Vision Care Specialists

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Preoperative Wavefront Analysis

A Wavefront analyzer objectively measures tiny aberrations in the optics of the eye, in addition to accurately measuring the degree of near or far-sightedness and astigmatism. Tiny aberrations in the eye cause some patients to complain that the letters on an eye chart appear "ghostly", that headlights at night have "tails" on them, and that streetlights have "halos" -- factors that are not as readily correctable with contact lenses or glasses.

Wavefront analysis generates thousands of complex data points that must be accurately interpreted to have a beneficial impact on your vision correction surgery. This technology derives directly from the optics advances used to create and fix the Hubble space telescope.

Our wavefront analyzer accurately assesses your nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism in a matter of seconds, simply by having you look into a target image in the machine (nothing touches the eye). This process eliminates the subjectivity introduced when a patient is asked, "Which image is better, number one or number two?" The accuracy of our wavefront analyzer is 25 times greater than this subjective approach, meaning that the calculations we use in determining the appropriate lens implant will inevitably be 25 times more accurate as well! Over the past four years, applying wavefront analysis to our cataract patients has led a vast majority to achieve uncorrected vision of 20/20 or better and has substantially improved the quality of their nighttime vision.

Our PVI doctors have had the most experience in the region in applying wavefront analysis pre-operatively to enhance our surgical outcomes. We are one of only a handful of practices nationwide to perform this analysis on our cataract patients at no additional charge! Our clinical studies have contributed to advancements in wavefront analysis, including 3-dimensional versus 2-dimensional results. - back to top

Orbscan and Atlas Corneal Topography

PVI is one of the few centers in the nation to evaluate all of its patients using both the Orbscan and Atlas corneal topography instruments. Topography is a way to measure the shape of the cornea. We evaluate your cornea at over 8,000 points and the various elevations are then represented color maps. Just as the height of land can be viewed from a helicopter circling above, the elevated peaks of the cornea can be printed in hot colors such as red and orange, and the valleys printed out in cool colors such as blue.

Using the Orbscan device, we measure both the front and back surfaces of the cornea. Its thickness at all locations can be plotted out and a 3 dimensional reconstruction of the shape of the eye can be created that can be rotated and viewed by our surgeons at all angles. The Orbscan instrument, coupled with the Atlas topographer, gives us a better understanding of pre-existing eye conditions. This information is crucial to calculating the very best lens implant for each patient's eyes, resulting in crisper vision. This is particularly important for patients who have had LASIK or other forms of vision correction surgery.

The Atlas topography device provides specialized computerized screening to rule out a progressive condition of the cornea called keratoconus, which can also affect cataract outcomes and intraocular lens calculations. In addition to using the Atlas and Orbscan instruments, we also measure astigmatism using a Bausch & Lomb keratometer.

As cornea subspecialists, PVI surgeons have the experience and know-how to appropriately use this pre-operative information to assure our cataract patients the very best outcome possible! - back to top

Immersion A-Scan Biometry

Historically, eye doctors measured the eye's length by applying a probe to compress the front of the eye. With A-Scan Biometry, we use a gentle water bath technique called Immersion A-Scan. With this newest technology, the ultrasound probe does not come into direct contact with the cornea. We use this diagnostic test to confirm your intraocular lens calculations as well as assess lens thickness. It is especially useful in cases where patients have very dense cataracts. - back to top

Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master

The FDA has recently approved a new tool for measuring the eye prior to cataract surgery, the Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master. This revolutionary laser system offers the most precise measurement of eye length and surface curvature, greatly enhancing the accuracy of each patient's intraocular lens calculation. This is done without ever touching the eye and within a minute or two. Simply put, this is the most accurate method now available to ensure that our cataract patients have the very best vision outcome possible. - back to top

Advanced Methods For Intraocular Lens Calculations

Each and every patient who has cataract surgery at Pepose Vision Institute benefits from the Holladay Professional Surgical Outcomes Program, which assures that your lens implant will be precisely calculated using advanced mathematical relationships. The accuracy of your lens calculation requires careful measurement of the length of your eye and ocular structures, the thickness of your lens and shape of your cornea. Only the most meticulous pre-operative information can assure you the very best outcome that cataract surgery has to offer! - back to top

Small Incision, No-Stitch Cataract Surgery

Our surgeons have had a great deal of experience using the latest foldable lenses to replace the natural lens of your eye. These lenses permit the lens exchange to occur through a micro-incision, thereby eliminating the need for stitches. The result is less discomfort after surgery and a faster recovery period. - back to top

No Shot, Topical Anesthesia

Whenever possible, our surgeons will use topical anesthesia to perform cataract surgery instead of using shots to deliver anesthesia. Initially, cataract surgery was performed under general anesthesia, requiring patients to stay in the hospital. Later advances led to the use of a local anesthesia injected behind the eyeball. Although this procedure allows patients to return home the same day and is safer than general anesthesia, it is not entirely free of risk.

At Pepose Vision Institute, we use the safest, most advanced anesthesia system available. When medically advisable, we anesthetize your eye using eye drops rather than through an injection of anesthetic under the eyeball with a needle. Avoiding the needle reduces the risk of bleeding, bruising and inadvertent damage from the needle itself. Moreover, visual recovery begins immediately since the eye muscles are not paralyzed as with local block anesthesia. Even when topical anesthetics are used, patients may be given an IV sedative to help them relax and keep them comfortable during the procedure. - back to top

Deluxe Multifocal Lens Implants: We're the only ones that offer all of them.

Until recently, a monofocal intraocular lens, which cannot change shape, has been the standard implant for cataract surgery. Its power is usually calculated to maximize a patient's distance vision so that the patient can see well enough to do most things without glasses. Reading glasses must still be worn to see up close up. In most cases, patients notice rapid and significant improvements in vision as a result of the IOL.

In 2005, the FDA approved the first major innovation in IOL technology in decades the deluxe multifocal "accommodating" IOL. This implant, which replaces the natural lens in the same fashion as the monofocal lens, gives good "walk around" distance and near vision, thereby lessening dependence on glasses. The FDA has approved three types of multifocal lens, each of which has been optimized for a slightly different vision zone. Pepose Vision Institute is the only cataract surgery practice that has been certified to offer all three of these lenses Crystalens, Restor and Rezoom. This gives our surgeons a unique opportunity to "mix and match" the lenses used in each of your eyes and to personalize your vision outcome for your unique lifestyle. - back to top