In early 2019, we officially opened Michigan Ophthalmology and since then have helped thousands achieve their vision goals while managing their medical eye conditions. Over the past three years, as we've experienced a surge in demand for our custom surgical services.

You've probably heard about a newer laser vision correction procedure called SMILE and have questions about how it compares to the most commonly performed laser vision correction procedure, LASIK. First of all, SMILE is NOT a dental procedure designed to give you shiny white teeth! Although after having SMILE, you will be smiling a lot more given your new independence from glasses and contacts!

What is SMILE?

SMILE stands for SMall Incision Lenticule Extraction.

At Michigan Ophthalmology, we are a patient-centered (not procedure-centered) practice. What's the difference? At a procedure-centered practice, chances are you'll feel like you're on an assembly line conveyor belt, moving from one technician to another, then a scheduler, and (maybe) a doctor at the very end.

Dry Eye: It's Not Just a Winter Problem!

by Dr Danielle Alperin OD, Dry Eye Specialist

Here in Michigan, we often think of winter as the worst season for dry eyes but as it turns out summer isn’t much better! Whether it is more time spent outdoors on the lake and in the pool or your air conditioning that is on full blast when indoors, it’s important to recognize how each of these can affect the eyes and even more importantly- what can be done about it!

Typically, when we think of UV exposure it is regarding sunscreen-specifically, wearing enough of it to protect your skin, but it is just as essential to protect your eyes from those same UV rays.

Many active people in their 40s and 50s come to us for a consultation to address their loss of near vision, or what is known as presbyopia. This gradual degradation in near vision is a normal aging process of the eye's natural lens, but the resulting lens dysfunction results in millions of people each year needing to wear reading glasses, or even bifocals.

We've all seen it: someone holding an object FURTHER away just to read what is written on it? Perhaps you are doing this yourself? I am often presented with patients who are annoyed by this loss of near or reading vision that comes with age, or as we call it, presbyopia.

With the recent FDA approvals of the Vuity eye drop for presbyopia and the EVO Visian ICL, patients have even more options for reducing their dependence on glasses and contacts. Contact lens intolerance can cause significant chronic eye dryness and irritation, but many patients are still hesitant to proceed with laser vision correction such as LASIK. Some are ready to take the leap with LASIK and experience the benefits of vision correction, but are not a candidate for laser vision correction due to thin corneas.