Eye Guy News

Corneal Cross-Linking

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a minimally invasive procedure for treating keratoconus. Keratoconus is a condition that occurs when the cornea begins to bulge outwards, affecting the ability to see clearly.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is applied to the cornea during corneal cross-linking. After being applied to the cornea as a special solution, the cornea is exposed to ultraviolet light.

Riboflavin helps strengthen the cornea by creating new crosslinks between collagen fibers. Collagen helps build and strengthen the cornea, which keeps it from bulging out more. 

The collagen crosslinks also prevent vision from becoming more distorted. Corneal cross-linking makes the cornea more stable and improves visual function in patients with keratoconus. Using corneal cross-linking can help stop the progression of keratoconus but cannot reverse its effects.

EVO – For Patients Told They Are NOT LASIK Candidates

The leading refractive surgeons at The Eye Guys are proud to announce an exciting vision correction alternative for patients who have been told they are NOT a candidate for LASIK or are extremely NEARsighted.

This revolutionary new lens-based procedure is so proven that actor and entertainer, Joe Jonas (Jonas Brothers), chose the EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure to replace his prescription glasses & contacts.

The EVO ICL is an artificial lens that is implanted inside the eye that can removed in the future if necessary. It corrects a wide range of nearsightedness and Astigmatism and is quickly becoming the procedure of choice for certain patients who are frustrated with high amounts of nearsightedness and/or astigmatism and may be experiencing dry eye syndrome.

Eye Guys can now treat your astigmatism during the time of cataract surgery

Eye Guys can now treat astigmatism with our LenSx Femtosecond laser during cataract surgery. Using the LenSx Femtosecond laser is the most precise and accurate method of treating astigmatism and our preferred astigmatism treatment method, depending on the severity of astigmatism.

Although approved by Medicare, it is not a fully covered procedure. LenSx femtosecond lasers provide patients with computer-controlled precision while automating some of the most challenging steps of traditional cataract procedures.

The femtosecond laser replaces traditional hand-held blades to optimize all incisions for enhanced, reproducible surgical results. The Eye Guys are proud to bring this revolutionary technology to the CSRA to benefit our patients.

We are pleased to be the first practice in Augusta to offer patients the benefits of laser cataract surgery. We believe in providing our patients with the latest technology for vision correction and are now using the latest evolution of femtosecond laser technology in cataract surgery.

Eye Guys Introduce the U.S.A.’s first FDA-Approved Trifocal Cataract Lens Implant

The Eye Guys of Augusta, Georgia are proud to introduce the next-generation in cataract lens implant design to the CSRA. The AcrySof IQ Panoptix Trifocal Lens (IOL) is the first trifocal cataract lens approved by the Food & Drug Administration for U.S. patients undergoing cataract surgery. It delivers an exceptional combination of near, intermediate and distance vision to patients while significantly reducing the need for prescription glasses after surgery.

The Panoptix IOL is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a wide range of lighting conditions. This lens uses ENLIGHTEN Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision.

Eye Guys Perform the First Contoura Vision LASIK Procedure In The CSRA

The Eye Guys are proud to be the FIRST & ONLY practice in the CSRA to offer patients the benefits of Contoura Vision LASIK, a next-generation LASIK procedure that can help take your vision BEYOND glasses & contacts…and possibly even BEYOND 20/20.

Developed by ALCON, Contoura Vision takes the already proven results of LASIK to the NEXT LEVEL. Contoura Vision is a topography-guided method of LASIK that integrates an imaging device called a Topolyzer to map the unique topography of the surface of your cornea sampling approximately 22,000 points. Contoura Vision uses this information to smooth out any irregularities on your cornea.

Eye Guys Open New Practice In Aiken, SC and Welcome Georgia native James C. Lockwood, MD

The Eye Guys are proud to welcome Dr. James C. Lockwood who will direct patient services at our new office in the Aiken Community. Dr. Lockwood received his degree from Emory University School of Medicine and specializes in the latest breakthroughs in Ophthalmology, including Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery and LASIK Laser Vision Correction.

He is now accepting patients in our Aiken office located at 792 Silver Bluff Road, Aiken, SC 29803. Call 803-642-9902 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lockwood.

Eye Guys Trip to Honduras

Introducing the Centurion Vision System for Advanced Cataract Surgery

The Eye Guys of Augusta, Georgia have taken cataract surgery to the next level with the new Centurion Vision System. The Centurion system is the newest and most advanced technology available in ultrasound cataract removal systems.

The new cataract phacoemulsification system will benefit patients with added safety, improved comfort, and rapid vision correction. We are both excited and proud to offer this state-of-the-art technology to our patients.

The Eye Guys Are First In The Country To Receive World’s Fastest Next-Generation LASIK Technology

January 22, 2014 – AUGUSTA, GA… The world’s fastest and most precise refractive laser suite, designed specifically for LASIK, arrives this week at the new state-of-the-art Laser Center at The Eye Physicians & Surgeons of Augusta (The Eye Guys). According to leading eye surgeon Bradley A. Bertram, M.D., “The new Wavelight Refractive Suite is truly the ‘Next Generation’ in LASIK technology.”

“With most LASIK treatment times under 10 seconds, this breakthrough laser technology is taking the popular LASIK procedure to the next level in terms of safety, precision, accuracy and results,” Dr. Bertram pointed out. “Faster treatment times enhance the visual recovery process and improve outcomes because there is less trauma to the eye.”

The Eye Guys are the first group of ophthalmologists in the country to receive the Wavelight Refractive Suite that features WaveNet technology. “My partners and I are obviously extremely proud to be the first and only practice in the entire country to offer the benefits of this advanced technology to our patients,” Dr. Bertram said.The Wavelight® Refractive Suite is the only Excimer laser system designed specifically for LASIK. It includes the all-new Wavelight® EX500 Excimer laser (used during the second step of the LASIK procedure), in combination with the Wavelight® FS200 femtosecond laser (utilized in the first step).

“As refractive surgeons, we are always researching ways to improve refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism,” said eye surgeon Herbert P. Fechter, M.D. “This new Wavelight Refractive LASIK Suite has a higher degree of safety and accuracy allowing us to further fine tune surgical treatment plans for each of our patients.” He added that “higher laser speeds result in faster treatment times and less time that the patient needs to be in surgery.”

“The EX500 Excimer laser uses the largest true optical treatment zone in the LASIK industry,” said Beau Gardner, M.D.“These larger treatment zones – along with the use of Perfect Pulse Technology – allow us to optimize the result of each patient.”The Wavelight Refractive Suite has many advanced safety features built into this laser, including the ability to instantaneously check the thickness of the cornea immediately before and after the treatment, a feature only available on this laser. “This is the greatest advancement for LASIK in the ophthalmic industry in a decade, and we are proud to be the only practice in Augusta that offers this advanced technology,” Dr. Gardner said.

The Wavelight EX500 Excimer laser is the most advanced in the line of the ultra-fast flying spot lasers. Current laser technology has a treatment speed of 6-20 pulses per second. The Wavelight EX500 laser has a treatment speed of 500 pulses per second, making it the fastest in the world, and up to 80 times faster than other technology available today. These high speeds of correction lead to less patient fatigue, improved patient comfort, and less incidence of corneal drying. This results in more precise outcomes.

To go along with the speed of the treatment, the Wavelight EX500 is also equipped with the fastest multi-dimensional tracker in the world. “Our new eye-tracking technology is able to track eye movement at an amazing 1,050 times per second,” said Bruce A. Brown, M.D. “This is ten times faster than the human eye is capable of moving,” he said, adding, “this advanced tracking insures the most precise delivery of treatment and perfectly complements the speed of the laser.This allows our surgeons to ensure the laser spots are placed exactly where they need to be.”

To compliment the world’s fastest Excimer laser, the Wavelight FS200 femtosecond laser is designed to deliver highly precise and predictable outcomes.“We’re now able to create a custom flap to the specific needs of a patient in approximately 6 seconds,” said Ryan Smith, MD.“A flap created with the WaveLight FS200 heals more securely than a flap created by the traditional microkeratome blade, which is still used by some LASIK providers, resulting in a flap that is stronger and more resistant to injury,” he said.

The Wavelight Refractive Suite is a major advancement in LASIK. The speed, accuracy and safety allows The Eye Guys the ability to expand treatment capabilities, enhancement current treatments, broaden the range of correction and provide the ultimate in safety and outcomes to all patients in the greater Augusta and surrounding areas.

The Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Augusta – The Eye Guys – Conveniently located at 1330 Interstate Parkway, off Wheeler Road, just south of the Wheeler Road I-20 interchange, the two-story building includes modern, fully-equipped examination suites for evaluation and treatment of both routine and complex eye problems.

Dr. Herbert Fechter receives award at AAO meeting again.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology Board of Trustees presented Dr. Herbert Fechter with an Achievement Award at the AAO meeting in Orlando in October, 2011. The award was to recognize “many years of distinguished service in the programs of this society.” The program is designed to recognize individuals for their contributions to the Annual Meeting’s scientific program. Dr. Fechter’s contributions included teaching instructional courses, proctoring Breakfast with the Experts, lecturing at Subspecialty Day, and creating surgical videos. This is the seventh consecutive year that Dr. Fechter has been honored with a “top 10%” designation, and will be recognized at the annual meeting in Chicago, Illinois on November 11, 2012. The Eye Guys are very fortunate to have Dr. Fechter lending his expertise at our facility!

Do You Know How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes?

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin in amounts sufficient to control blood-sugar levels. There are three types of diabetes: type1, type 2, and gestational, which may develop when a woman is pregnant:

• Type 1: Usually diagnosed in children and young adults and previously known as juvenile diabetes. In this form, the body does not produce insulin.
• Type 2:The most common form of diabetes. Either the body does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells ignore the insulin.
• Gestational:Blood-sugar levels (glucose) become elevated during pregnancy in women who have never had diabetes before. Gestational diabetes starts when the mother’s body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs during pregnancy.

People with any type of diabetes can develop hyperglycemia, which is an excess of blood sugar, or serum glucose. Although glucose is a vital source of energy for the body’s cells, a chronic elevation of serum glucose causes damage throughout the body, including the small blood vessels in the eyes. As a result, if you have diabetes, you run the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, in which damage occurs to the delicate blood vessels inside the retina at the back of the eye. You are also at increased risk for developing cataracts (clouding of the normally clear lens in the eye), or glaucoma (a disease that results in damage to the optic nerve).

More than 24 million Americans have diabetes and the number is growing, but only half of them get the recommended annual dilated eye exam. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults, but 90 percent of vision loss can be prevented. An annual dilated eye exam can help prevent vision loss in people with diabetes.

This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart™ campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).

To schedule an appointment, please call (706) 651-2020 or toll free (800) 521-6049.

Eye Physicians & Surgeons of Augusta, P.C. Among First in Nation to Offer New Cataract Removal Treatment

The LenSx laser used at our practice provides our patients with computer-controlled precision for their cataract surgery. It automates some of the most challenging steps of refractive cataract surgery. This femtosecond laser replaces the traditional hand-held blade to optimize all incisions for enhanced, reproducible surgical results.

In traditional non-laser basic cataract surgery, the surgeon makes incisions and removes the cataract using surgical instruments and blades. However, during laser cataract surgery, several of the most critical steps of the surgical process are performed using an image-guided femtosecond laser. The Eye Guys are proud to bring this revolutionary technology to the CSRA for the benefit of our patients.

Here at The Eye Guys, we are pleased to be the first practice in Augusta to offer patients the benefits of laser cataract surgery. We believe in providing our patients with the latest technology for vision correction and are now using the latest evolution of femtosecond laser technology in cataract surgery.