Austin Eye Clinic

Products And Services

• EVO ICL

  If you struggle with nearsightedness or astigmatism, relying on glasses and contact lenses can be inconvenient and even limit your daily activities. At Eye Clinic of Austin, Dr. Irshad and our experienced vision specialists offer Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)—a leading-edge solution that provides crisp, clear vision without altering the natural shape of your cornea. What is EVO ICL? EVO ICL, also known as Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) is a biocompatible, micro-thin lens that is placed inside the eye to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. Unlike laser vision correction procedures like LASIK, which reshape the cornea, ICL is an additive technology that enhances vision without removing any corneal tissue. This makes it an excellent option for patients with thin corneas or dry eye concerns. Benefits Of EVO ICL Clear, crisp vision – Day and night clarity Proven success: Over 2 million ICL lenses have been implanted worldwide. Quick, minimally invasive procedure – Typically completed in under 30 minutes Comfortable & biocompatible – Works in harmony with your natural eye structure Reduced risk of dry eye – Unlike LASIK, ICL does not disrupt corneal nerves UV protection – Built-in UV filter for long-term eye health Removable & upgradeable – Future flexibility if needed Option for non-LASIK candidates – Suitable for patients with high prescriptions or thin corneas. How Does The Evo ICL Procedure Work? At Eye Clinic of Austin, your journey to better vision starts with a personalized consultation. At Eye Clinic of Austin, your journey to better vision starts with a personalized consultation. Step 1: Comprehensive Eye Exam The team at Eye Clinic of Austin will assess your eye health, review your vision goals, and determine if ICL is the best option for you. Step 2: Quick & Comfortable Procedure Numbing eye drops ensure a painless experience A small incision is made, and the custom ICL is gently placed in front of your natural lens The entire procedure is outpatient and typically takes less than 30 minutes You will need someone to drive you home after surgery Step 3: Fast Recovery & Life-Changing Vision Many patients experience immediate visual improvement Recovery is quick, with minimal downtime You will return for follow-up visits to ensure optimal results Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What is the EVO ICL made of? The ICL is made from Collamer®, a biocompatible material that works naturally with your eye and offers built-in UV protection. Will I be able to see or feel the EVO ICL in my eye? No. The ICL is positioned behind the colored part of your eye (iris), making it completely invisible to both you and others. Can I Afford EVO ICL? The cost of EVO ICL is based on your individual needs. Many patients find that EVO ICL is a worthwhile investment when compared to the recurring expenses of glasses and contacts. During your consultation, we will review the costs associated with your personalized treatment plan and discuss financing options. Can the EVO ICL be removed? Yes. While ICL is designed to be a long-term vision solution, it can be removed or replaced if necessary, offering more flexibility than permanent vision correction surgeries. How does EVO ICL compare to LASIK or PRK? Unlike LASIK and PRK, which permanently reshape the cornea, ICL is an additive vision correction that enhances vision without altering your natural eye structure. It is an ideal choice for individuals with thin corneas, dry eyes, or high prescriptions who may not be suitable candidates for laser vision correction. Am I a Candidate for EVO ICL? EVO ICL may be a great option for you if you are looking to reduce or eliminate the hassle of glasses. People from all walks of life have found that EVO ICL is a great option to reduce or eliminate the hassle of glasses.

  Link: EVO ICL

• Cataract Surgery Lenses – IOLs

  In cataract surgery, the lens implant replaces the natural lens. The lens implant will not develop cataracts or presbyopia (difficulty focusing on close up objects, such as reading). Different types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) are used for basic cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery. Monofocal Intraocular lenses are used in traditional cataract surgery, and for laser cataract surgery Lifestyle Intraocular lenses are typically used. After performing a comprehensive exam and consultation, the doctors at Eye Clinic of Austin will counsel each patient about their best cataract surgery lens option according to lifestyle, medical and eye health history. Monofocal Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) The most traditional IOL is a Monofocal IOL. Mono means one and focal means focus of the lens of an eye. This means that Monofocal IOLs will only provide vision for one distance. This distance, or power, for the lens is calculated prior to surgery and is usually selected to give you good distance vision. When Monofocal IOLs are used, the patient will still require glasses for reading and mid-range vision, and may require them at all times if there is a lot of astigmatism. Premium Cataract Lens Options – IOL, LAL & ICL Lifestyle Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Multifocal Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Multifocal IOLs are referred to as Lifestyle IOLs or presbyopia-correcting IOLs because they are designed with multiple focusing properties. This means the lens can focus near, far, and somewhat in between, which can reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses. Toric Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Toric IOLs are also considered Lifestyle IOLs, as they were designed for people suffering from astigmatism. They can correct most astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. These IOLs are perfect for people suffering from cataract and astigmatism and they reduce or eliminate the need to have corneal refractive treatment to correct the astigmatism. Astigmatism is present when a cornea has an oblong shape rather than a round shape. This causes light to focus on multiple points on the retina, which results in blurred vision. The Toric IOL is designed to offset the shape of the cornea so that light focuses on the retina and vision is clear. The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported in March 2009 that Toric IOLs can correct astigmatism substantially better than other options, and that after three months, 70% of the patients in the study who received Toric IOLs achieved 20/40 vision or better. Accommodating Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Accommodating IOLs are Lifestyle IOLs that are designed to work with the muscles of the eye to focus upon whatever distance is needed. These IOLs provide sharp vision for multiple distances with clear distance vision, excellent computer vision and air reading vision, often requiring weak reading glasses for fine detailed or prolonged close work. RXSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) RXSight Adjustable Lens AustinThe RXSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is unique in that these lenses are customizable even after your cataract surgery. They are made of a special material that allows our doctors to work with patients to optimize their vision. Traditional cataract surgery requires a degree of estimation without knowing exactly how your eye will heal following surgery. By using the LAL, your final vision can be adjusted so that you achieve the clearest vision possible. There are two major benefits of the LAL: Choosing this lens eliminates anxiety surrounding your cataract surgery. This is because patients are not asked to make a permanent lens decision without experiencing the potential outcomes. It allows patients to have more control after cataract surgery through the adjustability of the LAL. This lens is FDA-approved and has been successful in thousands of patients worldwide. You can feel confident that you are receiving the best outcome for your vision. Evo Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Evo ICL AustinEVO is an Implantable Collamer Lens that is used to correct common vision issues such as nearsightedness. This lens is often regarded as an alternative to LASIK and corrects vision for a large range of prescriptions. Additionally, the lens benefits patients who want to reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. It is designed to work in harmony with the natural anatomy of your eye. Benefits include: Crisp vision in the day and night Quick, minimally invasive procedure All day eye comfort Reduced risk of dry eye

  Link: Cataract Surgery Lenses – IOLs

• LASIK Eye Surgery

  At LASIK MD, located inside of the Eye Clinic of Austin, we use the most advanced technology available for LASIK eye surgery. Our eye surgeon, Dr. Farhan A. Irshad is highly experienced and believes in first determining if LASIK is the right option for you based on a number of different factors. Our team is committed to a no-rush, no-pressure approach. The first step to LASIK at Eye Clinic of Austin is to schedule a free LASIK consultation for a thorough examination of your eyes. At this consultation, we take measurements needed to determine if your eyes are healthy and well suited for LASIK or not. The eye surgeon who will perform the surgery also meets with you to answer any questions and ease concerns. What is LASIK Eye Surgery? LASIK eye surgery (also referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction) is an eye surgery performed by an ophthalmologist who uses a laser to reshape the eye’s cornea in order to improve visual acuity. LASIK corrects the three most common eyesight errors – nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Our LASIK Technology At Eye Clinic of Austin, we first use a digital mapping system to capture each eye’s unique imperfections. This advanced technology creates a detailed 3D map of the cornea’s surface, which our surgeon then uses to detect abnormalities, or potential problems, that may prevent successful LASIK surgery. For the actual surgery, we use advanced laser technology – a combination of the Intralase™ laser and the Wavelight Allegretto excimer laser. All-laser LASIK is the most advanced technology for LASIK. The advantage of this advanced technique is more accuracy, stability, and greater patient comfort. To learn more about the LASIK technology at Eye Clinic of Austin, please contact us or schedule a free consultation. We can also send you our free LASIK Guide, which provides greater detail about our technology and the surgery. Recovery & Aftercare Recovery from LASIK is extremely rapid. Most patients return to normal activity the very next day, and are able to return to work within 24-48 hours after surgery. When returning home, it’s recommended to take a 2-hour nap, which will help jump-start the healing process. Patients are also prescribed eye drops that will reduce the risk of infection, control post-operative inflammation and improve comfort and healing. The refractive errors corrected by LASIK stay corrected for the rest of your life. Since the cornea is living tissue there can be minor fluctuations and occasionally the need for enhancements as the cornea adapts following the procedure. These are a normal part of the post-operative process. Around the age of 45, a condition known as Presbyopia can begin to occur. Presbyopia is a result of aging and regardless if you’ve had LASIK, you will likely still need reading glasses due to the reduced flexibility of the lenses of your eyes. However, even presbyopia can be effectively handled through a special LASIK technique known as monovision that has given thousands the ability to see both close up and far away. Cost For many patients cost can be a concern when deciding whether or not to have LASIK eye surgery. To make the surgery more affordable, Eye Clinic of Austin offers many payment options which allow for patients to pay over time. Learn more about payment options for LASIK.

  Link: LASIK Eye Surgery

• PRK Eye Surgery

  Eye Clinic of Austin and LASIK MD use advanced all-laser techniques for refractive eye surgery. Dr. Farhan A. Irshad uses WaveLight® laser technology to provide improved outcomes in visual quality and faster, less painful healing following PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy). What is PRK? With the latest advances in LASIK technology, more than 90% of people who wear glasses or contacts can achieve excellent vision through LASIK. However, not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, due to thin corneas or other corneal conditions. We may recommend PRK for these patients instead. The first step in LASIK is creating a corneal flap, so that laser treatment can be applied to the inner layer of the cornea. With PRK, there is no flap created, usually because the cornea is too thin to complete this step. Instead, our surgeon will reshape the cornea by applying laser treatment to the cornea’s outer surface . Recovery & Aftercare The visual outcomes of PRK are equivalent to LASIK, however the main difference lies in longer recovery times and for some patients, increased discomfort during the initial healing process. Our surgeon will advise you at the time of your free LASIK Consultation if PRK is recommended for correcting your vision. Cost Eye Clinic of Austin offers CareCredit, a way to make eye surgery more affordable, including no-interest payments for up to 24 months. Learn more about PRK payment options.

  Link: PRK Eye Surgery

• Eye Exams

  Eye exams at Eye Clinic of Austin are administered by our highly experienced optometrist Dr. Melanie Prosise with the assistance of our ophthalmic technicians. Eye Clinic of Austin is committed to the thoroughness of the eye exam to ensure no issues are left undiscovered. To schedule an eye exam, use our Online Scheduler or call us at (512) 427-1100. Your Health History Eye Clinic of Austin eye exams consist of several different elements performed in various stages to evaluate the complete visual system. One of the most important parts of the eye exam is discussing and documenting your health history, including personal medical history and family medical history for not only your eyes, but general health as well. If you are a new patient, you can print and fill out new patient forms before coming into the office. Physical Exam & Eye Chart After reviewing health history, a physical examination of visual functions will begin. First, Dr. Prosise and our team physically examine the eye and your eyesight is tested by reading an eye chart at various distances. If this test shows that your vision is less than perfect, a refraction will be performed. Refraction A refraction is a test to determine each eye’s refractive error. Using a phoropter, a series of lenses in graded powers are presented to determine which provides sharpest, clearest vision. The test is a required separate element of most visits at Eye Clinic of Austin and is used to create prescriptions for glasses and/or contact lenses and/or to evaluate possible changes in vision due to medical conditions. This is essential in order to determine if a decrease in vision is due to only a need for glasses, which is easy to correct, or if another medical reason exists. Dr. Prosise will also test your pupil function, peripheral vision, muscles, and for double vision. Slit Lamp Exam Next, a slit lamp examination is performed. The slit lamp is a binocular microscope that the eye doctor uses to examine your eyes under high magnification. During this portion of the exam the eye doctor is able to closely examine your eyelids, whites of your eyes (sclera & conjunctiva), your cornea, pupil, iris and your crystalline lens. During the slit lamp exam, the optometrist will use some anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes then using a tonometer will measure the fluid pressure of your eyes to determine if you might have glaucoma. This is painless. The doctor will simply touch your eye with the tonometer probe, which has a smooth plastic surface, for a few seconds. The back of your eye can also be examined with a very bright light on the slit lamp after your eyes have been dilated or by using the Optomap® Retinal Exam without dilation. Dilating drops are used to enlarge the pupil so that the doctor can get a good view using an ophthalmoscope of the back of your eye to examine and evaluate your retina, blood vessels and optic nerve. The doctor will also use a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope to perform a panoramic view of the entirety of the back of your eye to look for retinal holes, tears, detachments, moles, tumors or abnormal blood vessels. Corrective Lenses Once all the tests have concluded, any eye health issues will be discussed with you. At this time the eye doctor can also answer any questions or concerns. We will then determine which corrective lenses would be best to prescribe, whether it’s prescription glasses and/or contact lenses, including the type and brand. Eye Exam Overview Comprehensive eye examinations are a key part of maintaining your eye health. Eye exams can serve as preventative care and can also help doctors catch serious eye issues in their early stages when they are easier to treat and before they go on to cause damage to the eyes. It is important for patients to understand that many eye conditions do not show symptoms early on. However, signs of these conditions can be spotted with specialized tests that are administered during comprehensive eye examinations. Preliminary Checks Dr. Prosise may opt to observe several aspects of the health and function of the yes before conducting other tests. This may include evaluating your pupils, peripheral vision, and eye movement. Your eye pressure may also be checked with a test known as tonometry. This test can help detect signs of glaucoma, which can jeopardize vision if not treated. Visual Acuity Tests Many patients are familiar with the visual acuity test, which evaluates the vision in each eye. This test requires the patient to read the smallest row of letters they can see clearly on a chart at a distance. The patient will also need to cover one eye at a time while reading the letters. Abnormal results from this test may indicate that the patient needs eyeglasses or contact lenses for sharp vision.

  Link: Eye Exams

• Dry Eye Treatment

  Dry eye (often called dry eye disease or dry eye syndrome) is one of the most under-diagnosed ocular diseases, and it is one of the most common reasons why patients go see their eye care professional. Eye Clinic of Austin is a TearLab Accredited Dry Eye Center and utilizes the most advanced technology on the market to diagnose and treat dry eyes, including LipiView® and LipiFlow®. To get started right away, please schedule a dry eye assessment. What is Dry Eye? Dry-Eye-DiagramThere are two main forms of dry eye, evaporative dry eye and aqueous deficient dry eye. Many people mistake the dry eye symptoms for allergies, climatic conditions or just eyestrain. While all of these may aggravate dry eye symptoms, they are not the cause. Evaporative Dry Eye Evaporative dry eye accounts for 86% of all dry eye cases and occurs when a person’s Meibomian glands are blocked. Meibomian glands are located in the eyelids and this condition of obstructed glands is known as Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD). When functioning properly, the Meibomian glands create a lipid (oil) layer of tears. Without this tear film oil, an individual’s tears can evaporate four to sixteen times faster causing discomfort and dryness, thus the name evaporative dry eye. Aqueous Deficient Dry Eye Aqueous deficient dry eye occurs when the lacrimal glands do not produce a sufficient amount of aqueous (water) to keep the eyes moist. In aqueous deficient dry eye, underlying changes to these tear-producing glands result in a lower quantity of tears being made and not enough water reaches the surface of the eye. Both evaporative dry eye and aqueous deficient dry eye can lead to damage of the eyes’ surface, which, in turn, can lead to the symptoms of dry eye. Reduced tear production over a long period of time increases the risk of permanent damage and scarring to the front of the eye. Causes Dry eye can be caused by multiple different factors including: Environmental Causes Changes in environment can cause dry eye such as hot, dry and/or windy climates, high altitudes, excessive sun exposure, central heating, air conditioning, hair dryers, cigarette smoke, air pollution, and air travel. Medications (prescription or over the counter) Many medications can cause dry eye. These medications can include allergy medications, especially antihistamines, antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Diazepam), some blood pressure medications, Parkinson’s medications, birth control pills, diuretics, beta blockers, sleeping pills, many pain medications, certain medications which regulate heart rhythm irregularities, and decongestants. Contact Lens Wear Wearing contact lenses while sleeping when the lenses are not designed for that type of wear can be a cause of dry eye. In addition, wearing the lenses for a longer period of time than they are designed for can also cause this issue. An example would be wearing 2-week disposable contact lenses for longer than that 2-week period. Non Eye-Related Diseases Individuals with Parkinson’s disease, Sjögren’s syndrome (an auto-immune disease), Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Lacrimal gland deficiency, Diabetes, Sarcoidosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, or Rosacea can experience dry eye. Refractive Eye Surgery After LASIK, some individuals do experience dry eye. Hormonal Deficiencies or Changes Thyroid conditions, hormonal changes during menopause, decreased production of androgen, and estrogen supplementation can cause dry eye. Low blink rate Blinking is critical in spreading tears over the surface of the eye and stimulating tear production. A chronic low blink rate is associated with dry eye symptoms. Computer use, reading, and watching TV are the three activities most commonly associated with a low blink rate. Symptoms & Diagnosis Symptoms of dry eyes may include stinging, burning, scratchy sensation, sensitivity to light, tearing, tired eyes, and difficulty wearing contact lenses. In addition, many patients suffer from blurred vision, often worsening at the end of the day or after visually focusing for a prolonged period on a nearby task. The first step in dry eye diagnosis is to schedule a dry eye assessment to diagnose the disease. At Eye Clinic of Austin, we use a couple of different devices to diagnosis dry eye and the severity of the disease including the TearLab® Osmolarity test and the LipiView test. TearLab Osmolarity Test TearLab Osmolarity Testing DeviceThe TearLab Osmolarity test is a painless process which tests a tiny tear sample to measure osmolarity (salt content) in the tears. Tear osmolarity has been shown to have one of the best predictive values of any single test for diagnosing dry eye disease. The test provides our eye doctors a meaningful measure of the health and stability of the protective tear film that covers the surface of your eyes.

  Link: Dry Eye Treatment

• Glaucoma Treatment

  Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the world. Typically age related with genetic factors, damage can be prevented if it is discovered early and treatment is administered. At Eye Clinic of Austin, we have significant experience and training with glaucoma and understand the best ways to combat the disease. What is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve. There is a fluid called aqueous humor that flows between your cornea and the iris of your eye. Among other things, this fluid maintains the intraocular pressure of your eye and provides essential nutrients to the eye. Aqueous humor leaves the eye from a mesh-like canal. Glaucoma occurs when the canal is blocked or damaged and fluid begins to build up and cause pressure within the eye. In most cases, this pressure can’t be felt and doesn’t cause damage quickly. Glaucoma is usually only detected when the disease has moderately advanced which is why it’s so important to schedule annual comprehensive eye exams. If you are over the age of 40, you should have an eye exam at least once every two years. If you know of a family member who has or had glaucoma, you should have an eye exam once a year. If glaucoma causes this damage before treatment, it cannot be reversed. Early detection and appropriate treatment can maintain useful vision over a lifetime. Types of Glaucoma There are three types of glaucoma: Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma. Approximately three million Americans suffer from this type of glaucoma. When your eye’s drainage canals are gradually blocked over time as opposed to becoming suddenly blocked, this is primary open-angle glaucoma. Angle-Closure Glaucoma Angle-closure glaucoma occurs in only about 1% of patients. This type of glaucoma develops when the front eye structure is such that the drainage canals can become suddenly blocked or pinched. Due to the nature of this disease, angle-closure glaucoma happens rather quickly and patients should seek medical help immediately. Primary Congenital Glaucoma Primary congenital glaucoma is a very rare form of glaucoma that only affects children between the ages of birth and 3 years. Children with this type of glaucoma were born with a lack of mesh-like canal that assists in draining fluid in the eye. Causes Primary open-angle glaucoma is typically hereditary. However, injury to the eye, blockage of blood vessels, certain medical conditions, and even severe eye infection can sometimes cause glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma is more prone in certain individuals due to the structure of their eye. If the area at the base of the iris is narrow, blockage can occur more easily. In addition, people whose lens sits more forward than usual can also be more prone to angle-closure glaucoma. The cause of primary congenital glaucoma in children is also typically hereditary, however in some cases it is not and it is not well known why it occurs. Symptoms Open-angle glaucoma causes no pain or symptoms at first. Over time, however, patients with glaucoma begin to lose peripheral vision – as if they are looking through a tunnel. Symptoms can also include headaches, eye pain, nausea, blurred or cloudy vision, red eye, or even feeling as if your eye is swollen. Angle-closure glaucoma symptoms start very quickly and patients typically feel ache around the eye or sudden and severe pain within the eye. Blurred vision and redness can also occur. Some individuals feel sick or have abdominal pain as well. Because children with primary congenital glaucoma are often times too young to even speak, it’s important to watch for sensitivity to light, excessive tearing or squeezing of their eyelids. Diagnosis & Treatment All types of glaucoma should be treated right away to prevent any major loss of eyesight. Primary open-angle glaucoma typically responds well to medication or laser treatment if treated early enough. However, in more advanced cases, glaucoma surgery may be required to control the pressure in the eye. For angle-closure glaucoma, laser treatment or surgery is required to stop any future issues. Long-term, eye drops are also recommended to control pressure in the eye. The primary treatment for children with primary congenital glaucoma is glaucoma surgery, which typically results positively with around 90% of total cases resulting in good visual acuity and health. Eye Clinic of Austin is dedicated to offering the most advanced technology available and that holds true for advancements in Glaucoma treatment as well. With over 30 years’ experience in treating Glaucoma, our goal is to determine the absolute best type of treatment for the individual patient.

  Link: Glaucoma Treatment

• Diabetic Retinopathy

  Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease that people with diabetes suffer from. Highly trained and experienced, our team at Eye Clinic of Austin takes the time to diagnose the disease properly and understands the best ways to treat it. What is Diabetic Retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is a disease caused by the deterioration of the blood vessels nourishing the retina. These vessels weaken, leak fluid, and fail to provide the nutrients necessary for a healthy retina. Causes The disease diabetes is the cause of diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 25% of diabetics have some form of the disease, but only a small percentage of those who develop diabetic retinopathy have serious vision problems; an even smaller percentage go blind. The longer a person has diabetes, and the worse the diabetic control, the greater the chance of developing diabetic retinopathy or any other complication of this disease. Everyone with diabetes should have a dilated eye exam every year to detect the disease. Symptoms & Treatment Diabetic retinopathy typically affects both eyes, and many patients do not notice any change in vision in the early stages of the disease. However, over time the disease worsens and can cause vision loss. When patients notice symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, they typically experience blurred vision or distortion, objects looking smaller or larger than normal, and floaters may appear. The most important treatment is prevention by maintaining excellent diabetic control. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy depends on the location of the disease and the degree of damage to the retina. If retinopathy occurs only in the peripheral retina, careful monitoring of the disease may be all that is necessary. When retinopathy affects the central vision, laser treatment or injections of special medications inside the eye are usually required to halt further progression of the disease. In laser treatment, ophthalmologists use a laser to seal the blood vessels that have leaked, which stops the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels. Laser treatment may not halt the disease entirely but can reduce further vision loss by delaying more advanced stages of the disease. Laser treatment and other treatment of advanced diabetic retinopathy are usually performed on an outpatient basis. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to preventing visual loss from diabetic retinopathy. If the disease is detected early and managed diligently, its more sight-damaging stages can be arrested or slowed. With careful monitoring, treatment of diabetic retinopathy can begin before sight is affected. At Eye Clinic of Austin, we recommend diabetic patients schedule a dilated eye exam each year. Our team will examine your eyes for any issues related to diabetes, and we have the experience and technology to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate referral for treatment if needed. Our Technology Eye Clinic of Austin utilizes state-of-the-art technology to assist in the diagnosis and progression of eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. Below are some of the devices that help us to ensure proper treatment. Optomap The Optomap non-invasively generates a high-resolution digital color image of the retina. The test takes less than one second and the images are immediately available to the eye doctor for review with the patient. OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) A type of imaging technology, OCT produces cross-sectional images of the retina. All ten layers of the retina can be seen, which gives the eye doctor a way to measure the thickness of each layer. When taking these images at each eye appointment, we can monitor diabetic retinopathy development. The OCT test is extremely short, non-invasive, and the images are available for the doctor’s review immediately.

  Link: Diabetic Retinopathy

• Corneal Transplant

  A corneal transplant (also called Keratoplasty) is a surgery in which a donor cornea replaces either a part of the cornea or the entire cornea. Corneal transplants are performed to treat a variety of conditions all related to corneal dystrophy. The most common disorder requiring a corneal transplant is keratoconus. Keratoconus is the progressive thinning of the cornea and typically occurs in teenagers and individuals in their 20’s. In addition to keratoconus, corneal ulcers, complications caused by eye surgery, and swelling or scarring of the cornea caused by injury to the eye or an eye infection can also require the need for a corneal transplant. Our Process At Eye Clinic of Austin, the first step for a corneal transplant is requesting an appointment for a thorough eye exam. During the eye exam, our team will look for any existing conditions that might cause complications after the procedure. If any other unrelated eye issues exist, these will be treated prior to surgery. We also take precise measurements of your cornea to determine what size cornea will be needed for the replacement. Once a donor cornea is secured, the surgery for the transplant will be scheduled. During a corneal transplant, the eye is numbed and virtually no pain is felt. Dr. Irshad will first remove the damaged tissue from the cornea and then the donor cornea is sewn into place using a very fine thread. In a partial cornea replacement, only the affected layers will be removed. All healthy areas of the cornea are left untouched. Recovery & Aftercare Recovery after a corneal transplant is typically eight weeks for partial transplants to greater than three to six months for a standard transplant. However, most patients can return to work within one to two weeks. Discomfort typically consisting of a scratchy feeling should be gone within two weeks of the corneal transplant. After the surgery, patients receive a prescription for eye drops and medication to prevent infection, as well as protective eye coverings to prevent injury or trauma to the eye. The protective eyewear is typically worn for the rest of the day unless otherwise instructed. The use of eye drops and medication is usually complete ten days after surgery. Anti-rejection eye drops may be continued indefinitely. Follow-up appointments are also scheduled as needed. The frequency of these appointments will depend upon the specific procedure and the healing process.

  Link: Corneal Transplant