Did you know that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide? Cataracts are a common condition that develops with age and interferes with vision. This eye disorder leads to blurred or hazy vision, making it difficult to read or see details in objects. Luckily, cataract surgery is an effective treatment that can restore the clarity of your eyesight. Here at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS, we provide this safe and effective treatment option.

How Long Does It Take to Recover After Cataract Surgery?

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye that obscures vision. Cataracts can develop due to aging, trauma or injury, and genetic factors like diabetes and hypertension. This eye disorder often starts out small and gradually grows larger over time. If left untreated, cataracts could lead to complete blindness within a few years.

Recovery Period After Cataract Surgery

After surgery, it is normal to have some vision loss for the first few days. This may be more noticeable when looking at lights or bright colors. However, your eye will gradually adjust within a week of your procedure, and full recovery can take between four to six weeks.

However, the recovery period may vary depending on individual factors such as age, sleeping habits, drinking water intake, and stress levels. In general, most patients are able to return to their usual activities within three weeks of treatment, while others need more extensive recovery time.

Speed Up Recovery Process

Our ophthalmologists can recommend ways you can speed up this process, such as:

Taking Care of Yourself with Proper Diet

Nutrition is important for speeding up healing. We recommend eating fruits and vegetables with healthy vitamins like A, C, E, and K to improve eyesight.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleeping at least eight hours every night is essential in order to speed up your body’s natural healing process.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for general eye health. Drinking lots of water reduces the risk of dry eyes, which can slow down your recovery time.

Use Eye Drops As Instructed

Eye drops prescribed by our Wichita ophthalmologists can help keep your eyes moist and clean. It also helps prevent infection, which could slow down the recovery process.

Wear Eye Shield When Washing Your Hair

When washing your hair, wear an eye shield to protect your eyes from accidental splashes of water. Getting water or shampoo directly into your eyes can slow down recovery time and damage vision.

Use Your Shield, Old Glasses, or Sunglasses Outdoors

It is important to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. If you are outside, use sunglasses or a hat with an eye shield for protection against bright sunlight that can cause eye fatigue and slow down healing time.

Read, Watch TV, and Use A Computer At Low Brightness

Reading, watching TV, and using a computer at low brightness can help reduce eye strain. The bright light from these devices often causes fatigue and makes it harder to focus on small details. Try placing your screen further away or watch shows in standard quality rather than HD for the first few days after surgery since it takes time to adjust to better clarity without straining your eyes.

Preparing for the Surgery

Consultation

When you schedule a consultation with one of our Wichita ophthalmologists, we will discuss the surgery in detail and explain what to expect during recovery. We also provide written instructions before your treatment that include information on how to prepare for this procedure.

Patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart conditions may not undergo surgery because their health makes it too risky. However, these patients can still benefit from having an evaluation done by our eye doctors so they know if there are any other treatments available.

Preparation

We will need your complete cooperation to have a successful surgery. You should avoid taking blood thinners or aspirin before treatment since they increase bleeding and could cause complications during surgery. Also, it would help if you stopped smoking at least two weeks prior because patients who smoke are more likely to develop eye infections after cataract extraction.

We also ask that you not wear any makeup on the day of your appointment so we can give full attention to preparing you for the procedure itself. Proper preparation includes removing all traces of eye color contacts as well as artificial lashes in advance.

What Cataract Surgery Is Like

This surgery is a common procedure that our ophthalmologists often perform. After administering numbing eye drops, the doctor makes a very small incision in front of your cornea to fold back the tissues covering it. Then, we insert special surgical instruments through the opening to break apart the cloudy natural lens into smaller pieces before removing them completely from your eye. Once these fragments have been removed, the artificial lens is inserted and folded back in place.

Recovery and Post-Surgery Care

We will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your eyes after the procedure. You should start taking antibiotics and steroid drops as prescribed by our doctors since these medications can help reduce swelling and prevent infection from developing.

You may also receive eye patches meant to promote optimum healing time by keeping light away from your cornea as it is still sensitive during recovery. At night, rest with both of your eyes closed so they do not dry out or become irritated overnight when exposed to air currents around the bed.

Cataract Surgery FAQs:

How Long Does Surgery Take?

Typically, the surgery takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. However, we will need additional time to prepare you beforehand and provide post-surgery care afterward.

How Painful Is the Surgery?

The surgery is a painless procedure, and most patients report that they did not feel any discomfort during treatment.

What Can I Not Do After Surgery?

Driving is not allowed for the first few days until your doctor says it’s okay because vision may still be cloudy even if your eyesight has improved significantly. In addition, you should never rub or press on your eye during recovery time since this can cause serious damage like corneal scratches that affect the clarity of sight.

Do I Need a Second Surgery?

You may need to return for a follow-up appointment depending on your eye health and vision needs. However, this does not always mean additional surgery will be required; the doctor may simply recommend certain at-home care solutions instead.

What Happens If Cataracts Are Left Untreated?

Cataracts can lead to other serious health concerns, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. These conditions are very difficult to treat once they have occurred so your best option is to catch them early on through regular eye exams with our doctors. Glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to permanent blindness. This occurs because the pressure inside of your eye builds up over time, causing irreparable damage to this crucial part of your central nervous system.

Macular degeneration is a chronic condition in which cells within the retina begin to die off one by one due to age or exposure to ultraviolet light, or an injury. As these cells are lost, vision becomes progressively worse since this disorder affects essential parts of our eyes responsible for proper sight function.

At What Age Do Cataracts Usually Start?

Cataracts usually begin to develop in your 50s or 60s, but they can happen at any age. If they appear earlier than expected, there is a greater chance that other eye diseases could be present as well.

Does Cataract Surgery Give You 20/20 Vision?

Most patients can achieve 20/20 vision following the procedure, but it depends on many factors, such as how long they have had cataracts and their overall eye health.

Do Cataracts Go Away on Their Own?

No, cataracts do not go away on their own. If you want to restore your sight, then they must be treated immediately since this condition becomes progressively worse with time and can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Schedule An Appointment Today!

Cataract surgery is a very safe procedure that improves your eyesight for the short and long term. While it is true that you will need to take certain precautions during your recovery time, the benefits of restoring your vision far outweigh any negative outcomes. Visit us at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS, and let us help you get your vision back and prevent further eye ailments from developing in the future.

Do you believe your eyebrows make you look older or more fatigued than you truly are? Are you worried that a wrinkled forehead or sagging eyebrows are making you look cantankerous or disinterested? If so, you may be a good candidate for a brow lift at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS. Today, we’ll help you decide whether this procedure is right for you based on the longevity of your results and much more information you need to know.

Will the Results of a Brow Lift Last Forever? 

Like all other cosmetic procedures, the results of a brow lift will not last forever. This procedure provides results thanks to the temporary tightening of the forehead muscles. This reverses the signs of aging, but the aging process will continue after the procedure. The ceaseless force of gravity will continue to weaken the forehead muscles, and a follow-up procedure will be necessary eventually if you want to maintain your youthful appearance.

How Long Does a Brow Lift Last? 

The results of a brow lift will last a number of years. Exactly how long you can enjoy your ideal results will depend on your skin health and age. As a good general rule, older people need follow-up procedures more frequently. For instance, your results may last for 15 years if you lead a relatively healthy lifestyle and you’re in your mid-40s. If you’re in your 60s and consume tobacco products daily, you may only be able to enjoy your final results for 10 to 12 years.

How Can I Keep My Skin Healthy? 

There are many lifestyle choices you can make to keep your skin healthy. Some lifestyle choices are easier to stick to than others. Only you can decide whether doing something consistently is worth healthier skin and longer-lasting results. Here’s a brief look at some of the lifestyle choices you can make to extend the longevity of your brow lift (forehead lift) by keeping your skin healthy.

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, coffee, and tea is one of the best things you can do to keep your skin healthy. Your skin comprises mostly water, so you need to be hydrated to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Adequate water is particularly important for your skin health because a great deal of water is required to produce crucial supportive fibers and proteins, like elastin and collagen.

If you suffer from chronic dehydration, it doesn’t matter how much you spend on moisturizers. Your skin, like the rest of your body, will be dehydrated, hamstringing its ability to produce collagen. Make your hydration a priority every day to keep your skin as smooth, healthy, and strong as possible.  

How Much Water You Should Drink

It can feel impossible to stay hydrated in Wichita, especially throughout the summer, but that doesn’t excuse you from trying. Carry a large, insulated water bottle wherever you go, and refill it frequently. Individual hydration needs vary based on activity level, size, sex, and age, but it is generally advisable to drink between 64 and 128 ounces of tea, coffee, and water daily.

Eat Lots of Protein

Just as water is important for collagen production, protein is important for collagen production. Getting enough protein in your diet is of such great importance because collagen is a type of protein. To produce it, your skin needs plenty of amino acids that come from sources of dietary protein. If your nutrition is on point, your skin is pretty good at producing enough collagen to keep itself healthy and young.  

However, around your 25th birthday, your skin begins to produce collagen at a rate that is 1% lower year-over-year. This insufficient collagen production is only exacerbated by a lack of protein in your diet. Also, you need to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits that are high in vitamin C. Without vitamin C, your body will lack the building blocks required to turn the amino acids in the protein you eat into collagen.

Eat Plenty of Vegetables and Fruits

As previously noted, protein is but a piece of the dietary puzzle if you want your results to last as long as possible. To ensure you get enough vitamin C in your diet, make a point to incorporate at least one vegetable and fruit into each meal. For instance, you may have a spinach and tomato omelet for breakfast. For lunch, you may have an avocado and kale salad with black beans and strawberries.  

You may incorporate broccoli or asparagus into your last meal of the day and finish it off with a fruit and kale smoothie or fruit cocktail. If you’re unsure about how to incorporate at least one fruit and vegetable into each meal, ask a registered dietician for a consultation. With professional help, you’ll have no trouble meal planning in a way that provides you with your RDA of vitamin C every day.

Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen is one of the hardest techniques you can use to keep your skin healthy and tight. After all, when you’re engrossed in your favorite book or fall asleep on the beach, it is all too easy to lose track of time. Nonetheless, you should apply sunscreen every four hours if you want your skin to stay smooth and lifted for as long as possible.  

If you plan to spend the whole day at the beach, bring a portable charger to keep your phone charged and set a timer on your phone that will go off every four hours. If you don’t apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly, UVA and UVC rays will destroy your skin’s existing collagen and get in the way of efficient collagen production.

Do I Qualify for This Procedure? 

To find out whether you qualify for this procedure, you need to come in for an initial evaluation. Typically, we look for adults who are in fairly good health who want to reverse the signs of aging in the upper face. Here’s a closer look at some signs you may qualify for this procedure.

You Have a Strong Support System at Home

You should have a strong support system at home to qualify for this procedure. You can recover from this procedure alone, but it is recommended to have someone spend at least the first 24 hours of your recovery period with you. Everyone goes through the recovery process differently, but you will be much better off if you have someone who can help you care for yourself for at least 72 hours, especially if you have pets or small children.  

During the first 42 days following your procedure, you may not lift anything over 10 pounds in weight. You may need help with your kids or pets for six weeks if you usually pick them up.

You Don’t Smoke

Smokers may qualify for this procedure but they do not make the best candidates. General anesthesia will be administered before your procedure to keep you asleep and comfortable. Nonetheless, you need to be pretty healthy to be administered a general anesthetic. If you have a lung or heart condition, for instance, we will recommend that you are not placed under general anesthesia.  

Unfortunately, tobacco consumption can lead to a number of health conditions, including lung cancer, throat cancer, and heart disease. Also, nicotine elevates your blood pressure, weakens your collagen, and impedes your skin’s ability to produce more collagen. If you are a smoker and want to get a brow lift, you need to stop smoking for several weeks to ensure your blood pressure falls within a healthy range.

You Don’t Drink Alcohol

Like nicotine, alcohol can lead to a number of health conditions and elevates your blood pressure. You must be able to go 14 days without consuming alcohol before your procedure to be considered a good candidate. Also, you must abstain from drinking alcohol for 14 days after your procedure. Refraining from alcohol consumption in the weeks following your procedure will ensure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

Learn More About Lifting Your Eyebrows Today

Your eyes are the windows to your soul and one of the first features people notice about you. Regrettably, you may not give off the best first impression if you have sagging eyebrows and deep forehead wrinkles. Visit us at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS to learn more about how a brow lift can shave years off of your face and make you look more interested and rested. 

At Beautiful Eyes in Wichita, KS, we know that excess skin around the eye area can make you feel much older than you are. If the aging process, genetics, or other conditions have led to sagging and drooping skin around your eyes, we want to let you know that we have a solution that can help. We are proud to offer eyelid surgery, an effective procedure that will restore youth to your eyes, improve your vision, and give you the most beautiful eyes possible.

How Long Does It Take To Recover After Eyelid Surgery?

With every elective surgery comes a recovery period, and eyelid surgery is no different. Once you undergo eyelid surgery wichita, you will immediately begin the recovery process. The total length of time that it takes to recover from this procedure varies from patient to patient based on their general health, age, and the type of procedure performed.

Additionally, your commitment to the recovery process and your willingness to follow all of the aftercare instructions also play a part in the length of your recovery. It can also affect how quickly your body heals. When you follow the necessary aftercare instructions, get the proper rest and nutrition, you can rest assured that you will have the best possible outcome and will be able to enjoy your youthful-looking eye area as soon as possible.

The Recovery Process

After your surgery is complete, we will take some standard measures before discharging you and sending you home. We may apply anointment to the area to keep the skin from becoming too dry and bandages to the surrounding area as needed. Then, you will return home and rest. You will need someone to drive your home since the procedure requires that you receive general anesthesia for its duration.

Once you return home, you should begin resting as soon as possible. Enlisting help at home before your procedure is the best way to avoid having to check things off your to-do list when you really should be spending that time resting and recovering. We may prescribe you medication to help ensure optimal comfort during the recovery process. Taking this medication as directed will help promote the best recovery possible.

Taking Care of Your Eyelids

During your recovery process, you will need to keep your head elevated any time you lie down. You will also need to hold cold compresses on your eyelids to help promote healing. Since you may spend the first part of the recovery process resting your eyes, you should have music, podcasts, or audiobooks on hand that you can listen to during this time. This will give your mind something to focus on during rest periods as your eyes heal.

You may need to administer eye drops to your eyes during the first few weeks post-op. Following these instructions is a temporary requirement, but doing so will help you heal as quickly as possible. Before we discharge you, we will provide you with all of the instructions you need regarding medications and the application of eye drops.

Attending Follow-Up Visits

Once your procedure is over, we won’t just wish you well and send you on your way. We will schedule regular follow-up visits to check your eyelids and ensure that they are healing well. We will monitor your progress during the recovery period, remove any stitches that were put in during your procedure and answer any questions you may have or address any concerns about your recovery.

If you are faced with a question or concern, you can feel free to contact our office. Our experienced staff members will help provide you with the answers you need. We will walk with you through this entire process, from your initial consultation to your final follow-up appointment. Even after that appointment, we will always be here, ready to answer each and every question you may have.

The Eye Surgery Process

To begin this process, you will undergo an initial consultation at our office. Before scheduling eyelid surgery to address the appearance of your eyes and help you reach your aesthetic goals, we will need to examine your eyelids and eyes in person. We will review your medical history, discuss any health conditions you may have, and ask about any vision issues. Once we confirm that you are a candidate for this procedure, we will develop your treatment plan.

Different techniques can be used during eyelid surgery to improve the appearance of the eye area. We will discuss these different techniques during your consultation and help choose the best one for your needs. We will also talk about anesthesia, your procedure cost, and your ultimate goals.

The Different Techniques

We can take different approaches to eyelid surgery because every patient is different. Some patients want to address their upper eyelids, others want to change the appearance of their lower eyelids, and others want to address both areas. We can combine different techniques to help you reach your aesthetic goals.

Addressing the Upper Eyelids

When it comes to the upper eyelids, the most common concern is excess fat and skin. Our surgeon will create a very small incision in the crease of each upper eyelid to address these issues. He will remove that extra skin as well as any extra fat tissue or muscle that is negatively affecting your appearance.

Addressing the Lower Eyelids

The most common concern among patients who want to improve their lower eyelid area relates to under-eye bags. Both extra skin and extra fat below the eyes can create a puffy-looking appearance and under-eye bags.

Typically, our surgeon will make incisions outside the lower eyelids and remove any excess muscle, skin, or fat in the area that contributes to a negative appearance. We can customize this technique to your needs and address excess fat, skin, and muscle laxity as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Blepharoplasty?

The technical term for Wichita eyelid surgery is blepharoplasty. This is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance of the eye area and reduce sagging skin resulting from genetics or the aging process. Some patients choose this procedure simply to address aesthetic concerns, while others choose it to address impaired vision. The skin around the eyes can sag and droop to the point that it impedes one’s vision, yet this procedure can restore vision and improve clarity.

What Does It Treat?

This procedure treats excess skin, fatty tissue, and muscle laxity resulting in an unattractive appearance of the eyes. It can also tighten the area, remove excess skin on the upper eyelids, and repair the under-eye area, especially when defined by excess skin and eye bags. It opens up the eyes, improves the vision that has suffered due to excess skin, and can increase one’s confidence in their appearance.

How Long Is the Procedure?

The total length of this procedure varies from one patient to the next. Different factors affect the length of the procedure, including the areas that need to be addressed, which techniques are used, and the severity of the patient’s condition. Those who choose to improve the appearance of both their upper and lower eyelids will endure a longer procedure. That being said, most patients will be in surgery anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours.

How Long Will My Results Last?

This procedure is intended to permanently improve the condition of the eyes. However, the aging process cannot be stopped, and because your face will change in the years following your procedure, you can expect the results from this procedure to last up to 15 years. If your eyes change to the degree that you are unhappy with their appearance, you may benefit from an additional eyelid procedure down the road.

How Can I Make My Results Last Longer?

Living a healthy lifestyle and caring for the skin around your eyes is the best way to prolong the results of this procedure. Once your procedure is complete, and your eyelids are healed, you should apply high-quality sunscreen daily. Additionally, you can protect your eye area by wearing sunglasses every time you are exposed to the sun.

Investing in a high-quality eye cream as well as other anti-aging skincare products specially designed for the eyes will help keep your tissues youthful and healthy. From eye creams to serums to moisturizing eye gel pads, there are many different products that you can apply daily or weekly to your eye area to keep the area moisturized, hydrated, and protected from the aging process.

Cosmetic Treatments

Scheduling other cosmetic treatments designed to improve the eye area can also help improve and maintain your appearance. Injectables like Botox can relax the muscles around the eyes to help prevent new wrinkles and temporarily erase old ones. Other non-invasive treatments like chemical peels and other treatments designed to improve the skin in this area will go a long way in helping you maintain your results for the longest amount of time.

Will My Vision Improve?

If sagging skin around your eyes and on your eyelids has begun to impair your vision, this procedure will address this concern. The benefit of eyelid surgery is that it can both improve aesthetic and vision-related concerns. However, it will only improve your vision if excess skin around the eyes is the reason for your vision problems.

It cannot improve vision loss that has resulted from glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, occlusions, or other medical problems unrelated to excess skin. A visit with your eye doctor is the best way to confirm that excess skin around the eyes is the primary cause of your vision loss.

Am I a Candidate?

If you want to achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance around your eyes or improve your vision, or both, blepharoplasty may be the solution you’ve been looking for. The ideal candidates for this procedure understand the importance of following the aftercare instructions.

They also want to address excess skin, fat, or muscle laxity around their eyes or want to improve their vision that has suffered from excess skin in this area. During a consultation, we will confirm that this procedure is right for you, and then we will take every measure possible to help you reach all of your aesthetic goals.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

We want to help increase your confidence, and if addressing the area around your eyes will help do that, we are here and ready to walk through this process with you. To learn more information about eyelid surgery, contact us at Beautiful Eyes in Wichita, KS today and schedule your initial consultation with one of our experts to learn more about how you can get beautiful eyes.

It’s normal for the appearance and texture of your skin to change over time. But you don’t have to put up with it. If you’re looking for a way to get back your youthful appearance, fillers could be the solution for you. For skin that looks healthy, young, and natural, Juvederm is a carefully formulated injectable that we here at  ICT Eye & Beautiful Eyes in Wichita, KS are ready to provide you with.

Does Juvederm Look Natural?

Getting comes with many positives. With age comes wisdom, experience, and a deeper sense of who you are as a person. But some drawbacks come along with this natural process. One of the major issues people face is changes in the look and quality of their skin. Your skin may begin to wrinkle, sag, and lose its fullness.

Injectables offer a great way to maintain a youthful, healthy appearance. But not every injectable looks natural. Juvederm is a carefully formulated injectable that uses hyaluronic acid, an ingredient naturally found in the human body, to provide you with subtle but still effective results.

What Is It?

This is a filler that has been specially designed to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your face. It offers you a non-invasive but very effective way of maintaining a youthful and healthy appearance.

It is also a completely safe treatment method, having been FDA approved. Instead of going with a surgical procedure that can be time-consuming and painful, or a topical cream that may not work as well as you’d like, this filler is fast, easy, and really works.

How Does It Work?

The main ingredient in this filler is hyaluronic acid. This is a sugar that can be found in various parts of the human body. Your connective tissues, eyes, and your skin all contain amounts of hyaluronic acid.

So what does hyaluronic acid do? One of its main jobs is maintaining moisture in your body. When it’s injected into your skin, it helps fill in any areas where there may be sagging or wrinkling. It will also help your skin maintain moisture, which allows you to enjoy your results for longer.

Why Do We Get Wrinkles?

Wrinkles can be caused by a variety of things. The main cause is aging. As we get older, the amount of collagen in our skin begins to decrease. Collagen is what gives your skin its structure, so its loss will result in sagging and wrinkling.

Other factors can contribute to your skin wrinkling more quickly. If you drink or smoke excessively, this can affect the collagen in your skin. The UV rays from the sun can also penetrate your skin and reduce the amount of collagen present. When you receive this injectable, one of the things it will do along with providing more volume is that it will encourage your body to produce more collagen.

The Different Types of Juvederm

There are several different types of this filler that target different areas of the face. Depending on the results you’re looking for, you will receive one or more of these types.

Vollure XC and Ultra XC

This type is used primarily around the mouth area. This is one of the most commonly targeted areas of the face, as wrinkles appear most easily here. That’s because your mouth moves a lot throughout the day as you speak and make facial expressions.

As your skin loses collagen, however, your skin stops being able to smooth out when the muscles relax. This will result in dynamic wrinkles, or wrinkles that form when the muscles move, becoming static. Vollure XC will smooth out wrinkles and fine lines that appear in this area.

Ultra Plus XC

Ultra Plus XC is designed for wrinkles that are slightly more severe. Nasolabial folds or the wrinkles that go from your nose to your mouth can be quite deep.

This filler works particularly well for rather deep folds.

Voluma XC

One of the major areas where sagging happens is the cheek area. When your young, the amount of collagen in your cheeks keeps them full and healthy-looking. However, as your collagen levels begin to reduce, gravity takes a firmer hold of your cheeks. This results in sagging.

Voluma XC targets the cheek area specifically, providing you with the volume that you’ve been missing.

Volbella XC

Some people have naturally thin lips. Others lose a lot of their lips’ definition as they age. Whatever the reason, thin lips can be a source of insecurity for many people. Volbella XC is formulated to target the lip area.

When you receive this filler, you’ll find that your lips are larger, plumper, and have much more definition.

How To Get Natural-Looking, Long-Lasting Results

Because this filler’s main ingredient is found in various parts of the human body, it offers a safe and effective way to get the youthful appearance you want. However, if you want your results to look as natural as possible and to maintain them for as long as you can, there are a few things that you should make sure you do.

Go to the Right Clinic

There are many clinics out there that offer injectables like this one. But one thing you need to understand is that not all clinics are equal. Always look for a reputable clinic, and take the time to do your research and find the right place for you instead of simply opting for the first clinic you see.

When you visit our clinic, you’ll appreciate how welcoming, clean, and comfortable it is. You’ll know you’re in good hands when you choose our clinic.

Find Someone Experienced

Not just anyone can perform these injections, especially if you want your results to look as natural as possible. Look for someone who has been carefully trained and, ideally, has a long history of successfully providing these injections.

When you find a provider that you’re interested in, don’t let your research stop there. Make sure to ask plenty of questions, and don’t worry about any of them being unnecessary. It’s important to make sure that you’ll be getting what you’re looking for out of your treatment.

Be Communicative

The person performing your injection has a responsibility to provide you with high-quality service, safety, and comfort. But if you want to get natural-looking results, then you have a certain level of responsibility, too.

It’s up to you to communicate effectively with your injector. Make sure that you clearly indicate which areas concern you, and explain the results that you’d like to see. When you come to our clinic, you can expect your communication to be met with equal transparency, which will help you get what you’re looking for out of the process.

What Is the Process Like?

If you’re thinking of getting this injection, then you’re probably wondering what the process looks like. When you visit our clinic, you can trust that the process will be fast, easy, and completely safe. You’ll also get to enjoy natural-looking results administered by our caring and experienced injectors.

Before Treatment

Some treatment methods for reducing and eliminating fine lines and wrinkles require extensive preparation beforehand. This can be a real downside. But one of the benefits of getting this injectable is that there is very little you need to do to prepare for the treatment.

You will need to avoid a few things for this injectable to be effective and to make the process itself as safe as possible. Try not to take medications that act as blood thinners, and avoid aspirin and ibuprofen. You may also need to stop taking certain supplements like St. John’s Wort. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided.

During the Treatment

The first thing that we will do when you come to our clinic is to begin with a consultation. Remember, be sure to outline the areas that concern you, and be clear about the results you’d like to see. This consultation will help us set your expectations, and will offer you a good chance to ask any questions that you may have.

The treatment process itself is very fast, and will likely be able to be performed right after your consultation is done. When you’re ready for your treatment, we will carefully clean your skin where the injection will be administered. A small amount of numbing cream may also be applied. Once your skin is prepared, we will strategically inject the product using a fine and precise needle. The entire process should only take somewhere between 15 minutes to an hour.

After the Treatment

Injectables like this one are desirable because, unlike surgical procedures, they require very little downtime. Going with surgery requires weeks of recovery time, which can be as inconvenient as it is uncomfortable. If you get this filler, however, the healing time will be very fast and you’ll be able to get back to your busy life right away.

You’ll be able to leave our clinic once the treatment is complete. As long as you avoid certain things like direct sunlight, strenuous activity, and pressing down on the injection areas then you’ll get the long-lasting and natural-looking results you’re looking for.

When Will I See Results?

If you’re looking for a fast-acting treatment, then this filler is perfect for you. You’ll notice a change in the appearance of your skin immediately after your treatment.

While many fillers take days or sometimes even weeks to start showing you the results you want, you’ll notice right away that your skin looks fuller and that those fine lines and wrinkles that have bugged you so much are already starting to be smoothed away.

How Long Will Results Last?

No anti-wrinkle treatment is permanent, but you can still expect long-lasting results with this filler. With many injections, you may need to return to the clinic for monthly injections to maintain the results you want.

This filler is great because it’s extremely low-maintenance. Most people get to enjoy results for anywhere between 6 months to 2 years. Keeping up with regular skincare and practicing other healthy lifestyle habits will help you keep your results for longer.

Get Natural-Looking Youthful Skin

There are lots of treatment options available if you’re looking to get the youthful skin that you once had back. But not all of these treatments will offer you the subtle, natural-looking results that you might be looking for. If you want a safe, effective, and low-maintenance treatment, then Juvederm could be the right option for you. If you’d like to set up an appointment with us, then get in touch with us at ICT Eye & Beautiful Eyes in Wichita, KS today.

Lines and wrinkles are a natural result of the aging process, but you don’t have to live with them. Botox can relax away moderate-to-severe facial creases without invasive procedures or downtime. This versatile treatment can address concerns affecting many parts of the face. If you’re ready to look as young as you feel, you may benefit greatly from this injectable muscle relaxant at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS.

What Does Botox Do to Your Face? 

Daily facial expressions and other muscle contractions lead to dynamic lines and wrinkles that eventually become permanent and worsen when the overactive muscles are used. Botox reduces the frequency of muscle contractions that cause wrinkles.

This is thanks to the A botulinum toxin protein binding to receptors in the muscles that receive communication from the brain to contract. Thanks to the customizability of the dosage, the final result is facial muscles that move freely when you want them to but are otherwise relaxed, leaving your skin smooth and free from dynamic wrinkles.

Areas That Can Be Treated Effectively

The Forehead

The forehead is the area most commonly targeted for Botox treatment because it is usually the first region of the face to display permanent dynamic wrinkles and lines.  Whether you have mild, moderate, or severe forehead folds, one treatment session with this powerful injectable muscle relaxant will leave your skin smoother, firmer, and healthier.

Between the Brows

Wrinkles that develop between the brows are often severe due to the strength of the glabellar muscles. However, these powerful, frequently used muscles are no match for Botox. Your glabellar lines will be erased with ease after just one treatment session.

Around the Mouth

Lines and wrinkles that form around the mouth, such as marionette lines or smoker’s lines, are another common concern area because the muscles around the mouth are used so frequently. Even if you’re not smiling, your mouth muscles are moving if you’re talking, singing, laughing, breathing in and out through your mouth, drinking, eating, and yawning. Luckily, this powerful A botulinum toxin can help. One injection session is all that is required to enjoy smooth skin around your mouth.

Other Areas of Concern

During your initial consultation, we will discuss all of your problem areas to identify the areas that can benefit from this injectable muscle relaxant. For example, this injectable is often used to treat nasolabial folds that are caused by muscle hyperactivity but cannot treat volume loss-related nasolabial folds effectively. Additionally, you may benefit from this injectable or a dermal filler if you wish to add volume to your lips.

FAQs Answered

Is This Treatment Painful? 

No, this non-invasive treatment is not painful. You can enjoy relaxed muscles and wrinkle-free skin with nothing more than a convenient injection session. You will experience neither pain nor discomfort as the medication is administered or after treatment.

Is This Treatment Safe? 

Yes, this treatment is so safe it has had FDA-approval for decades. During your initial consultation, we will discuss your health history to determine if you are a good candidate for this injectable. If you are considered a good candidate, you do not need to worry about your safety during or after these injections.

Is This Treatment Effective? 

Yes, this treatment is highly effective when used to erase dynamic wrinkles. It may sound too good to be true, but decades of use have proven it to do exactly what it claims to do.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment? 

For most healthy adults with dynamic wrinkles, this pain-free treatment is an ideal option.  It is effective regardless of skin tone or type, but we need to review your unique situation during your initial consultation to determine definitively whether this treatment is appropriate for you.

Is This Treatment Really Effective for Severe Wrinkles? 

Yes, this treatment can really relax away the most severe dynamic facial wrinkles. This treatment is so effective because it treats the root cause of the wrinkles. It is not a superficial treatment that temporarily enhances the appearance of the skin’s surface. In extreme cases, two treatment sessions will be necessary to smooth away deep wrinkles entirely. However, no wrinkles or folds are deep enough to remain after two injectable muscle relaxant sessions.

How Should I Prepare for This Treatment? 

You don’t have to do too much to prepare for this non-invasive treatment.  You may maintain your usual skincare routine. However, we will advise you on whether you should stop taking certain medications, like sleep aids, oral muscle relaxants or blood thinners, during your initial consultation.

If you are taking any of the aforementioned types of drugs, or other over-the-counter products that may affect your treatment, you only need to adjust your medications for a few days before treatment.

When Should I Expect To See the Final Results of My Treatment? 

You should begin to see the results of your treatment within two to three days of your injection session. That said, it may take 10 to 14 days for the final results of this treatment to become apparent. Regardless of when your final results become apparent, there will be no pain or downtime following this injectable anti-aging treatment.

Will My Treatment Results Look Natural? 

Yes, the results of your treatment will look completely natural. You will look like you did years ago. Your underlying facial structure is not changed. You just won’t have to worry about dynamic wrinkles anymore. Nobody will be able to tell you received a cosmetic treatment to look younger. To reiterate, all of your muscles will still have their full range of motion once your treatment is over. They simply won’t contract when you don’t want them to contract.

Can I Treat Multiple Areas During My Session? 

Yes, you can absolutely treat several muscle groups during one treatment session.  For example, you don’t need to schedule three appointments if you want to treat crow’s feet around your eyes, glabellar lines between your brows, and nasolabial folds between your nose and mouth.

Regardless of the number of muscle groups you are concerned about, you can safely and effectively treat them all in one session if you have enough time. Additionally, if you would benefit from both Botox and dermal filler injections, both types of injectables can be administered during the same session.

How Durable Are the Treatment Results? 

Individual experiences vary based on the age of the client and the severity of their dynamic wrinkles. That said, ideal results typically last between four and six months.  In mild-to-moderate cases, the results of treatment may last up to a year. In severe cases, the results of this treatment may only last three months. Once we have evaluated your unique concerns, we will advise you on how long you should expect your treatment results to last.

How Often Can I Get a Follow-Up Treatment? 

You may continue enjoying natural-looking results if you receive follow-up treatments every four to six months. However, the results of this treatment last longer after repeated sessions. Eventually, you may benefit the most from coming in every nine to 12 months.

Can I Go Back to Work Once My Session Is Over? 

You may return to work as soon as your session is over and we have reviewed your post-treatment care steps.  In fact, people commonly schedule this non-invasive treatment on their lunch break because there is no downtime required following the session and they don’t want to use PTO.

Relax Away Your Wrinkles Without Pain or Downtime Today

If you’re ready to restore your self-confidence by erasing moderate-to-severe facial creases, Botox may benefit you. This injectable muscle relaxant binds to some of the receptors in the treated muscles, preventing excessive muscle contractions. Contact us today at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS to schedule your initial appointment and find out if you are a good candidate for this pain-free anti-aging treatment. 

Lines and wrinkles are a natural result of the aging process, but you don’t have to live with them. Botox can relax away moderate-to-severe facial creases without invasive procedures or downtime. This versatile treatment can address concerns affecting many parts of the face. If you’re ready to look as young as you feel, you may benefit greatly from this injectable muscle relaxant at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS.

What Does Botox Do to Your Face? 

Daily facial expressions and other muscle contractions lead to dynamic lines and wrinkles that eventually become permanent and worsen when the overactive muscles are used. Botox reduces the frequency of muscle contractions that cause wrinkles.

This is thanks to the A botulinum toxin protein binding to receptors in the muscles that receive communication from the brain to contract. Thanks to the customizability of the dosage, the final result is facial muscles that move freely when you want them to but are otherwise relaxed, leaving your skin smooth and free from dynamic wrinkles.

Areas That Can Be Treated Effectively

The Forehead

The forehead is the area most commonly targeted for Botox treatment because it is usually the first region of the face to display permanent dynamic wrinkles and lines.  Whether you have mild, moderate, or severe forehead folds, one treatment session with this powerful injectable muscle relaxant will leave your skin smoother, firmer, and healthier.

Between the Brows

Wrinkles that develop between the brows are often severe due to the strength of the glabellar muscles. However, these powerful, frequently used muscles are no match for Botox. Your glabellar lines will be erased with ease after just one treatment session.

Around the Mouth

Lines and wrinkles that form around the mouth, such as marionette lines or smoker’s lines, are another common concern area because the muscles around the mouth are used so frequently. Even if you’re not smiling, your mouth muscles are moving if you’re talking, singing, laughing, breathing in and out through your mouth, drinking, eating, and yawning. Luckily, this powerful A botulinum toxin can help. One injection session is all that is required to enjoy smooth skin around your mouth.

Other Areas of Concern

During your initial consultation, we will discuss all of your problem areas to identify the areas that can benefit from this injectable muscle relaxant. For example, this injectable is often used to treat nasolabial folds that are caused by muscle hyperactivity but cannot treat volume loss-related nasolabial folds effectively. Additionally, you may benefit from this injectable or a dermal filler if you wish to add volume to your lips.

FAQs Answered

Is This Treatment Painful? 

No, this non-invasive treatment is not painful. You can enjoy relaxed muscles and wrinkle-free skin with nothing more than a convenient injection session. You will experience neither pain nor discomfort as the medication is administered or after treatment.

Is This Treatment Safe? 

Yes, this treatment is so safe it has had FDA approval for decades. During your initial consultation, we will discuss your health history to determine if you are a good candidate for this injectable. If you are considered a good candidate, you do not need to worry about your safety during or after these injections.

Is This Treatment Effective? 

Yes, this treatment is highly effective when used to erase dynamic wrinkles. It may sound too good to be true, but decades of use have proven it to do exactly what it claims to do.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment? 

For most healthy adults with dynamic wrinkles, this pain-free treatment is an ideal option.  It is effective regardless of skin tone or type, but we need to review your unique situation during your initial consultation to determine definitively whether this treatment is appropriate for you.

Is This Treatment Really Effective for Severe Wrinkles? 

Yes, this treatment can really relax away the most severe dynamic facial wrinkles. This treatment is so effective because it treats the root cause of wrinkles. It is not a superficial treatment that temporarily enhances the appearance of the skin’s surface. In extreme cases, two treatment sessions will be necessary to smooth away deep wrinkles entirely. However, no wrinkles or folds are deep enough to remain after two injectable muscle relaxant sessions.

How Should I Prepare for This Treatment? 

You don’t have to do too much to prepare for this non-invasive treatment.  You may maintain your usual skincare routine. However, we will advise you on whether you should stop taking certain medications, like sleep aids, oral muscle relaxants, or blood thinners, during your initial consultation.

If you are taking any of the aforementioned types of drugs, or other over-the-counter products that may affect your treatment, you only need to adjust your medications for a few days before treatment.

When Should I Expect To See the Final Results of My Treatment? 

You should begin to see the results of your treatment within two to three days of your injection session. That said, it may take 10 to 14 days for the final results of this treatment to become apparent. Regardless of when your final results become apparent, there will be no pain or downtime following this injectable anti-aging treatment.

Will My Treatment Results Look Natural? 

Yes, the results of your treatment will look completely natural. You will look like you did years ago. Your underlying facial structure is not changed. You just won’t have to worry about dynamic wrinkles anymore. Nobody will be able to tell you received a cosmetic treatment to look younger. To reiterate, all of your muscles will still have their full range of motion once your treatment is over. They simply won’t contract when you don’t want them to contract.

Can I Treat Multiple Areas During My Session? 

Yes, you can absolutely treat several muscle groups during one treatment session.  For example, you don’t need to schedule three appointments if you want to treat crow’s feet around your eyes, glabellar lines between your brows, and nasolabial folds between your nose and mouth.

Regardless of the number of muscle groups you are concerned about, you can safely and effectively treat them all in one session if you have enough time. Additionally, if you would benefit from both Botox and dermal filler injections, both types of injectables can be administered during the same session.

How Durable Are the Treatment Results? 

Individual experiences vary based on the age of the client and the severity of their dynamic wrinkles. That said, ideal results typically last between four and six months.  In mild-to-moderate cases, the results of treatment may last up to a year. In severe cases, the results of this treatment may only last three months. Once we have evaluated your unique concerns, we will advise you on how long you should expect your treatment results to last.

How Often Can I Get a Follow-Up Treatment? 

You may continue enjoying natural-looking results if you receive follow-up treatments every four to six months. However, the results of this treatment last longer after repeated sessions. Eventually, you may benefit the most from coming in every nine to 12 months.

Can I Go Back to Work Once My Session Is Over? 

You may return to work as soon as your session is over and we have reviewed your post-treatment care steps.  In fact, people commonly schedule this non-invasive treatment on their lunch break because there is no downtime required following the session and they don’t want to use PTO.

Relax Away Your Wrinkles Without Pain or Downtime Today

If you’re ready to restore your self-confidence by erasing moderate-to-severe facial creases, Botox may benefit you. This injectable muscle relaxant binds to some of the receptors in the treated muscles, preventing excessive muscle contractions. Contact us today at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS to schedule your initial appointment and find out if you are a good candidate for this pain-free anti-aging treatment. 

Spending time in the sun or losing a large amount of weight can cause your skin to become wrinkled and loose. At ICT Eye in Wichita, Kansas, we can use a state-of-the-art treatment called Ultherapy to lift your sagging skin and fade your lines. This non-invasive treatment will quickly firm your delicate tissues and give you a more youthful appearance.

What Is Ultherapy and How Long Does It Last?

Ultherapy is a sophisticated treatment that will use sound energy to tighten loose tissues on your brow, chin, and neck. We can also use this innovative method to fix fine lines that have changed the appearance of your chest. Since the sound energy that we send into your desired locations will produce long-lasting changes in your skin, your treatment areas will usually look youthful and lifted for about two years.

Understanding This Non-Invasive Treatment

We will transform your appearance by using a specialized device to deliver ultrasound energy into your desired locations. During this process, we will use a viewer to visualize your tissues. This technology will allow us to customize your treatment by placing precise amounts of energy into specific areas of your skin.

This ultrasound energy will produce a thermal effect that will transform the deeper tissues in your target area. This gentle process will correct your sagging issues and fine lines by helping you make additional collagen. Collagen is a natural protein that will help your skin look firm, strong, and youthful. When you produce these new proteins, the structure of your skin will improve, and your loose tissues will become tighter.

Achieving Lasting Improvements

Although this treatment will usually lift your skin for about two years, the specific length of your improvements will depend on your skincare routine, the amount of time that you spend in the sun, and other aspects of your lifestyle. In addition to avoiding excessive sun exposure and adopting healthy habits, you can extend the duration of your new look by getting occasional follow-up treatments at our office in Wichita.

In particular, we will probably advise you to get one ultrasound session every 12 months. Receiving annual touch-up appointments will provide you with lifted, attractive skin for many years.

What Steps Should I Follow Before I Receive My Initial Appointment?

You won’t need to worry about changing your exercise schedule, eating habits, or other parts of your routine during the weeks before you get your first ultrasound session. That said, you might be required to stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for 14 days before your appointment. These medicines, which are sometimes called NSAIDs, could alter your response to this anti-aging method.

On the morning of your appointment, you should not put lotion, makeup, or other products onto your face, neck, or other treatment areas. In addition, you should wear a comfortable outfit to our office in Wichita.

Will My Ultrasound Session Be Relaxing?

This is not an invasive or uncomfortable treatment, and you will feel very relaxed and calm during your skin tightening treatment.

A Quick Process

In general, this skin tightening process will last for about 30 to 60 minutes. The exact length of your session will depend on the size of your treatment area and the results that you are interested in achieving. If you are interested in improving larger areas of skin, your appointment will usually take a slightly longer amount of time to finish.
 

Starting Your Treatment

Under some circumstances, we may help you relax by giving you a calming medication before we begin to improve your sagging tissues. Next, we will clean your target area and put a gentle ultrasound gel onto the surface of your skin. After we start sending sound energy into your tissues, you will notice a mild feeling of warmth.

As your tissues become warmer, the sound energy will create a beneficial thermal effect in your target location. This process may feel very similar to a hot stone massage, and you can read a novel or close your eyes and rest during this relaxing part of your treatment.

What Will Happen After My Ultrasound Session Is Complete?

If you choose to use ultrasound energy to firm your sagging skin, you won’t need to skip your workouts, avoid your work assignments, or take a long break from your other important activities. However, you should be ready to make some very small changes to your skincare routine and other aspects of your schedule once you finish your treatment.

Leaving Our Office

If you received a calming medication during your appointment, you will not be able to drive. Instead, you will need need to have a friend, relative, or other person take you back to your home. If you did not use medication to relax, you will be able to drive back to your home, run errands, or do other daily tasks. For example, you might return to your office and work for the rest of the day.

Pampering Your Skin

During the rest of your day, you should not put concealer, blush, or other types of makeup onto the areas that we improved during your session. In addition, you should not apply skincare products to your target areas during this time.

Adopting a New Beauty Routine

As your tissues begin to respond to this treatment, you can use a variety of skincare products to enhance your results. In particular, we may advise you to use lotions or creams to hydrate your tissues. You can also extend the improvements in your skin by using beauty products that contain retinol and vitamin C.

In addition, you should remember to use gentle cleansers that do not contain abrasive ingredients when you are washing your face, neck, and other target areas. During this part of your skincare routine, you should avoid using harsh methods to dry your skin. Instead, you should gently pat your face or neck with a towel.

Will I Need To Get Several Ultrasound Sessions?

In general, you will be satisfied with the improvements in your loose skin or wrinkles after you get a single ultrasound session. If you have very lax skin, we may suggest receiving multiple treatments. We can help you create a personalized skin firming plan after we have assessed your laxity issues and other cosmetic challenges.

When Will My Skin Become Firmer?

After we send a sufficient amount of ultrasound energy into your neck, face, or other areas, you will begin to make new collagen proteins in these locations. This process will probably take about eight to 12 weeks to complete. During this time, your sagging skin will become tighter, and your treatment areas will start to look more youthful.

Can I Use Other Methods To Improve My Collagen Production?

In addition to providing Ultherapy treatments, we can use a technique called collagen induction therapy to improve your sagging skin. This minimally invasive technique can also be used to fix your fine lines, stretch marks, sun damage, and other aesthetic conditions. During this anti-aging treatment, we will enhance your collagen production by using a special device to gently puncture your skin.

We can use this technique to enhance the appearance of your face, neck, upper chest, and hands. Each of your sessions will usually last for less than 45 minutes, and this technique can improve your stretch marks and other problems for about four to six weeks. When your skin starts to return to its previous look, you can renew your results by getting another collagen induction therapy session.

Firm Your Sagging Skin

When the skin on your neck and face begins to sag, you may feel less attractive and vibrant. Receiving an Ultherapy session will allow you to lift your loose skin and achieve a refreshed appearance. If you are interested in hearing more about the process of using this non-invasive method to improve your sagging skin, you should set up a consultation at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS.

What Can You Expect From Dry Eye Treatment at ICT Eye?

A Non-Invasive Solution

We use iLux to treat dry eyes for our patients. It’s non-surgical, with treatments being carried out in our comfortable office space. During a consultation, we’d be happy to take a look at your unique situation and help you decide if iLux is the right call for you.

What Can It Treat?

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Commonly called MGD, meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the most common contributors to dry eyes. The meibomian glands help lubricate our eyes. They produce oils on both the upper and lower eyelids. These oils help fight off dryness.

MGD can cause these glands to not produce enough oils. Without the protection these oils provide, tears evaporate quickly and our eyes are left to dry out.

What Are the Symptoms of MGD?

Dry eyes are the most common symptom of MGD, but there are some other symptoms to look out for as well. These symptoms may include:

• Irritated eyes, especially in the corners
• Red or swollen eyelids
• Glands that are swollen, or secreting mucus
• Crusty eyes
• Eyelashes that are wet and matted in the morning
• Eyelashes that easily fall out
• A burning sensation in the eyes

Diagnosing MGD

In addition to the possible symptoms, you can have your eyelids checked for MGD as well. MGD can cause your inner eyelid to look different than it would normally. If MGD is suspected, gentle pressure can be applied to your eyelid to see if any oils are released.

Another way dry eyes can be diagnosed is by measuring the volume of tears you’re producing. Blotting paper strips can be placed under your lower eyelid. The paper will soak up your tears, which can then be measured to see if your body is producing an appropriate level of moisture.

How It Works

Gentle Heat and Pressure

This treatment uses a handheld device. It delivers gentle pressure and heat to the eyelids, which helps the meibomian glands to unclog and open up. When the glands are unclogged, they’re able to do their job again. By treating the cause behind your dry eyes, the goal is to provide lasting relief.

Treatment Can Be Adjusted for Your Needs

We will have control over the heat and pressure iLux uses to deliver relief. This control allows us to adjust the levels as needed for each patient. If your case requires a little more heat or pressure, we can increase heat and pressure levels while always keeping the treatment safe and comfortable.

Safety That’s Been Proven

Our professional team holds your safety and comfort at the highest priority. This dry eye treatment is considered a safe and effective way to treat MGD. It is FDA-approved as well.

The special eyelid pad that iLux uses ensures that the treatment is applied right onto the blocked glands while protecting the rest of your eye at the same time. This also helps create an optimally comfortable experience.

Quick and Effective Makes for an Ideal Treatment

Both eyes can usually be treated in 12 minutes or less, making it an excellent option for patients with packed schedules. The first step will involve us taking a look at your eyelids to decide the ideal treatment zones. Your eyelid will then be held in iLux’s soft eyelid pads as light-based heat gently warms the blocked glands.

Once the glands release their trapped oil, your treatment will be complete. You can be on your way and go back to your daily routine.  

Taking a Look at the Benefits

This treatment has proven itself a powerful dry eye treatment through both clinical study and practice. If a lack of oil production or a condition such as MGD is playing a role in your symptoms, iLux has the benefit of addressing the root of the issue instead of putting a band-aid over it. It can also offer an alternative to having the blockages surgically removed.

One of the most obvious benefits of treatment is allowing you to have better comfort. Helping your eyes be healthier now can also help their long-term health in the future.

Benefits for Contact Users

Can you feel your contact lens when they’re in your eyes? Are they causing discomfort or irritation? Patients with MGD may think that’s normal, but that doesn’t have to be the case.

Sometimes uncomfortable contacts can be caused by MGD, and by having it treated you may find you are able to comfortably wear contacts for longer than before.

Understanding Dry Eyes

Having dry eyes is a symptom, and there can be different causes behind it. Dry eyes may be caused by a lack of water, oil, or both!

Dry Eyes and Tear Production

There is a thin layer of tears coating our eyes. This layer is replenished with each blink. When it evaporates too quickly, this can lead to parts of our cornea becoming dehydrated. The tear film covering our eyes is roughly composed of three layers. When one part of this delicate balance in our eyes is thrown off, it can lead to dry eyes and other uncomfortable symptoms.

There’s the oil layer which is produced by the meibomian glands, the aqueous layer, and the mucous layer. The oil layer slows down the evaporation of our tears, which helps keeps our eyes healthy and moist. The aqueous layer helps provide nutrients for the cells of our eyes. Finally, the mucous layer is a natural lubricant for the eye’s surface.

Dry Eyes FAQ

1. When Should I Seek Out Dry Eye Treatment?

Dry eyes aren’t just uncomfortable. Untreated MGD can risk permanently damaging your glands. When you notice the painful symptoms that dry eyes can dish out, we recommend seeking out treatment as soon as possible. Keeping your glands healthy will help treatment be as effective as possible.

2. What Are the Risks of Waiting for Treatment?

Damaged glands can leave your eyes more susceptible to infection. It can also lead to a damaged or scarred cornea, which can negatively affect your vision over time.

3. Does Treatment Have To Be Repeated?

For patients with MGD, iLux is expected to relieve your symptoms for six months or more. How often you seek out treatment will depend on your individual needs. Appointments can be set on a more regular schedule, or you can seek us out if and when you feel like a follow-up treatment is necessary. Some patients are comfortable waiting for longer periods, while others prefer a more proactive approach.

Whatever your preference is, we’d be happy to work with you and set up the right routine for your lifestyle. We may also recommend a schedule based on how your eyes respond to treatment and how severe your MGD symptoms are.

4. Are There Alternative Treatments?

At-Home Treatments

Some patients try to treat MGD at home by massaging their eyes with a warm compress. While this may offer some comfort and relief, it usually isn’t enough to effectively treat the problem or fully unclog your glands.

Gland Probing

Meibomian gland probing involves having your eyes numbed with eye drops, and then having your meibomian glands dilated and probed to remove the blockages. It’s effective, but it is more invasive.

Eye Drops

Eye drops can offer relief from some of the symptoms of MGD, but regular eyedrops aren’t considered a lasting solution and don’t solve the root of the problem.

Antibacterial eye drops are sometimes used to treat MGD. We’d be happy to go over some of the pros and cons of antibacterial eye drops for you when you come in for a consultation.

Supplements

Some supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may be able to help improve the health of your meibomian glands. That said, they aren’t usually considered treatment by themselves.

5. What Else Can Cause Dry Eyes?

MGD is a common factor behind many dry-eye cases, but it isn’t the only factor. Aging, excessive screen time, windy environments, certain medications, pollution, and some medical conditions may all contribute to experiencing dry eyes. Even a lack of sleep can cause your eyes to be dry and irritated! If you’ve tried removing irritants and are still struggling, it may be time to seek treatment.

When we have a better idea of what is causing your dry eyes, we will be able to offer different ways you can support the overall health of your eyes. Improving the lives of our patients is our passion, so we’re ready to team up and help you in any way possible.

6. What Can I Do at Home to Protect My Eyes?

Protecting your eyes from the sun and from too much screen time can help reduce painful symptoms. This may look like limiting the time you spend on the computer, or wearing glasses that block blue light. Sometimes staring at a screen can reduce your blink rate, so you may have to remind yourself to blink more often when you’re in front of a screen.

Wearing sunglasses when you hit the beach can help protect your eyes from sun damage and from dryness. Proper hydration can be very helpful as well. If you’re dehydrated, you won’t be able to produce a healthy amount of tears.

Practice Good Contact Lens Hygiene

Sometimes contact lens hygiene can feel like a chore, especially after a long day. But poor contact lens hygiene can irritate the eyes.

Contact lens can harbor bacteria when they’re not properly cleaned. Be sure that you’re changing your solution each night, and cleaning your case as well. You should also check that your contact lens material is compatible with the cleaning solution that you use. Try not to leave your contacts in for longer than the recommended wear time.

7. What Should I Avoid?

Some eye drops can make things worse instead of helping matters. Certain eye drops that are designed to cover up red eyes may work by constricting the blood vessels in your eyes. By reducing their size, it makes your eyes look less red. However, once the effect wears off it can leave your eyes even dryer than before.

When you’re looking for allergy medicine, try to find an option that helps without drying your eyes out. Allergy eye drops may be helpful to treat itchy eyes without making them drier.

Our Team Is Ready to Help

If you’re ready for lasting relief and to learn more about how you can protect your eyes and vision, contact our team at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS, today for your consultation. 

Feeling confident about your appearance means feeling confident about every part of your appearance – including the area under your chin. The problem, however, is that many people grow self-conscious about their appearance when unwanted submental fat creates the appearance of a double chin. Fortunately, the aesthetic experts at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS know that Kybella treatments can reduce unwanted fat and help you feel confident again.

So, what do you need to know about this treatment? Kybella is a revolutionary injectable treatment and is currently the only injectable treatment approved by the FDA to reduce unwanted fat beneath the chin. Kybella is made with deoxycholic acid, a naturally-occurring acid in the body that is associated with breaking down fat to use as energy. Although new research is being conducted to assess how effective Kybella is for other areas of the body, the main purpose of treatment is to eliminate a double chin.

How Many Kybella Treatments Are Needed?

The number of Kybella treatments you will need will depend on the amount of submental fat you have. In general, most people will require at least three treatments to achieve optimal results. Three treatments are usually enough to eliminate the majority of fat cells beneath the chin, which will take several weeks. It’s typical to attend at least one additional appointment to assess the progress of your results and determine if you need any more treatments to achieve your desired goals.

Why Might Some People Need More Treatments?

Some people may require additional treatments. For example, those who have an exceptional amount of submental fat beneath the chin may require additional injections to destroy fat cells. Some people with moderate submental fat may need additional treatments because their fat cells are resistant to the treatment.

However, it should be noted that the outer limit of treatments you can receive is six. If you require more than six treatments, then it may be necessary to consider different treatment options, including surgical options. We will determine the number of Kybella treatments you will need to refine and slim your appearance.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Frequently Should You Have Kybella Treatments?

Your Kybella appointments will be spaced about four to six weeks apart. This frequency gives your body enough time to break down unwanted fat cells with the synthetic deoxycholic acid injection. Sometimes we determine your treatment frequency based on the speed of your progress; those who are seeing results more quickly do well with monthly treatments until optimal results are reached.

2. How Soon Does This Treatment Start Working?

Most people will start to notice the results of this treatment within as little as two sessions or 12 weeks, whichever is sooner. For a non-surgical and minimally-invasive treatment, the speed of the results of this injectable is impressive. The majority of patients using this treatment can see a significant drop in submental fat within two to three months on average.

If you only have a moderate amount of submental fat, you may notice results a bit sooner; those who have pronounced submental fat may require additional time to see any results of the treatment. The gradual nature of your treatment process is one of the reasons why this treatment produces natural-looking results.

3. How Long Do Results Last?

The results of this treatment are designed to last for several years: sometimes even as long as a lifetime. This is because fat cells are unlike any other cells in our body. While most cells, including skin cells, are capable of regenerating, fat cells that are destroyed can never come back. In fact, the only reason why fat seems to “grow” is that fat cells are exceptionally elastic and can expand to store more fat in the body.

Kybella treatments truly destroy fat cells with the deoxycholic acid solution. Fat cells that are destroyed by this injectable are naturally removed from the body through normal metabolism. And because the majority of fat cells exposed to this treatment are destroyed, the results of the treatment can last for a long time.

4. How Can You Maintain Your Results?

While the results of this treatment are supposed to be permanent, there is always the possibility that some fat cells beneath the chin will remain after your treatment. If there are any remaining fat cells, then they will be capable of storing more fat which can potentially undo the results of your treatment. For that reason, it’s a good idea to seek ways you can maintain your results and avoid any future development of submental fat. Some methods include:

Lead a Healthy Lifestyle

Leading a healthy and active lifestyle is the best way to maintain your results. A healthy lifestyle consists of eating a balanced diet low in processed foods, sugar, and sodium. By avoiding these foods, you can avoid your natural metabolism from storing fat from your food. You should also drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day since water helps filter out fat and sugar from the blood and makes it more difficult for your body to store fat.

An active lifestyle consists of getting enough exercise each week. The best exercise for maintaining your results is cardiovascular exercise, which is essentially any aerobic or anaerobic exercise that elevates your heart rate to over 140 to 150. Maintaining a high heart rate for at least 30 minutes a day is the best way to keep your metabolism active and limit your body’s ability to store fat. Some exercises include speed walking, jogging, running, dancing, cycling, swimming, or jump-roping.

Moderate Alcohol Intake

Moderating your alcohol intake is another way you can maintain your results. Alcohol converts to sugar in the body, which is then stored as fat if it isn’t burned off. The less alcohol you drink, the less you will be able to store extra fat in the body.

Reconsider Medications

Some medications have side-effects that are associated with weight gain. If you believe one of your medications is causing weight gain, then you should speak with your physician and consider alternative medications or other things you can do to limit any weight gain.

5. What Causes Submental Fat?

Fat beneath the chin, or submental fat, is a unique type of fat in the body and has a variety of contributing factors. For example, medications can be a significant cause of submental fat and weight gain. Other causes of submental fat include:

Genetics

Genetics is probably the leading cause of developing submental fat. Most people who have a double chin will have close blood relatives who also have a double chin. This is because the way your body stores fat is determined by your DNA, including where your body prefers to store fat. Genetic factors are one of the reasons why slim people may be prone to developing a double chin.

Weight Gain

Weight gain is another common cause of developing submental fat. Significant weight gain happens when your body is storing more calories than you burn. Weight gain can be associated with poor lifestyle choices and medical conditions, such as diabetes or obesity.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is another common cause of submental fat. This is because hormonal changes during pregnancy alter the metabolism of the body, which can make it easier to store excess fat. Women who gain weight during pregnancy are more likely to develop unwanted submental fat along with fat in other areas of the body.

6. Does a Double Chin Mean You Are Overweight?

No, having a double chin does not automatically mean you are overweight. While there is certainly a link between weight gain and submental fat, the fact of the matter is that submental fat is present in most people to some degree. Many people who are athletic or slim may have fuller faces and double chins simply because of genetic factors.

7. Can a Double Chin Go Away on Its Own?

Yes and no. Sometimes, leading an active and healthy lifestyle, including losing weight, can shrink the size of a double chin. This is particularly true for people who seek to lose a significant amount of weight, which may mean that the face and neck will slim down over time.

However, not all double chins go away or shrink because of changes in diet or exercise. For many people, once a double chin puts down roots, it’s there to stay. Some double chins remain even when significant amounts of weight have been lost or changes in medication have been made. If you have tried to use natural methods to make reduce a double chin and those methods have not worked, then it’s unlikely your double chin will disappear without aesthetic intervention.

8. Is This Treatment Safe?

Yes, Kybella is a very safe treatment. Kybella has been approved by the FDA for several years, which means it has passed rigorous testing and clinical trials to be deemed a safe treatment for the majority of people who will use it. This treatment is considered safe largely because deoxycholic acid is a natural chemical in the body; even in synthetic form, deoxycholic acid poses little to no risk of negative side effects.

9. Why Should You Consider Kybella?

There are a few reasons why you may want to consider Kybella treatments. Beyond the fact that this treatment is non-surgical, minimally-invasive, and involves very little downtime, other benefits may include the long-lasting and natural-looking results of the treatment. Another significant benefit is the fact that this treatment is safe for virtually all people, regardless of age or gender.

This treatment can be completed within six months and produce fast results, sometimes as fast as two months. Kybella is also an ideal treatment for those who have a mild to moderate amount of submental fat, although those with severe double chins may also be eligible for treatment.

10. Who Are Good Candidates?

Most people with submental fat or double chins are good candidates for this treatment. The best candidates for Kybella include adults over the age of 18, women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and those who are not allergic to any of the ingredients in the injection. We can fully determine your candidacy for this treatment during a consultation appointment.

Start Your Treatments Today

Imagine getting rid of your double chin in as little as three treatments. Kybella is a one-of-a-kind treatment that can reduce moderate amounts of submental fat for most people. If you think this treatment is a good match for your aesthetic goals, please contact ICT Eye in Wichita, KS to schedule your consultation today.