Cataract

Often compared to looking through a frosty windshield, a cataract clouds the normally clear lens of the eye, causing blurred or "foggy" vision. At Fox Valley Ophthalmology we can diagnose both the presence and extent of a cataract and make recommendations for the appropriate timing of effective treatment.

See American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons at www.ascrs.org

Laser Surgery

By emitting a narrow, uniform beam of light projected through a microscope, a laser is able to coagulate, cut, or dissolve certain eye tissue. Because of its many advantages including precision, safety, and lower costs, laser surgery is often used to treat such eye diseases as: glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, as well as retinal tears.

See American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.eyenet.org

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which fluid within the eye does not drain adequately. The result may be a gradual or sudden build-up of fluid pressure within the eye, causing damage to the optic nerve, and loss of sight. Treatment for glaucoma may be medical or surgical, as fluid pressure may be controlled with medication in some patients, but may require surgery in others.

Because glaucoma often presents with no symptoms, we routinely examine and test our patients for any indication of increased fluid pressure within the eye. Although glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, with prompt diagnosis, careful monitoring and treatment, vision loss due to glaucoma is largely preventable.

We offer the newest technology in diagnosing glaucoma at the earliest stages. The GDX nerve fiber analyzer. The GDX exam creates a color-coded 3-dimensional thickness map of the optic nerve to help detect thinning of the optic nerve from glaucoma. This data along with the standard pressure check (tonometry) and visual field testing (perimetry) helps diagnose and treat glaucoma.

See
Glaucoma Research Foundation at www.glaucoma.org
National Eye Institute at www.nei.nih.gov
Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org
GDX nerve fiber analyzer at www.laserdiagnostic.com/education
or call
The Glaucoma Foundation at 1-800-Glaucoma
The Glaucoma Research Foundation at 1-800-826-6693

Macular Degeneration

Although it does not lead to blindness, macular degeneration can severely limit a patient's ability to see fine detail or read. To date, no cure has been found but in some cases that are diagnosed early, laser treatment may be effective. In most instances, magnifiers and other low vision aids are helpful to patients suffering from macular degeneration. At Fox Valley Ophthalmology, our doctors carefully track research being conducted to find new methods of treatment for this disease.

See
Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org
American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.eyenet.org
Illinois Association of Ophthalmology at www.MidwestEyeMD.org

Retinal Care

The retina of the eye is comparable to the film of a camera. It requires specialized care to maintain the health and treat disease or injury. Fox Valley Ophthalmology offers the services of a fellowship-trained retinologist by appointment weekly in our St. Charles office.

Diabetic Retinopathy

A major cause of blindness, diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and can be present with no noticeable symptoms. The best protection for diabetics, therefore, is to be aware of the risks, and have regular examinations and appropriate treatment by an ophthalmologist. In some cases, diabetes and other diseases may be detected through routine eye examinations of apparently healthy individuals.

See
American Diabetes Foundation
National Eye Institute at www.nei.nih.gov
or call American Diabetes Association information Action Line at 1-800-DIABETES

Low Vision Services

Services with a goal of helping our partially sighted patients adjust to necessary lifestyle changes; Fox Valley Ophthalmology provides special low vision services and training. Working with our optometrists and low vision counselor, patients are introduced to such low vision aids as: Adaptable TV monitors, glare-control filters, check-writing guides, talking clocks, large print games and books, high-contrast sunshields, special lighting, and books on tape. In addition, the counselor refers patients to appropriate support groups, and is available to help patients learn new ways of doing things and maximize use of their remaining vision.

See Prevent Blindness America at www.preventblindness.org

Special Surgical Procedures

• Correction of Eyelid Droop (Blepharoplasty)
  Improves appearance and vision; drooping of the upper eyelids - which results from the aging process or injury - may give patients a tired appearance and may limit their field of vision. A reconstructive surgical procedure called blepharoplasty, corrects the droop by removing excess skin and fatty tissue. This procedure may not only improve your appearance, changing the way the world sees you ... it may also improve your vision, changing the way you see the world.

• Corrective Muscle Surgery
  Muscles attached to each eye control movement of the eye as well as the normal alignment needed for good vision. Imbalance or weakness of any of these muscles may impair vision by causing the eye to turn in or out. Surgery to reposition the affected muscles can be highly effective in restoring normal binocular vision in children.
  
  
• No-Stitch Cataract Surgery
  Thanks to advanced technology and training, we are now able to remove cataracts by making a tiny incision through which we dissolve the cataract with ultrasound waves (not laser). By keeping the incision so small, healing time tends to be shortened, and allows us to close the incision with a single stitch, and in some cases, no stitch at all. Patients usually go home within a few hours and can resume most normal activity within several days.