Glaucoma Awareness Month - Interesting Facts

Specialty Eye Institute New Corporate Office Location with Ribbon Cutting

Bart Hawley interviews Drs. Kevin Lavery and Paul Ernest about the decision to move the Specialty Eye Institute Corporate Office to Jackson from Ann Arbor.

Dr. Ernests appears on Take 5 Talk Show in Grand Rapids

Dr. Ernest discusses the LenSx laser for cataract surgery.

Specialty Eye Institute Physician First in Michigan to use iStent Technology

Eye surgeon Kevin Lavery, MD, of Specialty Eye Institute, announced that he is now providing the iStent® Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent as a treatment option to reduce eye pressure for patients with both cataracts and glaucoma. Dr. Lavery is the first surgeon in Michigan to perform surgery using the iStent® technology. This technology will be a great benefit to patients in the Jackson, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo SEI offices.

The iStent® is FDA-approved for use in conjunction with cataract surgery to reduce eye pressure in adult patients with mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma currently being treated with glaucoma medicine.  In clinical trials, iStent® has been shown to safely reduce eye pressure, which is the primary cause of open-angle glaucoma.  “This is exciting news for people who have both cataract and glaucoma,” says Dr. Lavery.   

The eye drops used to treat glaucoma can be difficult to administer and expensive.  With iStent®, many patients will need less medicine to control their eye pressure and some may not need prescription eye drops at all. “When pressure in the eye is out of control, it can increase the risk of permanent vision loss.  I consider iStent® an important advancement in protecting against vision loss for my glaucoma patients,” adds Dr. Lavery.  

iStent®, is the smallest medical devise ever approved by the FDA, and is placed in a patient’s eye during cataract surgery.  Dr. Lavery went on to say, “It is so small, you are unable to see or feel it after the procedure is done.  Although you won’t even know iStent®, is there, it will be working to help reduce your eye pressure.”  

This iStent® technology is another “first” for Specialty Eye Institute.  In 2011, SEI surgeons were the first in Michigan to obtain the LenSx® laser, the first FDA approved laser for use inside the eye.  LenSx® provides cataracts patients with individualized treatment, as well as a more precise surgical outcome, and improved healing time.  

Specialty Eye Institute offers comprehensive eye care services in 10 locations throughout Michigan and Ohio. Treatments include diseases of the eye, cataracts, corneal disease, glaucoma, dry eye, macular degeneration, diabetic eye care, blepharoplasty, and laser vision correction. For more information about Specialty Eye Institute, or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-877-852-8463 or visit www.specialtyeyeinstitute.com. 

Webinar - Why Choose LenSx for Cataract Sugery

Join one of our eye surgeons for a free, no obligation webinar to learn more about how LenSx® can provide you with customized vision with cataract surgery.

Each webinar will cover the following topics and provide a time for you to ask questions directly to the eye surgeon at no cost.

• How a cataract affects vision
• The difference between LenSx® and traditional cataract surgery 
• The benefits of LenSx® laser
• Choosing the lens option for customized vision
• General insurance goverage and out-of-pocket costs

Register Now for an Upcoming Webinar with Live Q&A! 

Firework Safety Tips - Protecting Your Vision

Thousands of firework-related injuries occur every year during June and July. With eye injuries accounting for 17% of those injuries in 2011 make sure you protect your vision this holiday.  With the fourth of July just days away, here are some firework facts and safety tips. 

Find a fireworks show in your area

Does Poor Vision Impact Quality of Life

A cataract can cause sharp images to become blurred and bright images to become dull. It can also contribute to difficulty with night driving. When sight is compromised – your quality of life is compromised. Each year, nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older are affected by cataracts and seek some form of treatment.
The best option for correcting cataracts is surgery. But not just any cataract surgery – The LenSx® laser is the first FDA-approved laser for use inside the eye. This sophisticated piece of equipment, which makes cataract surgery safer, is the most precise and the most effective for the majority of patients. Specialty Eye Institute is the first in Michigan to offer their patients this advanced treatment. The precision of the laser allows patients to have customized vision with multifocal lenses. Patients can now choose to have vision for distance, intermediate, and near without glasses.
Read the Full Article published in the June issue of the Jackson Magazine