Eye Health on Health Matters.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Watch the full episode of Eye Health on Health Matters. See Dr. Chokshi's interview.

Watch the full episode. See more Health Matters.

New FDA-approved “iris tracker” to correct astigmatism

Monday, May 17, 2010

Amit Chokshi, MD is pleased to introduce Advanced Control Eyetracking (ACE) for all of our LASIK patients. The new eye tracker presents many benefits to our patients and makes LASIK safer than ever before. Our office is the only facility in the state of Florida to offer this state of the art technology and one of 25 in the country.

Eyetracking allows lasers used during LASIK surgery to compensate for eye movements during the procedure, thus adding an important level of assurance. However, no eyetracker has been able to adjust for subtle rotations of the eye that occur during the laser treatment – that is until now!

• This new eyetracker locks on to the eye’s unique iris pattern just before the laser treatment begins, and then monitors the pattern throughout the procedure. When rotation of the iris is detected during the treatment the direction of the laser pulses is nearly instantaneously adjusted accordingly. No other laser in the US does this.
• This ensures that each laser pulse of the LASIK treatment is delivered to its intended location on the cornea.

What does this mean to you….added assurance that you are getting the safest and most accurate procedure as possible. For more information on this exciting new technology, please visit www.ready4lasik.com.

We are relocating on May 11th, 2010!

Monday, April 05, 2010

We have some exciting news! In order to meet the present and future needs of our growing patient family, we will be relocating. We will begin to see patients in our new office on May 11th. Our new space will be located on the 9th floor of the Reid Medical Building, also known as the Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute.

The Reid Building is located on the corner of San Marco Boulevard and Nira Street and is directly behind our current location. Our new address will be 1325 San Marco Boulevard, Suite 900, Jacksonville, FL. Our phone and fax number will remain the same. This move allows us a new 4,300 square-foot office and the additional space we need to be more efficient with patient care.

Please remember, for any appointments after May 10th, come to the Reid Building next door. It continues to be our pleasure to serve you. Feel free to contact us with any questions or for directions to the Reid Medical Building. We look forward to seeing you soon in our new office!

 

SeeClearJax introduces IntraLase LASIK (100% Blade-Free LASIK procedure)

Friday, March 19, 2010

The IntraLase Method is a 100% blade-free approach to LASIK flap creation, which is the critical first step in the LASIK procedure. The creation of the LASIK flap prepares the eye for the second step of the LASIK procedure, when another (different) laser, known as an excimer laser is used to correct vision.

Millions of IntraLase procedures have been safely and effectively performed with more patients receiving better results than with a microkeratome. Having your procedure with the IntraLase improves precision and outcomes of LASIK, whether you choose to have a standard or custom procedure.

How it Works

IntraLase delivers micron-level accuracy, giving Dr. Chokshi more control during the procedure. He also had the ability to tailor the size, shape and depth of the LASIK flap for each individual patient and each individual eye. This method of flap creation takes approximately 15 to 20 seconds per eye, and the entire procedure is typically completed in 15-20 minutes.

The IntraLase method creates the LASIK flap with tiny, rapid pulses of laser light. As the IntraLase laser moves back and forth across your eye, a uniform layer of bubbles forms just below the corneal surface at a specific depth and position within your eye that is determined by Dr. Chokshi. 

The flap is created by gently separating the tissue where these bubbles have formed. The LASIK flap is then folded back so the doctor can perform the second step of your LASIK treatment. Once the procedure is completed the LASIK flap “locks” back into position.

Checklist: Preparing for Your Blade-Free LASIK Experience

One or two weeks before your procedure:

• Arrange transportation for the day of your procedure. It will not be safe for you to drive home
• Plan on being out of work for 1 to 2 days following the procedure
• Please advise us of any medications you are taking

On the day of your procedure:

• Wear warm, comfortable clothing
• There are no restrictions on eating or drinking and you may take all of your normal medications
• Remove all facial makeup (lipstick, facial creams, eye makeup)
• Arrive at the office 30 minutes before your scheduled surgery time and plan on being in the office for approximately 2 hours for your procedure

After your procedure:

• Please come back to the office for all follow-up appointments
• Use all medications as directed by Dr. Chokshi
• Protect your eyes from sunlight after the procedure especially during the first 7 days 

IntraLase Benefits

There are numerous benefits of having your LASIK procedure performed blade-free. This advanced method of flap creation has been shown to improve outcomes for more patients. Patients may experience faster recovery, fewer LASIK flap-related complications and fewer induced higher order aberrations. Higher order aberrations may contribute to visual disturbances such as glare and halos.

The IntraLase method combined with Zyoptix personalized laser vision correction gives Dr. Chokshi the ability to tailor the dimensions of you LASIK flap and treatment based on what is best for your eye. These individualized flaps contribute to excellent postoperative outcomes.

Please contact us for more information or to schedule your appointment at 904.346.3506.

LASIK discount available with Qualsight relationship

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

The office of Amit Chokshi, MD is excited to announce that we are now participating in a benefit that will offer a 40%-50% discount on Laser Vision Correction. Through our relationship with Qualsight we are able to provide significant savings on your LASIK procedure. This plan makes LASIK an affordable options for patients who are interested in freeing themselves from the hastles of glasses and contact lenses.

Here are some of the benefits of the Qualsight Plan:

• Savings - Save 40%-50% off the national average charge for LASIK.
• Quality - NCQA/URAC credentialed, independent Ophthalmologist using FDA approved technology.
• Freedom - Eliminate or reduce your dependence on contact lenses and/or glasses.
• Value - One low price includes a pre-operative appointment, the LASIK procedure, several post-operative visits, and a one year treatment plan.
• Improve - LASIK can increase self-confidence, work safety, joab and athletic performance.
• Flexible financing options - Payments as low as $54 per month are available (subject to approval). You can also fund your procedure with tax exempt dollars using your Flex Spending or Health Savings Account.

To schedule your appointment and take advantage of this benefit, please call our office at 904.346.3506. Our refractive coordinator will be happy to assist you.

Refractive Surgery Basics

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Refractive surgery is a group of surgical procedures designed to help you reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses. Various procedures are available to help correct the various types of refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Myopia is also called nearsightedness: you can see well up close without glasses but need glasses to see well at a distance. Myopia arises when the front surface of your eye, called the cornea, is steeper than usual. Hyperopia is far-sightedness: you cannot see well up close and usually cannot see well at a distance either. People with hyperopia often have flatter than usual corneas. Astigmatism is a mixture of myopia and hyperopia: your cornea is warped like the shape of a saddle.

Refractive surgery improves your vision by changing the focus power of your eye. This is accomplished by altering either of the two focusing structures of the eye, the cornea and the lens. The cornea or lens can be altered by various surgical techniques.

The most common refractive surgery procedure of the cornea is LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis). In LASIK, laser energy is used to reshape your cornea, essentially sculpting your prescription into your eye. If the laser energy were applied directly to the surface of your eye, the treated area would be sore for several days during the healing process. To avoid this discomfort, a thin flap is cut on the surface of your cornea, then folded out of the way. Laser energy is then used to sculpt your exposed cornea to correct your nearsightedness, then the flap is put back into its normal position, covering the treated area. LASIK is nearly painless, highly successful, and you can see the improvement in your vision immediately after surgery. A slightly different procedure, called LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis), uses a thinner flap, and is typically performed in people whose cornea is too thin or too flat for LASIK. A third type of corneal refractive surgery is called PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), which differs from LASIK and LASEK in that no flap is made--the laser directly sculpts the front surface of your cornea to flatten it.

There are two common refractive surgery procedures of the lens. One is implantation of an ICL (intraocular contact lens). An ICL is essentially a contact lens, but instead of being placed on the surface of your eye, it is permanently placed inside your eye. The implant rests on the surface of your natural lens, behind your iris. The strength of the implant is specifically selected to work with your cornea and lens to correct your refractive error. The second procedure is called RLE (refractive lens exchange). Refractive lens exchange involves removing your lens and replacing it with a lens implant that works with your cornea to correct your refractive error.

Each of these procedures has different risks and benefits, and each is designed for a different group of people based on the type and severity of their refractive error. If you are considering having refractive surgery, talk with your doctor about which procedure is best for your eyes.

Allergan Access-February 2010

Ophthalmologist Amit Chokshi, MD, Offers Complex Iris Reconstruction Surgery

Monday, October 19, 2009

Jacksonville, FL – Eye Surgeon Amit Chokshi, MD, partner with well-known Jacksonville ophthalmologist Gerard Coluccelli, MD, is one of the first physicians in the United States to surgically reconstruct the iris with the Ophtec artificial iris.

The Ophten model 311 reconstructive lens is used for treatment of visual disturbances, such as glare of photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light), related to partial or total absence of the human iris. Often, a patient who has an incomplete iris can lead to low self-esteem and social issues, which may directly affect economic problems. This artificial implant lens is particularly helpful to patients who had lost all or part of their iris from trauma and/or those who lack iris pigmentation due to congenital albinism. Each single lens is made from clear and colored ultraviolet light-absorbing material, and is available in natural shades of brown, blue or green. Patients who have undergone implantation of the iris reconstructive lens have experienced an improvement of vision, including a reduction in photophobia; thus, the Ophtec model 311 iris reconstructive lens can improve vision, and is now available in Northeast Florida by Amit Chokshi, MD.

Dr. Chokshi implanted the first artificial iris in Northeast Florida on July 30, 2009 and was one of only two surgeons in the state of Florida trained to implant the lens. The patient suffered the loss of 80% of his iris as well as damage to his cornea. Dr. Chokshi performed a combined case with a corneal transplant and the implantation of the Ophtec 311 iris. The case was a great success and the patient is doing well.

Drs. Chokshi and Coluccelli offer complete eye care for the whole family from simple examinations to complicated surgical procedures, such as this one. Other surgical services include vision correction, intraocular implants, cataract and corneal surgery for eye disorders (cataracts, cornea, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration).

The practice offers family-friendly financing to fit every budget, including no interest and long-term payment plans. For information or to make an appointment today, call 904.346.3506, email info@seeclearjax.com. 

First physician in the United States reconstruct the iris with Ophtec Lens.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Jacksonville, FL – Eye Surgeon Amit Chokshi, MD, partner with well known Jacksonville ophthalmologist Gerard Coluccelli, MD, is one of the first physicians in the United States to be trained to surgically reconstruct the iris with the Ophtec Lens.

The Ophtec model 311 reconstructive lens is used for treatment of visual disturbances, such as glare or photophobia (abnormal sensitivity to light), related to partial or total absence of the human iris. Often, a patient who has an incomplete iris can lead to low self esteem and social issues, which may directly affect economic problems. This artificial implant lens is particularly helpful to patients who have lost all or part of their iris from trauma and/or those who lack iris pigmentation due to congenital albinism. Each single lens is made from clear and colored ultraviolet lightabsorbing material, and is available in natural shades of brown, blue or green. Patients who have undergone implantation of the iris reconstructive lens have experienced an improvement of vision, including a reduction in photophobia. This revolutionary technology is now available in Northeast Florida with Amit Chokshi, MD.

Drs. Chokshi and Coluccelli offer complete eye care for the whole family from simple examinations to complicated surgical procedures, such as this one. Other surgical services include vision correction with LASIK or the Implantable Contact Lens, corneal surgery, or intraocular implants, such as the Implantable Contact Lens, the Crystalens and Restor. The office also treats patients with disorders of the cornea, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, dry eyes, glaucoma and macular degeneration.