BlephEx® Treatment from Your Fayetteville Ophthalmologist

Patients who suffer from blepharitis — an eyelid inflammation — or dry eye disease have good reason to be excited about the newest type of treatment.  The procedure uses a device called BlephEx and is available from a Fayetteville ophthalmologist at our Carolina Vision Center.  We offer a second convenient location in Clinton, NC.

Do You Suffer from Dry Eyes?

Blepharitis is sometimes very difficult to treat.  When oil and bacteria accumulate on the edge of eyelashes, residue known as biofilm builds up and can cause inflammation and infection.  The patient experiences swollen eyelids that might also itch and prove painful.  Patients who visit our ophthalmology practice with dry eye disease probably suffer from late-stage blepharitis.

They are likely to have these symptoms:

• Light sensitivity
• Blurred vision
• Stinging
• Burning
• Excessive watering

A number of factors can cause dryness.  Some of the common ones include:

• Allergies
• Insufficient blinking while looking at computer screens
• Cosmetic surgery on eyelids
• Certain medications
• Refractive surgery
• Vitamin deficiency

Early treatment by a doctor to remove biofilm is necessary to avoid problems with how tear ducts function.

How Our Ophthalmology Practice Uses BlephEx

Patients with ocular dryness typically spend hundreds of dollars every year on home scrubs, artificial tears, humidity goggles, and prescription drops their eye doctor recommends to bring relief.  Receiving BlephEx treatment at our ophthalmology practice can eliminate those costs.

This is a painless procedure performed in our office.  The handpiece contains a surgical-grade sponge that systematically and precisely spins along the edge of each eyelid and along the eyelash line.  The equipment removes microfilm that has accumulated and debris that resembles dandruff as it exfoliates the eyelids.  Doctors saturate the sponge with a special solution that enhances cleaning.

Each tiny sponge is disposable.  Our practice uses a fresh one for each eyelid, after which we rinse the patient’s eyes.  Most patients report only a sensation of tickling.  Many individuals report quick relief from the discomfort associated with dryness and blepharitis thanks to improved eyelid health.

This procedure offers notable benefits beyond merely cleaning eyelids:

• Gentle removal of biofilm and toxins that cause inflammation and infection
• Prevention of recurring dryness symptoms when used every four to six months
• Convenient therapy lasting 15 minutes or less in the office
• Comfortable treatment that leaves patients able to blink without their eyes feeling sticky
• Financial savings from that elimination of over-the-counter and prescription products

Schedule an Appointment with Our Fayetteville Ophthalmologist

Treatment from an ophthalmologist can free you from needless suffering from eye discomfort.  Dr. Michael Woodcock and his associates are here to help you improve your vision, whether you need to discuss glaucoma or cataract treatment or have concerns about diabetes.  We are proud of the personalized and individualized attention we provide for all our patients. Take a moment to call us at Carolina Vision Center today at 910-485-3937 to schedule an appointment at our Fayetteville office or 910-592-2122 to if you prefer our convenient Clinton location.

Cataract Surgery in Fayetteville

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye. The lens is the part of the eye responsible for focusing light onto the retina. Those who have cataracts will experience blurry vision and may lose their sight completely. Cataracts are actually the leading cause of blindness in the world. Colors oftentimes look faded when a person has them. Glare may occur when people look at headlights, sunlight or even lamps. It’s possible for people with cataracts to have difficulty seeing at night, and they may experience double vision. By the time people reach the age of 80, over half of all Americans have had a cataract or have one.

Surgical Treatment

To correct cataracts, an ophthalmology surgeon will need to remove the clouded lens. Once removed, the surgeon will replace your lens with an artificial one. The artificial lens acts like a normal, unclouded lens.

Surgical Process

The surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll leave the same day as the surgery. Expect for the procedure to take about an hour. The eye surgeon will give you a local anesthetic to numb the eye. A small incision will be made in the front part of your eye. Using a tool, the surgeon will break up the cataract and suction it through the incision. A new lens comprised of silicone, acrylic or plastic is then inserted. If you have cataracts in both eyes, only one will be done at a time.

Risks of Surgery

The risks of cataract surgery are minimal. Some people may experience swelling, bleeding or a feeling of pressure inside of the eye. It’s possible for an infection to occur as well as retina detachment, a loose implant, a drooping eyelid or fluid buildup in the eye.

When to Consider Cataract Surgery

Your eye doctor in Fayetteville will monitor how quickly a cataract progresses once you’re diagnosed with one.  In the early stages, symptoms of cataracts are manageable with vision correction measures only.  Keep in mind, even if you receive a diagnosis of a cataract, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to have surgery right away or ever. You should, however, inform your ophthalmologist or eye doctor when you notice your cataracts are interfering with your life. An ophthalmology specialist in Fayetteville won’t even consider surgery until the cataracts are beginning to become problematic. For instance, until the cataract begins affecting activities such as driving or reading at night, an ophthalmologist usually won’t consider surgery because cataracts tend not to affect the eye until they progress.

Contact Us

To have your eyes examined for cataracts or to discuss the possibility of surgery for your cataracts, contact Carolina Vision Center, serving Fayetteville, Clinton and the surrounding NC area, at 910-485-3937.

A Guide to Glaucoma

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma stems from damage to the optic nerve, which is the part of the eye responsible for sending images to the brain. The damage increases the pressure in the eye. As the pressure increases, so does the damage in the eye, which can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness. In fact, without treatment, a person may develop complete vision loss in a few years.

What Are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?

In the initial stages, glaucoma might not cause any symptoms. As it progresses, symptoms develop and get worse with time. If a patient experiences any of the following symptoms, it’s vital to report them to the eye doctor to receive treatment as quickly as possible. The sooner glaucoma is detected the less damage it does. And since the damage isn’t reversible as of yet, whatever amount of damage occurs before treatment occurs is permanent.  The person may start to lose his or her side vision, also known as his or her peripheral vision, first. The person’s vision may start to decrease, but it sometimes takes years to be noticeable. Sometimes, it’s sudden. It’s possible for images to appear distorted or blurry. It’s also possible for the eye to look hazy or clouded on the outside. Somebody with glaucoma may see rainbow-colored circles around bright lights. It’s possible for the person to have severe head or eye pain. The person may experience nausea or vomiting along with the eye pain.

Who’s Most at Risk for It?

Usually, it’s an hereditary condition, meaning it’s passed on through families. For many people, even those who develop it due to genetics, don’t get it until later in life, generally when the person is over 40 years of age. That’s why people who are 40 years of age or older are encouraged to see an ophthalmologist once every one to two years. Those with health problems like diabetes may need to receive a check up from an eye doctor more frequently than that. Additionally, those who have a family history of the condition should see an ophthalmologist more frequently than just once every one to two years.

How Is It Treated?

Eye drops are usually the first treatment given by ophthalmology experts. They either increase the outflow of fluid from the eye, decrease the production of fluid from the eye or decrease the amount of drainage. Some patients require surgery to reduce the amount of pressure in the eye.

To schedule an appointment for your glaucoma or get tested, contact Carolina Vision Center, serving Fayetteville and Clinton, at (910) 485-3937.