We provide comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages. Our services include not only small-incision cataract surgery and refractive surgery & LASIK but also treatments for a range of conditions such as glaucoma, the diabetic eye, dry eye and macular degeneration.

Regular eye exams are an invaluable tool in maintaining your eyes' health by detecting and preventing disease. Some diseases develop slowly without causing pain or vision loss. Early detection of any problems can reduce the risk of further harm and allow for a choice of treatment options.

Along with cataract surgery, you now have options available to you to surgically enhance your vision. It’s not just about LASIK anymore. Whether you choose Multifocal, Monofocal, or Toric Lenses, an LRI, or LASIK your surgeon can help you decide which procedure is right for your lifestyle.

A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear lens which is located
directly behind the pupil in the eye. Vision loss from cataracts can often
be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses. For people who
are significantly affected by cataracts, lens removal may be the preferred
method of treatment.

Dr. Brear performs a minimally invasive, no-stitch cataract surgery called
phacoemulsification surgery. A small ultrasonic probe is inserted into the
eye which pulverizes or emulsifies the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and
gently sucks, or aspirates, those pieces out of the eye. To make your
procedure as painless as possible, anesthesia is a combination of topical
along with IV sedation.

With the recent advance of affordable IOLs, artificial lenses can be implanted through the same small incision that is created in the phaco
procedure. These IOLs are made of a flexible material, allowing them to be
folded for implantation. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds and returns
to its original shape.

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Many people who are tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses seek the help of refractive surgeons to improve their vision. Refractive surgery improves vision by correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. A high percentage of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or better after their procedure.

Common refractive procedures include LASIK and refractive lensectomy (clear lens replacement or CLR).

LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. During the procedure, Dr. Brear creates a thin flap on the cornea using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser. This flap is then lifted, and an excimer laser reshapes corneal tissue to alter the way light enters the eye. The flap is then replaced. The entire procedure takes only 15-30 minutes per eye. Recovery time is also short, and improvement in vision can be seen within a day. Vision often continues to improve and stabilize for a few weeks.

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Glaucoma is the term for when the pressure inside the eye rises high enough to damage the optic nerve. The condition often develops over many years without causing pain – so you may not experience vision loss until the disease has progressed. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, and vision lost to it cannot be restored. Left untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness. For these reasons, regular eye exams and early detection are critical.

Most 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)
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
• Nd:YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (YAG CP)
• Filtering Microsurgery (Trabeculectomy)
• Tube Shunt Surgery

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Patients with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. These and other serious conditions often develop without vision loss or pain, so significant damage may be done to the eyes by the time the patient notices any symptoms. For this reason it is very important for diabetic patients to have their eyes examined once a year. Diagnosing and treating eye disease early can prevent vision loss. It is also important to maintain a steady blood-sugar level, take prescribed medications, follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and avoid smoking.

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Dry eye can make a person's eyes dry, red, or irritated. In addition to being uncomfortable, it can damage the eye's tissues and impair vision.

People usually begin experiencing dry eye symptoms as they age, but the condition can also result from eyelid or blinking problems, certain medications, environment, injury, and various health problems. The eyes may become dry and irritated because the tear ducts don't produce enough tears, or because the tears themselves have a chemical imbalance.

Non-surgical treatments include blinking exercises, increasing humidity at home or work, and use of artificial tears or moisturizing ointment. If these methods fail, small plugs may be inserted in the corners of the eyes to limit tear drainage, or the drainage tubes in the eyes may be surgically closed.

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The macula is a part of the retina in the back of the eye that ensures that our vision is clear and sharp. Macular degeneration occurs when the macula degrades or "degenerates," causing a progressive loss of vision. It is the number-one cause of blindness in the United States.

There are two kinds of macular degeneration: "wet" and "dry." The "wet" form can be treated if caught in its early stages. Regular eye exams are highly recommended to detect macular degeneration early and prevent permanent vision loss.

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