Post-Operative Co-Management

At Bensenville Eye Care, we work closely with a handful of specialized, top-tier ophthalmologists when our patients are in need of eye surgery. Our co-managing ophthalmology team yields excellent results with cutting-edge, skillful surgical techniques, thorough communication and compassion for our patients. Co-management means that after the surgery is performed by the ophthalmologist, you return to our office for your post-operative care. Our job is to ensure that you heal properly from the surgery and that the surgical treatment was a success.

Some of the more common surgeries we co-manage for include:

• Cataract surgery
  
• LASIK
  
• Glaucoma surgeries
  
• Corneal transplant

Cataract Surgery

During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens (cataract) is removed from the eye and replaced with an artificial lens (lens implant). Before surgery, your doctor will take measurements to determine the proper power for your lens implant. Many types of lens implants are available to enhance your vision and correct refractive error. Some lens implants can even correct both distance and near vision. Your doctor at Bensenville Eye Care, in conjunction with your ophthalmologist, can help educate you about your options and considerations for this important decision. For most cataract surgeries, the ophthalmologist creates a self-sealing incision so that no stitches are required. If both eyes require treatment, surgery for the second eye is typically performed several weeks later. This outpatient procedure is performed at a surgery center or hospital and you can see immediately following the surgery!

LASIK

(Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis)

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that uses laser to permanently alter the shape of the cornea to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia and/or astigmatism. This treatment improves vision and reduces or eliminates a person's need for glasses or contact lenses. The surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes ~15 minutes per eye and both eyes are typically done at the same visit. Most patients see better without correction immediately following the surgery!

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK is to come in to our office for a LASIK evaluation. At the LASIK evaluation, your doctor will examine the health of your eyes and take specific measurements of the curvature and thickness of your cornea. Your doctor will also dilate your eyes and check your prescription before and after dilation. The best candidates for LASIK are those who have normal corneal topographies (corneal curvature maps), stable retractions from year-to-year and a healthy ocular surface.

If you have any questions regarding LASIK or are interested in getting an evaluation, please contact our office and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Glaucoma Surgeries

Various glaucoma surgeries are available to help slow the progression of this disease and protect vision. The goal of all glaucoma surgeries is to lower the pressure inside the eye by either reducing the fluid-forming capacity of the eye or increasing the fluid drainage from the eye. Some surgeries accomplish this goal with laser treatment and can be performed in your doctor’s office, while others are more invasive and require a surgical center or hospital. Still, even the more invasive surgeries are outpatient procedures and are typically performed one eye at a time. Our patients with glaucoma have experienced excellent results from these glaucoma surgeries at the hands of our skilled ophthalmologists.

Corneal Transplant

A corneal transplant can be a necessary treatment for damaged corneas. Corneas can be damaged from a variety of reasons including: corneal dystrophies, corneal degeneration, keratoconus, corneal edema after cataract surgery, corneal ulcers and corneal scars from infection, burns (chemical or thermal) or trauma. During a penetrating keratoplasty, the classic corneal transplant surgery, a full thickness circular area of the cornea is removed and replaced with a healthy donor cornea that is affixed with sutures. Newer types of corneal transplants replace only the damaged layers of the cornea and leave the healthy layers intact. These more targeted surgeries offer lower risks and quicker recovery. Corneal transplants are outpatient procedures that are performed on one eye at a time. The goal of a corneal transplant is to improve visual ability, reduce pain and/or improve the appearance of a damaged cornea. Sometimes the corneal surface can be irregular after a corneal transplant so a contact lens may be required for the best vision. At Bensenville Eye Care, our doctors can fit a variety of specialty contact lenses to help provide the clearest vision for our patients who have had a corneal transplant.