buttons on this site to make an appointment online. If you have medical health insurance, please have that information ready. If you have no insurance, then call and inquire about our special discounts. Lenza Eye Center is committed to your health and well being so make your appointment today.

What is Wet Macular Degeneration: The retina has a barrier to separate blood vessels from critically important retinal cells that specialize in sensing light and color. If these cells are disrupted by fluid buildup they can decompensate and degenerate or die off. Hence, the word wet macular degeneration. When abnormal blood vessels break through and damage those cells the treatment involves injections the deliver medications to the retina. These medications are biological agents the blocks the growth signal for the blood vessels. These medications have different binding strengths that tell growing blood vessels to stop growing or regress. Generally, the stronger the medication binds to the blood vessels the more expensive the medication and longer its effects can last. There are different strategies to treat those blood vessels. Unfortunately, in many patients they need chronic injections that never stop. There are multiple studies that try to determine the optimal schedule for injections and there are no one standard protocol. There are multiple protocols depending on the condition, what has worked and what has failed. At some point as the blood vessels regress, there will be a taper in dosage. Prognosis depends on several factors including initial discovery of the new blood vessels before retinal cell death, scarring, continued damage from recurring growth after tapering, aggressiveness of the blood vessels and general health of the patient. A healthy diet, early detection and a special formula of vitamins can slow down progression considerably. Lenza Eye Center and Dr. Alsheikh, specialize in early detection protocols through advanced testing, counseling regarding nutrition, treatment of ocular surface to improve quality of life, constant refractions and updating of glasses prescription and statistical analysis of diagnostic imaging to determine early changes in the retina. Lenza Eye Center and Dr Alsheikh focus on minimizing the unpleasant side effects of injections. With standards above the national average for infection control and pain from the injections. Majority of patients feel very little or no pain from the injections. What is Dry Macular Generation: The retina barrier starts to degenerate with accumulation of a substance called Drusen. The accumulation of the Drusen material overtime leads to weakening of the barrier and at the same time reduces ability for the barrier cells to support the critically important cells that function in sensing light and color. During the time of the Drusen build up, those critically important cells are functioning well, and sign remains very good to excellent. At this stage, slowing the accumulation of drusen is important is slowing the disease. Unfortunately, there are no FDA approved treatments to stop drusen deposits or reverse it. There is also some researchers evaluating whether drusen deposit CAUSE macular degeneration or are simply a SYMPTOM of macular degeneration. The reason for this debate is because retina specialist SOMETIMES have seen Drusen dissolve as the macular degeneration progresses. This is an active research field and currently these questions have not been answered. At the early disease phase, the most effective tool is monitoring the disease and improving general health, especially by changing one diet. Lenza Eye Center and Dr Alsheikh use advanced diagnostics to catch macular degeneration early and will help you monitor your retina and discuss different strategies to slow drusen deposits. What is Dry Macular Degeneration with Geographic Atrophy: As discussed above the barrier cells have two functions; act as a barrier and support the critical cells called photoreceptors. If the barrier fails, you end up with Wet Macular Degeneration. However, if the support function fails, then those cells responsible for sensing light and color can simply atrophy and die. This leaves a atrophic region that is irreversible and that causes irreversible loss of vision. Unfortunately, there are no current FDA approved treatment to resurrect dead photoreceptor cells. Prevention of their degeneration is the best strategy. There are currently injections available to slow down the atrophy process. These medications do not reverse the disease but slow it down.

PEACE OF MIND, RELIEF, AND HONEST ANSWERS FROM LENZA EYE DOCTORS Whether it is pain or anxiety from mild to severe vision loss, you deserve to get the right answers. Often the problem is straight forward and easy to diagnose and can be treated the same day. Occasionally there are more serious sight-threatening vision problems. If you are experiencing a vision-threatening condition, an experienced Lenza eye doctor will help connect you with the right eye specialist. This is more cost effective for minor emergencies and a faster referral route for serious conditions when compared to an emergency room visit. MINOR EYE EMERGENCIES AT LENZA EYE CENTER Most minor eye emergencies can be treated the same day, and treatment can prevent a minor problem from becoming a vision-threatening condition. Your medical insurance can billed for the eye care. If you have no medical insurance, Lenza will offer you a discount for the care provided. Here is a list of conditions we commonly see: minor-eye-emergencies-image Scratched cornea Eye pain Small corneal infections Red eyes Pink eye Contact lens related eye problems Sudden floaters or flashes Double vision MAJOR EYE EMERGENCIES Major vision-threatening eye emergencies may require an immediate visit to an ophthalmology specialist. Lenza can help expedite the referral process by identifying the cause of the problem and directly contacting the eye specialist. Symptoms of a major eye emergency include: Sudden painless loss of vision Sudden pain with loss of vision Severe vision loss Large corneal infections Lenza Eye Center and its eye doctors are committed to providing you with cost effective and expedient eye care, and we offer extended hours. If you are experiencing an eye emergency please call us to get an immediate appointment.

Dr. Alsheikh and Dr. Gurdian have treated thousands of patients with glaucoma, in fact, patients travel hundreds of miles to see Dr. Alsheikh. This is because dry eye is generally under treated by local optometrists. Lenza Eye Center offers sophisticated high resolution tear film imagery testing that is done several times a year to validate the effectiveness of dry eye treatments. This method of treatment has resulted in higher success rates than the national average. Patients suffering from other eye conditions such as macular degeneration and glaucoma will experience 1-2 line improvement in vision with Lenza Eye Center’s current treatment modality when they were previously told that there were no other solutions with their vision. Treatments Include the Following: Amniotic Membrane Graft Autologus Serum Tears Lipiflow HOW DRY EYE AFFECTS YOU Dry eye syndrome is a group of eye conditions that affect the quantity and the quality of your tear film. This can cause you to experience blurry vision, eye discomfort, or red eyes. It can alter your glasses prescription, cause your contact lenses not to fit properly, as well as result in eye pain. Common Symptoms of Dry Eyes Include: Red eyes Eye pain Light sensitivity Tearing Blurry vision Burning sensation Foreign body sensation dry-eye-treatment-image HOW WE DIAGNOSE DRY EYES Our eye doctors will talk to you about your symptoms and determine what type of tests you need. While testing is helpful in determining the level of dry eyes, it is the presence of one or more symptoms that really makes the diagnosis. Lenza Eye Center uses the following dry eye diagnostic tests: Dry eye questionnaire Fluorescein dye test Computerized tear break up time analysis Tear osmolarity test WHAT CAUSES DRY EYES Inflammation in the tear film is the major cause of dry eyes in patients under 40 years of age. In patients over age 40, it is a combination of medications and reduction in tear production. The most common conditions that cause or worsen dry eyes include: Allergies in the eyes Certain medications such as cold and sinus medications, some anti-depressants, and some blood pressure medications Eye lid inflammation (also called Blepharitis or ocular rosacea) Rosacea Certain autoimmune conditions Contact lens use Ocular glaucoma drops Age HOW DO WE TREAT DRY EYES Since inflammation in the tear film is the major cause of dry eyes, the most successful treatment focuses on eliminating the cause of the inflammation. Your eye doctor will perform a thorough exam to determine if there are any underlying conditions worsening your dry eyes. Treatments Include the Following: Lubricating eye drops and gels Restasis Lid Scrubs Prescription eye drops for eye allergies Change in contact lenses Change in contact lens solutions Short course of steroid eye drops Punctal plugs Dry eyes syndrome is a medical condition covered under your medical health insurance, so rest assured you do not need to suffer anymore. Lenza eye doctors will help you achieve your most comfortable vision with the help of caring doctors, thorough exams, and advanced testing. If you are currently suffering from dry eyes please call us today to schedule an appointment.

Lenza Eye Center uses an ultra fast, precise LASIK technology. Our LASIK surgeon uses a WaveLight® FS200 femtosecond laser. The laser creates the LASIK flap, which is the first step in the LASIK procedure, in as little as 6 seconds. The laser is very precise, has enhanced comfort features, and has numerous safety mechanisms. The second part of the LASIK procedure involves lifting the flap and changing the surface of the cornea using an excimer. Our LASIK surgeon utilizes the WaveLight® EX500, one of the fastest excimer lasers on the market. Speed, precision, and customization of the treatment is important because it increases accuracy, improves healing time, and has a higher safety margin. lasik-surgery-image HOW DOES LASIK SURGERY WORK? If you have blurry vision either from nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, it is most likely because the size or shape of your eye is irregular and it just isn’t sending images directly onto the surface of your retina like it’s supposed to. People with perfect vision have the correct eye size and shape to send the images to the exact right spot within the eye. Many people, however, simply have eyes that are too shallow or too deep, causing images to focus behind the retina or in front of the retina. Others have eyes that are not completely round in shape, causing images to focus on multiple spots of the retina instead of one single spot. As you can imagine, all of these conditions cause blurry vision and are referred to as refractive errors. LASIK is a type of refractive surgery where the surface of the cornea is changed using a specialized laser. For nearsighted people, the cornea is flattened. For farsighted people, the cornea is steepened. For people with astigmatism, the cornea is smoothed into a more normal shape. The procedure itself takes less than 10 minutes. WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR INITIAL SCREENING Our optometrist will take careful initial measurements of your eye and provide a comprehensive eye exam. She will also perform a preliminary corneal map scan. After determining your vision goals and discussing treatment and recovery, you will be scheduled for a precise corneal map scan and a visit to the Laser Center.

Your eyes and your vision are extremely important to you, and we are humbled by the trust that you instill in us. Lenza Eye Center understands that great cataract surgery outcomes require exceptional surgeons combined with exceptional healthcare delivery. Our cataract surgeons, Dr. Oday Alsheikh & Dr. Silvio Gurdian are among the most experienced in the Portland area based on the number of cataract cases performed, as well as the type and complexity of the cases. As a result, Dr. Alsheikh and Dr. Gurdian have the expertise to treat a variety of conditions and patient needs. Dr. Alsheikh & Dr. Gurdian average a quicker procedure time and a lower complication rate than the national average, meaning that at Lenza, the average post op recovery time is around 1-7 days. We offer a number of options including complex cataract surgery, premium lens cataract surgery, and cost-effective lens options. Expected Timeline Our doctors at Lenza Eye Center are very conscientious of wait times for consultations and surgeries. Unlike other centers, our wait time for a surgery is 1-2 weeks, meaning the entire process from consultation to surgery averages around 2-3 weeks. Cataract is a condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy as a result of proteins that clump together. This causes blurry vision that can be similar to looking through a dirty windshield. Cataract surgery is a process where the clouded lens is removed through a small incision in the eye, and a new artificial lens is then inserted. BELOW IS A LIST OF CATARACT SURGICAL OPTIONS OFFERED TO OUR PATIENTS cataract-surgery-img 1. HIGH RISK OR COMPLEX CATARACT SURGERY This encompasses patients who have only one good eye, or who have certain types of cataracts with increased risks of adverse events. 2. REGULAR CATARACT SURGERY THAT IS COST EFFECTIVE The majority of patients simply want to see better. They don’t mind wearing glasses after surgery and are seeking quick recovery with exceptional safety and minimal cost. Lenza Eye Center understand this and is able to deliver great outcomes with reasonable out of pocket costs. 3. PREMIUM LENS IMPLANTS This option is for patients who are seeking to reduce their dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. We are experienced with the latest multifocal intraocular lenses, which can allow some patients to see distance, intermediate, and near with the implanted lens. We combine this type of cataract surgery with laser vision correction to produce quality outcomes. While cataract surgery is considered one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures, it is always comforting to know that an experienced cataract surgeon will care for your eyes. Lenza Eye Center is committed to increasing the safety profile and comfort level of your surgery.

Glaucoma Surgery at Lenza Eye Center Lenza Eye Center is proud to provide exceptional surgeons for the most complicated glaucoma cases, with a shorter time for intervention than the national average. Just like with other conditions such as heart attack and stroke, severe increase in eye pressure requires quick intervention, and at Lenza Eye Center, we will work quickly to get you in to see us. MORE COMFORT, QUICKER RECOVERY, & EQUIVALENT SUCCESS RATES Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve due to high pressure inside the eye, and it is the second leading cause of blindness. Lenza Eye Center is proud to offer new FDA approved treatments for glaucoma that can prevent or reduce damage to the optic nerve. Recent advances in surgical devices have produced a number of new glaucoma drainage implants that may reduce recovery time, supplement existing glaucoma drop treatment, or in some cases, eliminate them. With the increase in possible choices, an experienced eye surgeon can make all the difference. Treatment for glaucoma usually starts with medication drops or laser procedures. If these treatments don’t produce the desired results, then a surgical solution may be the best option. Glaucoma treatments today are more customized to your eyes than ever before. Lenza Eye Center can help guide you through the best possible choice for your particular condition. migs-image BELOW ARE A FEW MINIMALLY INVASIVE GLAUCOMA SURGERY (MIGS) TREATMENTS THAT YOUR EYE SURGEON MIGHT RECOMMEND 1. iStent: Designed for mild glaucoma, the iStent can be combined with cataract surgery and may be as effective as taking one glaucoma medication drop. The iStent is a tiny implant that improves the natural drainage of the eye in order to reduce the pressure inside the eye. 2. Canaloplasty: This is a non-penetrating surgery that reduces the intraocular pressure by promoting the outflow of fluid from the eye through its natural outflow pathway. 3. Goniotomy: This is a surgical procedure in which small areas of the drainage system of the eye are removed to create more openings for the fluid in the eye to drain. . 4. Xen Gel Stent: A small 2-stent shunt that causes fluid to bypass traditional routes. It is considered minimally invasive but may offer more pressure reduction than other procedures. 5. Trabeculectomy: The gold standard for advanced glaucoma. This procedure is the best option for most severe glaucoma patients. Trabeculectomy outcomes are more sensitive to technique and surgeon skillset than other glaucoma surgeries. Dr. Alsheikh has saved thousands of patients’ vision with this very procedure, and patients have driven over 200 miles to seek a second opinion from him after multiple failed surgery attempts and other methods. Frequently asked questions 1. What is the typical recovery for a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedure? Every patient is different, but the recovery time is generally about one week. 2. Does my insurance cover the treatment? More insurance programs are recognizing the value of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures. Some procedures are covered, while some procedures are in the beginning stages of getting approval. Each insurance company is different. Our billing department will work with you and your insurance company to determine the level of coverage. 3. What is the difference between minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and traditional glaucoma surgery? Both surgeries are incision based, therefore they carry some small risk of infection as well as other risks of intra ocular surgery. Generally, bleeding from minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is much less than traditional surgery because the incisions are smaller. Traditional surgery uses a larger incision in order to create greater access to the eye. This allows the eye surgeon to reduce the eye pressure the maximum possible amount. Traditional glaucoma surgery remains the gold standard for severe glaucoma where maximum pressure reduction is required to save the vision.

There are several different types of medical lasers that are used in eye surgery. Most of these lasers can penetrate several layers of the eye, and can concentrate their action on a specific part of the eye without needing an incision. Laser procedures that don’t require an incision have no wounds, which means there is zero chance for infections, minimal pain, and quick healing. Medical lasers have various uses in ophthalmology: glaucoma treatment, intraocular lens polishing, and retinal treatment to name of few. Many people incorrectly think of LASIK when they think of medical eye lasers. LASIK is actually a refractive laser used to change the prescription in the eye, versus medical lasers which are used to treat a medical condition in the eye. That being said, there have recently been some medical procedures for which LASIK lasers have been introduced. BELOW IS A LIST OF MOST COMMON MEDICAL LASERS WITH A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THEY ARE USED FOR medical-lasers-image YAG Laser Iridectomy (LI or LPI): This procedure is used to punch a tiny hole in the colored part of the eye called the iris. It is used mainly for narrow angle glaucoma, which is less common than open angle glaucoma. The laser focuses a beam onto the iris without needing an incision, and therefore has minimal pain. YAG Capsulotomy (YAG CAP): This is used to polish or remove a cloudy membrane that forms on intraocular lenses after cataract surgery. It can also penetrate the eye structures without needing an incision, resulting in minimal discomfort. Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP): This is a stronger laser that is designed to reduce the amount of oxygen consumption in the retina. The PRP laser has more heat, and therefore scars the retina as a way to seal a retinal tear. PRP is also used in diabetes treatment where there is poor oxygen supply to the retina. This laser can cause some discomfort and may require a numbing agent to make the procedure more comfortable. Focal Laser: This is similar to the PRP laser, but with a lot less energy. There is minimal discomfort and it can be used to treat retinal swelling. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): This was previously used to treat macular degeneration but has now been replaced with intravitreal injections which are more effective. The PDT laser may still have some uses in limited situations.