GLAUCOMA PROCEDURES
Glaucoma results when fluid buildup in the eye causes an increase in intraocular pressure. The condition damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss and blindness without timely treatment. At Advanced Surgery Center in Creve Coeur, MO, our ophthalmologists perform glaucoma treatments to help patients manage their ocular health and preserve their vision.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE GLAUCOMA SURGERY (MIGS)
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, or MIGS, is a collection of innovative surgeries performed to treat mild to moderate cases of glaucoma. Our Creve Coeur ophthalmologists specialize in MIGS and utilize the most advanced technologies and techniques to perform these eye surgeries. MIGS is performed to help reduce pressure within the eye to help minimize or slow the progression of damage to the optic nerve. With MIGS, patients may experience less downtime, fewer complications, and a faster recovery.
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy
At Advanced Surgery Center, our ophthalmologists can perform a procedure known as a laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), which serves to create a new drainage canal within the eye through which build-up fluid can escape, thus relieving damaging levels of intraocular pressure caused by glaucoma. This procedure treats acute-angle closure glaucoma and narrow-angle closure glaucoma. If either of these conditions is a threat to your vision, schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists at our surgery center in Creve Coeur, MO, and find out if an LPI can help your vision health.
Trabeculectomy
A trabeculectomy may be performed with a traditional or laser surgical approach. During the procedure, our ophthalmologists will create a small flap in the outer layer of the eye (sclera). This produces a new drainage channel within the eye. The fluid then drains into a small pocket called a filtration bleb or blister, which is produced during the process. The bleb containing the fluid is then absorbed by the body, relieving intraocular pressure. Contact our team for more on how a trabeculectomy can help prevent further vision loss due to glaucoma.
ADVANCED GLAUCOMA PROCEDURES
When certain types of glaucoma (such as malignant glaucoma) develop, high-level treatments may be necessary to preserve a patient’s vision and eye health. Our board-certified ophthalmologists perform advanced procedures known as shunts or valves. With these procedures, a drainage filtering device is inserted to allow for fluid to drain lowering intraocular pressure.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) is used to lower intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma. SLT is sometimes recommended when eye drop medications are not lowering the eye pressure enough or are causing significant side effects.
CORNEA
The cornea allows light to enter the eye to aid in vision and to help the eye focus. When refractive errors (such as astigmatism) develop, cornea surgery may be needed to help improve a patient’s sight. The expert eye surgeons at Advanced Surgery Center provide highly specialized procedures to enhance the vision and quality of life for our patients.
REFRACTIVE PROCEDURES
Refractive errors affect the eye’s ability to bend and focus light, which can impair a patient’s vision in various ways. At Advanced Surgery Center, our Creve Coeur, MO eye surgeons perform refractive surgery to treat refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), presbyopia (age-related vision loss), or astigmatism, and improve visual acuity.
Refractive Lens Exchange
A refractive lens exchange (RLE) may be performed to replace the lens of the eye for the purpose of treating refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or age-related vision loss. The procedure is very similar to cataract surgery except that in the case of RLE, the lens is not being replaced due to cloudiness or opacity. Also referred to as clear lens exchange, this eye surgery involves removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens.
CATARACTS
Cataracts are common eye conditions that often occur with age. A cataract is the clouding of the lens within the eye, which can lead to dim or blurry vision and other symptoms that can impair a patient’s eyesight. Our skilled cataract surgeons in Creve Coeur, MO provide advanced treatment for cataracts using the latest technologies and techniques.
CATARACT Procedures
Cataract surgery is a procedure that removes a clouded natural lens within the eye and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). To perform this eye surgery, our ophthalmologists will determine the ideal intraocular lens focusing power. During the procedure, your surgeon will extract the clouded lens and insert the new IOL. Cataract procedures are very common and can help enhance both vision and quality of life for many patients.
ASTIGMATISM MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE
An Astigmatism Management Procedure or a Limbal Relaxing Incision (LRI) is a surgical technique performed to treat minor to moderate cases of astigmatism in the cornea. To carry out this procedure, our ophthalmologists relax the curvature of a steeply shaped cornea. This allows light to properly enter the eye, improving a patient’s vision. LRI’s may be performed during cataract surgery or to minimize the need for corrective eyewear or contact lenses due to astigmatism.
LASER CATARACT PROCEDURES
At Advanced Surgery Center, we offer laser cataract procedures to remove cloudy or foggy natural lenses within the eyes. During a procedure, our ophthalmologists use a computer-controlled laser to precisely identify the location of the cataract. The laser softens the cloudy lens to allow for easier removal. With a laser approach, cataract surgery is completed using precision technologies. A premium intraocular lens is then inserted to replace the natural lens and correct refractive errors.
PREMIUM INTRAOCULAR LENSES
Premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) are lenses inserted to replace the eye's natural, clouded lens during cataract surgery. Premium IOLs can also treat other vision concerns, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia. At Advanced Surgery Center of St.Louis, we offer multiple biocompatible premium IOLs to suit your vision needs. During your consultation for cataract surgery, we will select the best lens for your needs. For more information about our available lenses, contact our center in Creve Coeur, MO to speak to an ophthalmologist.
Laser Capsulotomy
Laser Capsulotomy is a procedure to help you see clearly if your vision becomes cloudy again after cataract surgery. This can occur weeks, months or years following your procedure. When you have cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist removes your eye's cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Sometimes, this capsule can become cloudy or wrinkled, causing blurry vision again, and a laser capsulotomy may be recommended to correct that cloudiness and restore clear vision.
OCULOPLASTICS
Oculoplastic surgery blends ophthalmology, reconstructive surgery, and plastic surgery to enhance the function and aesthetics of the eye. Our oculoplastic surgeons in Creve Coeur, MO specialize in procedures involving the eyelids and other delicate facial structures surrounding the eyes to improve vision, ocular health, and cosmetic appeal.
EYELID PROCEDURES
Eyelid procedures at Advanced Surgery Center are tailored to meet the individual needs and goals of our patients. Eye conditions that may impair vision, including ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid) and eyelid growths, may be improved with oculoplastic surgery. This surgical approach may also be recommended for lower eyelid conditions, such as entropion (when the lower eyelid turns inward) and ectropion (when the lower eyelid turns outward), or similar conditions that cause eye discomfort.
EYELID LIFT
Eyelid lifts, also called blepharoplasty, can help the eyes appear more alert and may contribute to a younger-looking appearance. Patients who are unhappy with the look of drooping eyelids or undereye bags may be ideal candidates for an eyelid lift. In some cases, blepharoplasty may be performed to improve vision, such as when drooping eyelids interfere with a person’s field of vision. During an eyelid lift, our Creve Coeur, MO oculoplastic surgeons expertly removed excess fat, skin, or muscle tissue from the upper or lower eyelid area for a tighter, more youthful result.
LASER
Laser eye surgery at Advanced Surgery Center offers an innovative, minimally invasive approach to treating certain types of eye conditions and diseases. With laser eye procedures, patients often experience enhanced treatment precision, less downtime, and a faster recovery period, among other benefits.
Laser Floater Treatment
Vitreous floaters are dark spots, lines, or circles that may occur in a person’s field of vision. Comprised of vitreous gel or clumps of cells, eye floaters often develop due to a condition called posterior vitreous detachment. If floaters become problematic, our Creve Coeur ophthalmologists may use a laser to break up the floaters and decrease their presence in the eye. In some cases, a vitrectomy may be the best course of care, which involves the surgical removal and replacement of the vitreous humor.