Carter Eye Center in Dallas, Texas - Main blog

Wavefront mapping is a vision diagnosis technology that makes it possible for Dr. Carter to customize your laser eye surgery more precisely than was previously possible. The Wavefront technology precisely measures and records the unique imperfections of your eyes and creates a 3D map for each eye. Dr. Carter use the recorded data and maps to plan your vision correction treatment. LASIK performed after a Wavefront diagnosis is known as custom LASIK.

How does Wavefront Mapping Work?

Wavefront mapping can detect and measure vision defects 25 times more precisely than other standard methods. To create a Wavefront map for each of your eyes, a safe and painless beam of light is passed through each eye. It travels through to the retina and then reflects back to the Wavefront system.

The Wavefront system captures and measures the changes that your eyes made to the light beam. A perfect eye would make no changes, but no person has a perfect eye. Each human eye has microscopic aberrations in its contours which create a curved formation to the front of the light beam.

These curved formations are known as Higher Order Aberrations and were not corrected by early LASIK procedures, done before Wavefront technology was developed. They mostly relate to night vision and so far about 60 have been discovered and recorded. There are just three Lower Order Aberrations: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

After a Wavefront LASIK sensor identifies, measures, and maps your eye’s aberrations (both lower and higher), computer software converts the data into a mathematic formula. This formula becomes the treatment instructions for the laser Dr. Carter uses to conduct your custom LASIK procedure.

To better understand the process or to schedule an appointment for Custom LASIK, please contact LASIK surgeon Dr. Carter today. Our office serves Dallas, Texas.

Cataracts are a change in the eye’s lens, where it becomes so cloudy that it impairs your vision. Cataracts happen as we age and there is no proven way to prevent them or to reverse the damage once it has begun.

Cataracts can also be caused by problems such as diabetes, eye trauma, certain drugs, or prolonged sunlight exposure. In these situations, some precautions can sometimes prevent cataracts from forming:

1. If you are diabetic, keep your blood sugar and diabetes under control.
2. Pay close attention to the side effects of drugs such as steroids and psoriasis medications. Prolonged use or high doses can cause cataracts over time.
3. Protect your eyes from ultraviolet light. It is as harmful to your eyes as it is to your skin.
4. Be sure to have antioxidants in your diet and/or as a supplement. Vitamins such as beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E have been shown to slow the development of cataracts.
5. Protect your eyes from any type of injury. Trauma to the eyes can cause a cataract almost immediately, so it is important to wear safety glasses when necessary.

Preliminary studies have also indicated that vigorous exercise or caffeine intake to prohibit free radicals (unstable and damaging molecules) may be helpful in preventing cataracts. Still, the best way to care for your eye health and prevent vision loss from cataracts is to educate yourself and to have regular eye exams.

Our team is available to answer any questions you may have about eye health and disease prevention. If you'd like to have a more in-depth discussion about your own case, please call or email eye surgeon Dr. Carter for a free personal consultation.

For a diabetic, eye care is very important to preserve vision. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin, a hormone which helps in digesting sugar, or cannot use it effectively. When the blood sugar level is too high, it can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy.

The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop retinopathy. The eye’s blood vessels become fragile and start to leak. This gives blurry vision. It also impairs blood flow in the eye tissues and the lack of oxygen causes new blood vessels to develop. These new blood vessels are also fragile, and also leak and can cause scar tissue. The retina may be pulled away from the back of the eye (retinal detachment). Left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Anyone with diabetes could potentially develop diabetic retinopathy. Patients may not initially notice vision changes, but it can later lead to an extremely dangerous form of the disease and cause blindness.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Those with diabetes don't typically develop diabetic retinopathy until they have had diabetes for at least 10 years. A change in blood-sugar levels also increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina which causes them to leak fluid or bleed. This leads to swelling, formation of deposits in the retina, and impaired vision.

Dr. Carter recommends that anyone diagnosed with diabetes have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

Prevention

You can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by taking proper care of yourself.
• Keep your blood sugar under control
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor your blood pressure
• See a doctor regularly

Treatment

The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 95 percent of those with diabetic retinopathy can avoid vision loss if they are well-monitored and treated early. A laser can be used to seal off leaking blood vessels and destroy new growth. While this treatment has proven successful, Dr. Carter stresses the importance of regular eye exams for any patient with diabetes.

If you are diabetic and have more questions or need to schedule an eye exam, please contact our diabetic eye care office today. We serve the Dallas, Texas area.

Complications associated with intraocular lenses and implantation surgery occur in less than 5 percent of cases, but some IOL risks do exist. Dr. Carter will examine your eyes and carefully review your medical history to determine if you are a good IOL candidate. If you are eligible, the final decision on whether to have IOL surgery is yours. IOLs can correct the vision problems of cataracts and presbyopia.

Intraocular Lens Risks
The most common IOL risk is minor infection. This is generally caught early and managed effectively with antibiotics. Other complications are possible but not necessarily severe.

• Corneal Edema: Swelling in the cornea affects most IOL patients after surgery. If the cornea was healthy before your surgery, the edema should clear up on its own within a day or two. If it persists for longer, Dr. Carter can provide treatment and medications.
• Increased Intraocular Pressure: A spike in intraocular pressure is fairly common following an IOL procedure. One cause is temporarily retained viscoelastic – a jelly-like substance used to facilitate placement and positioning of the IOL. The thick consistency of viscoelastic can inhibit draining of your eye's aqueous fluid, causing intraocular inflammation. Topical medications clear up the problem in most cases.
• Leakage: Wound leaks can cause serious complications if left without treatment. With leakage, the interior of your eye becomes exposed to infectious agents. If a leak is discovered, a bandage contact lens is placed over the eye and will usually slow the leak to allow natural healing.
• Retinal Detachment: During IOL surgery, a retinal tear can cause ocular fluid to seep behind the retina and lead to retinal detachment. Patients with retinal detachment are most often referred to a retinal specialist.

Please call or email eye surgeon Dr. Carter if you would like a free personal consultation and more information about the IOL procedure.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that destroys vision by damaging the optic nerve. If left untreated, it causes blindness. Prevention and early detection are the best measures against glaucoma, and being aware of your risk factors is important.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:
• Previous Injury or Surgery -- Eye injuries can damage the eye leading to difficulty with fluid drainage. Complications from eye surgery can also lead to glaucoma.
• Family History – Your risk of getting glaucoma is increased if someone in your family has the disease, because it may be inherited.
• High Blood Pressure – Some studies show that having high blood pressure increases the risk of glaucoma.
• Diabetes – Some studies show that diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma.
• Hypothyroidism – Hypothyroidism (reduced production of thyroid hormones) has been identified as a possible glaucoma risk factor.
• Obesity – Obesity and metabolic problems have been linked to an increased risk for glaucoma.
• Thin Corneas – Clinical trials have discovered that patients with thinner corneas (the clear structure at the front of the eye) are at a higher risk.
• Refractive Issues – Being nearsighted increases the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma. Being farsighted increases the risk for closed-angle glaucoma.
• Race – Open-angle glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness for people who have Black, Hispanic, Eskimo or Asian backgrounds.
• Age – The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that the risk of getting glaucoma increases after age 50.

Dr. Carter will take the necessary time to discuss your concerns and answer questions you may have. If you are in the Dallas, Texas area, please contact glaucoma specialist Dr. Carter to set up your free vision consultation.

If you are not ready to have a vision correction procedure at this time, there are extensive optical services available to meet your needs. Purchasing a quality pair of glasses is not always an easy decision. Options for selecting eyewear include:

Thinner/Lighter Lenses
Two options for crafting thinner and lighter lenses are:
• Polycarbonate -- aside from its thinner and lighter qualities, polycarbonate is also the most impact-resistant lens material.
• Hi-index material – may be thinner than polycarbonate material and may also offer better optics for you.

Multifocal Lenses
Individuals requiring bifocal or trifocal lenses must decide whether to have a line or no line visible on the lens. A no-line bifocal gradually increases magnification as one looks down the lens. A lined bifocal provides a clearly marked section of the lower portion of the lens with no gradual increase.

Transitions® Lenses
Transitions® lenses darken in sunlight and lighten indoors. They are available in polycarbonate or hi-index material, with gray or brown tint. Transitions lenses are a great alternative for patients interested in having prescription sunglasses.

Anti-Reflective Coatings
Glass, plastic, polycarbonate and hi-index lenses all benefit from anti-reflective coating. This is a hard coating applied to both sides of a lens to help eliminate reflections, such as those caused by computer monitors or oncoming car headlights.

To learn more about your optical choices, please contact eye surgeon Dr. Carter today for a free personal consultation. Our office is in Dallas, Texas.

Your eyes are one of the first facial areas to show signs of aging. Bags under the eyes and sagging upper eyelids can be corrected with a cosmetic eyelid surgery called blepharoplasty. A Carter Eye Center surgeon uses this fairly simple cosmetic procedure to refresh the appearance of your face and help you to look years younger.

What is Blepharoplasty?

Cosmetic eyelid surgery dramatically improves the look of tired or drooping eyes. A Carter Eye Center surgeon will surgically remove excess skin and pockets of fat from the upper and lower eyelids. In some cases, patients may combine blepharoplasty with other treatments, such as a browlift to raise drooping eyebrows, or BOTOX® injections to treat crow’s feet and frown lines.

Who is Eligible for Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty may a good option if you are in good physical health and have realistic expectations about the outcome. Many people who choose to have eyelid surgery are over 35, but those who have inherited droopy eyelids can have the procedure at an earlier age. If drooping lids are obstructing your vision, a Carter Eye Center surgeon can use blepharoplasty to remedy that problem.

You may not be eligible for blepharoplasty if you suffer from: high blood pressure, diabetes, insufficient tear production, circulatory disorders or cardiovascular disease.

Risks and Benefits

Blepharoplasty brings the same risks as all other surgeries, of excess bleeding, blood clots and infection. But when performed by an experienced and highly-qualified surgeon like a Carter Eye Center surgeon, who is specifically an eye surgeon, the risk level is extremely low. You can lower it even further by following a Carter Eye Center surgeon’s directions exactly, both before and after your surgery.

The benefits are having a younger and more alert appearance of the eyes and perhaps vision improvement also, if you have very droopy eyelids obscuring part of your visual field. The results of eyelid surgery are typically long-lasting.

The decision to undergo any type of cosmetic surgery should be made only after you have all questions answered and concerns addressed. The doctors at Carter Eye Center will gladly help you make an informed decision.

To learn more about eyelid surgery and to discover whether you would be a good candidate for it, please contact the eye surgeons at Carter Eye Center in Dallas, Texas