AMD Awareness: Understanding Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans over age 50, affecting about 2.1 million people nationwide. Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preventing vision loss.

People with early stage AMD may not notice much change in their vision. There may be some blurriness that might improve in brighter light. As AMD worsens people find it harder to see faces or words in a book. During late stage AMD, you may notice that straight lines appear crooked or wavy and more of their central vision is lost.

At CarlinVision, our physicians can diagnose you with AMD by performing a comprehensive dilated eye examination. During the exam, drops are placed in your eyes to widen the pupils. Our doctors will examine your eyes to see if there is any damage at the retina. They may also have you take a look at an Amsler grid. People with normal vision will see straight black lines with a dot in the center, but those with AMD may see wavy or blurry lines and some dark spots in the middle. Ask for an Amsler grid at your next appointment and we will provide one to you to place on your fridge or at home in a convenient spot!

AMD cannot be cured; however, our CarlinVision physicians can monitor and treat it to slow down progression. Catching AMD early is very important to protect your eyesight, which is why annual eye exams are so important!

Oh My Red, Itchy Eyes!

Spring is right around the corner, but unfortunately so are seasonal allergies. In the spring, the amount of patients we see with eye allergy complaints significantly increases.

Eye allergies, also called allergic conjunctivitis, are quite common. Our physicians can diagnose allergic conjunctivitis using a slit lamp microscope. While it is usually a temporary condition associated with seasonal allergies, artificial tear drops can help relieve dry and irritated eyes by providing moisture.

If you start to experience red, itchy eyes, burning, or sensitivity to light, it may be time to schedule an appointment so we can access the issue and help alleviate you from the constant irritation.

LipiFlow: A Relief From Dry Eye

LipiFlow is a non-invasive, in-office procedure that treats dry eye disease by warming and massaging the eyelids. It is used to treat Meibomian gland dysfunction, the leading cause of dry eye. CarlinVision has an accredited dry eye center that can get to the root of your issue and determine whether or not you could benefit from LipiFlow.

Here are the Top 5 questions we are asked about the procedure:

1). When is LipiFlow recommended?
While other treatments for alleviating dry eye symtoms provide temporary relief, they do not treat the root of the cause of the disease – oil gland dysfunction. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), is a chronic and progressive condition which is the cause of 86% of dry eye. LipiFlow is recommended for the treatment of oil gland dysfunction and loss. It is the only electronic device cleared by the FDA for treatment of MGD.

2). What happens during the LipiFlow procedure? 
LipiFlow uses a patented algorithm of precise heat applied to the inner eyelids and directs a gentle massage to remove blockages from the Meibomian glands. The treatment does not cause any pain and both eyes are treated at the same time. A few of our patients at CarlinVision have said “it feels like a spa day for the eyes.”

3). What will recovery be like? 
Most dry eye patients notice an improvement within 4-6 weeks, but some patients notice an immediate improvement after the procedure.

How long do results last? 
The results can last approximately 1 year from the initial treatment.

Why Choose CarlinVision? 
As the largest, most experienced eye care practice in Gwinnett County, we are fully committed to providing advanced eye care with a hometown touch. We have an accredited dry eye center and the top technology to get to the root of your dry eye issue. We do not entrust the care of your eyes to a technician or an outside, less experienced doctor. Our Dry Eye coordinator can schedule your evaluation today.
770.979.2020 x246

March Madness!

March Madness is approaching – in the basketball world AND at CarlinVision. During March, our biggest offer of the year is taking place which is $700 off Lasik. You can take advantage of this offer by booking your free Lasik evaluation before the end of March.

At CarlinVision, we use custom treatments and WaveScan technology to provide our patients with better vision than they had with glasses or contact lenses. WaveScan technology has the ability to identify imperfections in the eye 25 times more accurate than the standard refraction. The Laser procedure is painless and can take about 20 minutes per eye. Here at CarlinVision, we have our own temperature and humidty controlled Lasik suite where the procedure will take place. Your family can even watch your procedure on the tv in our waiting area! During the Lasik procedure, Dr. Carlin creates a flap in the cornea which is lifted so the laser energy can be applied to reshape the bed and correct the vision. Most people see significant improvement within hours and are generally able to drive the next day. The post-operative care is minimal and consists of using eye drops for a few days. Our experienced and caring team goes above and beyond to make sure you feel comfortable throughout the process. Many of our staff and technicians have had Lasik themselves and only regret not committing to have it done sooner!