| We invite you to learn more about these procedures and services by reading the following information. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Eye Care Associates today.
Comprehensive Eye Exams: Eye Care Associates offers comprehensive eye examinations. We check your vision for signs of refractive change, as well as diseases and other problems. Many medications and chronic conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease, can affect your vision and the health of your eyes. Our doctors are able to detect and advise you on changes that may be noted during your examination. It is our goal to help all of our patients achieve the best vision possible according to their circumstances.
back to top Contact Lenses: At Eye Care Associates, we offer an extensive range of contact lenses to help you see and look your best, including disposable, extended wear, and bifocal lenses in tints of every color. We also offer toric lenses to correct astigmatism. Whatever your visual needs, our qualified doctors and staff will work with you to make your contact lens experience a success. We have access to many different brands and specialty laboratories for difficult-to-fit conditions such as keratoconus. In addition, we can measure your corneas with topography and wave front analysis for more advanced fits. back to top Optical Shops – The Latest in Frames and Lenses: Our certified opticians work with the finest labs and materials in the industry. Eye Care Associates offers the on-site convenience and expertise of our optical dispensaries at two locations:
- Downtown Minneapolis – on the 20th floor of the Medical Arts Building, on the corner of 9th Street and Nicollet Mall; telephone: 612-332-5507
- Northeast Minneapolis – in the Silver Lake Plaza Medical Building, 4001 Stinson Boulevard, NE; telephone: 612-788-9021
We order from some of the largest wholesale laboratories in the country, allowing us to offer you the latest technology in eyeglass lenses. In many cases, we can provide you with one-day emergency service. Our designer frames include a wide selection from Polo, Kenneth Cole, Elle, Giorgio Armani, Columbia, and many others. If we don’t stock an item you want, we may be able to special order it.
Customer satisfaction is our primary goal, and we strive to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your eyewear. With hundreds of frames from which you can choose, we would be pleased to help you make a selection that is most appropriate to your prescription, lifestyle, occupation, and hobbies. We also offer a variety of lens materials and other options for your benefit. 
back to top Laser Eye Surgery: There are many types of lasers used in the treatment of eye diseases. Ophthalmologists were the first medical professionals to realize the importance of lasers as a tool to treat eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, secondary membrane after cataract surgery, and retinal holes and tears. Of course, lasers have had a revolutionary effect on refractive surgery, with such procedures as LASIK and PRK becoming commonplace. Each laser emits a unique wavelength of amplified light that allows it to serve a specific, delicate, highly precise purpose in eye treatment. back to top Cataract and Intraocular Lens Implants: Cataracts occur when there is a change in the clarity of the crystalline lens located behind the iris and the pupil. There are many possible causes for cataracts, including heredity, age, ultraviolet light, chronic diseases such as diabetes, and chronic use of corticosteroids. When your vision becomes blurred to the extent that it cannot be corrected by changes in your eyeglass prescription, cataract surgery may be necessary to improve your vision. Modern cataract surgery is performed with microscopic instruments and is truly a medical miracle. In a very short time, the clouded lens is removed using ultrasound energy (phacoemulsification), and an artificial lens is inserted in its place. Recovery is quick and usually painless. Often the need for glasses can be reduced or even eliminated by choosing a certain type of intraocular lens. Your doctor will determine this through a test called an “A” scan that measures your eye for the lens implant. Other tests may be needed to determine if you suffer from glare or loss of contrast sensitivity. When these tests have been done, we will schedule your surgery at an outpatient facility such as the Phillips Eye Institute. You will need to see your primary care doctor for a physical exam before your surgery, and you will have to use special eye drops for a few weeks after. We will be happy to discuss the advantages of cataract surgery with you. If you are interested in learning more about cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants, please contact Eye Care Associates today. back to top Diabetic Eye Diseases: Diabetes, a disorder of metabolism, results in excessively high levels of glucose in the blood. This in turn can lead to multiple problems throughout the body and the eyes in particular. Often the very earliest sign of diabetes is a change in vision that is caused by the elevated blood sugar. Fortunately, this is a completely treatable condition. However, more serious conditions may develop over time, including cataracts, double vision, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. The best way to manage these potential complications is by controlling blood glucose levels through diet, medication, and exercise. It is also important to maintain control of your blood pressure and schedule regular eye examinations with a qualified doctor of ophthalmology or optometry. back to top Glaucoma: Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, resulting in the loss of peripheral vision. Elevated intraocular pressure is a known cause of optic nerve damage and can be controlled by medication, laser therapy, and sometimes filtration surgery. Glaucoma can occur in any age group, but it is more frequently encountered in those who are over 65 years of age, those with a family history of glaucoma, and those of African-American descent. Certain medications such as corticosteroids and chronic diseases such as diabetes can predispose a person to the elevated eye pressure that leads to glaucoma. In the last few years, several important studies, such as the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study and the Early Treatment of Glaucoma Study, have resulted in breakthroughs in glaucoma treatment. Visual fields and optic nerve analysis play important roles in the diagnosis and management of the disease. New medications and laser treatments allow us to confront the disease more effectively than was possible in the past. Indeed, if glaucoma is detected and treated in its earliest stages, vision loss can be prevented entirely. back to top Macular Degeneration: The macula is a highly specialized area of the retina, responsible for the finest focus of your vision and the detection of color. This delicate part of the eye is particularly vulnerable to age, ultraviolet light, and other factors that can lead to deterioration of vision. Whether “dry” (atrophic) or “wet” (hemorrhagic), macular degeneration leads to the loss of central vision, a source of constant frustration for those affected. The condition is most effectively treated in its earliest stages. Many new therapies are being developed to treat macular degeneration, which is becoming increasingly prevalent as our population ages. Laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, and vitamins are just some of the options available to those suffering from the condition. Special lenses and magnifying devices can be used by those who find that conventional lenses do not offer sufficient clarity. We work closely with the Low Vision Clinic at the Phillips Eye Institute to provide our patients with whatever visual aids they might require. back to top Pediatric Eye Care: When young children or infants have eye infections or problems with focus, eye tracking, or other visual functions, it is important that they are treated in a safe, comforting environment. At Eye Care Associates, we strive to offer friendly, relaxed care to our youngest patients, as well as to reassure and educate their patients. More and more children are being screened for potential vision problems that can be corrected when detected at an early age. We understand that eye treatment isn’t fun, so we do our best to make the experience as pleasant as possible for children of all ages. Our doctors are affiliated with Children’s Hospital, which gives our young patients access to the best possible pediatric care in the Twin Cities. back to top Neuro-Ophthalmology: The eyes are directly connected to the brain by the optic nerves. Our brains are highly involved in processing vision and perception, as well as in eye coordination. When the optic nerves are damaged by trauma or disease, vision can be severely affected. For example, when the optic nerve becomes inflamed (optic neuritis), your vision can become extremely blurred. Strokes can also result in visual errors, including a reduced field of vision, problems with perception, and double vision. Fortunately, a neuro-ophthalmologist can diagnose these disorders in their earliest stages, allowing for immediate treatment and rehabilitation. back to top BOTOX ®, or oculinum, is a safe, temporary treatment for a variety of eye related problems, from crow’s feet and frown lines to more involved problems such as blepharospasm (excessive blinking) and double vision. Our doctors are well trained and extensively experienced in performing BOTOX ® treatments, and they have given student doctors the benefit of their expertise through teaching appointments at the University of Minnesota and other institutions. back to top Oculoplastic Surgery (Plastic Surgery of the Eye): The eyelids serve an important practical purpose, protecting your eyes from wind, foreign objects, and overexposure to light. Errors in the position of the eyelid can adversely affect both your appearance and your vision. Fortunately, most of these errors can be corrected through oculoplastic surgery, or plastic surgery of the eye. Blepharoplasty is a procedure in which our doctors correct asymmetry of the eyelids and treat baggy skin under the eyes by removing excess fat and tissue from the affected areas. Ptosis repair effectively treats drooping eyelids, helping you to look more alert and youthful, as well as possibly improving your vision. Tear duct repair allows us to restore health to tear ducts that have been damaged by trauma, age, and certain medications. In most cases, our doctors can perform these procedures on an outpatient basis. Surgery may also be necessary in the treatment of skin cancer. Many people are unaware that the area around the eyes is susceptible to skin cancer. Constant exposure to the sun and ultraviolet light may cause the delicate skin around the eyes to deteriorate. Any unusual bump should be evaluated and biopsied immediately. Skin cancer is usually highly curable when treated at an early stage. back to top For additional information:
eMedicine at www.emedicine.com
The American Academy of Ophthalmology at www.aao.org
Phillips Eye Institute at www.phillipseyeinstitute.com |
