hello@gazeoptical.com
617.336.7486

Specialty Services

Dry Eye Services

Dry eye is a common condition characterized by insufficient moisture and lubrication on the surface of the eyes. It can lead to symptoms such as redness, itching, burning, stinging, blurred vision, and a gritty sensation. Fortunately, there are several treatments available to help manage and alleviate dry eye symptoms.

Find Out More
Gaze Optical offers the Optilight Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) by Lumenis as an option for treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. Optilight IPL is a noninvasive procedure that uses pulses of light to target and address meibomian gland dysfunction, a common contributor to dry eye. By stimulating the meibomian glands and reducing inflammation, Optilight aims to improve tear production and stabilize the tear film.

How Optilight Works: Optilight IPL employs a technique called photothermolysis, where controlled pulses of broad-spectrum light are applied to the targeted area without causing damage. This light energy is selectively absorbed by abnormal blood vessels and pigment within the meibomian glands, generating localized heat. This heat stimulates the glands and helps restore their normal function.

View benefits and process

Benefits of Optilight Intense Pulsed Light:

  1. Restoration of meibomian gland function: Optilight IPL promotes the production and secretion of the oily component of tears, addressing the root cause of evaporative dry eye. By enhancing glandular function, Optilight helps improve tear film stability.
  2. Reduction in inflammation: The intense pulsed light emitted during Optilight treatment has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help alleviate symptoms such as redness, irritation, and swelling associated with dry eye.
  3. Improved tear film stability: By targeting meibomian gland dysfunction, Optilight IPL helps stabilize the tear film, reducing the frequency and severity of dry eye symptoms such as itching, burning, and blurred vision.
  4. Minimally invasive and non-systemic: Optilight IPL is a noninvasive procedure that does not involve surgery or medication. It is performed in-office, typically by an eye care professional, and does not have systemic side effects.
  5. Complementary to other therapies: Optilight IPL can be used alongside other dry eye treatments, such as artificial tears and warm compresses. It enhances their effectiveness by improving meibomian gland function and reducing inflammation.
  6. Symbiotic side effects: happy side effects of IPL treatment can include skin rejuvenation, hyperpigmentation reduction, vascular lesion treatment, acne improvement, reduction of facial redness, minimization of pore size and improvement of skin tone and texture, making it a valued option for ocular rosacea and rosacea sufferers.

Treatment Process: During an Optilight IPL session, the patient wears protective eyewear, and a cooling gel is applied to the treatment area to enhance comfort and protect the skin. The healthcare professional applies the handheld IPL device to the targeted regions. The procedure usually lasts around 15-20 minutes, and multiple sessions may be recommended depending on the severity of the condition.

Considerations and Safety: While Optilight IPL is generally considered safe, it is important to consult with a qualified eye care professional to determine suitability for treatment. Common side effects may include mild discomfort, temporary redness, or bruising in the treated area, which typically resolves quickly.

Optilight Intense Pulsed Light therapy offers a non-invasive and targeted approach to managing dry eye syndrome. By addressing meibomian gland dysfunction and reducing inflammation, Optilight aims to restore tear production and improve tear film stability.

Schedule a consultation with Gaze Optical to see if Optilight IPL can help your symptoms of dry eye disease

Headache/dizziness/migraine/eyestrain treatment due to eye alignment issues

Neurolenses, also known as NeuroLens, are specialized prescription lenses designed to address visual and postural issues associated with digital device use and near work. They are a type of therapeutic eyeglass lenses that incorporate specific prism prescriptions to correct small eye misalignments and alleviate symptoms such as eye strain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and eye fatigue.

Find Out More
Neurolenses are primarily designed to target a condition called binocular vision dysfunction (BVD), which refers to the misalignment of the eyes when focusing on nearby objects. BVD can occur due to prolonged periods of screen time, reading, or other near work activities. When the eyes are misaligned, it can lead to an increased effort to maintain focus and can cause symptoms similar to digital eye strain or asthenopia.

The neurolenses work by incorporating microprisms into the lens design. These prisms alter the direction of the light entering the eyes, which helps to correct the misalignment and alleviate the associated symptoms. By addressing the underlying binocular vision issues, neurolenses aim to provide a more comfortable and relaxed visual experience, especially during extended periods of near work.

The use of neurolenses can be beneficial for individuals who spend significant time working on digital devices, such as computers, tablets, or smartphones. People who experience symptoms like eye strain, headaches, neck pain, or fatigue after prolonged near work may consider getting a neurolens evaluation to see if these therapeutic lenses could be helpful for their specific needs.

Gaze Optical is proud to be one of less than 5 offices in the greater Boston area that offer this technology.

Myopia Control/Myopia Management

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision condition where distant objects appear blurry. As a parent, it’s important to be aware of options for managing myopia in your child to potentially reduce the risks associated with its progression

View options
  1. Traditional Corrective Measures: Traditional options like eyeglasses and contact lenses provide clear vision but do not address the underlying progression of myopia. They are effective for vision correction but do not slow down the worsening of nearsightedness.
  2. Orthokeratology (Ortho-K): This involves wearing specially designed gas-permeable contact lenses overnight. They gently reshape the cornea, providing temporary clear vision throughout the day. Ortho-K has been shown to slow down myopia progression.
  3. Multifocal Contact Lenses: These lenses have different zones that correct for both distance and near vision. They can help slow down myopia progression while providing clear vision.
  4. Atropine Eye Drops: Atropine is an eye drop that relaxes the eye’s focusing mechanism, slowing down myopia progression. Lowdose atropine has shown promising results in managing myopia.
  5. Behavioral Modifications: Encouraging good visual habits such as taking regular breaks from near work, spending time outdoors, and maintaining proper lighting conditions can help manage myopia.

It’s important to schedule regular eye exams for your child with an optometrist who specializes in myopia management. They can assess your child’s specific needs and recommend the most suitable option. Remember, early detection and intervention are key in managing myopia effectively and potentially reducing the risks associated with its progression.

What are the risks associated with not addressing childhood myopia:

View risks
  1. Vision impairment: Uncorrected myopia can lead to significant visual impairment, making it difficult for children to see clearly at a distance. This can affect their academic performance, sports participation, and overall quality of life.
  2. Increased dependency on glasses or contact lenses: Without management, myopia tends to worsen over time. This means that children may require stronger glasses or contact lenses as they grow older to maintain clear vision. The need for frequent prescription updates and stronger corrective lenses can be costly.
  3. Eye strain and discomfort: Uncorrected myopia can cause eye strain, fatigue, headaches, and discomfort. Children may experience these symptoms, especially when engaging in activities that require prolonged near vision, such as reading or using digital devices.
  4. Higher risk of eye conditions: Progressive myopia is associated with an increased risk of developing various eye conditions later in life, including: a. Retinal Detachment: Myopia can lead to a higher risk of retinal detachment, where the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye separates from its underlying tissue. Retinal detachment can cause vision loss and requires immediate medical attention. b. Myopic Maculopathy: Severe myopia can result in myopic maculopathy, which involves damage to the central part of the retina called the macula. This condition can lead to permanent vision loss and impair a child’s ability to perform detailed tasks such as reading or recognizing faces. c. Glaucoma: Myopia is associated with an increased risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss. Glaucoma can occur at a younger age in individuals with myopia. d. Cataracts: Myopia has also been linked to an increased risk of developing cataracts, which cloud the lens of the eye and can cause vision impairment.
  5. Psychological and Social Impact: Children with uncorrected myopia may experience difficulties in social interactions, sports, and other activities that rely on clear distance vision. They may feel self-conscious about their visual impairment and may be at risk of low self-esteem or decreased confidence.

It’s important for parents to understand the potential risks associated with uncorrected childhood myopia and take appropriate steps to intervene, as necessary. Regular eye exams, early intervention, and myopia management strategies can help minimize these risks and promote better visual health and quality of life for children. Dr. Ah-Kine is residency-trained in pediatric optometry: schedule your child’s evaluation today!

Orthokeratology

Orthokeratology, commonly known as Ortho-K, is a non-surgical method of reshaping the cornea using specially designed gas permeable contact lenses. These lenses are worn overnight to temporarily correct vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia), astigmatism, and, in some cases, mild farsightedness (hyperopia).

Ortho-K offers the following benefits:

View benefits
  1. Non-surgical: It provides a non-invasive alternative to correct vision without the need for surgery.
  2. Temporary correction: By wearing specially designed lenses overnight, it temporarily reshapes the cornea to provide clear vision during the day.
  3. Myopia control: Ortho-K can be used as an early intervention method for managing progressive myopia in children and young adults to slow down the progression of nearsightedness, thereby reducing the likelihood of further visual deterioration.
  4. Improved daytime vision: It enhances visual acuity during the day without the reliance on glasses or contact lenses.
  5. Convenience: Ortho-K eliminates the need for daytime visual aids, offering convenience for active lifestyles or sports activities.
  6. Reversible effect: The corneal reshaping effect can be reversed if the treatment is discontinued.
  7. Improved peripheral vision: Ortho-K enhances overall visual perception by reducing distortions caused by refractive errors.
  8. Comfortable lens wear: Many individuals find Ortho-K lenses comfortable during sleep without the dryness or discomfort associated with some daytime lenses.
  9. Reduced dependency on visual aids: It lessens or eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses during the day.
  10. Enhanced self-confidence: Clear vision without visual aids can boost self-confidence and improve quality of life.
  11. Established safety: Orthokeratology is a well-established and safe method of vision correction when supervised by an eye care professional.

To fully understand your suitability and ensure proper management, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ah-Kine to see if Ortho-K would be a good option for you!

Have the best of your eyesight for life.