THE LASER REVOLUTION!

Nearly 22 million Americans age 40 and older develop cataracts, and the number skyrockets to more than 50% by the time people reach 80. Each year, three million Americans have cataract surgery and, as their knowledge of modern medicine becomes more sophisticated, they seek out the 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. Leading the way to the most advanced technology in the nation, Drs. Holman and Wehrly are Lake County’s first — and currently only — surgeons qualified to perform the latest breakthrough in cataract surgeries, the incredible LenSx® refractive bladeless, stitch-free laser procedure, which is the most accurate cataract surgery system ever created. The doctors perform this safe 10-minute surgery locally in The Villages at the Santa Fe Surgery Center, which is owned and run by a team of local doctors including Drs. Wehrly and Holman.

Dr. Holman is proud that he and Dr. Wehrly are two of the most experienced LenSx® laser cataract surgeons in Central Florida and that Lake Eye is one of the first to provide this groundbreaking technology. “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. It can correct cataracts and astigmatism without using surgical blades, making it completely pain-free. It takes only minutes to perform and recovery can be quicker than with traditional surgery. It is an accurate and the quickest way to remove cataracts and restore crisp vision.”

“It is a tremendous advance in safe, effective cataract removal,” adds Dr. Wehrly. “This next-generation procedure not only eliminates cataracts and corrects mild to moderate astigmatism, it works seamlessly with other advances designed to restore vision, such as multifocal lens implantation.”

Understanding why the LenSx® procedure is such a remarkable breakthrough starts with understanding a bit more about what cataracts are and how they affect vision.

WHAT ARE CATARACTS?

Just behind the iris and pupil of the eye is the lens, which, like a camera, allows the eye to focus. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which can cause vision to become hazy, colors to appear muted, and sunlight, headlights, lamps, etc. to seem uncomfortably bright.

More than just an annoyance, cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40, and, if left untreated, can cause blindness. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world.

Which symptoms you experience and at what stage they occur depends on the type of cataract you develop. A nuclear cataract forms within the nucleus (center) of the lens. Nuclear cataracts are commonly caused by aging and may escape detection in their early stages because their formation can sometimes cause a temporary improvement in one’s nearsighted vision — that is, until they worsen. Surrounding the nucleus of the lens is the cortex. A cortical cataract usually appears as an opaque white triangular obstruction that points toward the pupil. A subcapsular cataract occurs at the back of the lens and should be of particular concern to people with diabetes or those taking high doses of steroid medications who are at greater risk of developing this form. Because cataracts can often go unnoticed until they create problems, annual eye exams are important, especially among people 40 and over and those in higher-risk groups.

WHAT CAUSES CATARACTS?

The lens inside the eye is comprised primarily of water and protein. Protein molecules can clump together within, around, or behind the lens to form a cataract. The cause of cataracts isn’t fully understood, but research has shown a strong relationship between cataracts and risk factors such as aging, family history, exposure to ultraviolet light, diabetes, hypertension, corticosteroid and/or statin medications, hormone replacement therapy, past eye injury or surgery, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and extensive alcohol consumption. There is some speculation that cataracts are formed by oxidation within the lens, which is supported by studies noting a decreased incidence of cataracts among vegetarians and vegans, whose diets are associated with a higher consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. People studied who consumed a diet containing 3.5 ounces or more of meat each day showed a higher incidence of cataracts, although it is unclear if it can be attributed to high protein consumption or a possible lack of certain antioxidants.

“As part of Lake Eye’s comprehensive eye health program, we offer suggestions to increase eye health-friendly nutrients in one’s daily diet,” says Dr. Wehrly. “We know of many foods that can increase a patient’s levels of vitamins E and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which may decrease the risk of cataract formation and other health problems, as well.” Adds Dr. Holman, “Because sunlight has been shown to contribute to the formation and worsening of cataracts, Lake Eye’s optical department features a highly-trained staff to offer advice on the best prescription and fashion 100% UV protection.”

IS SURGERY NECESSARY TO TREAT CATARACTS?

In their early stages, cataracts often don’t cause enough impairment to warrant surgery and vision can be improved using a new prescription for glasses. However, when a cataract causes significant impairment of vision, surgery presents a safe, quick, and permanent cure for cataracts and improvement of vision.

WHAT IS THE LENSX® LASER PROCEDURE?

Traditional cataract surgery involves an eye surgeon creating tiny manual incisions with a blade and then removing the cataract or breaking it down using ultrasound before replacing the natural lens with an artificial one. LenSx® laser refractive surgery is different. It creates 3-D images of the eye and gives the surgeon real-time computer guidance so that he or she can make extremely precise cool-laser incisions to the anterior capsule covering the lens, to the cornea when needed to correct astigmatism, and to the cataract itself to break it apart for easy removal and rapid patient recovery.

Most candidates for cataract surgery are eligible for LenSx® laser surgery. The LenSx® system features a femtosecond laser (a laser that emits ultrashort optical pulses) and computer image guidance for increased accuracy, speed, and precision. The LenSx® laser is the first of its kind to be cleared by the FDA for use in cataract surgery.

“The LenSx laser was designed specifically for refractive cataract surgery,” says Dr. Holman. “It provides a 3-D surgical platform so that I can easily visualize and customize the procedure for each patient, including mapping out the tiny corneal incisions needed to correct most astigmatisms. Its clear video imaging lets me plan and program treatment with precise accuracy to address even more complex issues such as anterior capsulotomies and lens fragmentation. It’s amazing.”

As a leader in the community known for remaining ahead of the curve, Lake Eye Associates was the first ophthalmology practice in Lake County to procure and receive advanced training in the LenSx® laser. Says Dr. Holman, “Lake Eye prides itself on being the most advanced, stateof-the-art practice in the area, and we wanted to be the forerunners in providing this amazing technology.

We knew instinctively that laser surgical procedures will be the gold standard of eye surgery in the very near future, but for us — and our patients — the future is now.”

“We kept a keen eye on Alcon’s [the manufacturer] development of the technology over the months, eager to offer our patients more customized options and treatment to minimize astigmatism and aberrations on the cornea,” says Dr. Wehrly. “Dr. Holman and I first undertook extensive coursework and then traveled to observe other surgeons performing the procedure, and we were hooked. The imagery and accuracy were astonishing and so intuitive. LenSx is the kind of advancement that we as eye surgeons were eager and thrilled to master. We performed our initial surgeries under the supervision of expert LenSx instructors and then went on to earn certification from Alcon.”

Dr. Holman, too, is openly excited when talking about this pioneering cataract surgery. “LenSx’s bladeless technology enables us to provide patients with better care and potentially clearer vision than any technology before it. It allows patients to be less dependent on, and in some cases give up, glasses. And for cataract surgeries, it increases the precision of the incision of the cornea and allows for better, more accurate placement of the lens. The technology creates a huge benefit to patients. We’ve been extremely happy with the results.”

With notable pride, he adds, “Dr. Wehrly and I have performed hundreds of safe and successful LenSx procedures and we are the most experienced physicians performing this advanced laser surgery in Lake, Sumter, and Marion counties.”

When asked to pinpoint the best thing about the LenSx® laser system, Dr. Holman can barely contain his enthusiasm. “First and foremost, precision. It abandons the use of a cutting blade in favor of a cool laser for the highest level of accuracy, even in the most challenging cases and, in my experience, it is safer due to its faster performance and reduced invasiveness [compared to a blade].”

“The incisions I make with the LenSx laser are very easy to replicate, so multiple incisions of the same size and shape can be made quickly and with greater accuracy than any surgeon could create manually,” says Dr. Wehrly. “This is especially beneficial in correcting astigmatism and in the precise placement of a corrective intraocular lens (IOL).”

IOLs, which include name brands such as Toric®, ReSTOR®, and Tecnis® multifocal lenses, provide corrections that can leave eyesight better than it was before surgery, even before the formation of cataracts. The LenSx® laser can correct problems such as astigmatism, leaving a clear path for the implantation of lenses that address nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other vision problems. Marked improvement in vision is often noticed within 24 to48 hours after surgery and most patients are able to return to regular tasks the very next day.

Dr. Wehrly states, “By using a low-temp laser instead of a surgical knife we’re able to minimize risk and remove even challenging cataracts with greater speed, safety, and accuracy than ever before. We’re thrilled to be the first provider in Lake County to offer our patients the best and most advanced cataract procedure available.”

Whether symptoms of cataracts exist or not, the doctors are quick to point out that regular exams are especially important for people age 65 and older, folks with health conditions that may affect their vision such as diabetes, and those whose vision has undergone a noticeable change. “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 eye drops to surgery to diet and exercise. When you’re a patient, it feels good to have a local 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 one of the three state-of-the-art Lake Eye Associates offices near you.

For more information, visit www.LakeEye.com.