Cataract
|
New Cataract Lens Technology | Vitreo-Retinal | Oculoplastic |
|
 Do you have poor night vision, suffer from blurred vision, or have difficulty watching television? If these symptoms are interfering with your daily life, you might be developing cataracts. The only method to treat a cataract problem is through surgery. If you are experiencing symptoms common to cataracts, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center offers an effective and innovative solution, SELF-SEALING CATARACT SURGERY. 
Dr. E. Ronald Salvitti has been perfecting this advanced technique
for over sixteen years. What is Self-Sealing Cataract Surgery? In
essence, the procedure is Small Incision Cataract Surgery, a common
and proven cataract surgery technique.In Small Incision surgery, the clouded natural lens is removed by inserting a tiny ultrasonic probe through a small incision in the eye. The ultrasound breaks up the lens, the pieces are then removed, and a special lens implant is inserted, restoring normal vision. One stitch closes the incision. In Self-Sealing Cataract Surgery, there is no stitch! How is this possible? Dr. Salvitti makes his incision further away from the cornea, reducing the possibility of astigmatism (distortion of the cornea causing blurred vision), and allowing the eye's lid to completely cover and protect the incision after surgery. The eyelid acts as a natural bandage! With no stitches, there is less chance of blurred vision, and no worry about potential irritation from the stitch or the concern of having the stitch removed or cut after surgery. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center offers a full service, state licensed surgery center, along with the latest technology and a fully trained support staff, which includes registered nurses and anesthesiologists for your surgical needs. For more information, call the Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center at 724-228-2982 and consult with the area's finest cataract surgeon.
|
|
|
CATARACT SURGERY? YOU MAY BE ABLE TO CHOOSE LIFE WITHOUT READING GLASSES OR BIFOCALS. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens, located behind the iris (or colored part of the eye) works just like the lens of a camera - focusing light images on the retina, which sends the images to your brain.The human lens, made mostly of protein and water, can become clouded - so clouded it keeps light and images from reaching the retina. Eye injury, certain diseases, or even some medications can cause the clouding. But, in over 90% of cases, clouding is caused by the aging process. A cataract is not a "film" over the eye, and neither diet nor lasers will make it go away. The best way to treat a cataract is to remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial lens (IOL). The time to have your cataracts removed is when the quality of your vision begins to put limits on your activities and enjoyment of life. The good news is that you've encountered cataracts at a time when intraocular lens technology has taken a giant leap forward. No longer is the objective simply to restore your distance vision with a conventional, single vision intraocular lens. Today, the goal is to enhance your vision with an intraocular lens implant that may provide you with a full range of vision, thus minimizing your dependence on glasses, including reading glasses or bifocals. Several new lenses have been approved by the FDA for implantation after a cataract has been removed including the ReSTOR lens, the Crystalens and the REZOOM lens. Depending on your activities and expectations, one of these lenses might be the right choice for you. After the new technology lens implant, most patients reported that they never wear glasses for any activities. They can read a book, see their cell phone, work on the computer, drive a car - day or night - and play golf or tennis with an increased freedom from glasses. Medicare now gives you a choice. Under the old rule, surgeons weren't permitted to charge Medicare patients for the difference between the costs of a conventional cataract surgery, which uses the monofocal lens. Now, Medicare patients willing to pay the difference can receive one of the new lenses. Please ask one of our physicians if the new technology IOL is right for you.
|
|
 For problems involving the vitreous and retina, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center has a dedicated professional staff. Thierry C. Verstraeten, M.D. is a specialist in vitreoretinal diseases, and performs various procedures at the eye center.  What are some specific
vitreoretinal problems? The most serious one is a detached retina.
Retinal detachments will affect one of every 10,000 Americans annually.
How do you know if you are that one? Most eye problems usually occur
in middle-aged or older adults but a person of any age can be at risk.
Myopia or nearsightedness is also a risk factor. Most retinal problems
manifest in floating black spots known as floaters. Though, some people
may see sudden flashes of light which could indicate substantial detachment
or separation of the vitreous (clear, jelly-like substance that fills
the middle of the eye) and tears in the retina.How are vitreoretinal problems corrected? The normal treatments include laser photocoagulation (an outpatient treatment where laser light is used to seal small retinal tears with no surgical incision), freezing (a procedure requiring local anesthesia where the back wall of the eye behind the retinal tear is frozen to stimulate scar formation), and surgical repair. Surgeries vary depending on the extent of the damage. The good news is that over 90% of all retinal detachments can be successfully treated through these modern technical procedures. Laser photocoagulation is used to seal leaky or bleeding blood vessels in diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration. Dr. Verstraeten can also perform vitrectomy surgery, where the cloudy vitreous is removed because of a hemorrhage (as in diabetic retinopathy) as well as scar tissue that might pull on the retina. The surgery takes one hour depending on the severity of the problem. There may be some discomfort after the procedure, but surgery does improve and stabilize vision. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center offers a full service, state licensed surgery center, along with the latest technology and a fully trained support staff, which includes registered nurses and an anesthesiologist for your surgical needs. For more information, call the Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center at 724-228-2982 and consult with the area's finest doctors and surgeons.
|
|
  For diagnosis and management
of a variety of neurologic eye conditions, (including dysfunction
of the optic nerve, the eye muscles and the eyelid) visit
Randall Beatty, MD
a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty
training in Neuro-ophthalmology, orbital disease, and ophthalmic plastic
reconstruction. Dr. Beatty is particularly interested in the treatment
of Grave's disease, a thyroid condition that affects the eye, but
also manages orbital fractures, tumors, inflammations, and other common
abnormalities.As an ophthalmic plastic reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Beatty provides surgical correction for a variety of conditions and has performed over 1000 blepharoplasties (eye lifts). Dr. Beatty is active in academic medicine, training fellows at Allegheny General Hospital and has lectured both nationally and internationally. Her co-authored book, The Practical Diagnosis and Management of Orbital Disease, is available online from Butterworth-Heineman publishers. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center offers a full service, state licensed surgery center, along with the latest technology and a fully trained support staff, which includes registered nurses and anesthesiologists for your surgical needs. For more information, call the Southwestern Pennsylvania Eye Center at 724-228-2982 and consult with the area's finest surgeons.
|
The Southwestern Pennsylvania
Eye Surgery Center opened in 1988 with E. Ronald Salvitti, M.D.
serving as Medical Director. This fully accredited, state-licensed
facility offers Cataract, LASIK, Vitreo-Retinal, and Oculoplastic
surgeries on an outpatient basis. A surgery, depending on the scope
and nature, can take anywhere from ten minutes to two hours. The
center is equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology. However,
the equipment only tells part of the story. The center is staffed
with some of the region's finest surgeons and a highly skilled,
dedicated group of support personnel including registered nurses
and anesthesiologists. The center is supported by a full service
recovery room for complete postoperative care. While the patient
is being well cared for, the families and loved ones are not ignored.
The unique and relaxing waiting room allows visitors to watch the
surgery through a viewing window, with close-up views on overhead
monitors. Not only can those close to the patient be comforted with
the knowledge that their loved one's are getting the best care possible,
but they can actually watch the procedure taking place!