Ophthalmologists

• Glaucoma
  Glaucoma results from nerve damage to the optic nerve by high eye pressure. The optic nerve connects the brain to the eye, and it is very sensitive to changes in eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP). Most people consider ideal blood pressure to be around 120/80 mmHg, but eye pressure is highly individualized, and different people may develop glaucoma at different IOPs. At first, glaucoma damages peripheral (or side) vision, but most people would not detect this early peripheral visual loss. At more severe stages, peripheral vision loss spreads toward the center of vision, causing the so-called “tunnel vision.” At this severe stage, some patients may still be able to see 20/20 centrally and not realize the severity of their peripheral vision loss. Eventually, even the little bit of central vision can be lost if glaucoma is not treated. For these reasons, glaucoma is sometimes called “The Silent Thief of Sight.”
• Ophthalmology
  According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, an estimated 3.2 million women over age 50 and 1.68 million men over age 50 suffer from DES in the United States. The prevalence of DES increases with age, and affects more women than men due to hormonal shifts during or after menopause. Depending on the person, symptoms of dry eye can vary between extreme light sensitivity, eye pain, unexpected tearing, a dull achy feeling around the eyes, a sensation of “grittiness” or sand in the eyes, redness of the eyes, decreased or cloudy vision, fluctuating vision (especially in between blinks), or even no symptoms at all. If you have any of these symptoms and your vision is fluctuating, it’s time to consult our physicians for dry eye.
• Macular Degeneration
  OCT images of “Wet” ARMD. Note the irregular contour of the deep layers of the retina, with elevation in the center filled with fluid and blood, causing decreased vision and “wet” macular degeneration.
• Laser Eye Surgery
  Within the eye, there are connections between the vitreous jelly and the retina. Flashes of light occur when the vitreous breaks down and starts to pull on one’s retina with aging, after trauma, or after eye surgery. This tension on the retina is interpreted by the brain as a flash, usually in one’s peripheral or side vision. Once the vitreous breaks down completely and releases all tension from the retina, a posterior vitreous detachment, or floater, forms. Flashes are important because they can be precursors to a retinal tear or detachment, both of which can lead to blindness.
• Cataracts
  A cataract is a clouding or yellowing of the lens inside your eye just behind the iris, the uniquely colored part of the eye. In order to see clearly, a lens must be clear to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. With age and certain medical conditions, the lens becomes a cataract and decreases the focusing ability of the eye, clouding one’s vision.
• Cataract Surgery
  There is no medical treatment for a cataract; the only treatment is surgical removal by cataract surgery. A tiny incision is made on an anesthetized eye, the cataract is softened by ultrasonic energy, and the softened lens material is removed by suction, or aspiration. The cataractous lens will then be replaced by an artificial intraocular lens, commonly called an IOL, usually made of medical-grade acrylic or silicone material.
• Eye Exam
  Please allow 1 1/2 – 2 hours for a complete eye examination. This will allow enough time for your eyes to dilate, all necessary testing to be completed, and ample time to be spent with your physician.

Internists

• Lung Cancer
  The original Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, reported in 2001 that the intake of vitamins C & E, Zinc, Copper, and beta-carotene helped reduce the risk of developing ARMD in individuals at risk. However, it was observed that in smokers, intake of the original AREDS vitamins was associated with a higher risk of developing lung cancer. The follow-up study, AREDS 2, was launched in 2006 to further investigate the protective effects of these vitamins by adding zeaxanthin, lutein, omega-3 fatty acids, and removing beta-carotene from the original formulation. The study concluded that while the addition of omega-3 fatty acids had no effect on the formulation, zeaxanthin and lutein together appeared to be safe and effective substitutes for beta-carotene. For more information, please refer to the following link to the National Eye Institute...

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Diabetic Retinopathy
  Background Diabetic Retinopathy: Note the red spots of bleeding and yellow spots of cholesterol leakage throughout the retina. Compare this to a picture of a normal retina (see picture on right).

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – The OCT uses light to digitally scan the optic nerve and measures its tissue thickness. This test is analogous to an ultrasound test, except that instead of using sound waves, it uses light rays to visualize the optic nerve. In glaucoma, the tissues of the optic nerve are compressed by high IOP and gradually become thinner. The OCT can be used to digitally track the optic nerve thickness and health over time.

Plastic Surgeons

• Blepharoplasty
  This is a surgical procedure meant to improve drooping upper eyelids caused by dermatochalasis. Dermatochalasis is extra skin hooding over the eyes. A blepharoplasty is different from ptosis repair. A blepharoplasty may be a functional surgery in which the upper eyelid skin impairs the vision. In this case, it will likely be covered by your insurance. If the dermatochalasis is not visually significant and the goal is to rejuvenate the eyes, it is considered a cosmetic procedure.

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
  Skin cancers frequently occur on the face due to years of sun exposure. The eyelids are a common place for skin cancers to develop. Dr. Morales works in conjunction with a Mohs surgeon to repair eyelid defects resulting from skin cancer removal. The approach for repair depends on the location and size of the defect.