Issue 32.10

Cataract surgery is a commonly performed surgery in which the natural human lens is removed because it has become clouded and is interfering with a patient’s vision, and it is replaced with an artificial lens implant.  The clouding of the natural lens occurs with aging mainly and is unavoidable.  Most patients over 65 years of age will have some degree of cataracts but it can occur at any age.

Fortunately, cataract surgery has evolved over many years with significant advancements in technology that have made it the most successful surgery performed in medicine today.

The Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute has remained at the forefront of these new technologies being the first to implant the Blue Blocker lens implant for added protection of the retina, the first ReStor Multifocal Lens, the first Crystalens accommodating lens, and the first to introduce the Infinity Vision System, which is a new, advanced method for removing cataracts more safely and efficiently.  Adding to this, Jason Ahee, M.D., and William Barlow, Jr., M.D., leading experts in cataract surgery, are now the first surgeons in southern Utah, and among the first in the country to perform Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS).

MICS involves performing cataract surgery through very tiny, microscopic incisions at the edge of the cornea.  This makes the surgery safer and minimizes trauma to the eye.  It helps maintain a more natural state of the eye during cataract removal and allows for faster recovery.  “With our new Micro-Incision cataract surgery, we are able to reduce our incision size by over 20% compared with the current standard cataract incisions,” said Dr. Ahee.  “By minimizing the incision size we keep better control of the intraocular environment during surgery while preventing surgically induced astigmatism and, ultimately achieving better outcomes for our patients.”

Drs. Ahee and Barlow are in private practice with Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute.  Dr. Ahee is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Utah, Moran Eye Center, and Chairman of Continuing Medical Education at Dixie Regional Medical Center.

Contact can be made at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye, 1791 East 280 North, St. George, or by calling 435-656-2020.

Issue 17.10

Cataract surgery is a commonly performed surgery in which the natural human lens is removed because it has become clouded and is interfering with a patient’s vision.  The clouding of the natural lens occurs with aging mainly and is unavoidable.  Most patients over 65 years of age will have some degree of cataracts but it can occur at any age.

Fortunately, cataract surgery has evolved over many years with advancements in technology that have made it the most successful surgery performed in medicine today.

The Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute has remained at the forefront of new technology being the first to implant the Blue Blocker Lens for added protection of the retina, the ReStor Multifocal Lens, the Crystalens accommodating lens, and recently introducing the Infinity Vision System, which is a new, advanced method for removing cataracts.  To add to this, Jason Ahee, M.D., a leading expert in cataract surgery and medical director of Zion Eye Institute, is now the first surgeon in southern Utah, and among the first in the country to perform Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS).

MICS involves performing cataract surgery through very tiny, microscopic incisions at the edge of the cornea.  This makes the surgery safer and minimizes trauma to the eye.  It helps maintain a more natural state of the eye during cataract removal and allows for faster recovery.  “With our new Infinity Vision System, we are able to reduce our incision size by over 20% compared with the current standard cataract incisions,” said Dr. Ahee.  “By minimizing the incision size we keep better control of the intraocular environment during surgery while preventing surgically induced astigmatism and, ultimately achieving better outcomes for our patients.”

Dr. Ahee is in private practice with Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of ophthalmology at University of Utah Moran Eye Center.

Issue 7.10

A new advance in cataract surgery is now available in St. George exclusively at the Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute.  The new technology helps make cataract surgery easier, faster, and safer than other previous technologies.  When cataracts are surgically removed, it is done with a special technique called phacoemulsification.  In general, phacoemulsification involves using ultrasonic energy to break the cataract into tiny pieces and, at the same time, remove the tiny pieces from the eye through a micro-incision. 

The newest advance in phacoemulsification is called “OZil intelligent phacoemulsification” and is now available at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute.  With OZil intelligent phacoemulsification, the ultrasonic energy is applied to the cataract in an entirely new way, with torsional oscillation that automatically adjusts during the surgery to maximize efficiency and minimize the dissipated energy into the eye.  This provides faster and safer surgery, and improves post-operative results. 

Dr. Jason Ahee, the medical director of Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Utah, said “we are continually striving to provide the most state-of-the-art technologies available.  This new, advanced system will allow us to stay at the forefront of cataract surgery and enable us to maintain the safest and best possible results for our cataract patients.”

Issue 34.09

Did you know that 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, one of the most curable causes of vision loss?

To recognize Cataract Awareness Month in August, Eye M.D.s want to debunk the myths about cataracts and remind people they don’t have to live with vision loss from cataracts.

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision.  They form slowly and cause no pain.  Some stay small and hardly affect vision, but if the cataract does grow and begin to affect your vision, it can usually be removed with surgery.

“Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide; however, in most cases, vision loss from cataracts is reversible,” said Dr. William Barlow, MD, an ophthalmologist at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists in St. George.  “New techniques developed over the past decade have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most successful procedures available in terms of restoring quality of life to patients.”  Each year there are more than 1.6 million of these delicate eye surgeries performed in the United States.

“There are no drugs or exercises that will make a cataract disappear, and contrary to popular belief, cataracts are not removed using lasers.  Lasers are used in follow-up procedures, if needed.  Cataract surgery is most often done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia,” says Dr. Barlow.  “The cloudy natural lens can be replaced with an artificial lens to give the eye proper focusing power.  In most cases, the improvement in the patient’s vision is profound.”

So how do you know if you have a cataract?  Dr. Barlow explains: “Some people notice a gradual painless blurring of vision, double vision in one eye or fading or yellowing of colors.  When older patients mention sensitivity to glare and/or bright light or trouble driving at night, this may be caused by cataracts.  Or, if a patient needs frequent changes to his or her glasses or contact lens prescriptions, I’ll evaluate him or her for a cataract.”

“Cataract surgery, although quite safe, is still surgery.  If cataracts don’t affect your quality of life, you may feel that surgery is not needed.  The only person who can really decide when it’s time to have them removed is you, under the care of your doctor.”

Cataract surgery has advanced to include artificial lens’ that allow you to reduce or potentially eliminate the need for glasses.  “This technology is an improvement on the original design.  It increases the quality of vision without glasses, especially with intermediate visual activities such as using a computer.”  Dr. Jason Ahee, MD, senior partner of Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists, was the first Eye M.D. in Southern Utah to implant this new lens technology.  Dr. Barlow says, “We have been very pleased with our initial results with this exciting new technology.”

Issue 22.09

Dr. Jason A. Ahee of the Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists and Laser Eye Center in St. George, Utah was recently awarded recognition as one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists for 2009.

Consumers’ Research Council of America, a Washington, D.C. based research organization, compiled a list of Top Ophthalmologists throughout the United States by utilizing a point value system.  This method uses a point value for criteria that they deem valuable in determining top ophthalmologists.  The point value system takes into consideration things like experience, education, and professional associations.  Consumers’ Research Council of America does not accept fees, donations, sponsorships or advertising from any individuals, professionals, corporations or associations.  This policy ensures an unbiased selection for the lists of America’s Best.

Dr. Ahee is a leading expert in cataract and refractive surgery.  He is the owner of Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists & Laser Eye Center.  He is also an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of Utah’s Moran Eye Center, and is the Chairman of the Continuing Medical Education Committee at Dixie Regional Medical Center.  Dr. Ahee was one of the first surgeons in the country to implant advanced intraocular lenses such as the Crystalens and the Restor lens.  He is among the first eye surgeons in the country and the only eye surgeon in southern Utah performing Epi-LASIK vision correction surgery.

Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists & Laser Eye Center in St. George is the only comprehensive eye care facility serving southern Utah and the surrounding areas.  Their multi-specialty group of doctors offers a complete range of services including regular eye exams, optical shop and contact lenses, and an in-house surgery center for cataract surgery, LASIK surgery, glaucoma surgery, retinal surgery, and eyelid surgery.  For more information, call their St. George office at 435-688-2020 or in Mesquite, NY at 702-346-9175.

Jason Ahee, M.D. is performing a new state-of-the-art surgery for advanced glaucoma.  The surgery is called trabeculectomy, and is the standard of care for glaucoma patients who are progressively getting worse despite maximum medical therapy.  Although trabeculectomy surgery has been performed for many years, a recent breakthrough called the Express Mini-Shunt has made the surgery more effective and predictable, thus resulting in safer and better outcomes, according to Dr. Ahee, who is the first and only surgeon in southern Utah performing this new, advanced procedure.

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy that causes degeneration of the optic nerve and visual field loss.  The vision loss starts in the peripheral vision and often goes undetected by patients until they have an eye exam.  The vision loss is permanent and can progress to total blindness if left undiagnosed or untreated.

The usual treatment for glaucoma involves taking eye drops daily or having special laser treatments done to lower the eye pressure and prevent further optic nerve damage and vision loss.  If these measures are not successful, the next step is often trabeculectomy surgery, which involves creating a tiny opening that allows fluid from inside of the eye to slowly filter out underneath the surface of the eye, thus lowering the eye pressure.  The main drawbacks to traditional trabeculectomy surgery are:  (1) the tiny opening can scar down and close off, resulting in re-elevation of the eye pressure, and (2) the amount of fluid flowing through the opening can be unpredictable and lead to postoperative complications.  With this new procedure, Dr Ahee utilizes a miniature shunt in place of the tiny opening needed, thus preventing scarring and regulating fluid flow better.  “I think the mini-shunt has simplified the surgery and postoperative management, therefore, resulting in better patient outcomes,” said Dr. Ahee.  “It’s also nicer for the patients because now they can have their surgery right here in St. George instead of traveling to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.”

Dr. Ahee is in private practice at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists & Laser Eye Center, and is an assistant clinical professor at University of Utah’s Moran Eye Center.  For more information call 688-2020 or toll free 877-841-2020.   

As recently as a few months ago, a patient needing retina surgery would have to travel to Las Vegas or Salt Lake City to receive this specialized care.  David Faber, MD, a fellowship trained vitreoretinal specialist, has begun to perform retina surgery in St. George at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists & Laser Eye Center.  This is the first time that this subspecialty service has been available in Southern Utah.  Over the past few months Dr. Faber has performed vitrectomy surgeries for patients with diabetic retinopathy, vitreous hemorrhage, macular degeneration, macular pucker, epiretinal membrane, and retinal detachment.  In addition to offering retina surgery, Dr. Faber continues the work of his retired partner, Dr. Roy Goodart, in providing clinical retina care in St. George at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists & Laser Eye Center.

Dr. Jason Ahee, senior partner of Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists, said “Dr. Faber is providing an invaluable service to the people of Southern Utah by performing surgery in St. George.  This allows our patients to receive very specialized care without having to travel extensively for surgery and the pre- and post-operative care that is required.  We are fortunate to have him here.”

Dr. Faber is senior partner of Rocky Mountain Retina Consultants.  He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brigham Young University.  He received his medical doctor degree and completed his ophthalmology training at the University of California, San Diego.  He performed fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery and ocular oncology at the University of Tennessee.  He continues to be active in clinical research regarding macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists & Laser Eye Center is a comprehensive eye care center with offices in St. George, Utah and Mesquite, Nevada.  For more information, or to make an appointment, call toll free 1-877-841-2020.