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 The Ophthalmology service functions to diagnose and treat conditions that threaten vision. We extend our greatest efforts toward preventing blindness. We provide the highest attention to detail during the opthalmic examination. Routine diagnostic tests performed include tear film evaluation, tonometry, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, and direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Additional advanced diagnostic tests commonly performed include electroretinography, ultrasonography, and refraction. Many ophthalmic diseases are treated medically and do not require surgery. However, should surgery be necessary, some of the surgeries offered include cataract removal and artificial lens replacement, glaucoma drainage implants, corneal grafting, congenital and acquired eyelid malformation correction, and orbital procedures.
Cataract surgery is a highly successful means of vision restoration for our vision impaired or blind patients. The surgery utilizes the newest surgical techniques and instrumentation to maximize the percentage of successful outcomes. The entire surgery is performed under an operating microscope using a technique called phacoemulsification, the same technique used for humans. Following the removal of the diseased lens, a new intraocular lens is inserted into the eye. The well established rigid lenses and the new foldable lenses are available. The foldable, intraocular lended spare both surgical time and reduce the size of the incision to only 3.5mm.
 Management of glaucoma requires both prompt medical and surgical attention to prevent loss of vision. Early recognition of the signs of glaucoma is paramount to success. It is well known that medical therapy alone routinely fails to properly manage the progression of this disease. Glaucoma drainage devices are analogous to by-pass valves for the fluid in the eye and are the newest of successful techniques for the management of glaucoma. Dr. Cassotis is pleased to be one of a limited number of clinicians in the east offering this technique.
Corneal trauma is all too common and can result in either vision deficits from scarring or blindness from traumatic rupture of the eye. Medical therapy is the treatment of choice for the stable cornea to prevent scar tissue accumulation. Whereas surgery is utilized in advanced infection, trauma, or degeneration to remove infected tissue, stabilize the cornea, or excise the problematic process. In cases where the eye has ruptured, vision can still be saved with prompt referral. Microsurgery allows the proper tissue handling and precise suture placement for optimal results.
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