CONTACT US Eyecare Associates 4324 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, LA 70006 Phone: 504-455-9825 info@eyecareneworleans.com
Custom Gift Certificates
Give the gift of clear vision to someone you love this holiday season! Let Eyecare Associates customize a gift certificate for LASIK surgery, cosmetic procedures, contacts, glasses or eye exams. You choose the amount and we’ll do the rest. Gift certificates are available for any procedure or materials that we offer. Call our office at (504) 455-9825 extension 157.
You’ve heard about it on Oprah and The View and read about in countless magazines, but what is Fraxel and is it right for you?
We all know that over the years, our skin becomes damaged by unavoidable exposure to sun, air pollution, stress, fatigue and even by lifestyle choices such as smoking. All of it keeps you from looking as good on the outside as you feel on the inside. But why should you choose Fraxel Laser Treatment over plastic surgery or other procedures?
Fraxel Laser Treatment is a safe, non-invasive procedure that allows you to rediscover the fresh healthy skin of your youth.
It improves your skins’ texture, tone and pore size.
Erases unwanted brown spots
Smoothes wrinkles around the eye
Diminishes acne scars
Rejuvenates your neck, chest and hands
All with minimal downtime.
Fraxel Laser Treatment is designed to target aging and damaged skin by creating microscopic “wounds” in the intended areas, penetrating well beneath the skins’ outermost layer. In this way, Fraxel Laser Treatments trigger the body’s own natural production of new collagen and skin cells. Healing occurs so quickly that there is little or no downtime for patients.
This FDA approved new technology has found a way to be very affective at destroying unwanted tissue just like the CO2 laser without the threat of significant side effects or the a lengthy healing period that the ablative lasers pose. Because it is a “fractional” laser, only a portion of the skins’ surface is treated during the procedure, thus leaving healthy tissue surrounding the areas treated. For this reason, most patients may return to work or their normal routine the next day and can apply makeup or shave. To achieve optimal results, most patients require a series of four treatments.
If you are interested in finding out more about Fraxel Laser Treatments, call Sherry at 504-883-7667.
BOTOX® Cosmetic
The first signs of aging often appear as wrinkles around our eyes, forehead, cheeks and lips. While wrinkles are normal defining features of the human face, they can sometimes falsely portray a tired or more aged appearance. A treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows, forehead or around your eyes or mouth that develop over time.
What is BOTOX® Cosmetic? BOTOX® Cosmetic is a highly effective, non-surgical procedure that can dramatically reduce your toughest wrinkle within days. One ten minute treatment, a few tiny injections, relaxes the muscles that cause the lines between your brows, forehead, or around your eyes or mouth to form and keeps them relaxed for up to four months.
The results are dramatic and apparent within days. Unlike surgery, BOTOX® Cosmetic is fast, simple and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following treatment. Within days they report looking more natural and relaxed. With BOTOX® Cosmetic, they’ll know you’ve done something, they just won’t know what.
How Does BOTOX® Cosmetic Work? BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein that relaxes muscles that wrinkle the skin. This medication is injected around the eyes and face to give an improved appearance to the skin by reducing or eliminating wrinkles. The procedure is quick and is administered in an examination room.
Typically, these small facial muscles will begin to relax three to five days following treatment. A significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles around the treated areas should be noticed within one week. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic last approximately four months. Additional treatments may be given after the effects wear off.
BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause the lines between your brows, forehead or around the eyes or mouth to form. So you can frown, smile or look surprised, without the wrinkles and creases.
How is BOTOX® Cosmetic Administered? Using a very fine needle, BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected directly into the targeted facial muscle. Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer these tiny injections to achieve the best results. Discomfort is minimal and brief, most people compare the sensation to a bug bite. The discomfort is no greater than a mosquito bite. BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments only take a few minutes and are administered during a typical office visit.
Who Is a Good Candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic? Any individual who is concerned about their personal appearance should consider BOTOX® Cosmetic. The best candidates are people who are physically healthy, with no history of neuromuscular diseases (such as multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis), not pregnant or nursing, and who are at least eighteen years of age.
Before you are initially scheduled for a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment with one of our doctors, you will meet with our Cosmetic Coordinator. Sherry will thoroughly explain the procedure to you as well as answer any questions that you may have.
Some people who should not have BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments include those with:
Existing weakness in the targeted muscles
Ptosis (drooping eyelids)
Deep facial scars
Very thick facial skin
Marked facial asymmetry
Skin disorders around the planned injection sites
In order to help reduce the possibility of side effects, you may be instructed to:
Sit upright and not lie down for at least four hours after treatment
Avoid pressing on or massaging the treated area for four hours
Avoid exercising for twenty-four hours following treatment
Having an Ophthalmologist perform your BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment can help to ensure the safety of your eyes and your vision. After all, he is most familiar with all aspects of your eyes, including the surrounding muscles and structures surrounding them.
If you are interested in scheduling a free consultation with our Cosmetic Coordinator, Sherry, please feel free to e-mail her at cosmetic@eyecareneworleans.com or call 883-7667.
BOTOX® - Treatment for Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is a localized movement disorder (focal dystonia) that affects the muscles that control eyelid movement. The disorder is characterized by increased blinking caused by involuntary spasms of the muscles controlling the eyelid. Blepharospasm usually affects both eyelids and can progress to functional blindness (ie.The inability to open the eyelids for any significant period of time).
BOTOX® was approved as a therapy for blepharospasm in adults in December 1989.
How is Blepharospasm Diagnosed? Diagnosis is based primarily on the patient’s medical history. The first signs of blepharospasm include irritation and discomfort of the eyelids and increased blinking. As the disease progresses, blinking becomes more frequent, forceful and uncontrollable. Exposure to bright, dazzling or flickering lights, dusty or smoky air, or high-speed travel by train or car can exacerbate symptoms. Remissions are rare.
How Is Blepharospasm Treated with BOTOX? BOTOX® injected directly into the affected eye muscle relieves the muscle spasm. The duration of the effect lasts approximately three months at which time the patient can be reinjected.
Does Insurance Cover BOTOX® Injections for Blepharospasm? Blepharospasm is considered a medical condition. For this reason, most health insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover the treatment. An authorization from your insurance carrier will be verified by our staff prior to your treatment.
BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.
Blepharoplasty - Surgical removal of excessive skin from the upper eyelids
Eyelid skin, the thinnest skin of the body, often stretches with age and creates excessive tissue. The extra skin may create problems in both visual acuity and appearance. The upper lid skin can obscure the field of vision and produce a heavy feeling. Removal of this excess tissue can improve your peripheral vision.
How Is Blepharoplasty Performed? Blepharoplasty removes any excess skin of the upper lid to increase the side vision and improve the eye’s appearance. Often this procedure requires no postoperative bandaging. A few small surgical pieces of tape will cover the incisions and are removed the following day. Because the eyelid skin is thin, there should be some swelling or black and blue discoloration. Most individuals resume wearing makeup and/or contact lenses shortly after your surgery. Within a few weeks the thin surgical scars will become less visible and gradually blend into the eyes’ natural lines.
Does Insurance Cover Blepharoplasty? Oculoplastic surgery is covered by most insurances, including Medicare, if the individual’s vision is obscured by the excessive skin. After the completion of the examine by your doctor, a variety of testing will be performed. The results of these tests along with proper documentation will be submitted to your insurance company. Your insurance carrier will review the information sent to them and determine if they will approve the procedure for coverage. A representative from our insurance department will contact you and discuss expenses, if any, that you may incur.
Ectropion Surgery - Repair of the outward turning of the lower eyelid
Ectropion occurs with the stretching of the lower eyelid skin with age. Injury or skin disease may also cause this problem causing the eyelid to droop downward and turn outward causing extreme dryness, excessive tearing, redness and sensitivity to light and wind. Surgery may restore the normal position of the eyelid, improving these symptoms.
Does Insurance Cover Ectropion Surgery? Ectropion surgery is considered a medical condition. For this reason, most health insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover the procedure. Following your office visit with your doctor, a determination by your insurance carrier will be obtained prior to your surgery. A representative from our insurance department will contact you and discuss expenses, if any, that you may incur.
Entropion Surgery - Repair of the inward turning of the lower eyelid
Entropion also occurs most commonly as the result of aging. Infection and scarring inside the eyelid are other causes of this condition. When the eyelid turns inward, the eyelashes and skin rub against the eye, making it red, irritated and sensitive to light and wind. If not treated, an eye ulcer may form. Surgery can turn the eyelid outward to its normal position.
Does Insurance Cover Entropion Surgery? Entropion surgery is considered a medical condition. For this reason, most health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover the procedure. Following your office visit with your doctor, a determination by your insurance carrier will be obtained prior to your surgery. A representative from our insurance department will contact you and discuss expenses, if any, that you may incur.
People who suffer from dry, itchy, burning, watery or tired eyes could be experiencing Dry Eye Syndrome. While artificial tears may offer temporary relief, a painless in-office procedure called Punctal Occlusion can provide long term relief. This procedure only take a few minutes and is performed during a typical office visit.
How Does Punctal Occlusion Work? Conserving your eyes’ own tears is another approach to keeping the eyes moist. Tears drain out of the eye through a small channel into the nose. Your doctor may close these channels with punctal plugs. The closure conserves your own tears and makes artificial tears last longer. Punctal Occlusion is a very minor procedure usually performed during an office visit to your doctor. It is simple, fast with no recovery or downtime. Most individuals return to work or normal activities directly following the procedure.
Does Insurance Cover Punctal Occlusion Surgery? Dry Eye Syndrome is considered a medical condition. For this reason, most health insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid, will cover the procedure. Following your office visit with your doctor, a determination by your insurance carrier will be obtained prior to your surgery. A representative from our insurance department will contact you and discuss expenses, if any, that you may incur.
