What Does this Test Do? Part 1 – AutoRefractor
What is the first test we do when you come into the office for a complete vision exam?
We take a measurement of your vision with the AutoRefractor.
When you take a seat at the autorefractor, we ask you to look into the device. You will see a blurry hot air balloon at the end of a long straight road. As the balloon comes into focus, we measure your prescription.
We ask you to focus on the image (balloon) to keep your eye centered while we take measurements. It only takes just a few seconds to measure using an autorefractor. The balloon is at the center of the image, which aligns your eye perfectly for the test.
When we use this machine, nothing touches your eye, and there is no puff of air!sisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.cc
The autorefractor provides an objective measurement of a person’s refractive error and prescription for glasses or contact lenses. The device measures how light is changed as it enters your eye.
We don’t use the numbers from the device to order your prescription glasses or contacts. The autorefractor is just part of the process. The information from the autorefractor is used as a starting point to determine your best prescription. We take these numbers and dial them into the phoropter.
Here is where your opinion comes in. As we cycle through lenses, we ask, “Is it Better 1 or Better 2?” Your responses help us to pinpoint your best vision. When we show you different choices, we aren’t trying to trick you! We are showing you different options to find your best correction.
Why do we use a balloon photo?
Your LASIK Experience
Patients often ask…what happens the day of your LASIK procedure?
Our LASIK surgery center is now located right in our office!
When you arrive for your surgery, you will be taken back to an exam room. Your family member or friend can stay with you while we review your paperwork, medications and post-op instructions – it’s always good to have an extra pair of ears listening while we go over details! The total time is usually under 1 hour.
Next, we get you ready for surgery. We apply a series of eye drops and review what happens in the laser suite. During the procedure, Dr. Moran explains each step of the way, so you know what to expect.
In the LASIK Suite
- The team makes you comfortable on the surgery bed. Your head rests on a horseshoe shaped pillow.
- We place a patch on your left eye.
- Then, your right eye is held open with a lid holder (no need to worry about blinking during the procedure!)sisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.ccsisipisi.cc.
- Dr. Moran creates a flap using the Intralase laser. You will feel some pressure as he applies a ring on your eye, before the laser is applied. Your vision will go dark for a few seconds as he creates the flap. In just a few seconds, the flap is done! Your vision comes right back after the ring is removed.
- Next, he lifts the flap and centers your eye under the Visx laser.
- The laser treatment is applied. It is painless…all you need to do is look at a yellow light while the laser is working.
- Then, he smoothes the flap back into place and the lid holder is removed. The right eye is done!
- Dr. Moran repeats the procedure in the left eye.
When you enter the LASIK room, Dr. Moran, his surgical assistant, and the laser engineer are waiting for you. They give you a LASIK buddy to hold…he’s a little bit of comfort that goes a long way to making you feel secure!
After about 15-20 minutes, Dr. Moran walks you out of the LASIK room, and checks your eyes in the exam chair. We put drops in your eyes before you head home, and review the post-op instructions again. Once you put on your sunglasses, you are good to go.
WHEN YOU GO HOME:
The day of your surgery, it is important to keep both eyes closed as much as possible. We give you sunglasses to wear home, so you can open your eyes to walk to the car. Close your eyes for the ride home, but you can open them again to walk into your house.
Put on your eye shield as soon as you arrive at home. Then it is time to rest with your eyes closed. Listen to music, an audiobook, or podcast…or just go to sleep. The eye shields should be worn for sleeping for the next 7 days, so that you don’t accidentally touch or rub your eyes.
If you have questions once you are home, call us! We always have someone on call to answer our patients concerns.
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
Overwhelmingly, our patients comment about how fast the procedure was…and how easy! We most commonly hear, “That was so much easier than I expected, why did I wait so long!?!”
Interested in LASIK? Come in for a free consultation to find out if LASIK is right for you. Click to find out what happens at your LASIK Consult
Expert Education
Dr. Moran attends Surgical convention to Learn…and to TeacH
At this year’s annual conference of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), Dr. Moran was the speaker at two education sessions. He spoke to other physicians and practice administrators at these workshops.
An experienced cataract surgeon, Dr. Moran instructed fellow surgeons on a procedure that he uses when removing cataracts: phaco-emulsification. This process uses an ultrasound device to break the cataract into small pieces that can be removed through a small incision. A smaller incision means quicker healing and less discomfort for the patient.
This hands-on lab allowed other surgeons to practice the process while receiving instruction from Dr. Moran, Dr. Harvey and Dr. Reeves. (pictured here).
Also at the conference, Dr. Moran also gave a presentation on Cybersecurity. He is well-versed on the topic of technology in healthcare, with a Masters Degree in Healthcare Informatics. This topic is critical for medical offices today, since keeping patient information secure is a priority. This session was co-chaired with Dr. Gerald Meltzer, who is a practice consultant.
Saving Holly’s Sight
When Mark and Paulette Moran heard about a horse that needed eye surgery to save her sight, they knew it was time to come to the rescue. After sharing the news with the staff, Moran Eye Associates donated $1,000 to Last Chance Ranch to cover the cost of Holly’s surgery.
We quickly replied to their Facebook fundraiser for Holly:
“Our office, Moran Eye Associates would like to donate the full amount of $1,000 for Holly’s surgery and care. Dr. Mark Moran and staff are happy to support your organization. We know how important sight is to all of us, and to the animals in our lives. In fact, Dr. Moran would have been happy to assist in surgery, if he wasn’t taking care of our human patients that day!”
Jackie Burke, who is the Equine Health Manager of Last Chance Ranch started a fundraiser for Holly via their Facebook page. Here is Holly’s story…
Holly is a sweet Haflinger mare who was saved from a kill pen by Last Chance Ranch. Our vet discovered an inflamed area of her eye. After consulting with New Bolton Center’s Ophthalmologist, it was determined that Holly had Squamous Cell Carcinoma in her left eye, and beginning in her right eye.
The vet is hopeful and believes that Holly has an extremely good prognosis and will probably not lose any vision! Holly is a young horse, only in her teens with a lot of life left.
The surgery was successfully completed on February 26th. Holly is now recovering at New Bolton Center, and will be back at Last Chance Ranch soon. The best news is that Holly has a prospective adopter, as long as everything goes well with her recovery!
We will keep you updated on Holly’s progress! For more information about the good work of this local rescue, visit their website http://www.lastchanceranch.org
Last Chance Ranch Animal Rescue, Inc. (LCR) is a public volunteer, non-profit (501c3) organization rescuing and rehabilitating horses and domestic companion animals. Last Chance Ranch Animal Rescue is dedicated to promoting and educating the public to humane and responsible treatment of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules (equines) and other domestic companion animals. Last Chance Ranch, Inc (LCR) provides a safe and secure refuge for abused, unwanted or neglected animals. LCR rehabilitates physical and psychological issues and places them into new homes where they receive the treatment and care they deserve.
All About Styes
What is a Stye?
A stye is a painful swollen spot in the upper or lower eyelid, near the lash line. The stye develops due to an infection in the eyelash follicles or oil glands at the lid margin.
The inflamed area may be tender to the touch. It appears as a red bump, possibly with a yellowish spot where pus has collected, like a pimple. It can occur on both the upper and lower eyelid, and is common in both children and adults. Styes develop gradually and sometimes go away on their own.
Home Care: What should I do if I feel a stye developing?
- Apply warm moist compresses 10 minutes 4 times a day.
- Keep your eyelids clean. Use warm water and baby shampoo on a cotton ball.
- STOP wearing eye makeup. Covering up a stye may slow your healing.
- Don’t wear contacts. Wear your glasses until the stye is gone.
- Wash your hands! Keep your hands clean and don’t share washcloths or towels with others.
- Do NOT Squeeze! Styes should not be squeezed or punctured at home.
When should I see the doctor?
If the stye is painful, causes vision problems, or does not improve after a few days, call for an appointment. You may need medication to treat the infection. When in doubt, pick up the phone and give us a call. We are always willing to discuss your symptoms and bring you in to the office if needed.
After your eye is healed, it is important to replace all of your eye makeup that has come in contact with your infected eye. That includes eyeliner, mascara, concealer and eye pencils.
Is there any way to prevent a stye?
A stye develops due to a blocked pore, so it makes sense that keeping your eyelids clean is the best way to prevent styes. Don’t sleep in your makeup! Take the time to remove ALL makeup before you go to bed each night. Replace your eye makeup every six months, and don’t share it with others.
Cleanse your eyelids in the morning as well to keep the lid margins clear. The crusty discharge that accumulates overnight in the corners and on the lashes should be cleared away with the warm water and baby shampoo method.
To read more about keeping your eyes healthy…scroll through the Moran Eye Associates blog. You’ll find helpful information on eye care from our doctors and staff.