Austin Eye Clinic

During your initial examination you will meet with your surgeon to determine if you are a good candidate for the iLASIK. During your examination you can ask your doctor all questions you may have about iLASIK. You will also be provided your surgeon’s email and cell phone number should you have additional questions after your visit. In order to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK or iLASIK at Austin Eye we conduct thorough evaluation of your eyes including corneal mapping, corneal thickness and a detailed assessment of your eye health in general. To better help our Austin Eye patients know if LASIK is right for them we look for the following qualities: You are 18 years or older Good general health Free of eye diseases Stable vision for at least one year prior to LASIK procedure LASIK Procedure Details The surgeons at Austin Eye are the first and most experienced at performing all-laser-lasik (aka iLASIK) in Austin. We offer custom iLasik, which is a custom-tailored treatment for your particular eyes. Evolution of the LASIK procedure The iLASIK procedure is usually completed in 10-15 minutes for both eyes. Though virtually everyone contemplating elective eye surgery has concerns and apprehension, the procedure is extremely safe in patients that we identify as good candidates. The cost of iLasik is about $2,800 per eye. We accept all major credit cards and offer a convenient monthly payment program – Care Credit – that offers a 24 month deferred-interest payment plan. All LASIK procedures at Austin Eye are performed with the all-laser blade-free iLASIK technology. iLASIK uses one laser to create the corneal flap followed by use of a second laser (excimer laser) to reshape the cornea. iLASIK is an all-laser procedure which has proven to be the safest and most accurate form of LASIK surgery. Patients who have “fears” about LASIK should take comfort in the increased safety and accuracy of the “iLASIK” procedure using the IntraLASE laser. About LASIK at Austin Eye All LASIK procedures at Austin Eye are performed with the all-laser blade-free iLASIK technology. iLASIK uses one laser to create the corneal flap followed by use of a second laser (excimer laser) to reshape the cornea. iLASIK is an all-laser procedure which has proven to be the safest and most accurate form of LASIK surgery. Patients who have “fears” about LASIK should take comfort in the increased safety and accuracy of the “iLASIK” procedure using the IntraLASE laser. Conventional iLASIK Uses the prescription obtained through the standard measurement device in the ophthalmologist’s office (known as the phoropter) to guide the excimer laser ablation. Conventional iLASIK corrects what are known as “lower order aberrations” which account for approximately 90% of the visual imperfections. An IntraLASE laser flap is created followed by an excimer laser ablation that corrects approximately 90% of the eye’s visual aberrations. Custom iLASIK Uses a special computer known as an aberrometer or wavefront measurement device to obtain a more detailed and complete analysis of each LASIK Austin patient’s eye’s visual distortions. The wavefront measurement device measures hundreds of subtle imperfections known as “lower and higher-order aberrations” to create a “wavefront map.” The wavefront map measures 100% of the optical aberrations and is like a unique visual fingerprint that quantifies each eye’s unique focusing problems. This more detailed wavefront map is then used to guide the excimer laser ablation to reshape the cornea to it’s best focus. So in custom iLASIK, a custom measurement is obtained, followed-by an IntraLASE laser created flap, followed by a wavefront-guided excimer laser ablation. Custom iLASIK has proven to provide better quality of vision, especially at night than conventional LASIK or conventional iLASIK. Bladeless LASIK Results Our results using the IntraLASE laser for iLASIK have shown: Complications associated with making the flap are virtually eliminated thus enhancing patient safety. Final visual acuities in eyes treated with intralase are more accurate than any LASIK (blade-flap) procedure. Fewer visual aberrations (halo, glare, starburst) are created in iLASIK. Therefore quality of vision in iLASIK should be clearer than with standard LASIK. Patients with thin corneas not suitable for standard LASIK can be treated safely with iLASIK due to the ability to create an accurate thin flap via computer-controlled delivery of the laser. Flap wrinkles or striae which occur in standard LASIK are rare to non-existent in iLASIK flaps. Patients are more comfortable in deciding to have iLASIK because of the enhanced safety and accuracy of the all-laser procedure. The optimal combination of technologies for laser vision correction is intralase (laser flaps) with wavefront-guided (custom) excimer laser ablations – Custom iLASIK.

WHAT IS A CATARACT? The eye focuses images through a lens inside the eye — like a camera uses a lens to focus. When we are born, the lens is clear and flexible, allowing crisp vision with a full range of focus from near to far. As we age, the lens becomes cloudy and inflexible, causing our vision to blur and increasing our dependence on glasses to refocus from far to near. A cloudy lens is called a cataract. Because of the clouded lens or cataract, images may become blurry with age. Cataracts may make it progressively more difficult to read, drive, watch TV, and perform normal daily activities, and may blur vision in general. Cataract formation is a normal, unavoidable part of the aging process. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A CATARACT? If you are over the age of 50, you have and are developing cataracts as a normal part of the aging process. Though uncommon, some individuals develop cataracts as children or young adults. Common symptoms of cataracts include: Blurry vision Difficulty seeing while driving at night Inability to see the TV clearly Difficulty reading or discerning fine details Glare around lights at night Cloudy, foggy, fuzzy, filmy vision Problems seeing colors clearly Loss of vision in low-contrast situations such as early morning or evening Light sensitivity Double vision In order to determine if you have a cataract and if it is visually significant, an eye examination by an ophthalmologist is necessary. If the cataract is mild then surgery is not needed. Quite often an updated pair of eyeglasses will help optimize your vision. However, if your vision remains blurred in spite of wearing properly prescribed glasses then the next step will be to consider cataract surgery. Once you know that you have a cataract then you can choose one of two options: 1) Leave the cataract alone and continue to wait until your vision worsens OR have cataract surgery to improve your vision. Cataracts are not like having life-threatening heart disease or cancer. Time is on your side. You can wait and leave your cataract alone. As long as you are not unhappy with your vision, leaving the cataract alone is acceptable and safe. If you choose to defer cataract surgery, your vision will remain blurred and the blur will only worsen as time passes. When your level of frustration with your blurred vision is no longer acceptable, then you can choose to have cataract surgery. 2) If you choose to improve your vision through cataract surgery, you have a choice of what type of cataract surgery you will receive. Your choice will determine how dependent you are on glasses and/or how well you can see without glasses after your surgery. CATARACT TREATMENT OPTIONS There are three options: 1) Basic cataract surgery with a basic fixed-focus lens implant to see clearly with bifocal glasses. 2) Astigmatism-correcting cataract surgery to see clearly far away without glasses OR 3) Premium Cataract Surgery with an advanced technology lens designed to enable you to see clearly near and far without glasses. For Austin Premium Cataract Surgery patients, we use a variety of lens implants that correct astigmatism and enable individuals to focus on far and near objects without relying on glasses in most instances. In general, there are three “zones of vision” that we use to see the world around us: Near (reading print on a piece of paper) Mid-range (computer distance) Far (TV and street signs while driving) To summarize, when you have a cataract you have options. Our physicians and staff will help guide you to the option that works best to suit your lifestyle. BASIC CATARACT SURGERY Basic cataract surgery with a basic fixed-focus lens gives good vision at one of three zones. During basic cataract surgery, your doctor will safely remove your cataract, and in its place a basic fixed-focus lens implant will be used to correct your vision. With basic cataract surgery, you will see clearest far away, but less clear at mid-range and blurry for near. Basic lens implants do not correct astigmatism. If a patient has astigmatism, which means that the front part of the eye is shaped more like the back of a spoon rather than round like a ping pong ball, then the patient would most likely end up in bifocals after surgery for best corrected vision. Individuals with basic cataract surgery usually see fairly well far away without glasses. In order for your eye to see all three zones, you will need glasses. Individuals receiving basic cataract surgery have a 90-95 percent chance of still needing to wear glasses to read or bifocals to see their best.

Services We Provide We practice comprehensive ophthalmology while specializing in laser vision correction (iLASIK), cataract and refractive lens procedures. Our Austin LASIK and eye care practice includes: Pediatric and Adult Healthy eye Exams for glasses and contact lenses No stitch Cataract Surgery Premium cataract and lens replacement surgery. Lens implant surgery with advanced lens implants (with the Panoptix and Vivity lens implants) to reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses and/or bifocals. Blepharoplasty (non-cosmetic upper eye lid surgery) Glaucoma treatment and surgery Diabetic eye care for diabetes General eye exams with experienced Austin eye doctors. Contact lenses (soft, toric, RGP, scleral, specialty). Corneal surgery including corneal transplantation surgery and DSEK, DMEK and DSAEK (Descemet’s Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty) surgery. Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery to correct high degrees of nearsightedness. Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) surgery to correct astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. LASIK and PRK laser vision correction

As technology has evolved, the optimal surgical vision correction method for individuals in their mid-40’s and older is Premium Lens Replacement (PLR). For example, with an individual that is 49 years old (or older), if you need glasses to read up-close or see far away, you could have LASIK surgery to correct your vision. LASIK will enable you to see like a normal person your age. So, this 49-year-old individual would: See far away without glasses BUT require reading glasses to see the computer and closer Would experience normal age-related vision changes due to the normal development associated with lens changes and cataract formation with each year Ultimately, cataract surgery would be needed once this individual’s lens develops into a visually significant cataract (usually by age 75) In contrast, this same 49-year-old (or older) individual above with Premium Lens Replacement would: See far away without glasses AND see the computer and closer with minimal and often no reliance on reading glasses Would experience very stable vision (more stable than a normal person with a natural lens between the ages of 49-100) as they age Never need cataract surgery as they age Premium Lens Replacement (PLR) technology continues to evolve with the continued improvement in lens implant designs. As of 2023, current lens implants used in PLR create vision similar to that of an individual age 40-42. So, PLR can enable individuals 45-100 years old to see younger than their age permanently. In our practice, LASIK is the preferred surgery for vision correction younger than 40. PLR is the preferred surgery for vision correction for patients over the age of 45. HOW DOES PREMIUM LENS REPLACEMENT (PLR) WORK? PLR involves a 10 to 15 minute procedure that is painless, uses eyedrop anesthesia and which produces improved vision within hours. Most patients will regain normal function in less than one day. During the procedure we remove and replace the aging lens inside the eye with an advanced lens implant that can correct the nearsightedness / farsightedness / astigmatism and presbyopia. Your aging lens is replaced with a new lens implant that provides outstanding vision and optical quality that will last a lifetime. How does premium lens replacement (PLR) work? PREMIUM LENS REPLACEMENT FAQ Who is the best candidate for Premium Lens Replacement? Patients who rely on reading glasses to see up-close and/or bifocals to see far and close. Are Lens implants safe? In the USA, over 4 million lens implants are placed in patients undergoing cataract surgery or elective lens replacement surgery. In contrast, there are less than 1 million LASIK procedures performed annually in the USA. So, absolutely lens implants are safe! What are the potential side-effects of lens implants? There are 4 main possible side-effects of PLR: Very blurred vision permanently 1:1000 Complications related to surgery that require additional surgery but are ultimately correctable 1:100 The need for some glasses, some of the time for some activities. We cannot guarantee that glasses will “never” be needed with any type of eye surgery. Most patients see a huge improvement in vision and rely on glasses minimally after PLR Night time halos, starburst or artifacts around lights. Most patients will see a halo effect around lights at night that is well tolerated overall In summary, PLR is safe, proven and effective. But as with all medical and surgical procedures there are risks to consider Can Lens implants be replaced as new lens implant designs emerge in the future? Though it is possible to remove and replace a lens implant placed years ago, we do not recommend that you plan to remove and replace the implant that you receive initially. Consider that the lens implant that you receive will be stable and perform beautifully for the rest of your life. Removal of this implant in the future after it has had time to integrate with your eye can be very involved and complex. Therefore, plan on having this procedure only once! How long has PLR been performed? At Austin Eye, we have been performing elective lens replacement surgery to correct vision and presbyopia since 2000. Since that time we have treated over 10,000 patients with premium lens replacement. The technology is proven and safe.

We believe in constant innovation. Cataract surgery continues to ride the waves of technologic innovation. Today modern premium cataract surgery is safer and the results more precise and predictable than ever before thanks to the following advancements in techniques and technologies: More advanced preoperative diagnostics (testing before surgery): Corneal topography Wavefront aberrometry Laser optical biometry with modern intraocular lens calculation formulas Zeiss Optical coherence tomography of the retina and optic nerve Ultra-wide retinal imaging The most advanced surgical technologies: Oral sedation which obviates the need (and risks) for IV sedation Modern presbyopia-correcting and astigmatism-correcting lens implants to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses after premium cataract surgery or premium lens replacement Constantly improving surgical instrumentation and surgical techniques Easy and convenient postoperative routines: Return to a normal schedule usually within one day Resume most normal activities within one day Better, clearer vision without glasses within one day Simple after care using one bottle of eyedrops for convenience and cost savings Our relentless pursuit for perfecting our surgical outcomes for premium cataract surgery has shown that over 90% of patients that receive a premium presbyopia-correcting lens implant no longer rely on glasses to see far or near. Some patients will still use glasses some of the time for some occasions.

Upper Eyelid Lift Refresh and Brighten Your Eyes Cosmetic upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids to create a more open, awake, and youthful appearance. With the thinnest skin in the body, the eyes are often one of the first places to show changes of aging. Over time, the upper eyelids can begin to droop or feel heavy—often making you look tired or older than you feel. An upper eyelid blepharoplasty can provide a subtle yet noticeable facial rejuvenation by: Reducing hooded or sagging upper eyelids Improving eyelid contour and symmetry Restoring a more rested look The results of upper eyelid cosmetic blepharoplasty last for many years (typically 10-20) and can enhance your overall facial expression without altering your natural appearance. Enhancements to Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty There are multiple options to enhance your cosmetic upper eyelid blepharoplasty results. Some of these options may be performed at the time of surgery, and some may be performed after surgery. Dr. Stewart will discuss options to enhance your blepharoplasty with you at your consultation. Brow support or contouring sutures placed at the time of blepharoplasty Facial rejuvenation treatments including microneedling, lasers or neurotoxin injections Lash and brow treatments to enhance hair growth and health Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty Accordion Sample Desc Rejuvenate Tired, Puffy Eyes The under-eye area is often one of the first places to show visible signs of aging. Wrinkles, sagging skin, and puffiness can lead to a tired or aged appearance—even when you feel well-rested. Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that restores a more youthful, refreshed look by targeting the delicate skin and tissue beneath the eyes. Whether due to aging, genetics, or sun damage, lower eyelid concerns are common—and often very treatable. This surgery can help improve: Loose or sagging skin under the eyes Puffy under-eye bags or fat deposits Fine lines and wrinkles in the lower eyelid area A tired or worn-out appearance Dr. Stewart focuses on creating customized, natural-looking results for your lower lid blepharoplasty based on your goals and concerns. During your consultation, Dr. Stewart will perform a full examination of your eyelids and facial structure. Skin type and elasticity will also be assessed to ensure optimal results and a smooth healing process. There are multiple techniques used during lower eyelid blepharoplasty. Dr. Stewart will customize the approach to best suit your desired outcome and facial structure. Combine Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty for Complete Rejuvenation For patients looking to fully refresh their eye area, combining upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty can offer comprehensive results in a single procedure. This approach addresses aging concerns both above and below the eyes—lifting droopy upper lids and reducing puffiness or wrinkles beneath the eyes. Benefits of Combining Both Procedures: Balanced, natural-looking rejuvenation One surgical session and recovery period Improved symmetry and overall facial harmony Long-lasting enhancement with minimal downtime By treating the upper and lower eyelids together, you can achieve a brighter, more youthful appearance that still looks like you—just more rested and revitalized. Eyebrow Lift Techniques There are several surgical techniques available for eyebrow lifting, each tailored to meet individual needs and desired outcomes. Your surgeon will recommend the best approach based on your anatomy and goals. Common Techniques Include: Endoscopic Brow Lift: This minimally invasive method uses small incisions hidden in the hairline and a tiny camera (endoscope) to lift and reposition the brows. It results in minimal scarring and a quicker recovery time. Traditional (Coronal) Brow Lift: This technique involves a longer incision across the scalp, allowing for greater lifting and skin removal. It’s ideal for patients needing more significant correction but typically has a longer healing period. Temporal (Limited Incision) Brow Lift: Focused on lifting the outer portions of the brows, this approach uses smaller incisions near the temples. It’s a less invasive option with shorter recovery, best suited for mild to moderate brow sagging. Direct Brow Lift: This procedure involves making an incision above the brows to directly raise the eyebrows. This leaves a scar on the face, which may be hidden under bangs, within a wrinkle, or at the top of the brow hairs. It provides the best brow lift but is not right for all patients given the possible scar. Internal Browpexy: This minimally invasive technique is combined with an upper eyelid blepharoplasty to provide support and subtle lift to the lateral brows with a quick recovery and no additional incisions. This is best suited for patients with mild brow ptosis.