Blog, Lasik Blog, Our Blog, Filutowski Blog

BLOG: WHAT ARE VITREOUS FLOATERS?

Written by Dr. Rima Klimas, Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute
Posted August, 2011

“I see spots, bugs, spider webs etc. in my vision” Most of the time those spots or bugs are just floaters. Floaters are small specks or particles within the vitreous, which is the clear jelly like substance that gives the eye its shape. Since they are inside the eye they move when your eye moves. If you try to look at them they will move and seem to fly away. They are more noticeable when you look at a light background and what you are actually seeing is the shadow from the specks cast on your retina.

Vitreous floaters are considered a normal part of aging. They are due to the fact that the vitreous shrinks and becomes less jelly like over time and more liquid. What you are left with is debris or tiny specks of tissue that look like dots, webs or strings in your vision. While these spots may be annoying they are usually not harmful. They usually fade over time and become less bothersome.

While most spots or floaters are not harmful, sometimes they could indicate a more serious retinal problem such as a retinal tear or retinal detachment. If you notice a sudden increase in the number or floaters, flashes of light or a portion of your vision is missing then you need to see your eye doctor right away. Retinal tears or retinal detachments are emergencies that need to be treated immediately to prevent loss of vision.

Your doctor at the Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute can examine your eyes if you notice any changes in your floaters and determine if they are the normal, harmless floaters or a symptom of a more serious problem that requires immediate treatment.

Rima Klimas, OD, Board Certified Optometrist
Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute

Blog, LASIK in Orlando, Vitreous Floaters Blog

BLOG: IS EVERYONE A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?

Written by Dr. Angela Dempsey, Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute
Posted July, 2011

Good News!! Most people do qualify! Over two million people have already had LASIK. If you ask your friends and co-workers, you may be surprised how many people you know that have already had the procedure. Of course, at the Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute, we carefully check your eyes to make sure that LASIK is right for you. You need to be at least 18 years old, have a stable prescription, healthy eyes and have a prescription in the range of treatment. Most people fit into this group, but if not, we usually have other great option.

LASIK is not the only way to become free of glasses or contacts. We offer other refractive procedures that can provide vision freedom. We use lens implants that can be placed in the eyes to accomplish essentially what LASIK does – no more glasses. The beauty of these lens implants is that, unlike contact lenses, they don’t need to be changed all the time. You don’t have to take them out at night. These lenses are called Implantable Contact Lenses, or ICL. Our patients who have had ICL's are thrilled with their new vision.

We also offer a procedure called Refractive Lens Exchange. This procedure is much like cataract surgery, where the natural lens of the eye is exchanged for a custom lens implant. So, when LASIK is not the best option for you, we most likely have other procedures to improve your vision!

The only way to know what procedure is right for you is to see one of our eye doctor. We will do a comprehensive set of specialized tests, an eye exam and talk to you about what will work best for your eyes. Our friendly LASIK Counselors and Physicians look forward to seeing you to answer all your questions.

Angela Dempsey, MD, Diplomate of American Board of Ophthalmology
Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute

Blog, LASIK Eye Surgery in Orlando, Filutowski Eye Blog

BLOG: I WEAR MY SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT!

Written by Dr. Charles Paglia, Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute
Posted June, 2011

"I wear my Sunglasses at night!” Maybe a nice thought for 80’s rock stars but not such a great idea in reality. Patients frequently ask about wearing sunglasses to help with the glare of night driving. Sunglasses, even those with lightly tinted yellow and amber lenses, are designed to reduce the amount of light entering the eye and to increase contrast. Neither is a good idea for driving at night. The use of your best prescription, perhaps with an anti-glare treatment, would be your best bet.

Sunglasses should be the rule, however, for daytime use, especially here in sunny Florida. Lenses are available in a variety of colors ranging from neutral gray and brown, to green, blues and even amber lenses for improved contrast. Color choice is a purely personal decision; choose the lens color that you find most comfortable and appealing. The use of anti-reflective coatings, on both the inner and outer surface may help to reduce glare. Ultraviolet protection is a must. Most well made sunglasses will offer protection from both UV-A and UV-B. Ultraviolet light exposure has been blamed for development of Cataracts, Age Related Macular Degeneration as well as several other retinal conditions.

While the color decision may be difficult, the choice of Polarized lenses should easy. Except in a rare circumstances, most people find polarized lenses to be more comfortable and to produce sharper vision. These lenses selectively filter out reflected light. They add contrast and texture that is typically not seen with non-polarized lenses. Test to see if your lenses are polarized by holding two pairs of sunglasses lens to lens and rotating one pair relative to the second. If both lenses are polarized, the view through the lenses will turn dark.

When selecting sunglasses, give some thought to the size of the lens. Small lenses may be stylish, but can allow sunlight to escape around the lens and can sometimes seem worse than no sunglasses. Larger lenses, those that completely cover the eye, tend to be more functional. When shopping for sunglasses, take them outside to be sure they block bright overhead sunlight. Tall temples or side shields can block light entering from the peripheral vision.

Whatever you choose, big or small, orange or purple, leave ‘em off at night. Most local optical shops and eye doctors, including Filutowski Cataract and Lasik Institute, will carry a selection of high quality sunglasses. Check with your eye doctor for their suggestions.

Charles F. Paglia, OD, Board Certified Optometric Physician
Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute