The physicians at Hillsboro Eye Clinic, P.C. are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for our patients through the most up to date care.

Some of the procedures and services we provide are:

Comprehensive Eye Exams

At Hillsboro Eye Clinic, we are equipped with the latest technology in diagnostic and examination equipment. This allows us to provide our patients with the most thorough, comprehensive eye examinations available.

Routine eye exams are very important to monitor the health of your eyes, as well as to determine your need for glasses. Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma, have no early warnings and can only be detected with a thorough eye exam. This is why it is important to have your eyes examined every 1 – 2 years.

Depending on your medical status and your chief complaint, your eyes may be dilated. If they are dilated, your eyes may be sensitive to light and your near vision may be blurry for about 3 – 4 hours. It is a good idea to bring sunglasses with you or we can provide you with complimentary disposable ones if needed. Also, we recommend that you bring someone with you who can drive you home after the exam. Please bring any prescription glasses, such as computer and reading glasses with you.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens called an IOL.

We perform a minimally invasive, small-incision, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification ("phaco") surgery. First, the eye is numbed with anesthesia. Then a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces.

Crystalens®

Crystalens® is a new cataract replacement lens (IOL) that works naturally with muscles in the eye to retain the eye’s ability to "accommodate" – shift focus between nearby and distant objects – after cataract surgery. With other IOLs, patients lose this ability and require corrective measures such as glasses or contact lenses.

Unlike rigid lenses, the flexible silicone Crystalens® features hinges that allow it to move with the eye’s muscles and accommodate seamlessly, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for vision correction.

The Crystalens® is implanted using the same, nearly risk-free cataract surgery techniques as with other IOLs.

Most people with cataracts or who have had corneal refractive surgery and retained good eye health are acceptable candidates for Crystalens® implantation, but those who have already had cataract surgery are not. People with eye health problems such as chronic infections or diabetes should check with their doctors about eligibility.

ReSTOR® Lens

For years, patients who underwent cataract surgery had to wear glasses or contact lenses afterwards to see clearly. The newly developed ReSTOR® lens has overcome this problem, allowing patients to see better than ever before -- without the help of corrective eyewear. Using apodization, diffraction and refraction technologies, the ReSTOR lens improves upon ordinary replacement lenses (IOLs) by providing comprehensive focusing capabilities so patients can see clearly in a range of lighting conditions and at all distances -- at noon or midnight, nearby or far away, and many distances in between. Up to 80% of patients who use the ReSTOR® lens don't need to rely on glasses or contact lenses after surgery.

ReZoom™ Lens

The ReZoom™ multifocal IOL helps patients focus clearly on objects at a range of distances and in varied light conditions. Featuring a patented lens design called Balanced View Optics™ Technology, the ReZoom lens has five spherical segments with smooth transitions in between so the eyes focus seamlessly from one distance to the next. The center of the lens is optimized for bright light and distance vision, while the fourth zone supports near-vision in a variety of light conditions, and the outermost zone accommodates for low-light distance vision (such as when driving at night). The ReZoom is also specially designed to reduce internal reflections and minimize glare.

If you have been diagnosed as having cataracts and are experiencing one or more of the following vision problems, you may be a candidate for the ReZoom™ multifocal IOL:

• Difficulty reading
• Difficulty seeing close objects
• Difficulty driving, especially at night
• Frequent changes in glasses prescription
• Need for bifocals

For more information about different IOL lens options, please click here »

Glaucoma Surgery

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) rises dangerously high, damaging the optic nerve and causing vision loss. In a healthy eye, fluid is produced in the ciliary body, enters the eye, and then drains through tiny passages called the trabecular meshwork. In people with glaucoma, these passages become blocked and intraocular pressure rises.

Some cases of glaucoma can be treated with medications. For others, laser or traditional surgery is required to lower eye pressure. Common surgeries include:

• Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) – For patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. A small hole is made in the iris to increase the angle between the iris and cornea and encourage fluid drainage.
  
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) – For patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The trabecular passages are opened to increase fluid drainage. ALT is effective in about 75% of patients, and SLT may be repeated.
  
• Nd:YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (YAG CP) – For patients with severe glaucoma damage who have not been helped with other surgeries. The ciliary body that produces intraocular fluid is destroyed.
  
• Filtering Microsurgery (Trabeculectomy) – For patients who have not been helped with laser surgery or medications. A new drainage passage is created by cutting a small hole in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and creating a collection pouch between the sclera and conjunctiva (the outer covering of the eye).
  
• Tube Shunt Surgery – May be recommended for patients with neovascular glaucoma,  failed trabeculectomy, or susceptibility to developing scar tissue. A thin, flexible tube (a shunt) with a silicone pouch is inserted in the eye to facilitate drainage.

Macular Degeneration Treatment

Macular degeneration is often called age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. It is the #1 cause of severe vision loss in people over 50. It is the deterioration or breakdown of the macula. The macula is a small area in the retina at the back of the eye that allows you to see fine details clearly and perform activities such as reading and driving. When the macula doesn't function correctly, blurriness, dark areas, or distortion can affect your central vision. Macular degeneration affects your ability to see near and far, and can make some activities, like threading a needle or reading, difficult or impossible. It can cause different symptoms in different people and in the early stages, macular degeneration is barely noticeable, and can affect only one eye.

There are two main types of macular degeneration. The dry form tends to progress slowly but can result in significant loss of vision. Vitamin supplements may be helpful in slowing down the progression of the dry form. The wet form is the more devastating, more rapidly progressing form. Laser treatment and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) have been shown to be beneficial in select patients. Two new medications have become available in the last year that has offered new hope. They are Avastin and Lucentis. Both drugs are injected into the eye. For the first time we have a treatment that can not only stabilize vision in patients, but can actually improve vision in a significant number of people. At Hillsboro Eye Clinic we offer these new treatments in our office. Other options available in order to maintain a satisfying lifestyle include the prescription of optical devices. Since macular degeneration usually does not affect side vision, the remaining sight can be useful. There are support services and rehabilitation programs available as well.

For more information about Macular Degeneration, please click here »

For additional information, visit:

• EyeMDLink.com

Retinal Tear & Detachment

The vitreous is a clear liquid that fills our eyes and gives them shape. When we are young, the vitreous has a thick, gelatinous consistency and is firmly attached to the retina. As we age, the vitreous thins and separates from the retina. Although this usually results in nothing more than a few harmless floaters, tension from the detached vitreous can sometimes tear the retina.

If liquid seeps through the tear and collects behind the retina or between its nerve layers, the retinal tear can become a retinal detachment. Retinal detachment can cause significant, permanent vision loss and requires immediate medical treatment.

There are three kinds of retinal detachment. The most common form, described above, occurs when fluid leaks into the retina; people who are nearsighted or who have had an injury or eye surgery are most susceptible. Less frequently, friction between the retina and vitreous or scar tissue pulls the retina loose, something that occurs most often in patients with diabetes. Third, disease-related swelling or bleeding under the retina can push it away from the eye wall.

Eyelid Surgery

Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is designed to remove excess skin and fat from the upper and lower eyelids. The procedure can correct drooping upper lids that tend to sag with time and the puffy bags below the eyes. The procedure usually takes about 1 hour and can be performed in the office using local anesthesia. Stitches can be removed after one week. Blepharoplasty can be done as a single procedure, or in conjunction with other facial surgery such as a brow lift.