health pros Lake Eye Associates

Lake County’s forerunner in technologically-advanced eye care.

Statistics show that only half of the estimated 61 million adults in the United States at high risk for serious vision loss visit an eye doctor annually, even though regular eye exams dramatically reduce — even eliminate — this risk. This is why it is vitally important to have an experienced family eye doctor. Luckily, finding one is as easy as contacting Lake Eye Associates.

Lake Eye’s three state-of-the-art offices are equipped with the latest technology and skilled physicians experienced in everything from general care to the special needs of seniors, whose interests include more than just preventive care but also treatment for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other age-related issues. All three offices feature full-service optical centers providing eye exams from boardcertified ophthalmologists and a full line of namebrand eyewear and contact lenses. The Villages is also home to the Santa Fe Surgery Center, which is owned and run by a team of local doctors including Lake Eye surgeons Scott Wehrly and Scot Holman.

As Americans continue to live longer and stronger than previous generations, they demand a better quality of life and that includes preserving, improving, and protecting their vision from common problems such as glaucoma (the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.), dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and one of the most common problems in people age 55 and older, cataracts. Each year, three million Americans have cataract surgery, and as their knowledge of modern medicine becomes more sophisticated, they seek out the safest, most effective procedures available. Luckily, two of Florida’s most experienced cataract surgeons are right here in Lake County.

Lake Eye surgeons Scot Holman, M.D. and Scott Wehrly, M.D. have performed thousands of successful, complication-free cataract surgeries, preventing cataract-related blindness and restoring clear, healthy vision to multitudes of satisfied patients, most of whom experience little or no downtime. “We have extensive experience performing the most advanced surgical techniques to eliminate cataracts and restore crisp vision, including Toric, ReSTOR® and Tecnis® multifocal lens implantation,” says Dr. Wehrly. Lake Eye is the region’s first — and currently only — surgical center to offer LenSx® refractive bladeless, stitch-free laser cataract surgery, which is the most accurate cataract surgery system ever created. Says Dr. Holman, “The LenSx® computer-controlled laser captures incredibly precise, high-resolution images of the eye, making it the most revolutionary advance in cataract treatment in at least a decade. The laser makes much more precise incisions than any human possibly could. It is completely pain-free, takes only about thirty minutes to perform, and recovery is typically quicker than with traditional surgery.”

Regarding Lake Eye’s commitment to staying ahead of the technological curve, Dr. Mark Vocci says, “In order to provide the best care to our patients, we have made a major investment in the latest hightech equipment, including the LenSx® laser, which can correct cataracts and astigmatism without using surgical blades, which is the most accurate, safest and quickest way to restore and protect one’s eyesight.”

Naturally, Lake Eye specializes in treating other common problems such as glaucoma, dry eye, a torn or detached retina, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), low vision, amblyopia (a.k.a. “lazy eye”), and refractive disorders including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. What may surprise people is that its doctors also treat the functional and cosmetic problems created by baggy or drooping eyelids. The surgeons of Lake Eye have extensive experience correcting drooping, sagging, and inward/

Lake Eye Associates

Leesburg | 352.365.2020

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The Villages | 352.750.2020 | www.LakeEye.com outward turning of the eyelids so that patients can not only see better but look better, too. “For some people it is a necessary surgery to correct vision impairment,” says Dr. Vocci. “For others it is done to get rid of a tired, aged look that doesn’t reflect the vitality they feel.”

All of Lake Eye’s doctors agree that visiting an ophthalmologist early and regularly allows problems to be solved before they cause severe or permanent damage. “Regular eye exams can prevent, correct or arrest nearly all eye diseases and disorders,” says Dr. Holman. “For most people, a regular check-up and possible prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses are enough to enjoy reading, driving, sports and everything else life has to offer.”

Regular exams are especially important for people age 65 and older, and those with conditions that may affect their vision, such as diabetes. “Every diabetic age 30 and over should receive an annual dilated eye exam,” says Dr. Vocci. “We need to get more diabetics in for routine exams because we have several effective ways to treat diabetic retinopathy, including steroids and laser treatment. Detecting and treating diabetic eye disease with laser therapy can dramatically reduce severe vision loss.”

“We take a personal, in-depth interest in each patient’s care,” says Dr. Wehrly. “That’s why we go to great lengths to customize treatment, from eyedrops to surgery to diet and exercise. Because when you’re a patient, it feels good to have a doctor who is deeply knowledgeable about you and your history. We are the only team of experts most patients will ever need for a lifetime of healthy vision.”

As with all things, seeing is believing. So see for yourself, at the Lake Eye Associates office near you.