Ilasik, all laser LASIK
iLASIK, the revolutionary ALL-LASER surgical solution endorsed by top medical experts and the US military and astronaut programs can help adults reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. If you are seeking a Minneapolis LASIK specialist we are excited to introduce you to the ultimate in laser vision correction, it’s called the iLASIK™.
Our Doctors
If you are seeking the best eye doctors in Minneapolis please feel free to contact the medical professionals at Minnesota Eye Consultants. This consortium of the most recognized leaders in ophthalmology today is dedicated to providing superior patient care while pursuing significant research in LASIK laser vision correction, refractive surgery, cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment, oculoplastics and total eye care.
No-Stitch Cataract Surgery
Minnesota eye care patients can now see better after cataract surgery due to major advancements in technology over the last 20 years. If you are seeking cataract surgery in Minnesota you now have the choice for premium lens implants after cataract surgery including multifocal IOL implants or accommodating IOL implants. Patients can see at near, intermediate and far distances with premium lens implants after cataract surgery.
Iritis
Iritis is a type of uveitis — inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea) — that affects your eye's iris. The iris is the colored ring of tissue surrounding your pupil, which lies just behind the transparent cornea. Muscles controlling the iris change the size of the pupil to adjust to light conditions. Prolonged inflammation can lead to adhesions of the iris, causing your pupil to become smaller or irregularly shaped and predisposing you to glaucoma.
Often, iritis can't be linked to a specific cause. But sometimes, iritis results from an underlying chronic condition or genetic factor.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of iritis may include:
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Eye redness, often seen as a blush pink color in the white of your eye (sclera) around the iris
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Discomfort or achiness in the affected eye
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Sensitivity to light
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Blurred vision
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Floating spots in the vision (eye floaters)
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Iritis usually isn't associated with eye discharge or increased tearing.
When symptoms of iritis develop suddenly, over a period of a few hours or days, this is referred to as acute iritis. Symptoms that develop gradually, or last longer than six weeks, indicate chronic iritis.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of iritis. Prompt treatment helps prevent any serious complications of the condition. Your doctor may refer you to an eye specialist - optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you're experiencing eye pain and vision problems, along with other signs and symptoms, you may need urgent medical care.
See a doctor as soon as possible if you have symptoms of iritis. Prompt treatment helps prevent any serious complications of the condition. Your doctor may refer you to an eye specialist - optometrist or ophthalmologist. If you're experiencing eye pain and vision problems, along with other signs and symptoms, you may need urgent medical care.
Causes
Often, the cause of iritis can't be determined. Iritis can be classified as acute when symptoms develop rapidly, or as chronic when symptoms develop gradually and tend to last over a period of weeks to months.
Known causes of iritis include:
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Injury to the eye. Blunt force trauma, a penetrating injury or burn (chemical or thermal) to your eye can cause acute iritis.
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Herpes infection. Infection with herpes zoster — commonly known as shingles — can cause iritis if you have a skin eruption on your face, especially your forehead or cheeks. Other infectious diseases, such as toxoplasmosis, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis andsyphilis, may be linked to other types of uveitis.
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Genetic predisposition. People with HLA-B27, a specific alteration of a gene that's essential to immune system function, are more likely to develop certain autoimmune diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, Reiter's syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis, and Crohn’s disease and psoriatic arthritis. Acute iritis may occur in these diseases.
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Bechet's disease. An uncommon cause of acute iritis in Western countries, this condition is also characterized by joint problems, mouth sores and genital lesions.
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Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic iritis can develop in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In cases where the condition is mild and affects only a few joints, iritis may be one of the first indications of the condition. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis more commonly affects girls. Because the two conditions are so commonly associated with each other, doctors often routinely screen for iritis or other types of uveitis in kids with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Posterior uveitis. Inflammation starting in the back part of your eye (posterior uveitis) can have a spillover effect on the parts of the uvea at the front of your eye.
Risk Factors
Your risk of developing iritis increases if you:
- Carry the HLA-B27 genotype.
- Develop a sexually transmitted disease (STD), because infections such as syphilis or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are linked with a significantly increased risk.
- Live in certain geographic locations where infectious causes are more prevalent, for instance, in the Ohio or Mississippi river valleys where histoplasmosis occurs more frequently.
- Have a compromised immune system or autoimmune disorder.
Complications
If not treated properly, iritis could lead to complications, including:
- Cataracts. Development of a clouding of the lens of your eye (cataract) is a common complication, especially if you've experienced a long period of inflammation.
- Glaucoma. Recurrent iritis could result in glaucoma, a serious eye condition characterized by increased eye (ocular) pressure and threatened vision loss.
- Calcium deposits on the cornea (band keratopathy). This condition results in degeneration of your cornea and could decrease your vision.
- Swelling within the retina (cystoid macular edema). Swelling and fluid-filled cysts that develop in the retina at the back of the eye (macular retina) can blur or decrease your central vision.
Treatment
The main goals in treating iritis are to preserve vision by decreasing the inflammation, and relieve any pain associated with the condition.
Steroid eye drops. Glucocorticoid medications, given as eye drops, reduce inflammation associated with iritis. They work by stabilizing cell membranes in your eye and minimizing the circulation of white blood cells and other byproducts of the inflammatory process.
Dilating eye drops. Cycloplegics are medicines that dilate your pupil. Given as eye drops, they can reduce pain associated with iritis. Dilating eye drops also protect you from developing adhesions underneath your iris, which can lead to potential complications, including glaucoma.
If your symptoms don't clear up, or seem to get worse, your eye doctor might prescribe oral medications that may include steroids or other anti-inflammatory agents. However, taking the medicine orally has the potential to affect not only your eyes, but other parts of your body as well. Your doctor will consider your overall condition before prescribing oral medications to treat your iritis.
