ENV!SION A publication of McDonald Eye Associates | Summer 2014
Focus on Technology: Premium Lenses & the ORA System速 PAGE
PAGE
Just Kidding Around: Contact lenses for your children
PAGE
Where are they now? Holly Warren Harris LASIK Patient
1 | Envision
PR
R E I EM
!
E U S IS
CONTENTS 6
Behind The Scenes: Take a look inside MEA
14 Easy Hummus 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15
12 Children & Contacts
Physician Spotlight: Dr. Chad Betts Focus on Technology: Premium Lenses & the ORA System® Behind the Scenes: Take a look behind the break room doors to meet some of our staff and see just how much fun we are having here at MEA LASIK FAQ’s: You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers Fayetteville Favorites: Find out what our team loves about Fayetteville Where are they now? Patient testimonial follow-up Our Surgery Center: Exceptional care right next door Staff Spotlight: Anna Reno, LASIK Coordinator Contact lenses for your children: What you need to know Welcome Dr. Michael Waggoner Eye healthy recipe: Easy Hummus Recipe Puzzle Corner
4
Premium Lenses & the ORA System®
McDonald Eye Associates is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of vision correction. For more than 40 years, we have provided the finest eye care in Northwest Arkansas, leading the way in technology and advanced procedures. Dr. Chad Betts has surrounded himself with an experienced team of eye care professionals to better serve the needs of his patients. 3318 N. North Hills Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.521.2555 www.mcdonaldeye.com
PHYS ICI A N S P OT L I G HT Chad Betts, M.D., R.Ph., is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. Dr. Betts completed his post-graduate training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Department of Ophthalmology. He specializes in anterior segment surgery, including cataract and LASIK surgery, as well as macular degeneration and diabetes related eye disease. He is a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and the American College of Eye Surgeons. Dr. Betts is active in his church and several medical societies. In his spare time, he enjoys running, golf, fishing, home improvement projects, and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Kim, have three children.
Give us an interesting fact about yourself. I grew up on a farm in the Oklahoma panhandle. We grew wheat and corn and also raised cattle. I spent my summers and school breaks working alongside my family planting and harvesting until I had my first job in a hospital pharmacy during pharmacy school. I have a pharmacy degree and worked hospital pharmacy, as well as retail pharmacy at Walgreens, during medical school. Who do you consider to be your mentor and why? I have been fortunate to have numerous mentors during my medical training and career, but the one ophthalmologist that introduced me to the ophthalmic surgical specialty was Tom Nicklas, MD, who was a family friend of my wife’s in Grove, Oklahoma. Looking back, he stands out the most. However, Jay McDonald, M.D. has also heavily influenced my passion for ophthalmology and the NWA community. How crazy is your house having 3 young kids running around? There is certainly always something going on! Our daughter is 9 years younger than our oldest son, so she is growing up as the tag–a–long to whatever practice my two boys are doing at the time. This year we had one child in cotillion and another potty training! Never a dull moment. Where is your favorite place in NWA to take your family? We love boating on Beaver Lake. It’s our favorite thing to do as a family.
When you aren’t here at McDonald Eye Associates, what hobbies do you enjoy? I have always enjoyed running and wish I could fit it in more often. I enjoy attending pretty much any Razorback sporting event with my family. I’m also a big movie fan and love to see as many as possible. Why did you decide to go into ophthalmology? It is a medical specialty that allows me to strike both a personal and professional balance. Ophthalmology allows me to build long-term patient relationships, as well as help restore sight with surgical procedures, often giving immediate results. Ophthalmology is also heavily technology driven, which is appealing to me, and is an added benefit to our patients in giving them the best vision possible. What do you love most about Northwest Arkansas? The natural beauty that is everywhere! I enjoy the seasons and what each one brings to the area. We have so many “big city” options while still keeping the small town goodness that my wife and I want for our family. What’s the one thing all patients should know about McDonald Eye Associates? Hard to narrow it down to only one…but MEA exists solely to provide quality, compassionate medical and surgical eye care to the people of NWA.
McDonald Eye Associates | 3
PREMIUM LENSES & the ORA SYSTEM® Why You Don’t Want to Wait to Have Cataract Surgery
It’s an exciting time to have cataracts. Really! Over the past 60 years, cataract surgery has gone from a week-long stay in the hospital to a 30 minute outpatient procedure. Today, over three million Americans have cataract surgery every year. Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures and has the highest success rate of any surgery being performed to date. And here’s the great news—it just got better! Recently, new and improved intraocular lenses have been developed that not only correct your vision blurred by cataracts, but can also correct other vision problems as well; some that you may have had your entire life or developed as you aged. These next generation of lenses are called Premium Lenses. Premium Lenses allow most patients the possibility to see well at multiple distance levels, often without glasses or contacts. This means you can see well doing near vision activities, such as reading or sewing, as well as distance vision activities, like driving or watching a movie. The wonderful thing about these new lenses is the ability to choose the lens that best meets the needs of your desired lifestyle for a truly personalized experience. Every patient is unique, and everyone uses his or her eyes differently. As we age, some things become more important to us than others; however, your quality of life and independence shouldn’t be compromised due to poor vision. Premium Lenses provide just that: self-sufficiency at a personalized level. Knowing your lens options allows you, as a patient, to assist the surgeon in personalizing your surgical experience. We want the best for our patients, and above all, we want our patients to be happy with the outcome of their surgery. This is why, at McDonald Eye Associates, our goal is for you to know your options so we can make this the most positive experience possible.
4 | Envision
TYPES OF PREMIUM LENSES Multifocal and Accommodating Lenses
Multifocal lenses are used to correct both cataracts and presbyopia. Simply put, presbyopia is the progressive inability to focus on near objects as we age. These specific lenses are designed with multiple optic zones, each with a specialized function for different lighting and focal distances, allowing clear vision in most situations of daily life, from driving to reading fine print. Accommodating lenses are very similar to multifocal lenses and are capable of responding to muscle movements made by the eye as it shifts between different focal lengths, allowing you to see more clearly at near, intermediate, and far distances. Both of these Premium Lenses are ideal for patients who regularly use a computer, sew, watch TV, golf, or drive frequently at night, but want to do so with less or no dependence on glasses or contacts. Like bifocal glasses, multifocal and accommodating lenses give you multiple viewing regions, however these Premium Lenses provide better visual acuity than bifocals.
Astigmatism Correction
Astigmatism, a common eye condition caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or lens, causes distorted or blurred vision. Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) and Toric Lenses are two surgical options designed to correct astigmatism. Limbal Relaxing Incisions involve making incisions in the cornea to relax the misshaped cornea, allowing for normal vision to be restored. For cataract patients who are candidates for LRI, your surgeon will do a standard cataract procedure, replacing your cloudy lens with a clear one, then complete the LRI procedure. Toric lenses are another option to treat both cataracts and astigmatism. The unique design of the Toric Lenses make it possible to reduce or eliminate astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision while removing the lens clouded by cataracts. These lenses also improve contrast sensitivity in low-light situations, such as driving at night. Toric Lenses are ideal for patients with astigmatism who desire an active lifestyle with reduced need for glasses or contacts.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Standard lenses for cataract surgery are covered in-full by Medicare and most insurance companies. However, the additional testing associated with Premium Lenses requires an out-of-pocket cost. Financing is available for these additional costs and your surgical coordinator will discuss your options with you in detail.
THE RIGHT LENS FOR YOU
Because your eyes are so important in everything you do, selecting an Premium Lens is a very personal decision. At McDonald Eye Associates, we not only want to help you consider all of your options, we want to assist you in deciding on the best lens for you and the lifestyle you desire in the years to come.
Advanced technology only available at MEA The ORA System速 takes cataract surgery a step further, removing most of the uncertainty by providing real-time micro-measurements that guide your surgeon during lens placement. This allows your surgeon to make refined adjustments to optimize your outcome and verify, during surgery, the proper correction has been made. All of this increases the likelihood of excellent results and helps reduce your need for glasses.
McDonald Eye Associates | 5
BEHIND
THE SCENES
Take a look behind the break room doors to meet some of our staff and see just how much fun we are having here at MEA. “We feel like one of the strengths of our practice is our staff. Sometimes we spend more time here at work than we do at home with our families. I think the staff at MEA makes the difference in our clinic, which sets us apart from other clinics in the area. We’ve invested in our staff and we want to be a practice that people look forward to coming to because of this comfortable, family-like atmosphere.” –Dr. Chad Betts
Baby Shower for Mercedes, Surgical Tech
Dr. Betts & his wife, Kim
Dr. Michael Waggoner, Lexi & Dr. Chad Betts
6 | Envision
Anna (right) at NWA Fashion Week
McDonald Eye Associates staff having dinner together
LASIK FAQ: Your Questions Answered Isn’t all laser vision correction the same? No. Surgeon experience, lasers, diagnostic technology and follow-up care all play a part in your LASIK experience. Laser vision correction will affect the way you see for the rest of your life. You should make your decision to have laser vision correction carefully. Our website has an abundance of information about our surgeon, Dr. Chad Betts, our laser technology, our advanced diagnostic technology, and what you should expect for the money you spend. We provide you with this information on LASIK because we feel the more you know about us, the more confident you will feel about choosing us as your laser vision correction provider. We also offer free consultations to determine if you are a good candidate. Will it hurt? Since anesthetic eye drops numb your eyes, there is no pain during any of the laser vision procedures, although some patients experience mild discomfort or pressure sensation during the procedure. After LASIK, you might experience mild discomfort for a few days. An over-the-counter pain reliever or use of artificial tears will generally alleviate this discomfort. Epi-LASIK patients experience most discomfort three to five days post-op as the epithelium heals.
Is LASIK and laser vision correction safe? There are possible risks with any surgical procedure, but serious complications with LASIK or Epi-LASIK are extremely rare. The chance of having a vision-reducing complication from LASIK has been documented in clinical studies to be less than one percent. Many of the risks and complications associated with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated through careful patient selection and thorough pre-operative testing using the latest diagnostic technology. At MEA, we take a very conservative approach and screen patients carefully. What is the difference between Epi-LASIK and traditional LASIK? Since not all of our patients are candidates for LASIK, we perform a related procedure called Epi-LASIK in order to help those patients achieve the best vision possible. In LASIK, a corneal flap is created to reach the deeper layers of the cornea. The Epi-LASIK procedure eliminates the need for a flap, by removing only the superficial layers of the epithelium, then applying the laser directly to the cornea. We also offer other surgical options for patients seeking surgical vision correction, which your surgical coordinator can discuss in detail.
New at McDonald Eye Associates:
BLADELESS LASIK! All-laser technology for a completely bladeless LASIK experience!
McDonald Eye Associates | 7
Fayetteville Favorites McDonald Eye Associates has been an active member in the Fayetteville community for over 40 years! Many of our staff members are Fayetteville natives, too.
What do they love most about Fayetteville?
Tara, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Football games!
Angela, Front Desk Associate The laid back atmosphere and the city’s preservation efforts for historical homes.
Dr. McIver Everything Razorbacks!
8 | Envision
Vonda, Practice Administrator The family safe community.
Dr. Halsted The awesome trail system to run and ride bikes!
Nikki, Contact Lens Technician Pretty spring weather to enjoy my kids’ baseball games.
PATIENT SPOTLIGHT:
Where are they now? Holly Warren Harris As a Fayetteville business owner and avid mountain biker, Holly Warren Harris didn’t have time to deal with contacts or glasses. That’s why she chose LASIK eye surgery with McDonald Eye Associates in 2013. We caught up with her a year later to find out how much her life has really changed since her LASIK surgery! Tell us a little about what was going on in your life prior to your LASIK surgery? To be quite honest, I was always reaching for my glasses— whether I was working, reading a menu, or just looking for a pen! I have a busy lifestyle and glasses slowed me down. Plus, it made me feel old! How were your vision problems affecting your lifestyle? It affected every part of my life. I needed my glasses for almost every part of my day—working, cooking, and laundry—even driving had become a challenge. What prompted you to move forward with LASIK surgery? Ultimately, knowing I was in great hands was the deciding factor! I felt very comfortable in the care of Dr. Betts and the McDonald Eye Associates staff. They were very encouraging. What was your surgical experience like? I was actually very nervous, but Dr. Betts and his staff immediately put me at ease. Looking back, I had nothing to be worried about! Do you have any advice for others considering this procedure? Do it! Why not? My only regret is I wish I had done it sooner!
Considering LASIK? Why wait?
What are you up to now that you have clearer vision? I’m living life to its’ fullest in beautiful Northwest Arkansas! My daily activities are much easier without the hassle of glasses and contacts!
We offer free LASIK consultations and can share financing options, too. Schedule your free consultation today by visiting the front desk or calling 479.521.2555.
McDonald Eye Associates | 9
Arkansas Outpatient Eye Surgery Center: By The Numbers Arkansas Outpatient Eye Surgery Center is conveniently located right next door to McDonald Eye Associates. Founded in 2006 and used by multiple physicians and specialties, AOESC offers patients excellent care for their outpatient surgery needs.
1
2
3
4
8
Operating Room
Anesthesia Providers
Ophthalmologists Orthopedic Surgeons
Registered Nurses
Years Serving NWA
2014 12,000 Year we sill start performing corneal replacements
Surgeries Completed
Scrub Techs
Staff Spotlight: Anna Reno, LASIK Coordinator Anna’s journey to McDonald Eye Associates and NWA I was born and raised in Fort Smith, AR. After high school, I moved to Florida and attended the University of West Florida. There, I obtained a degree in Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition. My first job was training baseball and rugby players! Shortly after graduation, my husband and I moved to Chicago, where I managed a corporate fitness center. We loved the Windy City, but decided we wanted to be back in NWA to raise our son, Jackson. I have been with McDonald Eye Associates almost two years and have loved every day! I have a very unique job in that I am able to experience relationships with our patients and also the community; it’s the best of both worlds and what I have always desired in my professional life. Family time My husband, Chris, and I have one son, Jackson, who turned five this year. Our second “child” is our labradoodle, Marley, who is definitely a big part of the family! We have a large
10 | Envision
family and try to spend as much time together as possible. Jackson plays t-ball and also attends a youth group through our church, so we are always on the go! We love spending time at the Botanical Gardens, Lake Fayetteville, and of course, the Farmer’s Market.
When not at McDonald Eye Associates… Jackson and I spend a lot of time outdoors! We love to ride bikes, go fishing, and play at the park. I also really love to run. When indoors, I enjoy reading and doing puzzles. With the history MEA has in our community, and my personal love of NWA, it has been a joy and privilege to be a part of this organization and family of people who have been caring for patients for over 40 years.
No matter how old you are, or what your favorite style is... We have you covered. Our experienced opticians will help you every step of the way; from selecting your frames, to the final fitting
Well, there may be some limitations.
Contact Lenses For Your Children: What You Need To Know Contact lenses are a good option for many children with refractive errors. Many children choose to wear contact lenses over glasses to improve their self-image and confidence. Contact lenses are also the preferred method of visual correction for sporting activities because they offer enhanced peripheral vision, will not fog up, and are much easier to wear under a helmet. One common question we get from parents is, “What is a good age for my child to start wearing contact lenses?” That age has come down significantly over the last 30 years, thanks mostly to increased ease in contact lens cleaning regimens, as well as the decrease in the cost of contact lenses themselves. Over the last 5 years, affordable daily disposable contact lenses have become the lens of choice for many children. Because these lenses do not need to be cleaned, and are also inexpensive enough that a torn or lost lens is not a financial burden, the typical age to start wearing contact lenses has decreased even more, usually around age 11. With all that in mind, when parents ask if it is okay for their child to start wearing contact lenses, we tell them that three people have to agree that it is in the child’s best interest:
12 | Envision
1. The child has to want it. If the child isn’t driving this decision, many don’t end up wearing contact lenses successfully. 2. The doctor has to feel that the eyes are healthy enough, and that the prescription is suitable for contact lens wear. 3. The parent has to feel that the child is hygienic, coordinated, and responsible enough to manage the daily routine of contact lens wear. Of the contact lens options available today, we find that people are most successful wearing a daily disposable contact lens. A single use disposable lens eliminates the need for a chemical disinfecting system which avoids the potential for a solution reaction. Our contact lens department has a very experienced and dedicated staff. We fit all types of lenses and treat patients of all ages. Contact lenses can address nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and the need for a bifocal. We also fit lenses to address therapeutic indications such as irregular astigmatism, ocular trauma, and keratoconus. If you are interested in trying contact lenses, please schedule an appointment. Nikki Stocker, NCLC-AC Contact Lens Technician 479.521.2555 Ext. 235
Welcome, Dr. Michael Waggoner! Where were you born/raised? Born in Southern California; we moved to Rogers when I was in fourth grade. End result: raised Arkansan without an accent. Do you have any hobbies? What about special talents? I like to travel, exercise, run, bike, and canoe. I am proficient in French, which was my major in college; I studied in France for a semester. What makes you most excited about joining the McDonald Eye Associates team? When I first met the team at MEA, one thing was clear: the entire organization is directed toward providing the absolute highest quality eye care in the region. That sense of purpose really resonated with my personal practice style and was a natural fit. My additional training in anterior segment and corneal surgery meshes well with the history of the practice as a national leader in refractive surgery. Why do you love NWA? Northwest Arkansas is home. For the past 10 years of my medical training, my wife Crystal and I have lived around the midwest, but every time we return to NWA we feel like we’re coming home. There is such a great combination of community, culture, and outdoor living that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the region. And, of course, the best part about NWA is the Razorbacks! How did you decide to go into the field of medicine? Why ophthalmology? I went to medical school planning to go into Family Practice. My father was an entrepreneur who, in the 1980’s, was involved in the development of the intraocular lens technology that is currently used for cataract surgery. A year into medical school, he suggested I look into ophthalmology as a career, so I spent some time working with an ophthalmology practice in Fort Worth. There I found a specialty that has a tremendous ability to impact patient’s lives and allows for a truly unique doctor-patient relationship. There are very few things people tend to care about more than their eyes and protecting their vision. Needless to say, I was hooked.
Dr. Waggoner, his wife Crystal, and their daughters, Claire (2) and Anne (1).
13 | Envision
McDonald Eye Associates | 13
Hummus with Vegetables • 1/2 cup water • 1/3 cup lime juice from 2-3 limes • 3/4 cup tahini • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 25 oz can garbanzo beans • 1 clove garlic • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves • 3/4 tsp table salt • 1/2 tsp ground cumin • 2/4 tsp cayenne powder
1. Combine lime juice and water in a bowl. Set aside. 2. Whisk together tahini and olive oil in a separate small bowl. Set aside.
It’s obvious to all of us that what we eat greatly affects our overall health. Obesity is on the rise nationally, as well as internationally because we are all eating larger portions of more calorie-rich foods. Obesity and poor food choices contribute to such health problems as diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In addition, eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and macular degeneration have all been linked to poor diets. Many of us may do a good job in watching what we eat at meal times, but don’t do as good a job in being vigilant while we’re snacking. To make this recipe extra healthy, dip raw vegetables instead of carb- and lipid-rich pita chips. The olive oil in the hummus is high in mono-unsaturated oils. This is one reason why heart disease is rarer in those eating a Mediterranean diet than a traditional American one, which is higher in saturated fats. Carrots are high in carotenes, and red peppers are high in both vitamin A and beta-carotene, all of which are protective against age-related macular degeneration. Broccoli and sugar snap peas are high in a number of important vitamins and minerals that contribute to healthy eyes and a healthy body.
3. Drain and rinse garbanzo beans and coarsely chop garlic and cilantro. Process garbanzo beans, garlic, salt, cumin, cayenne, and cilantro in food processor until almost fully ground (about 15 seconds). Scrape down sides with a rubber spatula. 4. With machine running, add lime juice water mixture in a steady stream. Scrape down sides of bowl with a rubber spatula. 5. With machine running, add tahini — olive oil mixture and process until the hummus is smooth and creamy. Allow it to sit for at least half an hour in the refrigerator before serving to allow the flavors to meld. 6. Cut raw vegetables into appropriate sizes and shapes for dipping. Serve with hummus. Makes 3-4 cups of hummus.
Puzzle Corner L
E
M
A
R
F
P
I
N
T
R
A
O
C
U
L
A
R
D
L
I
J
K
S
C
U
F
E
Y
E
E
X
A
M
S
B
O
Y
C
A
H
G
K
I
S
A
L
M
S
T
C
A
T
N
O
C
P
L
F
S
T
O
V
B
X
E
A
I
P
O
Y
B
S
E
R
P
B
B
Z
E
O
P
H
T
H
A
L
M
O
L
O
G
Y
G
L
E
N
S
G
R
V
X
R
E
T
I
N
A
A
D
O
P
T
O
M
E
T
R
Y
C
F
G
L
A
S
S
E
S
M
L
W
L
A
M
O
C
U
A
L
G
X
S
Z
N
O
I
T
C
A
R
F
E
R
C
O
R
N
E
A
H
J
J
M
S
I
T
A
M
G
I
T
S
A
R
F
C
G
A
V
K
N
O
I
S
I
V
V
D
C
A
T
A
R
A
C
T
S
G
H
E
refraction eyeexam glasses contacts cataracts LASIK cornea vision optometry ophthalmology laser intraocular lens frame retina glaucoma astigmatism presbyopia
Puzzle made at www.puzzle-maker.com
astigmatism laser Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 1, Book 35 cataracts LASIK contacts lens cornea ophthalmology eyeexam optometry frame presbyopia glasses refraction glaucoma retina intraocular vision
Sudoku #1
Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 3, Book 34
Sudoku #1
Š 2013 KrazyDad.com
3 2 8 5 9 1 8 3 9 8 5 3 4 6 9 1 4 9 2 3 2 7 4 1 9 7 4 5 2 8 1 3 6 4 2 Chef, n.: Any cook who swears in French.
1 4 3 1 5 7 2 3 6 9 5 7 8 4 6 2 5 4 7 7 9 5 9 4 3 7 6 3 2 8 9 9 8 6
2013 KrazyDad.com Soduku puzzles courtesy of Šwww.KrazyDad.com
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.
If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle.
Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle.
McDonald Eye Associates | 15
Chad Betts, M.D., R.Ph. Michael Waggoner, D.O. Jessalyn Halsted, O.D. Dusty McIver, O.D. Rebecca Moser, O.D. 3318 N. North Hills Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 www.mcdonaldeye.com
Phone: 479.521.2555 Toll Free: 800.262.4405 Fax: 479.521.6761