Surgical Procedures & Treatments

At the Switch Eye Center, a wide variety of surgical procedures are available to patients. Dr. Switch diagnoses and treats a wide range of diseases of the eye.

As an educational tool, Dr. Switch and Dr. Rasansky developed a list of common eye conditions. View the information below to learn basic information about a given conditions like dry eye, lid infections, cataracts, and more.

While surgical correction of cataracts and refractive error correction are our biggest area of focus, we offer a myriad of other procedures to help our patients see better.

Procedures for Secondary Cataracts

Nd:YAG Laser Capsulotomy (Removal of capsular hazing after cataract surgery)
A cold laser called a Nd:YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser is utilized in the office to polish the haze of the posterior capsule. This haze is often referred to as a secondary cataract.

This haze is a thin film that develops along the back portion of the membrane that holds the newly implanted lens in place after cataract surgery.

Often, the symptom that will alert a patient to presence of this secondary cataract is a decrease in vision months to years after cataract surgery. The surgical procedure is a minor outpatient procedure that takes only a few minutes.

  1. First, your eye will then be dilated with eye drops.
  2. Next, your eye will be numbed with drops.
  3. A small laser, which is attached to a lamp that Dr. Switch and Dr. Rasansky use to evaluate your eye, will be brought up to your chair.
  4. Your doctor will focus the laser on the hazed portion of the secondary cataract. The laser is applied while you are sitting in the chair and is painless.
  5. You will be sent home with an anti-inflammatory drop to use for four days.
  6. There is no risk of infection or burn with this cold laser. Typically, patients notice some small “floaters“ in their vision for the next 2-3 days.
  7. Your doctor will have you come back in one week to reevaluate the eye.
  8. Once the secondary cataract is removed, it does not come back.

Treatment for Dry Eye Syndrome

Punctal Occlusion
Dry eye is a common problem that is often the result of decreased production the tears that lubricate the surface of the eye. Initial treatment consists of supplementing these tears with artificial tear eye drops. When this fails to relieve the patient’s symptoms, it is often helpful to reduce the ability of the tears to drain from the eye. By keeping the tears from draining from the eye, they remain coating the surface of the eye.

There are two drainage holes in the eyelids. One in the upper lid and one in the lower lid corner near the nose. These holes known as punctum drain into the nose and the back of the throat.

Punctal occlusion is the procedure in which the lower punctum (drainage hole) is plugged with a small silicone plug. The procedure is relatively straightforward. Dr. Switch and Dr. Rasansky use an eye drop to numb the lower lid. A small plastic inserter is used to place a silicone plug directly at the opening of the punctum. The inserter is removed and the plug remains. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes and takes place while the patient is sitting in the exam chair in the office.

Patients often feel results immediately. In rare cases, the plug may cause irritation, in which case Dr. Switch will simply remove the plug in the office.

Treatment of Lid Infections (Stye)

A Chalazion is the medical term for a swollen and infected eyelid oil duct. These often cause swelling and pain in the upper or lower lid. Small chalazions may be treated using warm compresses and treatment similar to that of Blepharitis. Larger Chalazions may need to be drained. If recommended, our doctors will discuss the risks and benefits of surgically treating the Stye. This in-office procedure takes approximately five minutes. The following outlines the basic steps of the procedure.

  1. After the eyelid is anesthetized with a small injection of lidocaine.
  2. A small clamp to evert the lid and to control bleeding is placed on the eyelid.
  3. The eyelid is flipped.
  4. A small incision is placed at the top of the infected gland, on the inside of the eyelid.
  5. The contents of the gland are expressed and the gland is cauterized.
  6. The clamp is removed.
  7. A pressure patched will be held on the eye for several minutes.
  8. An antibiotic ointment is applied to the eye and the patient is able to leave without any restrictions.

Information on this web site is not intended to replace or augment a consultation with an eye care professional. The Switch Eye Center disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use of the information obtained from this site.

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