Vancouver Eye Care - Main Street Clinic

Surgery & Laser Center You will find the best in ophthalmic outpatient surgical care at Vancouver Eye Care Surgery & Laser Center. Learn more about preparing for surgery. Call today! Located at 17720 SE Mill Plain Blvd., Suite 100, our facility offers a relaxed patient-focused environment, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, convenient access, ample parking, and experienced staff to meet your needs. If you have questions regarding our center, please call us at 360-823-2022. Our Ophthalmic Procedures Include: Cataract Surgery Corneal Surgery Facial Plastics and Cosmetic Surgery Glaucoma Surgery PREPARING FOR SURGERY Before Surgery Your doctor’s office will schedule surgery for you or your family member. Once scheduled, a member of our staff may call you to obtain further information. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the center and your upcoming surgery. For your safety, please arrange transportation home by a responsible driver known to you. The Surgery Center cannot send patients home without transportation provided by a driver that is known to them. This driver must stay at the Surgery Center during the patient’s procedure in case of an emergency. Patients are required to have a responsible adult to care for them for the first 24 hours after surgery. Please note that the arrival time given to you by your surgeon’s office is a tentative time and may change. The Surgery & Laser Center will call you with an actual, confirmed arrival time the day before surgery. Please keep your arrival time flexible as surgery times often change. If you develop a fever, rash, or cold the day before surgery, contact your doctor at once, as your surgery may need to be rescheduled. Remember, DO NOT EAT, DRINK, or CHEW anything after midnight the night before your surgery, unless otherwise instructed. This includes gum, mints, candy, and chewing tobacco. The Morning of Surgery Do not eat or drink anything the morning of surgery, unless your doctor has given you other instructions. Take your usual medications with a sip of water. You may brush your teeth and rinse your mouth with water, but do not drink any of the water. Wear loose, comfortable clothing (a short-sleeved, button-front shirt is the best). Leave all valuables and jewelry at home. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring a case to store them in. Please do not wear makeup or apply any lotion to your face. You should have a responsible driver with you on the day of your surgery. Your driver should remain in the facility while you are in surgery. You will meet first with our receptionist. Please bring your insurance and photo identification cards with you on the morning of surgery. You will be asked questions to verify your insurance and will be asked to sign a financial agreement if you have not already done so. If you need other financial arrangements or an estimate of your bill, please call 360-696-2081. Next, you will be taken to the admissions area where your nurse will verify medical information, allergies, and medications. The nurse will prepare you for surgery, and an anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss your medical history and the type of anesthesia you will have. After Surgery You can expect to spend approximately 15-30 minutes in our comfortable post-anesthesia care unit, depending upon the types of anesthesia you receive. After you waken and your condition is assessed, your family member or friend will be allowed to rejoin you. The nurses will give you instructions for taking care of yourself at home. Should problems or questions arise when you are recovering at home, we will be available by telephone until 5 p.m. on the day of your surgery. If questions arise outside our normal hours of operation, please contact our office at (360)696-4691 to reach the doctor on call.

Most people develop cataracts, a cloudy lens in the eye, simply as a result of aging, with the majority of cases occurring in people over the age of 55. Other risk factors include eye injury or disease, a family history of cataracts, smoking, or the use of certain medications. For people whose vision is significantly affected by cataracts, lens replacement (cataract) surgery may be recommended. During cataract surgery, the most common surgical procedure in the country, the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one called an intraocular lens or IOL. SYMPTOMS OF CATARACTS Because the cloudy lens allows less light to reach the retina, distance and reading vision is often fuzzy and indistinct through the affected eye. Other symptoms of cataracts include diminished color perception (especially blues and purples), annoying glare in sunlight, poor night vision, and excessive glare from oncoming headlights. Frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions may also be a sign of cataract formation. WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE DEVELOPING CATARACTS If you suspect a cataract, call our office to schedule a simple, painless, screening exam. Fortunately, today there is a relatively straightforward procedure for the replacement of the eye’s natural, but cloudy, lens with a clear lens implant called an “intraocular” lens. WHAT KINDS OF TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CATARACTS To date, there is no medical treatment to reverse or arrest cataract formation, either in oral or eyedrop medications. The only successful current treatment is the surgical removal of the clouded natural lens. When the natural lens is removed, an artificial lens is inserted in its place: an intraocular lens, also known as an “IOL”, or lens implant. CATARACT SURGERY IN VANCOUVER, WA Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens called an IOL. We perform minimally invasive, small incision cataract surgery using the standard method called phacoemulsification (“phaco”) surgery. First, the eye is numbed with anesthesia. Then a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny particles which are then removed from the eye. After the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens, or IOL, is implanted in the eye. With the recent advance of foldable IOLs (intraocular lenses), artificial lenses can be implanted through the same small incision from the phaco procedure. What is the Capsule? The natural lens of the eye is held in place by a thin clear membrane called the lens capsule. The capsule completely surrounds the lens and separates it from the thick fluid in the back of the eye, called the vitreous, and the thinner fluid in the front of the eye called the aqueous. Cataract Surgery Effects the Capsule: Cataract surgery is necessary when the natural lens becomes cloudy and must be removed. When cataract surgery was originally performed, surgical techniques were not as refined as today, and both the natural lens and the capsule were removed during surgery. Newer techniques allow the capsule to remain in the eye and hold the implanted lens (or intraocular lens) in place. Leaving the capsule in place during surgery is a great advancement because it allows the vision after surgery to be more stable and provides for fewer surgical complications. Sometimes the posterior portion of the capsule becomes cloudy after cataract surgery. The reasons for this cloudiness are unknown. If the posterior capsule becomes so cloudy that it detrimentally affects vision, then a capsulotomy is performed. What is a Capsulotomy? A capsulotomy is a procedure in which an opening is created in the center of the cloudy capsule. The opening allows clear passage of the light rays and eliminates the cloudiness that was interfering with the vision. A laser beam is used to create this opening. This procedure is painless, very safe and typically the results can be seen immediately. For capsulotomy, as with any surgery, rare complications can occur, such as swelling or retinal detachment. These complications can cause loss of vision. A cloudy capsule will many times appear the same way as the original cataract. The vision is cloudy or hazy and the patient is heavily bothered by glare. In fact, vision is so similar that some patients think that the cataract has come back or regrown. This is impossible, cataracts cannot return once the natural lens has been removed. If your vision is getting worse after cataract surgery, it could be that your capsule is becoming cloudy. Your eye doctor should give you a thorough eye examination to determine the cause of your vision loss. If your capsule is becoming cloudy, our doctors can then determine whether a capsulotomy is necessary to improve your vision.

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining your eyes’ health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases develop slowly without causing pain or vision loss. Early detection of any problems can reduce the risk of further harm and allow for a choice of treatment options. At Vancouver Eye Care we use the most advanced technology to conduct a series of eye tests that will determine if you need glasses and/or contact lenses to improve sight. We also check pupillary responses and test your eye muscles for proper function. A thorough evaluation of your eye will be done with a slit lamp and a glaucoma evaluation will be performed. Finally, a dilated examination will be done to rule out any problems with the retina or optic nerve. Eye and Vision Exams – comprehensive eye exams for glasses as well as for the detection and prevention of eye disease Contact Lens Services – contact lens exams including fitting with a wide variety of the latest lenses and styles Optical Services – a wide variety of frames, specialty lenses and sunglasses including many designer names

The cornea is the clear covering on the front of the eye which bends, or refracts, light rays that focus on the retina in the back of the eye. A certain shape or curvature is required in order for light to focus exactly on the retina, rather than in front of it or behind it. An improperly curved cornea may be corrected surgically or non-invasively to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. A thorough eye examination and consultation are necessary before a treatment decision can be made. Common problems that affect the health of the cornea are: Dry Eyes Blepharitis Recurrent Erosion Corneal Ulceration Herpes Simplex Keratopathy Pseudophakic Corneal Decompensation Keratoconus Corneal Dystrophies Pterygia External tumors Eye infections Traumatic injury Ocular surface diseases Chemical burn Corneal transplantation, or keratoplasty, is recommended when the cornea’s curvature is too steep or too flat to be treated with other methods, or when extensive damage has occurred due to disease, infection or injury. Transplantation involves replacing the damaged cornea with a healthy one from a donor (usually through an eye bank). Keratoplasty is the most common type of transplant surgery and has the highest success rate. THE CORNEAL SURGERY PROCEDURE During the procedure, a circular incision is made in the cornea. A disc of tissue is removed and replaced with healthy tissue; these discs may be thin (lamellar keratoplasty) or as deep as the entire cornea (penetrating keratoplasty). Local or general anesthesia may be used. SCHEDULE A CORNEAL SURGERY CONSULTATION TODAY! To learn more about Corneal Surgery, or to determine whether you are a candidate for the procedure, please book a personalized appointment with one of our skilled Ophthalmologists. Call 360-696-4691 for out Main Street office, 360-823-2020 for our Columbia Tech Center, or 360-823-2000 for our Salmon Creek office. You can also click here to send us a Consultation Request Form, and out talented staff will get back to you at the earliest! We look forward to serving you.

COSMETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE EYELID TREATMENT OPTIONS WE OFFER Vancouver Eye Care is proud to offer a wide range of oculoplastic surgical procedures. Oculoplastic surgery involves cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, brows, orbits (bones around the eyes) and tear drainage system. Some of the more common procedures performed at Vancouver Eye Care are Blepharoplasty, Ptosis Repair, Entropion Repair, Orbital Surgery, Tearing and Skin Cancer. BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYELID SURGERY, EYELID LIFT) This surgery is often performed to improve visual function by excising the excessive skin and fat from the upper, and sometimes lower, eyelids. When the eyelids are literally blocking a significant amount of the upper or peripheral field of vision, insurance will typically pay for the procedure. A very similar procedure can be performed for cosmetic reasons to enhance the appearance of the eyelids. However, when a blepharoplasty is performed for cosmetic reasons insurance does not cover the procedure. PTOSIS REPAIR When an eyelid is drooping, resulting from a separated or torn muscle that normally raises the eyelid, a levator aponeurotic surgery can be performed to restore the natural height of the eyelid. Ptosis repair is sometimes combined with a blepharoplasty. ENTROPION REPAIR The aging eyelid may rotate towards the eye causing chronic irritation. This can be repaired using a number of different surgical techniques depending upon the underlying etiology. ORBITAL SURGERY The bones around the eyes can be broken in trauma. Large fractures can result in displacement of the eye causing disabling double vision. Delicate surgical techniques are required to repair these types of injuries. TEARING A patient may have chronic tearing for a number of different reasons. Malpositioned eyelids, a narrow opening to a tear drain, or complete obstruction of the tear drain are among the most common causes. Different surgical techniques are available depending upon the underlying cause. For example, a narrow tear duct opening may be opened in the office with a five minute procedure called a punctoplasty. At the other extreme, a blocked nasal lacrimal duct (tear duct) may require a one-hour procedure which is performed under general anesthesia at the hospital. SKIN CANCER Skin cancer can affect the delicate eyelids. The most common skin cancers of the eyelids are sun-induced basal cell carcinoma. These can be resected in the office with frozen margin controls to minimize the chance of recurrence. The defect is then repaired using a variety of reconstructive techniques. SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION If you have any questions or are ready to begin a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Eyelid Surgery, do not hesitate to contact our office for a personalized consultation. For our Main Street clinic, call 360-696-4691. For our Columbia Tech Center clinic, call 360-823-2020. And for our Salmon Creek Clinic, call 360-823-2000. Or, you can fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you.

During a comprehensive eye exam, the entire vision system is evaluated for potential optic nerve disease, retinal disease and systemic illness that may manifest in the eye. The internal pressure of the eye is measured to check for glaucoma. To allow the doctor the best view of the internal structures of the eye, your eye will be dilated through the use of eye drops. These eye drops cause the iris to open wide, giving the doctor a good view inside your eye. While the eye is dilated, close work or reading may be difficult, plus bright sunlight may be annoying. The effects of the dilating drops usually begin to subside after a few hours; however, it is wise to bring a good pair of sunglasses to help you see in bright sunlight following a dilated eye exam. During your exam, one of our doctors may also determine if any nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia is present and prescribe glasses, contacts or one of the many vision correction surgeries available. Each year, many people experience a decrease in vision due to progressive diseases or conditions of the eye. Therefore, to insure the health of your eyes, a thorough, annual examination is essential to safeguard your sight. You will have a medical history taken Your visual acuity will be measured Your eyes will be checked for refractive errors Your eyelids, tear glands and tear ducts will be examined Your eye muscles will be examined The pressure inside your eye will be measured The interior of your eye will be examined through the use of a slit lamp Your retina will be examined Your peripheral vision may be tested SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION If you have any questions or are ready to begin your eye exams, do not hesitate to contact our office for a personalized consultation. For our Main Street clinic, call 360-696-4691. For our Columbia Tech Center clinic, call 360-823-2020. And for our Salmon Creek Clinic, call 360-823-2000. Or, you can fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) rises dangerously high, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. In a healthy eye, fluid is produced in the ciliary body, enters the eye, and then drains through tiny passages called the trabecular meshwork. In people with glaucoma, these passages become blocked and intraocular pressure rises. Some cases of glaucoma can be treated with medications. For others, laser or traditional surgery is required to lower eye pressure. Common surgeries include: Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) – For patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. A small hole is made in the iris to increase the angle between the iris and cornea and encourage fluid drainage. Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) – For patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The trabecular passages are opened to increase fluid drainage. ALT is effective in about 75% of patients, and SLT may be repeated. Nd: YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (YAG CP) – For patients with severe glaucoma damage who have not been helped with other surgeries. The ciliary body that produces intraocular fluid is destroyed. Filtering Microsurgery (Trabeculectomy) – For patients who have not been helped with laser surgery or medications. A new drainage passage is created by cutting a small hole in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and creating a collection pouch between the sclera and conjunctiva (the outer covering of the eye). SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION If you have any questions or are ready to begin your Glaucoma treatment, do not hesitate to contact our office for a personalized consultation. For our Main Street clinic, call 360-696-4691. For our Columbia Tech Center clinic, call 360-823-2020. And for our Salmon Creek Clinic, call 360-823-2000. Or, you can fill out our online contact form and we’ll get back to you.

FULL SERVICE OPTICAL SHOP Vancouver Eye Care’s full-service optical department offers a wide variety of frames, specialty lenses and sunglasses from which to choose, including many designer names. We are dedicated to recommending and providing only the highest quality optical products across all price ranges. We offer excellent service and warranties on frames and lenses. Our patients are welcome to return for needed adjustments to their glasses at any time. CONTACT LENS SERVICES Over 30 million Americans wear contact lenses, according to the American Optometric Association. Unlike glasses, contact lenses move with your eyes so you can enjoy a larger field of vision with fewer distortions. You also don’t have to deal with frames hovering in your peripheral vision or external lenses that fog up on cold days or get wet in the rain. There are many different kinds of contacts, including rigid and flexible, extended wear, disposable and planned replacement lenses. Some can be made as bifocals or in different colors. After a thorough eye exam and consultation with an experienced physician, patients who qualify for contact lenses can discuss which type is right for them. All contact lenses require special care and cleaning. You’ll need to make regular follow-up visits to ensure your eyes remain healthy.