Listed below are just a few of the many procedures performed by our clinic. Our Surgical Coordinator is available Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm to answer more in depth questions you may have on our surgical procedures and services. For more information, please contact our office at (206) 386-2516 and ask for the Surgery Coordinator.
Corneal Transplantation
Corneal transplantation (grafting) replaces the central 7-8 millimeters of the cornea with a donor cornea that has been prepared by an eye bank. The most common indications for undergoing a corneal transplant procedure are to improve vision, reduce pain, or to maintain the structural integrity of the eye. In the United States, the most common disorders treated with corneal transplantation include Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, corneal swelling following cataract surgery (pseudophakic bullous keratopathy), keratoconus, and trauma-related corneal scarring.
Unlike cataract surgery, where visual recovery is rapid, the recovery time after a full thickness corneal transplant can take between 6 months to over one year before the best vision is obtained. Careful postoperative management is critical to ensure the success of the transplant. Postoperative management involves the use of eye drops to prevent infection or rejection of the transplant, reducing astigmatism of the transplant through timely suture removal, and monitoring for other complications such as glaucoma.
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DSAEK
Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) is an exiting new corneal transplant technique in which only the damaged cell layer of the eye (the endothelium) is replaced, instead of transplanting the entire thickness of the cornea. This new technique often allows for much faster healing and quicker recovery times than a traditional corneal transplant surgery. This surgery is appropriate for patients in which the endothelial cell layer is dysfunctional in cases of Fuchs’ dystrophy or post cataract surgery endothelial dysfunction (pseudophakic bullous keratopathy).
Advantages of DSAEK as compaired to standard corneal transplantation may include:
- A stronger eye that is more resistant to injury
- Minimal change in glasses prescription because the patient's cornea is essentially intact
- Faster visual recovery
Dr. Rotkis is exited about offering this latest technique in corneal transplantation to our patients.
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Cataract Surgery
A cataract is a progressive clouding of the lens of the eye which results in blurring of the vision. The vision in the eye can be restored by cataract surgery, in which the clouded lens is replaced with a clear, artificial lens implant (intraocular lens or IOL). This is a highly successful outpatient surgery which is one of the most common surgeries performed in the country. Visual recovery is usually very rapid and steps are often taken at the time of surgery to minimize the need for distance glasses and to manage astigmatism.
If you have both a cataract and astigmatism, we offer the Acrysof Toric IOL lens that may allow you to enjoy quality distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses. At your consultation, Dr. Rotkis will discuss the use of this IOL to determine if it is appropriate for you.
In addition to routine cataract surgery, Dr. Rotkis is specialized in treating complex cataract surgery problems including lens exchanges and post-cataract surgery complications.
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Refractive Surgery
Refractive surgery is often performed to eliminate or reduce the need for wearing spectacles or contact lenses. It can be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Refractive surgery modalities include the use of the excimer laser to reshape the corneal surface (LASIK and PRK) and custom LASIK treatment with the VISX Wavescan system.
As a corneal specialist, Dr. Rotkis has advanced training an experience in performing refractive surgery and also in treating patients that have experienced complications from refractive surgery. Ophthalmic Consultants Northwest delivers a balanced, safe, thorough approach in explaining the various options to our patients. At your consultation, Dr. Rotkis will perform a full preoperative evaluation to determine whether you are a candidate for refractive surgery.
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LASIK
See video of LASIK surgery.
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PRK
See video of PRK surgery.
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