The LenSx laser from Alcon is a computer-controlled femtosecond laser which delivers more precision and accuracy than traditional cataract surgery. The LenSx laser assists the surgeon in performing the most delicate parts of the cataract procedure. High-definition imaging helps the surgeon customize each patient's surgical treatment to their eyes distinctive anatomy.

Femtosecond lasers are a proven technology, having been used for over a decade in corneal eye surgery like LASIK. Advances in imaging and computer technology have allowed for its expanded use in cataract surgery.

Michigan Vision Institute physicians have been performing eye surgery for 15 plus years. Combined, Dr. Stack and Dr. Alrawi have performed over 15,000 traditional cataract surgeries using a blade to manually make the small incisions. After investigating this technology, they are in agreement with other thought leaders in ophthalmology that LenSx offers patients the most advanced treatment for cataracts. As refractive cataract surgeons, their goal is to not only safely eliminate the cataract but to also deliver the best vision possible to patients after cataract surgery.

iStent® - Trabecular Micro-Bypass stent for open-angle glaucoma

The surgeons at Michigan Vision Institute are now able to add another step to cataract surgery to treat open-angle glaucoma in a completely new way. This is important because once diagnosed, you and most patients like you will spend the rest of your lives putting one, two or even three different kinds of drops in your eye(s) every day. Unfortunately, all of these drops will not only be inconvenient but potentially very expensive. The iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent is designed to reduce your eye pressure and can be implanted at the same time as cataract surgery.

The world's tiniest medical device-iStent-is 20,000 times smaller than the intraocular lenses (IOL) used in your cataract surgery. But the size of iStent is only part of its story. By increasing the eye's ability to drain fluid, this technology is designed to reduce the pressure in your eye.

• If you have glaucoma, over time the eye's natural drainage system becomes clogged
• iStent creates a permanent opening through the blockage to improve the eye's natural outflow
• Restoring this mechanism lowers and controls pressure within the eye
• iStent can only be implanted during cataract surgery. Once implanted, iStent will begin working to safely and effectively manage eye pressure. What's more, patients who receive iStent may experience a reduction in glaucoma medications; but this will be at the discretion of your physician.

Additional surgical procedures offered: Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure typically performed in a surgery center, which does not require any hospital stay. The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes. Your surgeon may use local and/or intravenous anesthesia as well as eye-numbing medications. During the procedure, your surgeon will make a tiny incision in the cornea, the clear covering over the colored part of your eye. Using a high-frequency ultrasound probe, the surgeon will break up the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and then use a suction to remove the pieces. This process is called phacoemulsification. This technique allows for a smaller incision, quicker healing time and reduced risk of complications. After removing the cloudy cataract, the surgeon will insert an intraocular lens (IOL) in its place. The procedure is complete once the small incision is closed. This is a self-healing incision and does not require the need for stitches.

One and a half million people have cataract surgery every year and 95% have a successful result. As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur during or after surgery, and some are severe enough to limit vision. In most cases vision, as well as quality of life, improves.

Ectropion/Entropion surgery

Ectropion (out-turning of the eyelid) and Entropion (in-turning of the eyelid) are common maladies of the eyelid margin that can directly affect ocular function and patient comfort; surgical repair is commonly performed.

Surgery for Ectropion or Entropion is usually done under local anesthesia, as an out-patient. The surgeon tightens the eyelid and its attachments, with either some simple sutures or stitches, placed through the lower eyelid. This procedure usually takes about 45 minutes.

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)

SLT selectively targets pigmented cells that can clog up the trabecular meshwork (drainage structure) within the eye. Due to its affinity for these certain types of cells, it will not cause any thermal injury or damage to surrounding tissue. This painless, in-office procedure takes minutes to perform and is very safe and effective. There is a low incidence of minor side effects with no restrictions or limitations after the treatment. Over 80% of people have a significant drop in their eye pressure. SLT can be used in addition to eye drops in the case where eye drops alone do not adequately control the eye pressure. SLT can also be performed as first-line treatment in lieu of eye drops. The benefits of SLT can last for years. Since it causes no damage to the eye, it can be repeated in the future if necessary.

Dr. Stack was one of the first ophthalmologists in the state to perform SLT when it was FDA approved in 2001. Since then he has done thousands of SLT procedures.

Strabismus (Eye Muscle) Surgery

Eye muscle repair surgery is performed to correct eye muscle problems that cause crossed (misaligned) eyes. The medical term for crossed eyes is strabismus. The goal of this surgery is to allow the eye muscles to be in proper position and help the eyes move correctly.

This surgery is usually done on children, but adults who have similar eye problems may also have it done. Children will usually receive general anesthesia for the procedure. Depending on the problem, one or both eyes may have surgery.

After the anesthesia has taken effect, the eye surgeon makes a small surgical incision in the conjunctiva to locate the affected muscles. Sometimes muscle requires strengthening, and sometimes it needs to be weakened.

• To strengthen a muscle, a section of the muscle or tendon may be removed to make it shorter. This step in the surgery is called a resection.
• To weaken a muscle, it is reattached at a point farther toward the back of the eye. This step is called a recession.

The surgery for adults is similar. Most adults are usually awake during surgery. A numbing medication is injected around the eye to block pain. Often in adult surgery, an adjustable suture is used on the weakened muscle. Minor corrections can be made later that day or the next day when the patient is fully awake. This technique usually has a very good outcome