Vista Eye Specialists

Products And Services

• LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

  Laser Vision Correction, also know as LASIK (Laser-Assisted in-Situ Keratomileusis), is laser eye surgery intended treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism and reduce the dependency on contact lenses and eye glasses. At Vista Eye, we use the latest technology for our pre-operative exams and vision correction procedures, including PRK and LASIK. All surgeries are performed by a fellowship trained laser vision correction and cornea specialist, Dr. Jani. LASIK Overview The most common type of refractive surgery, LASIK, is an all laser procedure that can restore your vision. During LASIK, the eye surgeon creates a corneal flap with a femtosecond laser (All Laser LASIK) which is then folded over, so that the eye surgeon can precisely remove tissue from the cornea. By resculpting the corneal tissue, light focuses better into the eye, resulting in clearer vision. Excimer lasers can also be used to correct astigmatism by smoothing the surface of cornea to a more normal shape. The popularity of LASIK is due to many advantages, which include: Freedom from or less dependence on glasses and contacts Recovery time of 1-2 days Actual surgery lasting 10-20 minutes Little or no discomfort Immediate results by the next day Both eyes can be treated the same day LASIK Procedure The eye surgeon will first create a corneal flap using a femtosecond laser. After folding the flap back, Dr. Jani will use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea’s curvature to the precise correction (steepened for far-sighted patients, flattened for near-sighted patients). The laser treatment typically lasts 30 seconds or less depending upon the amount of correction desired. After the cornea is resculpted, the corneal flap is put back in place, like a natural bandage. The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes per eye, and patients are often ready to leave within an hour. The eye heals on its own within a few days with no need for stitches. The outer layer of the cornea, or epithelium, is a soft, rapidly regrowing layer that regenerates within a few days with no loss of clarity. In LASIK, the epithelium is not removed as in PRK; a flap is used to uncover the deep layers of the cornea. Thus, the recovery time is faster for LASIK. The deeper layers of the cornea, as opposed to the outer epithelium, have very limited regenerative capacity. At Vista Eye Specialists, we utilize the latest technology, including Intralase and WaveLight® Technology. LASIK Recovery With LASIK surgery, most people’s vision improves right away, but some find that their vision gradually improves even more over the next few days or even weeks. The recovery time for LASIK is typically 1-2 days. Eye shields are worn after the procedure and it is imperative that the eyes are not rubbed or disturbed for the first 48 hours or the corneal flap created during the procedure could be disturbed and lead to wrinkling of the flap. The various eye drops prescribed by your eye surgeon will help the healing process, while over-the-counter pain relievers may also be helpful to relieve any discomfort. Vista Eye recommends patients have a few days of rest for recovery. While some activities, like driving and going back to work can resume after a couple of days, certain activities, such as swimming and strenuous exercise, will be limited during the weeks following surgery to avoid any trauma to the eyes. LASIK versus PRK LASIK involves creating a corneal flap and shaping the cornea, while no flap is created during PRK. Both PRK and LASIK can be done on both eyes at the same time, however, the recovery time is typically longer with PRK. For many patients, LASIK is their first choice for laser vision correction due to less recovery time and discomfort levels. However, PRK is a safe, successful alternative for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK or choose not to have a corneal flap for their laser vision correction procedure. Studies have demonstrated in the long term, PRK and LASIK are very equivalent procedures in so far as vision is concerned however the primary difference is the speed of visual recovery. Difference between LASIK and PRK Refractive Errors That LASIK Can Help You to Overcome Laser Vision Correction In Fredericksburg A refractive error is a problem that causes light to bend incorrectly to the retina, resulting in blurry vision. LASIK or PRK is effective at treating the three most common types of refractive errors:

  Link: LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

• Cataract Surgery

  Cataracts are part of the natural aging process. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. Situated just behind the iris and pupil, the natural lens is responsible for helping to focus light and provide clear vision. As we age, the lens of our eye progressively changes, becoming dense and cloudy. As a result, the light that enters the eye can become scattered or poorly focused. Eventually, this leads to blurry vision that affects the person’s ability to see clearly and function effectively. Cataract Symptoms Although they typically affect patients with advancing age, sometimes cataracts develop at a young age as a result of genetics, trauma, eye surgery, diabetes, or certain medications. Individuals should get regular eye exams and tell their eye doctor if they are experiencing any symptoms, no matter how mild. Early detection of cataracts is the best way of determining the most effective treatment. Symptoms of cataracts can vary with each patient, but common signs and symptoms include: Cloudy and / or blurry vision Double vision Halo or glare effects White spots over the pupil Loss of vision over time Problems seeing at night Loss of color perception Loss of contrast sensitivity (objects appear dull) Difficulty reading fine print or reading in general Cataract Treatment: When is the right time to have surgery? The good news is that cataracts are very treatable. The only long-term, permanent treatment for a cataract is surgical intervention. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed procedure in the United States. Anywhere from 3 to 4 million procedures are performed each year. Cataract removal is the safest and most predictable surgery performed on the human body today. Cataract surgery is a successful and effective way of restoring your vision. Many people delay having cataract surgery until their vision has significantly deteriorated. While mild effects of cataracts can be temporarily alleviated by prescribing glasses, stronger bifocals, or other visual aids, your vision will continue to worsen over time, leaving surgery as the only option to restore your clear vision. If your vision is prohibiting or impairing your ability to perform normal daily living activities, such as driving, reading, sewing, reading your watch / cell phone, or watching television, then it may be time to consider cataract surgery. In most cases, removing a cataract leads to improved vision. However, other eye conditions may affect your visual outcome after surgery. Deciding when to have cataract surgery is a personal decision. In order to determine the proper timing of surgery and have a complete understanding of the potential benefits and outcome, a comprehensive eye examination and evaluation is required. Choosing Your Cataract Surgeon Your eyes are one of your most valuable assets, so choosing a cataract surgeon is a serious decision. Not only should your doctor be board-certified, trained, and experienced in cataract surgery, he or she should also be compassionate towards your specific visual needs and goals. This ensures that your cataract surgery experience is both successful and comfortable. Dr. Binoy R. Jani of Vista Eye Care Specialists is one of the most trusted cataract surgeons serving Fredericksburg, Culpeper, and the surrounding area. He understands that no two cataract patients are the same so he dedicates the time needed with each patient to thoroughly understand their concerns and goals. Combining his advanced training and skill with the most proven and effective technology, Dr. Jani is able to provide superior results for each individual patient. Dr. Jani has performed thousands of successful cataract surgeries and has the expertise needed to help guide you through the process of reclaiming your sight from cataracts. Cataract Surgery Dr. Jani removes cataracts using micro-incision surgery and/or laser-assisted cataract surgery, which involves making a tiny incision in the eye, so that a slim probe can be used to remove the cataract with ultrasound energy. Using ultrasound, through a process called phacoemulsification, the cataract is dissolved, after which it is gently vacuumed from the eye. Once the cataract is surgically removed from the eye, a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) used to restore clear vision is inserted through the small incision. Assuming the eye is healthy, the patient can expect a painless procedure that usually takes minutes to perform, with a relatively short recovery time, and much improved post-operative vision once the eye has completely healed. This procedure is done one eye at a time, with one eye commonly being operated on one to two weeks after the other. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and the patient is usually back to most activities the next day.

  Link: Cataract Surgery

• Contact Lenses & Contact Lens Fittings/ Exams

  When you wear contacts lenses, a precise fitting and comprehensive exam are essential to the clarity of your vision, as well as to your safety and satisfaction. As trusted eye doctors serving Fredericksburg, Culpeper and surrounding communities, our doctors are focused on ensuring sharp vision and a comfortable fit for patients who rely on contact lenses, including conventional daily wear varieties, disposables, planned replacements, soft torics, rigid gas permeables, multifocal lenses, and scleral lenses. Contact lenses have come a long way from the days of heat disinfection and extended-wear discomfort. Advancing technology has generated a wide array of exciting new options for lens wearers, and the comfort level has never been higher. In fact, today’s contact lenses are comprised mostly of water. There are now lenses that treat astigmatism and new multifocal varieties that allow wearers to ditch those old Ben Franklin reading glasses. Contact Lens Fitting Exam Our doctors will discuss all of the new vision correction options during your contact lens fitting exam. As part of your exam, we will measure the pupil, iris and curvature of the cornea to ensure optimal fit for your lenses. The doctors will also evaluate the rate at which your eye produces tears, as this will affect how well your eye accommodates certain types of contacts. After checking your vision and measuring refractive errors, our doctors will provide you with trial lenses and check their fit, alignment and movement using a microscope. If you are satisfied with the lenses, you will be able to try them out for a week or more, before returning to the office for a follow-up evaluation. If you are happy with the comfort and clarity of your vision, your doctor will write your final prescription. Scleral Lenses Scleral lenses are a type of specialized contact lens recommended to patients with irregular corneas. Larger than standard contact lenses, scleral lenses rest directly on the white part of the eye, called the sclera, and vault over the cornea. By design, scleral lenses bridge over corneal irregularities, creating a smooth surface to properly refract incoming light onto the retina. They are made from a soft, gas permeable material that patients usually find quite comfortable. Who Needs Scleral Lenses? Patients with the following types of eye problems see the most benefit from scleral lenses: Keratoconus Other corneal dystrophies and diseases Corneal scars Post-corneal transplant surgery Scleral lenses are also useful in cases of severe dry eye and other ocular surface diseases. Because the lenses vault over the cornea, there is a space between the front surface of the cornea and the lens that functions as a constant tear reservoir. The reservoir continually bathes the eyes in tears, keeping them comfortably hydrated. Symptoms often associated with dry eyes — such as redness, discomfort and sensitivity to light — are often reduced with scleral lenses. Some dry eye patients have less need for artificial tears and enjoy a better quality of life, thanks to scleral lenses. Other Benefits of Scleral Lenses Comfort Scleral lenses rest gently on the sclera, which has fewer nerve endings than the cornea. For this reason, the lenses are generally more comfortable than standard lenses. Also, scleral lenses are made from a very breathable material that allows plenty of oxygen to permeate and reach the cornea. They are perfect for sensitive eyes. Customization Scleral lenses are highly customizable to accommodate nearly all degrees of corneal irregularity and eye shapes. Patients who had difficulty fitting into or wearing other types of contact lenses usually find that scleral lenses are the more suitable option. Stability Due to scleral lenses’ rigidity and size, they typically do not shift or move around in the eye very much. They tend to be more stable compared to other lenses and are less likely to accidentally fall out of the eye. Longevity Properly maintained lenses can last a very long time. Fitting Scleral Lenses The process of fitting scleral lenses is more specialized and time-consuming than the process of fitting standard contacts. Additional measuring and imaging instruments and devices may be necessary to find a great fit. The eye doctor may need to create a map of the cornea’s curvature to help guide the fitting. If you need scleral lenses, it is imperative that you find a team with the required training and experience that understands how much work goes into fitting and customizing the lenses.

  Link: Contact Lenses & Contact Lens Fittings/ Exams

• Eyelid Surgery / Blepharoplasty

  Vista Eye offers the state-of-the-art eyelid surgery to minimize the signs of aging around the eyes. Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a surgery that reshapes the upper eyelid and/or lower eyelid by the removal of excess tissue. It can reduce sagging or puffiness, folds, and under eye “bags” that create a tired or stressed appearance. Blepharoplasty may be recommended for you if your vision is impeded by skin hanging down around your eyes. With blepharoplasty surgery, Dr. Jani can remove the excess skin and underlying fat. The blepharoplasty procedure is performed by making small external incisions along the natural lines of the eyelids, such as the creases of the upper lids and below the lashes of the lower lids. The skin is then separated from the underlying fatty tissue. Finally excess fat and excess skin are removed and the incisions closed. The procedure typically takes 30 minutes to two hours and the initial recovery takes one to two weeks for the swelling and bruising to resolve, while final results can be seen after several weeks to a few months. Benefits of Blepharoplasty More than any other facial feature, the eyes have a tremendous impact on your appearance, and are often the first feature to show signs of aging. Vista Eye offers state-of-the-art eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, to minimize the signs of aging around the eyes. With blepharoplasty surgery, Dr. Jani can remove excess skin and fat that causes puffiness, droopiness and otherwise tired or sad-looking eyes. Eyelid surgery can also treat excess tissue folds that may droop over the upper lash line into the line of sight. This is a great option if your vision is impeded due to skin hanging down around your eyes. ARE YOU A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR EYELID SURGERY? Eyelid Surgery Fredericksburg, VAGenerally speaking, you may be a good candidate for blepharoplasty if you: Are bothered by puffy or saggy eyelids Have folds of skin that droop over the upper lash line Find your vision is impaired because your upper eyelids droop so low Have trouble wearing glasses or contact lenses because of excess eyelid tissue Have under-eye bags or puffiness that makes you look tired or stressed Dr. Jani will want to evaluate you in person to examine your eyelid anatomy and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for surgery. You should be in good health without any serious medical conditions that could affect your recovery from surgery, or any serious eye conditions that could jeopardize your surgery or outcomes. You should not smoke, or be able to quit several weeks before and after surgery. You should have realistic goals of treatment, which you can discuss at length with Dr. Jani during your consultation. WHAT HAPPENS DURING EYELID SURGERY? Blepharoplasty Culpeper, VAEyelid surgery is normally performed on an outpatient basis at a facility in Fredericksburg, so you can recover at home after the operation. Anesthesia will be used so you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. To begin, Dr. Jani will create the surgical incisions along the natural lines and creases of your eyelids, such as the creases of the upper eyelids or below the lashes of the lower eyelids. The incision pattern is designed so that any scarring will be concealed within the natural structures of the eyelids. Sometimes he uses the transconjunctival incision on the inside of the lower lid. Dr. Jani will then separate the skin from the underlying tissue and remove or reposition the tissue and fat as needed. He can also trim loose skin and tighten the remaining lid to create firmer and smoother eyelids. When he is finished, he closes the incisions with small sutures or stitches. The procedure typically takes 40 to 90 minutes. RECOVERING FROM EYELID SURGERY Initially after eyelid surgery, you can expect your eyes and eye area to be mildly swollen and bruised. Your eyelids may feel numb or tight. The majority of these side effects should subside within one to two weeks, at which point you can conceal any remaining bruising with makeup. Vista Eye will give you specific instructions on how to care for your eyelids as they heal. You may notice an improvement in your eyelids immediately after surgery, with the results continuing to improve over the next few weeks and months. Eyelid surgery will not stop the aging process, and the results will not last forever, but your eyes will feel and look younger.

  Link: Eyelid Surgery / Blepharoplasty

• Diabetic Eye Exam

  Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that weakens the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina (the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye where vision is focused). These weak vessels can leak, swell or develop thin branches, causing a loss of vision. Changes to your vision may not be noticeable at first. But in its advanced stages, the disease can cause blurred or cloudy vision, floaters and blind spots and eventually, blindness. This damage is irreversible. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye complication and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Macular edema, which is leaking fluid that causes blurred vision, often occurs with diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, diabetic retinopathy is preventable. Your risk is reduced if you follow your prescribed diet and medications, exercise regularly, control your blood pressure, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Regular eye exams are an integral part of making sure your eyes are healthy. Diabetic retinopathy can be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Although damage caused by diabetic retinopathy cannot be corrected, patients diagnosed with the condition can be treated to slow its progression and prevent further vision loss. Treatment modalities include laser, medications, and surgical procedures.

  Link: Diabetic Eye Exam

• Comprehensive Eye Exams

  Family Eye Care Exams Comprehensive eye exams are vital to maintaining optimal eye health. Regularly undergoing eye exams is crucial for detecting vision problems (e.g., nearsightedness, astigmatism) to determine if you may need glasses or contact lenses. They can also reveal eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration or glaucoma in their early stages when they are easier to treat. Additionally, eye exams are beneficial for your overall health, as they can sometimes offer early clues to health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain forms of cancer. The talented eye doctors at Vista Eye Specialists offer comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages. Our family eye care team can determine how often you should schedule your eye exams based off of a variety of factors, including your health, vision needs, age, and family history. What to Expect During Your Eye Exam During your eye exam, your doctor will ask you questions regarding your full medical history, including your eye health. You will also be asked to describe any vision problems you may be experiencing. Your eye exam will consist of a variety of eye tests to evaluate your eye health. You should plan on spending one to two hours at our office. Our doctors will determine the right tests for you based on your medical history and needs, so that we have a thorough and accurate evaluation of your eye health. Your eye exam may include any of the following tests: Retinoscopy – uses light reflexes from your eye to approximate your glasses or contact lens prescription. (Discussed in more detail below.) Refraction – fine-tunes your eyewear prescription by showing you a series of lens choices. This test helps determine your level of nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and/or presbyopia. (Discussed in more detail below.) Auto refraction – evaluates the way an image is focused on your retina (the back portion of the eye where vision processing takes place) by stabilizing your head on a chin rest while you look at a pinpoint of light or another image. Cover test – involves covering your eyes one at a time while you focus on a small object at a distance, so that the doctor can observe the movement of the eye. This test helps detect strabismus, poor depth perception, and other binocular vision problems. Slit lamp exam – examines the health of your eyes by allowing the doctor to get a highly magnified image of the structures of the eye in order to thoroughly evaluate them for signs of infection or disease. As you rest your head on a chin rest, the doctor shines a light at your eye and looks through an ocular microscope to examine each part of the eye, including the front structures (lids, cornea, conjunctiva, iris, etc.) and the inside of the eye (retina, optic nerve, macula, etc.). This test helps detect a whole range of eye conditions and diseases, including cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, corneal ulcers, diabetic eye disease and more. Glaucoma intraocular pressure measurement – determines your intraocular pressure. The doctor will anesthetize your eye with a yellow/green drop and then manually determine your intraocular pressure by using a blue light instrument near the front of each eye. Visual field test – detects blind spots in your peripheral vision. Blind spots can originate from eye diseases, like glaucoma, or develop from brain damage caused by stroke or tumor. Dilation – drops are used to make the pupils larger in order for the doctor to get a better view of the internal structures of the eye using a variety of instruments and lights. During this time, your eyes will be sensitive to light and you will have difficulty focusing on objects. Dilation takes about 20 minutes; however, the effects can last up to several hours. Therefore, sunglasses should be worn to minimize glare and light sensitivity on your way home. If you may feel uncomfortable driving after dilation, please bring a driver with you. Comprehensive Eye Exam Culpeper, VA Refraction is the manner in which light passes through the eye’s clear front covering (the cornea) and lens. A refractive error refers to a problem with the way light passes through the eye and focuses on the retina; these errors occur when the cornea or lens is not evenly or smoothly curved, preventing light from focusing directly on the retina. Nearsightedness occurs when light rays focus in front of the retina, causing close objects to appear clearly while faraway objects appear blurry. Farsightedness occurs when light rays focus behind the retina; faraway objects come into focus clearly but nearby images do not. Astigmatism occurs when light rays do not focus evenly on the retina, and both nearby and faraway images can appear blurry or distorted.

  Link: Comprehensive Eye Exams

• Dry Eye Treatment

  Dry Eye Syndrome (Keratitis Sicca) occurs when the eyes aren’t sufficiently moisturized, leading to itching, redness, and pain from dry spots on the surface of the eye. The eyes may become dry and irritated, characterized by a scratchy, gritty feeling, because the tear glands don’t produce enough tears or because the tears themselves have a chemical imbalance, which is caused by abnormal tear composition resulting in rapid evaporation or premature destruction of the tears. Your eyes require a constant layer of tears to lubricate, nourish, protect and cleanse your eyes. With chronic dry eye the underlying changes of the health of the tear-producing glands and their inability to produce the correct amount of tears results in a tear film that does not provide proper nourishment or protection. This may lead to the irritating symptoms of dry eye. Dry eyes can occur as a result of aging, environmental factors, medical conditions, or medication side effects. Dry eye is not only painful, but it can also damage the eye’s surface and impair vision. Fortunately, many treatment options are available. Non-surgical treatments for dry eye include increasing humidity at home or work and use of artificial tears or moisturizing ointment. Many individuals benefit topical drops that increase tear production from the surface glands on the eye. If these methods fail, our eye surgeon can insert small punctal plugs in the corners of the eyes to limit tear drainage or close the drainage tubes in the eyes in a simple office procedure. The plugs help retain tears and give many patients relief from the symptoms of dry eyes. In addition, eyelid surgery is also a solution if an eyelid condition is causing your dry eyes. Do You Have Dry Eye? Every time you blink, tears are spread across the front surface of the eye. Your eyes depend on a flow of tears to provide constant moisture and lubrication to maintain eye health and comfort. When the volume or consistency of the tear system becomes imbalanced, you might experience dry eyes. When tears do not adequately lubricate the eye, a person may endure: Sensitivity to light Blurred vision Burning sensation Discomfort in windy or dry conditions A gritty sensation Redness Eye Fatigue Although the symptoms often start as minor inconveniences, the effects of dry eye are progressive and can worsen over time, potentially leading to severe discomfort or blurred vision. Not Enough Tears? Tears are necessary for your overall eye health. Eye Care Test Fredericksburg, VADry Eye occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears properly or the tears evaporate too quickly. Without proper treatment, inadequate tear production can make daily activities frustrating, affecting your personal and professional life, from reading or watching TV, to driving or working on the computer. The most common form of Dry Eye is the Evaporative form, which affects 8 out of every 10 dry eye cases (86%). This indicates a shortage of oil on the surface of your tears, leading them to evaporate faster than normal. This shortage of tear oil is caused by a blockage in your eyelid (Meibomian) glands and is referred to as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD).

  Link: Dry Eye Treatment

• Pterygium Surgery

  Pterygium is a dense growth of tissue that grows across the cornea. Although the exact cause is unknown, it usually describes the condition of hazy vision and eye irritation usually caused by over-exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays or environmental irritants like dust and wind. When a pterygium is large, it can become inflamed and painful. It can also cause blurry vision because it interferes with the focusing ability of the eye. In extreme cases, the pterygium can grow completely across the front of the eyeball and lead to significant loss of vision. How Pterygium Surgery Works At Vista Eye, the removal of pterygium may be a simple, in-office procedure that only takes about 10 minutes to perform. The surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to help the patient remain comfortable throughout the procedure. The pterygium will be removed in a no-stitch surgical procedure, after which the patient may experience some redness and irritation. To soothe the discomfort, your eye surgeon will prescribe an antibiotic ointment and patch the eye, which should be worn overnight. The patient will be required to return to our office the day after his or her procedure for follow-up treatment. There is very little downtime associated with pterygium removal, with most patients able to return to work and normal activities the next day. Why Get Treatment If left untreated, the pterygium growth will most likely continue to the point that it will take over a significant part of the cornea, at which time the patient’s vision could be almost completely blocked. Success rates with pterygium removal are typically very high, although there is a chance the pterygium may grow back following removal. If you are suffering from redness, irritation and blurry vision and are unable to find relief from glasses, contacts and artificial tears, you may be a candidate for pterygium removal. GLAUCOMA TREATMENT Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. When the pressure inside the eye rises, the optic nerve is damaged. The optic nerve connects the eye to brain, so that this affects the transmission of information from your eyes to your brain, resulting in eventual vision loss. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain or other noticeable symptoms – so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed. If left untreated, glaucoma may cause irreversible optic nerve damage and blindness. There is no better reason to undergo regularly-scheduled, comprehensive eye exams. With annual eye exams, vision loss from glaucoma can be prevents. Visit our glaucoma page to learn more. MACULAR DEGENERATION TREATMENT Macular degeneration is a medical condition usually of older adults that results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina. The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our central vision is clear and sharp. The macula is used for reading, driving, recognizing faces, and watching television. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) occurs when the arteries that nourish the retina harden. Deprived of nutrients, the retinal tissues begins to weaken and die, causing vision loss. Patients may experience anything from a blurry, gray or distorted area to a blind spot in the center of their vision. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people over age 55. Macular degeneration doesn’t cause total blindness because it doesn’t affect the peripheral vision. Symptoms include a gradual loss of the ability to see objects clearly, a gradual loss of color vision, distorted or blurry vision, and dark/empty areas appearing in the center of your vision. Possible risk factors include genetics, age, diet, smoking and sunlight exposure. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss. Recent developments in ophthalmology allow doctors to treat many patients with early-stage ARMD with the help of lasers and medications.

  Link: Pterygium Surgery