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Konowal Vision Center - Overview
Clearly You Can See The Focus Is on You.
Complete, specialized, state of the art eye care is what you will find at Konowal Vision Center. Dr. Alexandra Konowal, Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the highly trained staff of Konowal Vision Center are among Southwest Florida’s best Ophthalmology team. Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders, Custom Laser Vision Correction, Near Vision CK and Suturless Cataract Surgery Dr. Konowal is your access to complete eye care.
Konowal Vision Center - Meet Dr. Konowal
Dr. Alexandra Konowal, a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, is Fellowship-Trained in advanced eye care and performs a variety of vision-enhancing surgical techniques. These include no-stitch, no-patch cataract surgery, corneal transplants and Custom LASIK with the new Wave Scan and Active Track® 3-D Eye Tracking software. Dr. Konowal is also skilled in the use of Cosmetic BOTOX® and Restylane® to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles and deep folds.
Dr. Konowal was recently selected as the Laser Vision Gold Surgeon by Laser Vision Centers nationally, and is recognized as a leading surgeon in Custom LASIK in Southwest Florida as well as the nation. Since 1996, thousands of residents of Southwest Florida have been treated by Dr. Konowal for Laser Vision Correction, Cataracts, Glaucoma, Corneal Transplants, Blurry Vision, Dry Eyes and Cosmetic enhancements. “Providing cutting edge technology for my patients led to the opening of Konowal Vision Center in the fall of 2003,” Dr. Konowal explains, “I feel I provide individualized care with the best technology available to my patients.”
Dr. Konowal received her Doctorate in Chicago after graduating from the University of Illinois. Dr. Konowal has received Fellowship training at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Konowal maintains excellence in her field by participating with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive, the American Medical Association, International Society of Refractive Surgery and the Lee County Medical Society.
Accolades
Dr. Konowal has the distinction of being named the Laser Vision Gold Surgeon in 2004. She was nominated for this award by a panel of Laser Vision Affiliated Surgeons.
This achievement is based on:
1. Recognized leader in Refractive and Laser Surgery
2. Takes advantage of continuing education
3. Strives for surgical excellence in medical care
4. Offers high standards of exceptional patient care
5. Fosters respect among peers in the medical community.
Dr. Konowal was also named in the Top 100 Surgeons nationally for this same panel in 2004.
Southwest Florida nominated Dr. Alexandra Konowal as the Best Eye Surgeon of Southwest Florida in 2004. Dr. Konowal is a member of the Lee County Medical Society and provides Community Service at Lee Memorial Hospital and all local Community Hospitals for the needy.
Konowal Vision Center - Services
Cataract Surgery
A cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the retina. However, as a result of the aging process, the lens becomes cloudy. This cloudiness causes vision to become blurry and can make reading or distance vision difficult.
No-stitch small incision cataract surgery is a technique used to restore clear vision. The cloudy lens is removed using ultrasound technology (phacoemulsification) and a plastic lens (IOL) implant is injected through the small incison. No-stitch small incision phaco surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Dr. Konowal’s patients return home a few hours after the procedure. After surgery most patients are less dependent on glasses for normal daily activities, though most still require glasses for near work.
Dr. Konowal uses the Alcon Acrysoft Natural lens implant. This lens replaces the cataract and allows you to see more clearly again. Additionally, it protects the macula from ultraviolet and blue light damage and helps reduce glare after cataract surgery.
Refractive Surgery
Eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common method of treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With new technological advances, we offer a variety of vision improving procedures, including Custom LASIK, LASEK, PRK, CK and Phakic IOL’s. We offer a complimentary refractive evaluation and Dr Konowal will discuss various options for eliminating dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK
Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, a surgical procedure which uses a laser to reshape the cornea , is currently the most common form of refractive surgery. Over the last ten-plus years, LASIK has proven to be a very effective and relatively safe alternative to glasses and contact lenses for many patients. It is considered to be the procedure of choice for correcting a range of refractive errors up to 12 D of myopia, 6 diopters of hyperopia and 6 diopters of astigmatism. With LASIK, Dr. Konowal folds back a thin layer of corneal tissue (cornea cap) and then reshapes the cornea with the cool light beam from the excimer laser. The amount of tissue removed is controlled by the number of pulses and the size of the laser beam. The thin flap of corneal tissue is then folded back into its original position, where it bonds after only a few minutes of drying. No stitches or eye patches are required, and patients experience quick recovery with excellent visual results.
The Wavescan® technology produces a detailed map of the eye. This map provides 25 times more precision than standard measurements used for glasses and contact lenses. The treatment information is then transferred to the VISX STAR S4™ for a custom laser treatment. The combined technology captures the unique imperfections in our eyes that could not have been measured and corrected before. This gives Dr. Konowal treatment options that are truly individualized to your visual needs. Use of this technology is highly recommended by Dr. Konowal to obtain optimal distance vision. Custom Vue™ treatments are available for myopic and hyperopic corrections.
Custom LASIK
VISX: Star S4 also offers innovative Active Trak™ technology which allows monitoring of eye movement in all three dimensions without pupil dilation, which means more precise control for the doctor and less stress for the patient. Variable Spot Beam technology gives Dr. Konowal greater flexibility, with seven separate beams ranging from 0.65 to 6.5 millimeters in size providing faster, smoother treatment and highly accurate corneal shaping. Plus, VSS™ (Variable Spot Scanning) technology adds a blend zone that helps smooth the cornea, increasing the ablation treatment zone by 51%. This transition provides a gradual change from the treatment area to the non-treated corner, resulting in clearer, sharper vision, especially in low light conditions.
PRK/LASEK
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) and Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) are alternative laser vision correction procedures. They are a better choice for patients who have basement membrane dystrophy, orbital anatomy precluding the safe and effective use of a microkeratome, flat corneas, thin corneas, or professions or lifestyles that predispose them to trauma. Similarly to LASIK, the laser is used to remove microscopic amounts of tissue, measured in microns on the surface of the cornea, rather than underneath a cap. After a few days a new layer of surface cells grows. A bandage lens is used to aid in healing and to minimize discomfort during the healing time. Complete healing and stabilization of vision can take as long as a month with these procedures, but excellent results are obtained and Custom treatments are available for these procedures also.
Presbyopia (Greek for the “aging eye”) is America’s most prevalent condition. 90 million people either have presbyopia or will develop it in the next ten years. The condition causes near vision to fade with age, affecting most people by the age of 40 and everyone by the age of 51.
Near Vision CK
Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), approved by the FDA in April of 2002, is the fastest growing refractive procedure since LASIK, and is a welcomed alternative for baby boomers with presbyopic symptoms to improve near vision. Conductive Keratoplasty is designed for people ages 40 and over who use glasses or contact lenses for reading or computer work, but who otherwise have good distance vision. Criteria for Conductive Keratoplasty are being over 40 years old with good distance vision, no chronic eye disorders, not pregnant or nursing and no chronic illness.
CK is a noninvasive technique which uses radiofrequency energy to gently reshape the cornea. This is accomplished without cutting or removal of tissue. During a quick in-office procedure, Dr. Konowal uses a probe as thin as a human hair to apply radiofrequency energy around the edge of the cornea. By steepening the curvature, the cornea can bend light rays to bring near objects into focus directly on the retina.
CK is typically performed on just one eye, improving near vision in most cases without compromising the patient’s ability to see far away (binocular distance vision). Patients experience quick recovery and instant results. With CK, farsighted patients are less likely to experience side effects that are common in LASIK, such as poor night vision, glare, blurriness and dry eyes (a particular problem among menopausal women who have laser vision correction).
If you are experiencing problems with your near vision and meet the above criteria, Konowal Vision Center offers a free refractive evaluation to assess whether NearVision CK is right for you.
Phakic IOL’s
The term “Phakic IOL” means an artificial lens is implanted inside the eye, leaving the eye’s natural lens in place. Some of the IOL’s (intraocular lenses) are implanted in front of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and some behind the iris. The implantation of a phakic IOL is done as an outpatient procedure in an ambulatory surgery center under topical anesthesia. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the actual procedure, and report an instantaneous, dramatic improvement in their vision, similar to LASIK.
The Verisyse™ IOL was the first phakic IOL to receive FDA approval. It is approved for the reduction or elimination of nearsightedness ranging from –5.00 D to –20.00 D. This is well beyond the range of LASIK, which is approved to treat up to –14.00 D. The Verisyse™ lens is made of polymethylmethacylate (PMMA, a type of plastic), and is placed in front of the iris. The lens design has been used in Europe for nearly two decades. In that time, more than 150,000 phakic refractive procedure have been performed using the Verisyse™ design. The implant has shown excellent stability of vision over time, and a very high degree of predictability. In the FDA clinical studies, 47% of eyes saw 20/20 or better uncorrected, and 93.6% saw 20/40 or better uncorrected.
The Visian ICL is a phakic intraocular lens which is placed behind the iris, in front of the natural lens of the eye. The Visian lens is capable of correcting from –3.00 D to –20.00 D of nearsightedness. It is made of collamer, a co-polymer that contains a small amount of purified collagen. It is very biocompatible and stable. It also contains an ultraviolet light filter. The soft, flexible nature of the Visian ICL allows it to be injected into the eye through a very small incision, requiring no stitches. Over 35,000 ICL’s have been implanted worldwide. In the FDA clinical studies, 59% of eyes had 20/20 or better uncorrected vision and 95% had 20/40 or better uncorrected.
Accommodating IOL's
A new artificial lens (intraocular lens), the ReSTOR lens received FDA approval in March of 2005 for the correction of near, intermediate and distance vision. Clinical studies showed that 80% of the patients who received the Acrysof ReStor lens did not use glasses for any acitivity after cataract surgery. 99% achieved distance visual acuity of 20/40 or better, with 88% seeing 20/25 or better. Regarding near vision, those who had the implantation in both eyes achieved 20/25 vision. This means that they could read stock quotes printed in the newspaper. And 85% achieved 20/25 vision at intermediate distance (adequate for computer work).
The ReSTOR lens provides different ranges of vision based on a lens configuration that enables a specific distribution of light in response to the size of the pupil. Most current intraocular lenses used for cataract surgery are able to restore vision only in limited distance ranges, which means patients often must use eyeglasses or other corrective lenses following surgery.
Corneal Transplants
A corneal transplant, also known as a corneal graft, keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty, involves the replacement of the central portion of a diseased or scarred cornea with a clear, healthy donor cornea from an eye bank. Corneal transplant surgery is the most successful of all tissue transplants. More than 40,000 corneal transplants are performed in the United States each year.
Corneal transplants are done to improve vision, relieve pain, and protect the inner structures of the eye. Corneal dystrophy, corneal scars and other disease processes are the most common reasons for transplantation. The donor cornea comes from a person who has recently died. The tissue is screened carefully to rule out any disease that might be transmitted to the recipient.
Surgery is done on an outpatient bases. The diseased or injured cornea is carefully removed from the eye. Any necessary additional work within the eye, such as removal of a cataract, is completed. Then the clear donor cornea is sewn into place. When the operation is over, the doctor will place a shield over the eye.
For the first three weeks your vision will be blurry and you have to avoid bending or lifting. A shield should be worn while sleeping to avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye. Eye drops, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drops will be used for several months. Depending on the health of the eye and the rate of healing, sutures are removed starting three months post-operatively. Usually, it takes six months to a year to achieve good vision, and in some cases may require contact lens wear or refractive surgery to eliminate residual astigmatism.
Cosmetic Enhancements
At Konowal Vision Center, Dr. Konowal personally administers both BOTOX® and Restylane® in the privacy of our suites. BOTOX® and Restylane® may be administered on the same day with a layering effect to eliminate fine lines and deeper creases. We price the products and services so they can be affordable for everyone.
BOTOX®
BOTOX ® Cosmetic is the first and only FDA-approved treatment indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines in adult patients aged 65 years of less. BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. It works by temporarily reducing the contractions of the muscles that cause persistent frown lines that have developed on the forehead, between the brows, as well as the crows’ feet on the outer side of each eye. It has been used to treat conditions caused by overactive muscles in over 1 million patients worldwide for more that 11 years.
BOTOX® is indicated for the treatment of cervical dystonia in patients with neck pain, blepharospasm in people 12 years of age and above and migraine headaches. It has also been found to aid patients with hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the underarms, hands, and feet.
No anesthesia is required for BOTOX® treatments, although some patients choose to have the desired area numbed with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes, with the number of injections depending on the amount and severity of the wrinkles or frown lines. Patients can resume normal activities afterwards, since there is no recovery time needed.
In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate or better one month after treatment.
Restylane®
Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin. It is the first and only FDA-approved dermal filler designed for reducing wrinkles and folds to enhance facial contours and augment the lips. It is a crystal-clear, non-animal biodegradable gel based on a natural substance called hyaluronic acid. The gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. The result is instantaneous and produces a long-lasting, natural enhancement to fine lines, wrinkles and folds in the skin around the eyes, mouth and nose.
Smoothing out folds and wrinkles by adding volume can make an enormous difference in your appearance. When treating wrinkles or folds, Restylane®, is injected into this skin in tiny amounts to lift the skin and add natural volume, smoothing out the wrinkle or fold.
• Restylane® requires no pre-testing, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory medications, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another occurrence.
• Restylane® has been used safely by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 1996 worldwide. Because it is not animal-based and fully biocompatible, no allergy testing is required. It is fast and safe and leaves no scars or other traces on the face. Immediately after the treatment, the most commonly reported side effects were temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects typically resolve within two to three days. Cold compresses can be used immediately after treatment to reduce swelling.
• Restylane® treatments can last up to six months or even longer. It is safe and effective alternative to invasive cosmetic surgery with an immediate improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.
YAG Posterior Capsulotomy
A posterior capsulotomy is a simple procedure utilizing a Nd-YAG laser. It is sometimes necessary following cataract surgery to clear the capsule behind the intraocular lens. The normal lens of the eye is like a grape, having an outer skin and an inner-gel like material. When a cataract forms, the material inside the lens turns cloudy and interferes with good vision. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular implant. During the cataract surgery the fine skin (posterior capsule) of the lens is left in place to support the intraocular lens implant. In some cases, this capsule may turn cloudy and cause decreased vision or glare problems.
A Nd-YAG posterior capsulotomy is a simple office procedure utilizing a special laser that creates a small opening in the posterior capsule. The technique is painless and only takes a few minutes. Most patients notice an improvement in their vision quickly and can resume normal activities immediately. As with any surgical procedure, rare complications can occur including increased intraocular pressure, retinal detachment and dislocation of the intraocular lens.
Flashes and Floaters
Flashes and floaters are caused by age-related changes in the gel-like material, called “vitreous,” that fills the back two thirds of the normal eyeball, between the lens and the retina. As you get older, the vitreous becomes thinner and more watery. This allows some clumps and strands to move around inside the eye. This floating material can cast a shadow on the retina, which you see as floating spots.
The vitreous is attached to the back of the eye, the retina. As it pulls away from the retina, we can see flashes of light which tend to be most noticeable in a very dark room, especially when you move your eyes or head suddenly. After a time, the aging vitreous shrinks into a dense mass of gel in the middle of the eyeball, called a “PVD” or “posterior vitreous detachment”. Shadows cast onto the retina cause you to see large floaters or cobwebs. Vitreous floaters will usually be most noticeable when you are looking at a plain, bright background like a bright white wall or a clear blue sky.
Flashes and floaters can be very alarming. In most cases, however, a thorough eye examination by Dr. Konowal will reveal them to be harmless changes that do not require treatment. They generally become less noticeable over time.
In rare cases of new posterior vitreous detachment, your medical examination may reveal a more serious problem called a “retinal tear” or “retinal hole.” Retinal tears and holes can occur when the vitreous separates from its attachments to the retina so forcefully, that it rips the retina. Retinal tears and holes or retinal detachment, require urgent medical attention and are most successfully treated when detected right away.
Using special instruments to look into the eyes, an ophthalmologist can distinguish between a harmless posterior vitreous detachment and more serious retinal problems. The usual symptoms of a retinal hole, tear or detachment include seeing hundreds of small floating spots, persistent flashing lights, or a veil-like blockage of a portion of the vision. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call Dr. Konowal right away.
Dry Eyes
Are your eyes dry? An estimated 60 million Americans suffer from this very common condition. Patients with dry eyes can experience burning, foreign body sensation, tearing, grittiness, redness and even eye pain.
As we get older, our eyelids produce less oil. Oil keeps our tears from evaporating off the eye and decreased oil production allows tears to evaporate too quickly, leaving the eye dry. Hot, dry, windy conditions, air-conditioning and smoke are common culprits, but prescription medications, including high blood pressure medications, anti-histamines, diuretics, anti-depressants ,anti-anxiety pills, sleeping pills, pain medications, hormone replacement therapy also cause dry eye symptoms. Even over the counter cold and allergy medications and sleep aids can cause dry eyes. Diseases such as Diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, Parkinson’s and Thyroid disease can also cause dry eyes.
Reading, watching the television or using a computer can aggravate dry eyes due to infrequent blinking associated with these activities. Contact lenses and eye surgery, including cataract surgery, refractive surgery and eyelid surgery can cause dry eye symptoms for several months.
The most common treatment for dry eyes is to use artificial tear drops which help make up for the lack of proper lubrication in our tear film. Artificial tears come in liquid form, longer lasting gel-form and long lasting ointment form (which is most often recommended for night time use).
Many different brands of artificial tears are available over the counter. Some contain preservatives and some do not. Unpreserved tears are recommended for people whose eyes are sensitive to the preservative and for more frequent use when preservatives can irritate the surface of the eye.
Another way to improve dry eye symptoms is to close off the drain holes in the inner corner of the upper and lower eyelids. Each drain hole is called a “punctum” and can be closed temporarily with tiny plastic plugs or permanently with an in-office procedure known as cauterization.
Restasis has been approved by the FDA as a prescription medication and contains cyclosporine 0.05%, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. It represents the first therapeutic treatment available for increasing tear production. This twice-a day drop has been shown to be very effective in improving dry eye symptoms and “curing” the dry eye condition in some patients.
If you are one of the millions of people in the United States that suffer from dry eyes, Dr. Konowal can evaluate the severity of the condition and decide which treatment is best for you..
Optical Store
Optique Eyeware is a modern optical boutique with a diverse selection of frames and lenses to suit everyone’s style and taste. Our focus is on safety, versatility, fashion and comfort. We want to give you a selection of lenses and frames that meet your eye care needs and reflect your individuality. Our frames are competitively prices, even though we look top dollar. We offer frames by Caviar, Cazal, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, Silhouette, Tonino, Lamborghini and Yves Cogan of Paris. We also offer a wide selection of polarized sunwear including Nautica, Adidas, and Rochas.
Our licensed Optician is available to answer questions you may have about the latest in ophthalmic lenses, such as Varilux® progressives’, Transitions®, thinner, lighter lenses, reflection free coatings by Crizal®, titanium, stainless steel and rimless frames.
After cataract surgery Medicare and supplemental insurances provide some reimbursement for post cataract glasses. Optique Eyeware is licensed by Medicare to provide this one-time service. Our optician will discuss this program with you at your convenience.
Optique Eyeware represents Dr. Konowal’s ideal that the patient’s satisfaction is her primary concern. Therefore, our one year warranty against scratches and any manufacturers frame defect is given at the time of purchase.
Konowal Vision Center - Our Office
At the Konowal Vision Center, Dr. Alexandra Konowal uses only the latest technology and techniques to diagnose and treat your precious eyes. When visiting our office you will feel at home in our professional environment.
We offer Comprehensive Eye Care with a full service optical and a contact lens specialist to assist in contact lens fitting. We perform glaucoma screening, cataract evaluations, visual field testing, corneal and refractive surgery evaluations. We equip our site with the latest technology in medical equipment, such as the Visx-S4™ tracking laser, WaveScan® Wavefront Analyzer for Custom LASIK procedures, the Humphrey® Matrix Visual Field for glaucoma monitoring, Heidelberg Retinal Tomography to analyze optic nerves and the nerve fiber layer in patients with glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. We offer the Nidek Yag laser for various in office procedures. Our patients know quality, safety and their eyes are our main concern.
The experience of a Fellowship Trained Cornea Surgeon who focuses on you throughout your initial eye exam, to surgery and managing your after-care is one of the advantages of choosing Konowal Vision Center for your eye care. We welcome you to our family of patients.
To learn more about the Konowal Vision Center click on the “visit our website” link at the top of this page. |
