Specialty Eyecarè Centre

Why Are Eye Exams Important? By age 65, 1-in-3 Americans have some form of vision-impairing eye disease. Most however do not know it because often there’s no warning symptoms or they assume that poor sight is a natural part of growing older. By detecting and treating eye disease early through annual, dilated eye exams, seniors can preserve their sight. Two common eye diseases affecting seniors are Cataracts and Glaucoma, to learn more select a link below. Cataracts Glaucoma Eye Exams in Bellevue Comprehensive eye examinations are very important not only to determine if you need correction to see well, but also to maintain the health of your eye. While some eye diseases have obvious symptoms such as red eyes, light sensitivity, or flashing lights, many serious, vision-threatening problems have no warning signs. Glaucoma, for example, will present no symptoms until actual vision loss occurs. Proper eye care and evaluations can help prevent vision loss. Comprehensive eye exams can also detect diabetes, hypertension, retinal holes or tears, and other important treatable medical conditions. Eye ExamA comprehensive eye examination at Specialty Eye Care Centre involves a series of tests designed to evaluate your vision and check for eye diseases. Each test is necessary and allows your doctor to evaluate a different aspect of your vision. Common Eye Exam Tests Include: External Eye Exam: Your doctor will check of your eyes using a light to ensure the exterior parts of your eyes are functioning correctly. In an external eye exam, your eye doctor checks: Your pupils to see if they respond normally, position and movement of your eyes, eyelids and lashes, your cornea and iris for clarity. Eye Muscle Test: This test examines your eye muscles to ensure they’re functioning properly. Your eye doctor looks at your eyes as they move in six specific directions. Your doctor will ask you to sit still and look forward, using your eyes to follow an object, such as a pen. The eye muscle test is designed to detect any weaknesses or uncontrolled movements in the muscles that move your eyes up and down and side to side. Visual Acuity Test: This test measures how sharply or clearly you can see something at a distance. Your doctor will ask you to identify different letters of the alphabet off a chart positioned usually 20 feet away. The lines of type get smaller as you move down the chart. You cover one eye and read aloud, then cover the other eye and read aloud. Your doctor monitors how well you can identify the letters. Your visual acuity is expressed in a fraction – such as 20/20 vision. The top number refers to your distance from the eye chart, usually 20 feet. The bottom number indicates the distance at which a person with normal eyesight could correctly read the line you read. For example, 20/20 vision means that you can see objects clearly from 20 feet away that a person with normal vision could see clearly from 20 feet away. Refraction Assessment: Refraction refers to how light waves are bent as they pass through your cornea and lens. A refraction assessment helps your doctor determine a corrective lens prescription that will give you the sharpest vision. Your doctor will have you look through a phoropter, a devise that holds many lenses, and determine which combination of lenses gives you the sharpest vision. Visual Field Test: Your doctor my request you have a visual field test along with your comprehensive examination. This test is used to determine whether you have difficulty seeing in any areas of your peripheral vision – the areas on the side of your visual field. Slit-Lamp Examination: A slit lamp allows your doctor to see the structures at the front of your eye using a microscope with an intense line of light to illuminate your eye. The slit lamp allows us to examine the cornea, iris, lens and anterior chamber of your eye. Retinal Examination: A retinal examination – examines the back of your eye, including your retina, optic disc, choroid and blood vessels. We may use special eye drops to dilate your pupils, opening them wider so we can see the back part of your eye. The effects of these drops will not wear off for several hours. Your vision will be blurry, and you’ll have trouble focusing your eyes. Depending on your job, you might not be able to return to work immediately after your exam. Your eyes will also be very sensitive to the light so we recommend using sunglasses. Tonometry: Tonometry measures your intraocular pressure – the pressure inside your eyes. This test in conjunction with other more specific tests such as an OCT, a visual field and a detailed retinal exam will help us determine your risk for the development or progression of glaucoma.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Sometimes called the silent thief of sight, glaucoma can damage your vision so gradually you don’t notice any loss of vision until the disease is at an advanced stage. Glaucoma is an eye condition that develops when too much fluid pressure builds up inside of the eye. This increase in pressure, called intraocular pressure, can damage the optic nerve, which transmits images to the brain. If damage to the optic nerve from high eye pressure continues, glaucoma will cause loss of vision. Without treatment, glaucoma can cause total permanent blindness within a few years. Because most people with glaucoma have no early symptoms or pain from this increased pressure, it is important to have regular routine eye exams so that glaucoma can be diagnosed and treated before long-term visual loss occurs. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve and loss of visual field. Often cases of glaucoma are related to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) however it does not have to be elevated for a person to develop glaucoma. The first line of treatment for most types of glaucoma is eye drop medication that lowers the fluid pressure inside the eye. In some cases, eye surgery may be required. Left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent loss of sight. Glaucoma is an eye disease in which fluid pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. This nerve damage first affects peripheral vision, but eventually can cause blindness. Why is Glaucoma a Threat to Your Sight? Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness for patients between the ages of 18-65 years of age. Since Glaucoma does not produce any noticeable disturbance in vision until it is advanced, only half of the people who have Glaucoma actually know that they have it. More than 2.25 million Americans over the age of 40 years old have Primary Open Angle Glaucoma. National studies estimate that between 3-6 million people in the United States have higher than normal Intraocular Pressure (IOP), without obvious clinical signs of damage to the optic nerve. Just in the United States, there are approximately 100,000 patients who are believed to be legally blind from glaucoma. Although most people are familiar with the eye disease Glaucoma, few are aware of why Glaucoma is such a significant threat to sight. Most serious eye diseases, eye conditions or eye problems usually produce some symptoms that are visible, and make patients uncomfortable or disturb their vision. Glaucoma begins without any symptoms or obvious loss of vision. In this way it is quite insidious in onset and, if not diagnosed and treated early in its course will lead to progressive, permanent, and unnoticed vision loss. It essential to diagnose and treat Glaucoma as early in its course as possible. Happy Older CoupleOne-half of glaucoma patients are not aware they have the disease. It is estimated that two million Americans may have Glaucoma. Our mission is to educate the public about exploring their own personal risk of glaucoma and assuring they do not have the disease. As loss of vision from glaucoma is irreversible, this is very important when patients are without symptoms. One of our ways of doing this is by periodic glaucoma screenings which are performed in our offices. At this screening, risk factors for glaucoma, as detailed below, are explored. In addition, the intraocular pressure is checked, and one of our glaucoma specialist doctors actually look at the optic nerve. At these screenings, the doctors can personally discuss each person’s risk factors. For those people unable to attend the screening, a risk factor analysis can be performed. Risk Factor Analysis Age, over 65 Age, over 75* African-American descent (or any other dark skinned race)* Family with glaucoma – A parent Family with Glaucoma- Brother or sister* Myopia (near-sightedness) of a significant degree History of previous eye injury or surgery Use of steroids (pills, nose spray inhalants, or eye drops) for more than a month Complete eye examination – More than 2 years ago Complete eye examination – More than 5 years ago* * If you have more than two of these risk factors, or any of the risk factors with an asterisk, consider yourself at moderate or high risk for glaucoma. We suggest everyone have a periodic eye examination, but those at risk should seek an examination soon (within the next few months). Types of Glaucoma Glaucoma is a group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness. Early treatment is important to prevent serious vision loss. There are 5 types of glaucoma: Open-Angle Glaucoma Low-Tension or Normal-Tension glaucoma Closed-Angle Glaucoma Congenital Glaucoma Secondary Glaucoma

Cataract Surgery A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Vision through eyes with cataracts is characterized as looking through a foggy window or piece of wax paper. Cataract development is usually a very gradual process of normal aging, but can occasionally occur rapidly. Many people are unaware that they have cataracts because the changes in their vision are so gradual. Cataracts are very common, affecting roughly 60% of people over the age of 60, and over 1.5 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States each year. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. Cataracts are the leading cause of treatable blindness in all areas of the world, especially in adults 55 and older. Understanding Cataracts Age-related cataracts develop very slowly and painlessly. In fact, you may not even realize that our vision is changing until you find yourself going to the eye doctor seeking a change in our eyeglass or contact lens prescription. It is often during one of these routine trips that the doctor will perform an eye examination and ask if we are experiencing any of the following symptoms. Blur or Dimness: You may notice that no matter how many times you have your eyeglass or contact prescription updated you just can’t see clearly. Faded or Dull Colors: Many people report that things look dingy or that what they remember as once being very colorful isn’t anymore. Poor Night Vision: A cataract can make once routine tasks, like driving at night, very difficult. Halos Around Lights: Cataracts can cause us to see bright halos around lights, especially oncoming headlights. Sensitivity to Bright Light: You may notice that it has become more painful to walk out into bright sunlight or you may see the exaggerated glare off of reflective surfaces like windshields. A graphic showing normal vision versus vision with cataracts Learn more about cataracts by clicking the links below and watching the videos. About Cataract Surgery ORA – Optiwave Refractive Analysis LRI Advanced Technology Lens Options Cataract Self-Test Cataracts Understanding Cataracts Cataract Surgery Advanced Technology Lens Options ORA - Optiwave Refractive Analysis LRI Toric Lens Implants Vivity IOL Trifocal IOL (PanOptix) Astigmatism Correcting IOL Free Cataract Self-Test

Dry Eye Treatment in Bellevue, Washington Dry eye and dry eye symptoms are very common in older adults. In fact, a recent consumer study conducted by Allergan suggests that dry eyes are even more prevalent than previously believed and most Americans fail to seek professional help for these symptoms. Read more about the Allergan Survey Dry Eyes: How Common are Dry Eye. At Specialty Eyecarè Centre it is relatively common for us see patients who have been suffering for several years with dry eye symptoms but like many adults, they have attributed these symptoms to environmental factors, medications, extended computer use, etc. and have never sought any formal or structured treatment plan. While dry eye syndrome is not curable, it can be managed in various ways. In the case of our patients who suffer from glaucoma, treatment of dry eye is extremely important not only for the comfort of the patient, but for the long term health of the surface of the eye. And so we have to manage both conditions, sometimes simultaneously, sometimes one at a time. While you may not think you suffer from dry eye, it is possible you could have dry eye and it is affecting your everyday activities. The exact cause of dry eye is still being researched; however it can be caused by a number of factors. Dry eye can result from a decrease in tear production and/or an increase in tear film evaporation. What causes Dry Eye? Environmental factors Contact lenses Drug side effects (antihistamines, anti-depressants, diuretics) Smoking Eye injuries and burns Age Hormonal changes (menopause) Elective surgeries (Lasik, PRK, blepharoplasty) Chemotherapy and radiation Systemic disease (Sjogren’s Syndrome, RA, lupus) Eye and eyelid conditions (meibomian gland dysfunction, corneal dystrophies, blepharitis, ptosis and lagophthalmous) What are common symptoms of Dry Eye? Redness Itching Burning Tearing Foreign body sensation Photophobia Fatigue Dry eye can be exacerbated by climate, eye irritants such as smoke and chemicals and daily activities such as computer use. Some home remedies and suggestions for dry eye patients include humidifiers in the bedroom and office, eye protection from wind and sun and taking breaks from the computer monitor. Dry eye can be managed as an ongoing condition. The first step is to determine the underlying cause of the dry eye. How do you Treat Dry Eye? Artificial tears and ointments Punctal Plugs Restasis Steroid eye drops Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements Lid hygiene (warm compress and lid scrub) Punctal cautery Lipiflow dry eye treatment What to Expect at Your Dry Eye Exam When you make an appointment in our office for a dry eye evaluation our dedicated staff will review your health history with a series of questions specifically designed for patients who may suffer from dry eye. Once you have been evaluated, Dr. Barnebey and his experienced staff will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that will help you manage your dry eye symptoms. When you meet with Dr. Barnebey, you will discover the approach may be more extensive than what you may have experienced during previous routine eye exams, especially if your appointment is for a cataract evaluation or if your are considering having any type surgery with Dr. Barnebey. While your journey through our evaluation process can be lengthy at times, Dr. Barnebey believes with the appropriate assessment, his patients are able to fully understand the many options available to them and therefore comfortable with their decisions when proceeding with treatment options and or surgery. We look forward to meeting you at your next visit. Advanced Technology Treatment for Dry Eye LipiFlow LogoWe are committed to healthy vision. And as Dry Eye experts we offer specialized attention through our Dry Eye Clinic. We understand your frustration with the limitations of traditional therapies and are committed to bringing you the best technology available to treat this uncomfortable disease – so that you can enjoy the greatest possible relief. It’s time for a revolutionary approach to Dry Eye treatment. If you’ve been suffering with this painful condition – or think you may have it – we can determine the cause of your symptoms and apply therapy appropriate to your specific needs that may make your daily discomfort a thing of the past. We also offer the new LipiFlow® thermal pulsation treatment, if you suffer from evaporative Dry Eye you can now get this treatment in our office. With just one treatment, you may experience sustained relief.

What is Blepharoplasty? Blepharoplasty, also called eyelid surgery, is a procedure that can help with wrinkles, puffiness, and sagging around the eyes. While it’s mainly used for cosmetic purposes, it can also help with vision problems from drooping eyelids by improving your visual field. By removing excess fat and skin around the eyes, blepharoplasty gives patients a younger, revitalized appearance. Depending on the results that you want to achieve, your doctor at Specialty Eyecarè Centre may recommend upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, or both. Upper Blepharoplasty Upper blepharoplasty removes excess tissue from the upper eyelid. This can either be to improve the look of droopy or hooded eyelids or to help you see better if the excess tissue is impairing your vision. Your surgeon at Specialty Eyecarè Centre will create a small incision in the natural crease of your upper eyelid. The incision won’t be visible while your eyes are open. They will then carefully remove the unwanted skin and fat and close the incision. Afterward, you can enjoy a smoother, refreshed look and feel more confident in both your appearance and vision. Lower Blepharoplasty If you are struggling with dark circles, puffiness, and bags under your eyes, lower blepharoplasty can help you look more lively and energized. Your surgeon will redistribute or remove any excess skin from your lower eyelid through a tiny incision below your lower eyelash line or inside the lower eyelid. Are you interested in enhancing your beauty with blepharoplasty? Schedule an appointment at Specialty Eyecarè Centre in Bellevue, WA, today to start your journey to a refreshed, revitalized you!