Mountain View Medical Center

Dry eyes are a common eye condition causing discomfort and potential vision loss. Tears normally keep our eyes moist, but some people can't produce enough tears, leading to inflammation and damage. Symptoms include stinging, burning, itching, light sensitivity, mucus, redness, a feeling of something in the eyes, difficulty wearing contact lenses, eye strain, or blurred vision. Dry eyes may seem a minor annoyance, but if untreated, they worsen over time. Severe cases can lead to conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, keratitis, difficulty reading or driving, and trouble wearing contact lenses.

Mountain View Medical Center specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye conditions, employing various commonly used treatment options:

Eyelid Cleansers

Cleansers maintain clean eyelids and clear meibomian glands by removing oil, debris, and contaminants from the eyelid area.

Meibomian Gland Expression

The doctor manually expresses upper and lower meibomian glands after thermal heating, preventing clogging and clearing blocked glands.

LipiFlow

Using a special device, the eye care professional applies gentle heat to your lids, improving eye oil quality and opening meibomian glands. The procedure takes place with a specially designed eyecup.

iLux

Using a handheld device, the doctor heats and presses eyelids, opening blocked meibomian glands. The device features a smart tip for targeted treatment while protecting the eye’s surface.

BlephEx Treatment

A painless in-office procedure that removes bacteria and toxins from lash margins. The optometrist uses a micro-sponge to exfoliate eyelids. This process usually takes just a few minutes.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)

IPL therapy combats gland dysfunction, reduces Demodex mites, and fights inflammation. Treatment involves applying light pulses to the eyelids, with multiple sessions scheduled a month apart.

Interested in more? Schedule an appointment with Mountain View Medical Center to identify the cause of your dry eyes, assess tear production, and receive proper management through the use of advanced dry eye technology that address both symptoms and underlying causes.

LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, stands out as an advanced surgical procedure for correcting common vision issues. Employing a precise laser, LASIK reshapes the cornea, enhancing the way light enters the eye. This outpatient procedure - offered by Mountain View Medical Center in Fairbanks - is recognized for its efficacy and swift recovery. Other refractive surgery options include procedures like photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), and implantable lenses (distinct from LASIK).

LASIK is particularly beneficial for correcting nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea to refine visual focus. While LASIK primarily tackles refractive errors, it doesn't address eye diseases and is not a remedy for conditions like glaucoma or cataracts. Nevertheless, it stands as an excellent choice for those seeking liberation from glasses or contacts. LASIK caters to individuals aiming to diminish or eliminate reliance on corrective lenses for everyday tasks. It presents a durable solution for those with consistent vision prescriptions.

Optometrists (ODs) can guide you through the assessment and post-surgery phases, referring you to specialists when necessary. LASIK surgeries, on the other hand, are carried out by licensed ophthalmologists (MDs) who leverage their expertise to ensure precision and safety throughout the procedure. Reach out to Mountain View Medical Center, who provides LASIK surgery services, to assess your suitability for the procedure and discuss your specific vision correction needs.

Advanced digital eye exams haved pushed optometry into a new era of precision and insight, offering an in-depth evaluation of your ocular health beyond the possibilities of conventional visual acuity assessments. These exams empower eye care professionals to proactively address ocular diseases and maintain optimal vision. Digital non-invasive diagnostic methods and technologies include:

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) employs low-coherence interferometry to capture cross-sectional images of the retina with remarkable precision. By utilizing light waves, OCT creates detailed three-dimensional maps, enabling your eye doc to delve into microscopic layers of the retina, optic nerve, and other vital structures of your eye. These unparalleled imaging capabilities make it possible for detecting and monitoring a spectrum of conditions. From macular degeneration to glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, OCT facilitates early intervention and personalized treatment strategies.

Corneal topography also plays a key role in optimizing contact lenses by providing detailed insights into the cornea's shape and structure. This information ensures a tailored approach to contact lens fitting, leading to enhanced comfort and visual performance for individuals wearing contact lenses.

Visual Field Testing

Mapping out a patient's peripheral vision is part of a comprehensive assessment for early detection of conditions like glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and neurological disorders. This digitized approach enhances reproducibility, offering eye care professionals a robust tool for the early detection and management of peripheral vision anomalies.

Corneal Topography

Corneal Topography is another cornerstone of advanced digital diagnostics. It creates detailed 3D maps of the cornea's surface, enabling eye care professionals to diagnose conditions such as astigmatism and keratoconus with unparalleled accuracy.

Wavefront Analysis

Wavefront Analysis evaluates how light traverses through through your eye. The test identifies aberrations that extend beyond traditional refractive errors, ensuring a tailored approach to addressing higher-order aberrations. It plays a crucial role in customizing vision correction procedures like LASIK, optimizing not just visual acuity but also contrast sensitivity and night vision.

Curious about how advanced digital eye exams can benefit your vision? Call Mountain View Medical Center in Fairbanks for additional information and to schedule an appointment.