Cataract Surgery, Glaucoma Treatment, and More in Monterey and Salinas

In addition to laser vision correction such as Wavefront™ LASIK and PRK refractive surgery, Monterey County Eye Associates also provides a number of other general eye care services, including treatment for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract surgery. Our Monterey and Salinas offices also are equipped to perform general eye exams and cosmetic eyelid and eyebrow procedures. This wide range of services reflects our belief that your eyes should look and feel their best at every stage of your life.

Cataracts and Presbyopia

As you age, your eyes will likely develop one or both of the most common age-related vision problems: presbyopia and cataracts. Though they are unpreventable, both issues can be treated effectively and quickly. Cataract surgery, a procedure which our practice in Salinas and Monterey performs frequently, is often covered by medical insurance.

What are cataracts?

The eye's natural lens is transparent and focuses images in the same way as the lens of a camera. As the lens ages or becomes affected by conditions such as diabetes and smoking, the lens becomes cloudy. This cloudiness is called a cataract, and surgery may be required to correct it. A cataract may form over a period of years without causing pain or a change in your appearance to others. You may notice early on that driving at night becomes difficult due to glare; with time the developing cataract will reduce your vision, causing objects to become hazy or blurry.

Unfortunately, no medication or diet will make the lens transparent again. The only way to treat a cataract is to use surgery to remove the lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens. With rare exceptions, an intraocular lens will last a lifetime.

ReSTOR® Intraocular Lenses

Every year, more than 1.5 million Americans have cataract surgery with placement of an intraocular lens (IOL). This form of cataract surgery is relatively painless and performed on average in 15 to 20 minutes' time. During this procedure, an ophthalmologist at our clinic will remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with an intraocular lens. The incision for an IOL is a bit smaller than the width of your pinky finger; in most cases, it does not require any stitches. Only local anesthesia is necessary, though general sedation may be an option for those suffering from nervousness.

Doctors Husted, Rosenblum, and Penrose prefer using the ReSTOR® intraocular lens due to their focusing capabilities. After receiving ReSTOR® implants, four out of five cataract surgery patients report that they do not have to use glasses for either near or distance vision. The remaining patients generally find a greatly reduced dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Anyone with cataracts, whether they also have presbyopia or not, may be a good candidate for cataract surgery. Your doctor will help you decide if the procedure is right for you based on the facts of your individual case.

For more information on ReSTOR® IOLs, schedule an appointment at Monterey Bay Eye Center. A consultation with one of our cataract surgery specialists in Monterey or Salinas will help you decide what course of action to take.

What is Presbyopia?

Presbyopia refers to the gradual loss of near vision that you experience as you age. Unlike myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, which are related to the size and shape of the eye, presbyopia occurs when the natural lens inside the eye loses elasticity and thus its ability to quickly focus at different distances. Thus, corneal treatments such as PRK refractive surgery cannot remedy presbyopia.

To adjust for this loss of near vision, most people wear reading glasses or bifocals. For people who have detail-oriented or especially active jobs or hobbies, glasses may not be the best answer. The most recent development in presbyopia treatment is implantation of intraocular lenses, or IOLs.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a progressive disease that, if left untreated, will cause blindness. It is estimated that more than 3 million Americans are affected by glaucoma; because most glaucoma is painless and early visual changes occur in the peripheral vision, many do not realize they have this condition until their sight has deteriorated significantly.

The most common form of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, develops when increased pressure within the eye detrimentally affects the optic nerve, leading to damage over time. The relatively higher pressure is created when excessive fluid, called aqueous humor, builds up in the eye. The reason for the buildup is thought to be due to decreased outflow through the natural drain of the eye.

Early glaucoma diagnosis is vital to prevent loss of vision. If you have glaucoma, your best hope of care depends on treatment from an experienced doctor who can measure the pressure in your eyes and observe subtle changes during an exam. Also, instruments with advanced technology can be of great benefit by further showing abnormalities in the fibers of the optic nerve and by measuring peripheral vision defects that might go unnoticed during your normal daily activities. We detect glaucoma in our Monterey and Salinas facilities using the latest technology in automated perimetry (which measures your peripheral vision) and ocular coherence tomography (which measures ultrafine detail of the nerve fibers that form the optic nerve.)

Glaucoma Treatment

There are three common treatments for glaucoma. The first line of therapy is the application of medicated eye drops, intended to lower the pressure in the eye. Another effective treatment is a laser procedure which serves to more effectively open the drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. Our surgeons use the latest laser technology, known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). This glaucoma treatment can be conveniently performed in the comfort of our offices in Salinas or Monterey and usually takes just a few minutes. If these first two treatments fail to lower the eye's pressure, the third treatment option may be required. This is an outpatient surgery that Doctors Husted, Rosenblum, and Penrose have been well-trained to perform; indeed, they use it to treat glaucoma on a regular basis.

It is essential for everyone, especially those over the age of 40 or those who have had relatives suffer from glaucoma, to have regular glaucoma screenings. If you live in Salinas, Monterey, or the surrounding areas and fit these criteria, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with us today.

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Cosmetic Procedures

In addition to treating medical eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, our doctors also offer cosmetic treatments at our offices in Salinas and Monterey, including blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) and BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Blepharoplasty

For most people, aging causes the thin, delicate skin of the eyelid to lose elasticity over time; this eventually causes a tired, sagging, or droopy appearance in the eyes. In many cases, an eyelid lift, called blepharoplasty, is an excellent way to rejuvenate the face’s appearance and regain a more alert, youthful look.

Some people experience so much drooping that the excess skin covers part of their eyes, reducing vision quality. For these patients, blepharoplasty is more a medical necessity than cosmetic choice. Many elderly people who think that their vision is deteriorating due to age or cataract development find that eyelid surgery restores their visual quality as well as their self-confidence.

Surgery usually takes about one to two hours, during which the doctor will create incisions along the natural crease of the eye and remove excess fat and skin. If the lower eye is being treated as well, the incision may be located inside the eyelid, eliminating visible scars. Recovery lasts 10 to 14 days, after which you’ll be ready to go back to work and pursue your normal activities.

BOTOX® Cosmetic

Do your friends and family members ever ask you why you are so angry, even if you’re not? Do you feel that you look older than you really are because of deep wrinkles in your forehead and brow? BOTOX® Cosmetic is a proven treatment that helps many people to look younger and more relaxed.

Getting BOTOX® injections is easier than you might imagine. The doctor uses a very fine needle to place BOTOX® Cosmetic into the affected muscles. You will not require anesthesia, but if your skin is very sensitive, you may request a topical anesthesia cream to minimize the “prick” of the needle.

Depending on the amount and severity of your wrinkles, you may see results in just a few days. Wrinkles will continue to smooth out over the next month; you will find that repeat treatment is necessary about every four months. If you are interested in either BOTOX® Cosmetic injections or blepharoplasty surgery, contact Monterey Bay Eye Center today.

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Our Surgical Facilities

Monterey Bay Eye Center is able to provide excellent cataract surgery and other advanced procedures thanks in large part to the quality of our surgical facilities in Monterey and Salinas. We strive to combine patient comfort and high tech equipment, including the VISX® laser we use for LASIK surgery, at optimal levels without sacrificing one for the other. No matter which of our three locations you come to, you can count on experiencing the benefits of a first rate facility.

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Comprehensive Exams

The best way to keep your vision clear and your eyes healthy is to receive regular comprehensive eye examinations. At Monterey Bay Eye Center, our caring staff and doctors can accommodate all your vision needs, from prescription measurements to glaucoma testing, diabetic screening to prevent retinopathy, and more. After getting your eyes checked, you can browse through our selection of designer glasses frames in the optical center to find a pair that fits your unique style and personality.

Contact Us: Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment and More in Monterey and Salinas

As you can see, our practice is equipped to handle virtually any ailment of the eyes. We can help you whether you need cosmetic procedures, treatment for glaucoma, or cataract surgery. Contact us in Monterey or Salinas to schedule an appointment with a skilled ophthalmologist at your preferred location.

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