Cataract surgery is a procedure that removes the lens inside your eye and replaces it with a clearer artificial lens. The lens sits behind the iris, the colored portion of your eye. It’s responsible for focusing light into the retina, the light-sensitive tissue toward the back of the eye that sends information to the optic nerve. The optic nerve then transmits these signals into the brain, which creates images for you to see. A cataract is an eye disorder that causes the lens to cloud and fog, leading to blurry vision and poor eyesight. Cataract surgery can help restore and sharpen your vision.

What is cataract surgery?

Avanti Eye may recommend cataract surgery if your condition impairs your ability to see clearly, read, drive, or perform your daily activities. You may not realize you have a cataract until you visit Avanti Eye’s office for a comprehensive eye exam.  Common symptoms of cataracts include:

Avanti Eye may also recommend cataract surgery if you frequently have to change the prescriptions for your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Cataracts usually affect both eyes, but they can develop in only one. Cataracts that appear in both eyes can develop at different rates. 

Who needs cataract surgery

Avanti Eye proudly provides a premium cataract surgery experience through modern techniques and advanced technology. Some patients may even be candidates for laser eye surgery. When you arrive for your procedure, the Avanti Eye team will administer numbing eyedrops to minimize your discomfort. Once you’re comfortable, Dr Juliet Del Piero creates a small incision in the surface of your eye with a thin blade or laser device. Dr Juliet Del Piero then breaks apart the clouded lens to remove it and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The incisions from cataract surgery usually heal on their own and rarely require stitches. After the procedure, Dr. Juliet Del Piero monitors you for about 30 minutes to assess your condition and provides you with detailed aftercare instructions before sending you home. Dr. Juliet Del Piero offers patients educational guidance to ensure their recovery is successful.

What happens during cataract surgery?

Cataract Surgery

Dry eye disease is a condition in which your eyes aren’t well lubricated. When there isn’t enough lubrication to coat the surface of your eye, you might develop inflammation and experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms.  

What is dry eye disease?

Dry eye disease often occurs as a result of tear deficiency. When your lacrimal or tear-producing glands produce insufficient tears to keep your eye’s surface well hydrated, it can cause the condition. Other causes of dry eyes may include: Allergies

Autoimmune disorder (Sjögren’s syndrome)

While there may be several reasons for dry eye disease, the best way to find out the cause of your specific condition is through an eye evaluation at Avanti Eye.

What causes dry eye disease?

With dry eye disease, you may experience symptoms such as:A grainy or sandy feeling in your eye

If dry eye disease is left untreated, it might increase your risk of developing corneal ulcers or experiencing loss of vision.

What symptoms does dry eye disease cause?

Avanti Eye may perform tests to evaluate the quality or volume of your tears. Avanti Eye might measure your tear production, and then see how long it takes before your tears dry up. Avanti Eye uses the information from your eye exam to develop a customized treatment plan for you. Your eye care plan is fully personalized to suit your dry eye treatment preferences. Treatment options may include the following:

Prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) eye drops

How is dry eye disease treated?

Dry Eye Disease

Blepharitis causes swollen, red, inflamed eyelids that sometimes burn and crust over. Many people also experience small flakes in their eyelashes that mimic the appearance of dandruff. While blepharitis doesn’t damage the eyes, it can be uncomfortable and aesthetically unappealing. The condition can also be difficult to manage without professional care.

What is blepharitis?

Blepharitis isn’t always obvious at first. Minor swelling can look like mild irritation. Over time, however, untreated blepharitis tends to worsen. Common signs of blepharitis typically include:

Without treatment, blepharitis can cause your eyelashes to fall out or shift in different directions. Some people even experience corneal swelling.

How do I know if I have blepharitis?

There are two primary types of blepharitis:

Anterior. Anterior blepharitis causes the outside of the eyelid to inflame. It typically occurs when bacteria or dandruff in your eyebrows or scalp collects in the eyelashes.

Posterior. Posterior blepharitis develops in the inner corner of your eyelid, causing it to swell. You’re more likely to get this type of blepharitis if you have an underlying skin condition or clogged oil glands.

Are there different types of blepharitis?

Blepharitis occurs when bacteria builds on the eyelids or in the eyelashes. Many people also get blepharitis when the oil glands in their eyelids clog. While anybody can get blepharitis, you’re at a higher risk if you have:

What causes blepharitis?

The main treatment for blepharitis is cleansing the eyelids. Avanti Eye can prescribe medicated eye wipes to help reduce bacteria on your eyelids and eyelashes. We may also recommend cleaning solutions to keep your eyes free of bacteria, dust mites, and oils. If you have an underlying condition, like rosacea, we may recommend additional specialist treatment. If you have an infection that triggers your blepharitis, we may prescribe antibiotics to clear the condition.

What are the treatments for blepharitis?

Blepharitis

Macular degeneration is a progressive eye disease that diminishes your central vision and impairs your ability to see fine details. The macula is a small part of the retina responsible for controlling central vision. If this small center degrades, details in front of you can become blurry or hazy. Macular degeneration can even lead to partial vision loss without treatment. Understanding the early warning signs and risk factors is critical to protect against this age-related condition.

What is macular degeneration?

The signs of macular degeneration may be subtle at first, but the condition usually progresses. Common signs of macular degeneration typically include:

Straight lines may also appear wavy or crooked

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

There are two types of macular degeneration that can result from different causes:

Dry macular degeneration: The most common type, dry macular degeneration, occurs when the light-sensitive cells inside the macula slowly deteriorate. Symptoms are usually gradual and vision impairment develops at a slow rate.

Wet macular degeneration: While less common, wet macular degeneration typically causes more severe and abrupt vision loss than its dry counterpart. The condition develops when new abnormal blood vessels begin growing below the retina.

What causes macular degeneration?

What factors can increase your risk of macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration treatment depends on the type you have. While there is no cure for dry macular degeneration, laser therapy can help manage wet macular degeneration. Avanti Eye performs a comprehensive management plan to relieve your symptoms and reduce your risk of vision loss. Treatments for macular degeneration typically include:

What are the treatments for macular degeneration?

Macular Degeneration

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes damage in your eye’s optic nerve. Optic nerves carry visual messages to your brain, allowing you to see objects. Once damaged, it can cause vision problems, including blindness. While people who are over the age of 60 have a greater risk of developing glaucoma, you can have glaucoma when you’re younger, as well.

What is glaucoma?

There are two different types of glaucoma: 

Open-angle glaucoma (OAG): When you have open-angle glaucoma, your eyes don’t drain fluid properly. The fluid accumulates, leading to increased eye pressure that damages the optic nerve. While OAG is painless and doesn’t cause any vision changes at first, it’s a progressive condition that causes worsening peripheral (side) and central vision. 

Angle-closure glaucoma (ACG): Angle-closure glaucoma is a rare form of glaucoma. It occurs when your eyes’ drainage system becomes blocked. ACG causes symptoms like blurry vision, halos around lights, headaches, and eye pain. Without treatment, it can lead to vision loss. 

Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent vision complications. If you suspect glaucoma, please make an appointment with Avanti Eye. 


Are there different types of glaucoma?

A glaucoma diagnosis may require several tests, including:

Evaluation of your eye’s drainage system

How is glaucoma diagnosed?

Glaucoma treatment can prevent blindness or slow vision loss. Treatment options for glaucoma may include:

Same-day laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) for narrow angle and closed-angle glaucoma

Inner-eye stents for open-angle glaucoma with cataracts

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)   

How is glaucoma treated?

While you can’t prevent glaucoma, you can slow its progression. You should schedule annual eye exams to check your eye health. This is especially important for those who have diabetes (diabetic retinopathy) as they have twice the risk of experiencing glaucoma. 

Can I prevent glaucoma?

Glaucoma

LASIK, an acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a refractive procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is the most common type of refractive surgery. Using targeted laser beam energy, the LASIK procedure reshapes the cornea so that light rays are focused more precisely on the retina, producing clear, sharp vision.

Why do people choose to get a LASIK procedure?

LASIK is considered a safe procedure, yet it is not ideal for everyone. A thorough medical evaluation of the patient's eyes must be performed to determine whether the LASIK procedure is appropriate. Good candidates for LASIK are patients who:

Have had stable vision for at least 6 months

Have healthy corneal tissue, thick enough for a flap

Have refractive errors that fall within the treatable range

Who is eligible for LASIK surgery?

One of the primary benefits of LASIK is that patients immediately experience improved vision after surgery. For many people, laser eye surgery can correct their vision sufficiently to permit them to perform all, or most, of their daily activities without eyeglasses or contact lenses. Approximately 90 percent of patients who have undergone LASIK achieve 20/20 to 20/40 vision as a result of the procedure. LASIK has the advantage of being a short procedure that results in permanent vision improvement. Most patients who choose to undergo LASIK achieve clear vision without corrective lenses while also benefiting from minimal downtime and only mild post-operative discomfort.

What are the benefits of LASIK?

LASIK is performed in our office using only numbing eye drops to reduce any potential discomfort. The entire surgery takes less than 5 minutes to perform, although patients can expect to spend a few hours at the doctor's office. If requested, patients can receive an oral sedative prior to surgery to reduce any anxieties about the procedure. During the LASIK procedure, the patient lies down in a reclining chair as the doctor positions the laser precisely over the eye. A device is used to keep the eye open while the eye is cleaned and anesthetic eye drops are administered. A corneal flap is then created. The surgeon gently lifts the surface of the cornea aside, enabling the excimer laser to reshape the curvature of the cornea. The excimer laser delivers customized pulses of light energy based on each patient's prescription. The measurements for customization are determined prior to surgery, with the precise positioning confirmed prior to the start of the procedure. The second eye is treated immediately after the first. Following the surgery, the patient is provided with a protective shield to protect the eyes from bright lights.

What does the LASIK procedure entail?

Any surgical procedure carries some risks, and patients should be aware that changes to the cornea made during LASIK cannot be reversed. Nonetheless, LASIK is considered safe for most eligible patients. While rare, complications may occur after the procedure, including:

Undercorrection or overcorrection of vision

Visual problems, such as halos or night glare

Only 1 percent of patients undergoing LASIK experience complications.

What are the risks of LASIK?

After LASIK, patients rest in the ophthalmologist's office for a short time before having someone else escort them home. Medication may be prescribed to relieve any discomfort experienced during the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery, but most patients tolerate this procedure well. The doctor will likely recommend a few hours of rest after treatment. Most patients are able to return to work and other regular activities the very next day. Typically, patients experience a significant improvement in their vision immediately after the procedure, but the full benefits of LASIK may not be apparent for several weeks. While patients can achieve clear vision from LASIK, this procedure does not prevent the development of presbyopia, the age-related vision changes that occur after the age of 45. Many patients will need reading glasses for this condition, but their distance vision will remain clear.

What does the recovery process look like after LASIK?

LASIK Surgery

Glasses and Contact Lenses

Our full-service optical department, in either  our Monterey, Carmel Valley or Soledad offices, offers personal attention from a trained staff that will assist you with your eyewear needs. 

  The optical centers have a wide selection of frames for men, women, and children. We also carry the latest in designer eyewear, sunglasses, and specialty eyewear.  

We work very hard to obtain the very best prescription for you. We work equally hard to be knowledgeable about the different lens designs and qualities of optical materials. 

Most people are unfamiliar with the vast differences in workmanship and products that optical laboratories can provide.

We want our patients to have the best vision possible, so we use CSC and HOYA laboratories. ​ We offer the latest computer derived designs in progressive addition lenses which utilize laser and digital technologies to custom make lenses for your particular prescription, frame and personal measurements. Our doctors also have years of contact lens prescribing experience. 

At Avanti Eye we are happy to answer any questions you may have about your eyewear.


Services

Eye Care

Glasses

What is cataract surgery?

Who needs cataract surgery

What happens during cataract surgery?