Breakthroughs in surgical vision correction are rejuvenating the lives of cataract patients everywhere. Now it is not only possible to recover clear vision after cataract surgery, but it’s also possible to improve it, and for all viewing distances, with no eyeglasses needed ever. The PanOptix trifocal lens is a landmark solution in vision restoration. ICT Eye in Wichita, KS offers extensive expertise with this remarkable vision procedure.

What Is PanOptix?

PanOptix is a trifocal inter-ocular lens (IOL). As the name implies, it is capable of three different areas of focus. An IOL is a clear lens that is surgically implanted to replace the degraded, cloudy eye lens that is the hallmark of the cataract patient. When the damaged natural eye lens has been replaced by an IOL, the patient experiences more light, sharper contrasts, and clearer focus at three different distances: near, far, and the in-between distance many of us use with our computers.

People who are at the age where cataracts begin to occur are often already using vision corrections such as eyeglasses. Many of these people use more than one correction, like a pair of distance glasses, computer glasses, reading glasses, and so on. Progressive lenses are effective solutions for some people but awkward and unwearable for others. The IOL is like having a customized “progressive” eye lens that works at all three distances.  

How Does It Work? 

The two physical components of the eye that focus incoming light and let our brain create “vision” are the cornea and the lens. About a third of our focusing power comes from the lens. When cataracts cloud the lens, it must be replaced. Until recently, the replacement was an implanted monofocal (single focus) lens. A successful result was vision that was just as good as before the operation.

Unfortunately,” just as good’ often isn’t good enough. At the ages where cataracts can become a problem, there are usually vision degradations, either recent or longstanding. Just as a single pair of eyeglasses doesn’t work many people who need vision correction, a monofocal IOL doesn’t make enough vision corrections. A trifocal IOL solves this problem.

What Are the Benefits?

The system IOL is capable of delivering 20/20 vision at three different distances, rather than one or sometimes two. For many years, vision patients understood their eyesight as a matter of near-sightedness (myopia) or far-sightedness (hyperopia). When our world became digital, a third, middle distance between them became important.

When we work on a computer screen, a typical viewing distance is 24 inches. This is further away than reading a book and obviously much closer than far-distance vision needed for driving and other activities. Until recently, cataract patients had to settle on which focal distance would be optimized in the new lens and which distance would still need corrective glasses. With a trifocal IOL, all three distances are corrected in a single procedure.

Correction Scenarios 

By the age of 50, most people’s eyesight suffers from a form of farsightedness called presbyopia. This condition is caused by changes to the lens inside the eye, which becomes stiffer and less elastic with age. This makes it more difficult for the eye to change its effective focal range from close, near, and far. Typical vision scenarios from everyday life that are often in need of correction include:

Far Vision

• Driving a car
• Watching TV at typical viewing distances
• Watching live events like concerts or sports
• Enjoying outdoor activities

Near Vision

• Reading a book
• Reading or writing on a smartphone
• Handicrafts such as needlework or soldering
• Reading medication labels

Middle Vision

• Working on a desktop computer
• Reading a hand-held tablet
• Applying cosmetics
• Shaving and other personal grooming

This third, middle vision is the prime differentiator that PanOptix brings to the table. For many people, life at the computer is not only work but also a pleasure: at this distance, we watch our movies, conduct our social media experiences, and make many of our daily interactions with the world. This is the most advanced IOL solution available that offers lens sections optimized for the patient’s far, near, and intermediate vision.

Why Is It Better?

While trifocal IOLs have been popular in Europe (over 70 countries in total) for years, FDA approval brought this dramatic breakthrough to the US in August of 2019. PanOptix was the first trifocal IOL to be granted this approval in the U.S. and has proven itself the most effective solution available. The advantages of the PanOptix IOL over competing solutions include:

• Filtering that protects the eyes from both ultraviolet light and sunlight 
• Filtering that protects the eyes from blue light damage from digital screens
• Clinically-proven superior image quality over other leading trifocals
• Better close and middle vision compared to other trifocals
• Easier reading without the need for reading glasses

Patient Results

Nothing warms a doctor’s heart more than a patient that has been absolutely delighted with the results of the work. By this measure, PanOptix has been an astounding success story, and patient enthusiasm after the procedure has been virtually unanimous.

For example, in response to questions given in a clinical study of recipients of the PanOptix lens:

• 99% of recipients would choose the same lens again
• 98% of recipients would recommend it to family and friends
• 80.1% of recipients reported that they never used eyeglasses again 
• Another 11.4% of recipients said that they rarely used eyeglasses anymore.

This remarkably positive reception speaks volumes about the procedure’s effectiveness. More than 90% of people who received the treatment never or hardly ever needed to wear glasses after fixing their cataracts.  
 

Life Enhancement Through Better Vision

Vision is the most important of our five senses. It’s estimated that more than 80% of the information that the brain processes during our waking hours are from visual input from the eyes. When our eyes begin to fail us, the world around us changes. We become more withdrawn and less social. We don’t get as much enjoyment from our usual activities. Seniors who are aging in place can become more isolated.

The re-introduction of clear vision has dramatic effects on our emotional well-being, as well as our physical selves. This procedure literally provides a new look at life, and for many recipients, a fresh new look that they haven’t seen in years.  

Who Is It Right For?

The system is recommended as a next-generation solution for patients who are suffering from cataracts. Generally speaking, the trifocal IOL is best suited for patients that spend substantial time with computer screens, but who still want to be able to enjoy other activities without the need for corrective eyewear. This multi-zone corrective ability is unique to the trifocal IOL system.

Many cataract patients who receive a conventional monofocal IOL end up having to wear one or more pairs of eyeglasses after the operation. Recipients of bifocal IOLs often report blurry or streaky vision at middle distances of about an arm’s length, such as computer distance. The trifocal IOL solves both problems — no blurry middle zone and in most cases, no more eyeglasses.

What’s the Preparation Like?

Like progressive eyeglasses, a trifocal IOL is designed to provide multiple optical powers for vision correction. This power is measured in units called a “diopter.” A positive diopter power corrects for far-sightedness, while a negative number corrects near-sighted vision. Prior to the procedure, the surgeon will take extensive vision tests to determine the correct plus and/or minus diopter settings that will be embedded into the IOL lens.

In addition to the conventional tools used for a thorough vision assessment, the surgeon uses ultrasound technology and a sophisticated computer program to painlessly measure specific eyeball dimensions that are critical to determining the correct diopters. These measurements are amazingly precise — accurate down to tenths of a millimeter. The most important of these measurements are the curvature of the cornea and the distance from the cornea to the retina.

What Is Recovery Like?

The surgery is an outpatient procedure, so patients can go home the same day. Because vision will be temporarily impaired by the operation, it’s essential that there be someone to take the patient home. Home is where most of the recovery will take place. It takes the eyes some time to adjust to the artificial lens and the optical zones that have been built into it. Full recovery is achieved in a matter of several weeks for some patients and up to two months for others.

Immediately After Surgery

You may be prescribed medicated eye drops, which you should take as directed. You will also need to be on guard for any excess exposure to sunlight or screen light immediately following the procedure.

Several Days Later

A few days after the procedure, any uncomfortable symptoms should begin to clear up. To ensure a smooth recovery, patients are advised to:

• Keep soaps and shampoos out of the eye when showering
• Avoid face lotions or eye makeup while the eye is healing
• Avoid touching or rubbing the eye whenever possible
• Avoid strenuous activities, such as sports

After several days, any physical discomforts in the eye will usually clear up, and you will see your doctor again for a follow-up.

Several Weeks Later:

Patients are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity in the weeks following IOL surgery, until you’re given the ok by the doctor. Strain and elevated blood pressure can slow the healing process. Follow-up visits monitor both the progress of your physical well-being and your vision recovery. When the physical healing process is complete, you will be given another vision check and if necessary, a final prescription for any needed corrective eyewear.

Will I Need Sunglasses?

There’s no such thing as light-responsive IOLs (yet) that act like “photo gray” eyeglasses that darken in sunlight. While the IOL is permanently coasted to provide protection against the sun’s ultraviolet light, as well as the blue light from computer screens, it’s always a good idea to protect your eyes from excess sun exposure.  

The advantage then, of the PanOptix IOL is twofold. In addition to providing built-in protection against harmful light rays from the sun, the need for separate sunglasses for each vision prescription is eliminated. In fact, for many patients, the need for prescription eyeglasses is no longer necessary at all. Any pair of non-prescription sunglasses will provide appropriate protection.

How Can I Get Started?

The decision to fix cataracts is usually a simple one – people who can’t see well generally want to fix the problem as quickly as possible! The difficulty of the decision lies in the procedure and solution that’s recommended. Call us today at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS, where we can bring back your vision after cataracts, even better than it was before, and provide you with a life no longer dependent on eyeglasses.

As you age, you become increasingly likely to develop wrinkles around your nose and mouth. Although these wrinkles are normal, they can make you look older and more tired. In the past, you might have had to go through an invasive procedure to smooth your skin, but fortunately, those days are over. At ICT Eye in Wichita, Kansas, we can reduce your wrinkles in a minimally invasive manner with Belotero Balance. Read on to learn more about this amazing injectable product and know where to find belotero filler near me.

What Is Belotero Balance Used For?

If you’re looking for an easy way to look younger and fresher, you’re in luck. Belotero Balance is an FDA-approved injectable product that can smooth your wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin. We can use this injectable treatment to minimize the appearance of wrinkles that run from the corners of your mouth to the sides of your nose. Scientists call these wrinkles nasolabial folds.

Once we administer the filler into your target area, it will fill in your wrinkles and smooth your skin. You are likely to feel more confident and beautiful once you see the full effect of your treatment. So when you decide to opt on this treatment start asking where to find belotero filler near me.

Why Have I Developed Wrinkles on My Face?

As you become older, you are increasingly likely to see fine lines and wrinkles when you look in the mirror. There are several reasons why your skin’s appearance can change over time.

The Composition of Your Skin

As you age, your body naturally produces less collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are important proteins that help your skin stay strong and firm. In addition to losing elastin and collagen, your skin will also lose hyaluronic acid as you get older. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that helps your skin look youthful and attractive. As your skin’s composition changes, it becomes weaker and less elastic. As a result, you are more likely to develop fine lines and wrinkles on your face.

Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices can also impact the texture and appearance of your skin. In particular, receiving excessive sun exposure can harm the structural components of your skin. This damage can cause your skin to age more quickly. Similarly, smoking, drinking excessive alcohol, and eating an unhealthy diet can also damage your skin.

Fixing the Damage

In the past, you might have struggled to find an ideal treatment for your wrinkles. Many skincare products will not improve your appearance in a meaningful way.

And although an invasive procedure might dramatically improve your skin, you may not want to select this option for a variety of reasons. For instance, you might not be able to take time off from work or other responsibilities while you recover from your procedure. Alternatively, you might not like the idea of receiving incisions.

A Better Way

Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on ineffective skincare products or difficult cosmetic procedures to change your appearance. This injectable product can smooth your wrinkles in a quick, minimally invasive manner.

How Does This Filler Improve My Wrinkles?

This state-of-the-art product uses hyaluronic acid to fill in your wrinkles and enhance your look. During your appointment, we will inject this filler into your treatment area. This product will integrate into your tissues and fill small gaps underneath the surface of your skin. This process can minimize the prominence of your wrinkles and fine lines.

An Innovative Formula

This product is designed to produce natural-looking results. It is made using a proprietary process called Cohesive Polydensified Matrix. This innovative process creates a flexible, smooth gel that can easily integrate into your skin’s natural structure. As a result, this filler can enhance your appearance in a subtle, attractive manner.

What Will My Treatment Be Like?

Receiving this injectable product is generally a very quick, easy process. Since this treatment is so fast and gentle, you should not need to go to the hospital or receive general anesthesia during your appointment.

We will use a fine-gauge needle to inject the filler into your treatment area. It usually does not take us a long time to administer the product, and you will be comfortable during the injection process.

How Long Will It Take Me to Recover After My Appointment?

This injectable treatment generally has minimal to no downtime. You shouldn’t need to schedule time off from your job after your appointment. Instead, you should be able to return to your work, childcare responsibilities, and other activities immediately. That said, we will give you some simple instructions to follow after you receive your injections.

Aftercare Rules

You should avoid drinking alcohol for about twenty-four hours after you receive your injections. In addition, you should not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or engage in rigorous exercise during this time. Further, you should not expose your body to intense heat or sunlight. Following these rules can help your skin renew itself after your treatment.

How Much of This Product Do I Need to Use?

We will design a customized treatment that fits your unique goals and preferences. The amount of product that we use during your treatment session will depend on many factors, including the condition of your wrinkles and the number of areas that we are targeting. During your initial consultation, we can provide you with more information about the amount of filler that we anticipate using.

When Will I See Results?

This injectable treatment is an excellent way to quickly and efficiently improve your wrinkles. You are likely to see improvements in your wrinkles immediately after you receive your injections. You may see the full effect of your treatment after about one to two weeks.

How Long Will My Results Last?

If you’ve used other injectable products before, you might be pleasantly surprised by how long this treatment lasts. Since your body is unique, your individual results will vary. The amount of filler that we used will affect the duration of your results.

Further, this product may last longer in facial areas that do not move frequently. In contrast, if you use this product to improve an area that moves as you talk, smile, or eat, your results may wear off more quickly. That said, your results can last for six months or longer.

What Is The Difference Between This Injectable Product and Botox?

Both of these products can improve your wrinkles in a minimally invasive manner. However, they work in different ways and have unique benefits.

Botox

Botox does not fill in your wrinkles. Instead, it improves your appearance by temporarily relaxing the muscles in your treatment area. Relaxing these muscles will prevent you from making the repeated facial movements that cause certain types of wrinkles to develop and deepen. As a result, your face will look smoother and more youthful. Over time, your body will process the product, and your muscles will begin to move again.

Making a Choice

During your initial consultation, we can give you more details about each of these treatments. Depending on the issues that you would like to improve, we may advise you to use a combination of injectable products.

Is This Treatment Safe?

This treatment has an excellent safety profile. Further, people have been using fillers that contain hyaluronic acid for a very long time. This ingredient has helped many people fill in their wrinkles and look younger and fresher.

Will My Face Look Natural After I Receive This Treatment?

You might know people whose faces looked frozen or stiff after they received injectable treatments. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to deal with this issue when you use this injectable product. Belotero Balance has been specifically formulated to enhance your face in a natural-looking way. This smooth gel improves your wrinkles while allowing your face to remain expressive and mobile.

You should still be able to smile, frown, and move your face after you receive this treatment. As a result, your improvements are likely to appear subtle and natural. In fact, your family and friends might not even realize that you received an injectable treatment. Instead, they might think that you are getting more rest and taking better care of yourself. Now’s the best time to find where a belotero filler near me is located and try it out!

What Is the Difference Between This Injectable Product and Other Dermal Fillers?

At ICT Eye, we can use a wide variety of dermal fillers to enhance your look. These fillers are made using unique manufacturing processes. As a result, each filler can address different skin conditions and imperfections.

Juvederm Fillers

We offer several different products from the Juvederm collection of dermal fillers. Like Belotero Balance, these fillers use hyaluronic acid to improve your skin. These fantastic fillers can make you look younger and fresher. For instance, we can use Juvederm Voluma XC to add volume to your cheeks. We can minimize your wrinkles and folds with Juvederm Ultra Plus XC.

Versa +

This dermal filler can reduce moderate-to-severe folds and wrinkles on your face. You may be pleased by how quickly this minimally invasive filler reduces your wrinkles.

Selecting a Filler

During your initial consultation, we can discuss the benefits of each of these fillers in more depth. We will also talk about the facial features that you would like to improve. We will use this information to suggest a filler that is right for you.

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

If you’re an adult who wants to improve the appearance of your wrinkles, you are likely to be a good candidate for this treatment. This gentle filler can minimize your wrinkles in a quick, easy manner.

As a result, you might be able to use this treatment even if you are not a suitable candidate for an invasive cosmetic procedure. That said, you should be aware that some health issues may prevent you from using this product.

Allergies

You should not use this product if you suffer from or have a history of multiple allergies or severe allergies. You also cannot use this injectable treatment if you have an allergy to gram-positive bacterial proteins.

Temporary Skin Issues

You should not use this treatment while you have cold sores, pimples, rashes, or other skin issues. You may be able to resume using this product once your skin condition has healed.

Health Conditions

During your initial consultation, we will analyze your skin and discuss your health. At this point, you should tell us about any medications that you are taking. In particular, tell us if you are taking medications that affect your immune system or blood clotting. We will use this information to determine whether you can receive this injectable treatment.

Try It for Yourself and Find out Where are belotero filler near me located?

Are you ready to say goodbye to your fine lines and wrinkles? You can smooth your skin and enhance your appearance with Belotero Balance. To learn more about this fantastic injectable product, contact us at ICT Eye in Wichita, Kansas for an initial consultation today.

ICT Eye, of Wichita, KS offers a range of services that help improve your vision, including lens replacement surgery. This is a corrective procedure that was initially developed to treat cataracts. As the procedure has become more common, doctors have adapted it to fix a variety of vision issues, including astigmatism, short- or long-sidedness, or presbyopia. It is important to know, how long does it take to recover from lens replacement surgery? The procedure can be done on one or both eyes.

Who Can Benefit From Lens Replacement?

Though it might be the original treatment for cataracts, it may also help should you be suffering from other visual issues related to the lens of the eye. As stated, it is now used to repair a number of defects in the eye. It is safe enough that it can be ideal for people over the age of 50 and may work as an acceptable alternative if laser eye surgery is not an option, even if you’ve been turned down for laser eye surgery for your issue.

How Does a Replacement Work?

Since the basic procedure has grown so commonplace, this is often an outpatient procedure. The patient may be offered a sedative to help relax the body and eye, but nothing that would put a patient completely out – only relaxed and groggy. Drops will be put in the patient’s eye to dilate the pupil, and local anesthetics are administered to numb the eye. The steps from here depend on the issue being treated and which specific procedure is used.

Phacoemulsification (Ultrasound)

The surgeon starts by making a small incision in the front (cornea) of your eye. A needle-thin probe is inserted into the lens where the cataract substance has formed. The probe emits ultrasound waves that emulsify the cataract, which is then suctioned out of the eye. This may allow for leaving the original lens without needing to replace it with an artificial lens.

Full Extraction

In cases where the ultrasound probe can not be used, the lens will likely need to be extracted in one piece. After the numbing of the eye, a larger incision is made than the one used for phacoemulsification. Through this, the front capsule of the lens is removed. The back capsule is left as it was so that it can serve as a placeholder for the artificial lens.

In any case, each eye is worked on independently. You do not need to wait the entire recovery period to do the second eye, however, as the second eye can undergo treatment in as little as a week after the first eye is treated.

The Replacement Lens

An intraocular lens is an artificial lens that will be placed into the eye where the original, damaged lens was. These lenses are usually silicone, acrylic, or a form of plastic. Many are already coated with an ultraviolet filter to help protect the eye from the sun. Since there are a variety of reasons that lead people to get one, there are as many types of artificial lenses as there are reasons to get the procedure.

Monofocal Lenses

These are the most common lenses used in cataract surgery due to their simplicity compared to other options. These lenses are designed to focus on close, medium, or long-distance viewing, but not all three. Many people who receive these lenses opt to have them set for distance vision and then wear eyeglasses for reading or close vision.

“Piggyback” Lenses

These lenses are for those who have already had a replacement. They serve as an add-on lens to balance the monofocal lenses and offer the ranges of vision that were not selected when the original lenses were set. These are placed directly on top of the monofocal lens and can be easily removed from the eye if you decide that the monofocal lenses served you better on its own.

Multifocal Lenses

These lenses offer close, medium, and long-distance viewing, ideally reducing the need for glasses. Essentially, they function similar to bifocal contact lenses, but are a permanent part of the eye. For these lenses to be an option, the cornea must have adequate optical properties and a surface that is free of streaks or dryness.

Accommodating Lenses

With monofocal lenses, the lens is designed to keep the optical portion of the lens completely stationary, with no effects from rotation and the lens unable to move forward or backward. With accommodating lenses, the lens is designed to prevent rotational movement yet is fixed, with flexibility for the optical portion of the lens to move slightly forward or backward upon the flexing of the ciliary muscle.

Toric Lenses

These lenses are designed specifically with astigmatism in mind. As it is caused by an uneven curve in the lens or cornea leading to a refractive error, this lens is customized to correct the refraction. Toric lenses are crafted on a case-by-case basis for optimum correction.

As with nearly all things, there are several brands that manufacture the same type of lenses. Our office can help determine which brand is the best of which type of lens for your particular needs.

Benefits of a Replacement Surgery

A total replacement has less stringent requirements than many laser eye surgeries. This means that people of advanced age can be offered this as an option, and it is even capable of treating presbyopia (farsightedness caused by aging). Additionally, people with severe cases of myopia or hyperopia are often unable to have laser eye surgery yet can benefit from a replacement. Corneal thickness is not altered.

In the long term, a replacement can completely circumvent the need to have cataract surgery as cataracts aren’t likely to develop in artificial lenses. Additionally, the corrective effect can be permanent, unlike with laser correction. The potential of not needing glasses or replacement contact lenses for several years can lead to a small fortune in savings. That doesn’t count the time spared from inserting/removing/maintaining contacts or looking for your glasses.

Qualifications for Prospective Candidates

You need to be at least 21 years of age or older to be considered for this surgery, with a preference for those over the age of 40. The condition in question needs to be severe enough to warrant surgery to deter unnecessary surgeries for those who have no problems other than just needing reading glasses.

Your eyes must be reasonably healthy, preferably with no history of eye diseases (other than what is being treated). Not every disease is a total disqualification. For instance, pinkeye is only going to stop surgery during the time of infection, not prevent you from getting treatment forever.

The Cost of Replacing a Lens

Despite the enhanced functions and better sight this procedure offers, this surgery is still considered an elective procedure. Though many insurance companies do not cover such, policies that offer flexible spending accounts can be used to upgrade surgeries.

Insurance may be willing to cover the expenses of the surgery if it is for treating cataracts but may not be willing to do so for correcting mild nearsightedness. Your situation, and insurance, will ultimately determine the out-of-pocket expenses for this procedure.

Preparing for Lens Replacement Surgery

Once you have decided to pursue the lens replacement, the doctor will cover the specifics of preparing for surgery. About a week prior to the surgery, your doctor will conduct an ultrasound to get the exact shape and size of your eyes. This helps determine the options of replacement lenses, if necessary. It is also important to know and understand how long does it take to recover from lens replacement surgery. You may also be provided antibiotic eye drops to begin using before the appointment to prevent infection during the surgery.

You will likely be asked to refrain from eating after midnight of the night before the surgery. Certain medications may have to be skipped the day before or the day of the procedure, which will be covered by the doctor. Arrangements will also need to be made for someone to drive you home after completion of the replacement.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Lens Replacement Surgery?

Fortunately, the process of lens replacement surgery has become so simple that it can be performed with no pain felt. Depending on the type of surgery that is performed, the incisions may be so minuscule that they do not require stitching after the cut is made. Once the process has been completed, you will be taken to a recovery area to rest for about 15 to 30 minutes. You will then be sent home with a list of instructions.

Your vision will be blurry for a couple of days as your eyes heal from the doctor’s visit. As the healing happens, your vision should be noticeably improved. If you had cataracts removed, colors will appear brighter, as the brown or yellow tinting of the cataract will no longer be toning down the look of colors.

Follow Up

You will be asked to follow up with your eye doctor within two days of the procedure. The next checkpoint visits will be at the one-week and one-month marks to ensure that everything has been healing as it should. Should a procedure be for more complicated circumstances, the doctor may wish to see you more frequently.

Instructions During Recovery

Do not rub or press the eye despite any driving urge. The eye drops that were prescribed by the doctor prior to the surgery may continue to be used to prevent infection, reduce tissue inflammation, and regulate the pressure of the eyeball. Hence, it is essential to know how long does it take to recover from lens replacement surgery.

To be cautious, it may be suggested that you wear the eye patch for a couple of days and a protective shield for sleeping during the whole recovery period.

Physical Activity

During recovery, many forms of exercise may be frowned upon due to the effects of pressure in the eyeball. Your doctor will be able to tell you what activities are acceptable and what to avoid. Most regular activities, such as driving, are cleared to do within the first week of the surgery. Avoid activities in which projectiles may come at your face.

Recovery Timetable

Depending on the specific lens replacement procedure that you undergo, recovery time ranges from two to eight weeks. Certain corrective benefits may not be immediately realized as you adjust to an entirely new way of seeing, and there will be a period of blurriness. The simpler the procedure, the shorter that the recovery time will be and the sooner the visual benefits will be apparent.

Is It Time for Better Sight?

It isn’t necessary for cataracts or other defects in the eye to continue to keep you from seeing the world as it is. If you have any questions, or would like to help determine if this could be the ideal treatment for you, contact us today at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS, to schedule your initial consultation. We can’t wait to meet you and help you enhance your vision.

At ICT Eye in Wichita, KS, your health, wellness, and aesthetic are our top three priorities. If you are concerned with sagging skin due to weight loss, smoking, aging, or sun damage, we have a solution for you. You don’t have to settle for your current aesthetic. You can receive an Ultherapy treatment and shave years off of your face, neck, and chest. But first, you need to know how long does ultherapy last and other important preparations you need to consider.

How Long Does Ultherapy Last?

The longevity of your Ultherapy results will depend on several factors. These include whether you smoke, how well you protect your skin from the sun, if you drink, and whether you have certain nutritional deficiencies. These will all affect on how long does ultherapy last. On average, the results of treatment last two years. However, we strongly recommend coming in once a year to extend the results of your treatment indefinitely.

How Can I Extend the Results of My Treatment?

There are several steps you can take to extend the results of your treatment. How long does ultherapy last will depend on how you take care of yourself after treatment. For the most part, it all comes down to taking good care of your overall health and skin health.

Protect Your Skin From the Sun

Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best things you can do to extend the results of your treatment. Skin sags and wrinkles as collagen breaks down. Unfortunately, UVA and UVB rays from the sun penetrate the deepest layers of your skin, damaging existing collagen and slowing your skin’s production of new collagen.

To protect your skin from the sun, apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every four hours. If you don’t like the way sunscreen lotion feels, look for a powder or aerosol with a sun protection factor of at least 30. You should also limit your exposure to the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

Stay Hydrated

Inadequate hydration does your skin no favors. To extend the results of Ultherapy, aim to drink between 64 and 128 ounces of water per day. Even if you don’t quite hit your target, you’ll probably consume between 64 and 128 ounces of water daily because the foods you eat probably have decent water content.

Stop Smoking

Smoking doesn’t just create a dull, sallow complexion that needs to be corrected by ultrasound technology. It also damages existing collagen severely and slows your skin’s production rate of new collagen. Have you ever noticed that people who smoke look years or decades older than their chronological age? That’s because their skin is wrinkled and sagging due to weak collagen.

Apply Self-Tanner

If you can’t sunbathe between the hours of 10 and 4, you can always hop in a tanning bed, right? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Tanning beds also emit harmful UV rays that do just as much damage as unprotected sun exposure. If you feel your skin needs a little bronzing, apply a self-tanner.

Exercise at Least Five Times a Week

We know there are days you can barely drag yourself out of bed to go to work. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do nothing for a couple of days. But for the sake of your skin, you need to make sure you are exercising five to seven days a week. Exercise is essential for a strong, healthy circulatory system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association recommend that you perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of high-intensity exercise per week. This works out to 15 to 30 minutes per day, five days per week, depending on your exercise intensity.

Moisturize Your Skin Every Day

Even if your body is hydrated, your skin may not be maintaining moisture. Trap moisture into your skin by applying a gentle moisturizer every day. Aquaphor and Vaseline make excellent, incredibly cheap moisturizers that are safe and effective for all skin types.

Use Gentle Skincare Products

If your skincare products are burning or stinging your skin, they’re not right for you. Many of our clients mention that their skincare products irritate their skin. However, they continue using them because their coworkers have such great results with the products.

Listen to your skin. Do not apply skincare products that burn or sting. Just because something works for someone else does not mean it will work for you. If you don’t know what your skin type is, we can help you with that. Then, we can recommend skincare products that are simultaneously effective and gentle for your unique skin.

Wash Your Face Twice Daily

Everyone should wash their face in the morning before they go to work. It’s a great way to wake up and feel fresh, clean, and ready to tackle whatever the day throws at you. However, if you perspire throughout the day (or just on days you work out), you need to wash your face again.

Sweat is incredibly irritating to your skin. Therefore, you should wash your face as soon as possible after sweating. If you don’t have time for a shower between your workout and next meal, wash your face with a damp cloth and gentle cleanser and apply some dry shampoo to your hair. Your skin and hair will thank you.

Cleanse Your Skin Gently

Many people experience premature signs of aging because they wash their face too aggressively. Choose a gentle cleanser that does not irritate your skin. Make sure you are washing your face gently with circular motions.

When you’re done, always pat your skin dry gently. Do not rub it dry aggressively. If you have trouble removing makeup while washing your face gently, use makeup remover.

Avoid Repetitive Facial Expressions

Remember when your mom told you that your face would freeze in a certain position when she was tired of you making silly faces? Research shows that’s not too far from the truth. Muscle contractions are required to make facial expressions. After years of excessive muscle contractions, lines become permanent.

We don’t expect you to stop smiling, laughing or frowning. However, if you have lines caused by squinting excessively, see an ophthalmologist about prescription sunglasses. These are stylish, affordable and will mitigate your risk of developing crow’s feet around your eyes. You can also receive Botox to correct muscle hyperactivity lines.

Eat Healthy, Well-Balanced Foods

You feel better after you eat a healthy, well-balanced meal. You feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and reinvigorated. Your skin feels that way, too. Try to incorporate at least one fruit or one vegetable into every meal. You don’t have to eat half of a grapefruit for breakfast, but you can enjoy a nice fruit salad or put tomatoes in your omelet.

Foods that are great for your skin include berries, almonds, kale, swordfish, and poultry. As a good starting point, try to get your recommended daily allowance of all nutrients. Specifically, ensure the foods you’re eating are high in vitamins A, C, E, and K. Also, look for foods that are high in collagen. Finally, minimize refined carbohydrate consumption.

Drink Less Alcohol

We all enjoy sipping on a cold beer during a college football game. But women should consume no more than one serving of alcohol per day. Men should limit their intake to two.

What Results Can I Expect?

It can take a few months to see the results of this treatment. This is because the heat from the ultrasound energy triggers your body to produce collagen at an increased rate for around eight to 12 weeks. Collagen is the protein responsible for keeping your skin tight, smooth and beautiful.

You can expect loose skin around your neck, chin, and jawline to be lifted. This treatment also re-contours your cheeks. Collagen production can even encourage cellular turnover and result in a more even skin tone. You can also expect a smoother, tighter neck, raised eyebrows, and a smooth chest.

What Can I Expect During Treatment?

During this non-surgical facelift and neck lift, Ultrasound technology delivers heat in the deepest foundational layer of your skin. This encourages your skin to produce new collagen. Therefore, your skin will be lifted and tightened. This revolutionary treatment may take a mere 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the extent of the improvement you’re looking for.

This is in stark contrast to a surgical facelift and neck lift, which can take hours. A facelift and neck lift may take between 60 and 90 minutes, and a chest treatment will take just half an hour. Therefore, you may be looking at no more than 1.5 to 2 hours to treat your entire face, neck, and chest. There is no downtime or recovery. There is no pain or discomfort.

How Does it Work?

Once the treatment area is sanitized, ultrasound gel is applied. An ultrasound viewer allows your aesthetic professional to adjust the device to the proper settings. Once the device is placed, ultrasound energy is delivered directly to where it is needed the most.

You will feel the warmth of the ultrasound energy deep beneath your skin. This means your treatment is working and your skin is being encouraged to produce new collagen. Our clients report that this warmth feels akin to a hot stone massage. If you’d like, you are welcome to take a nap or read a book during treatment.

How Should I Prepare for Treatment?

There is nearly no preparation required for treatment. You can eat, drink, exercise and work as you usually would up until your treatment. However, you should remove any makeup and skincare products from your face and neck before you come in. If you take any NSAIDs, you should stop taking them two weeks before treatment.

What Should I Do After Treatment?

On the day of your treatment, avoid applying makeup or lotion to the treated areas. If you feel anxious about your treatment, we will provide you with a sedative. However, you will need someone to drive you home if you are given a sedative. You are free to take NSAIDs after treatment if you would like.

Hydrate your skin with a gentle but powerful lotion or cream. Treat your skin to a cream containing vitamin C and retinol to prolong and intensify your results. Clean and soothe your skin with tepid water and a gentle cleanser free from any abrasives. Make sure your hands are clean when you do this and pat your skin dry with a towel rather than rubbing. Doing these has some good effects on how long does ultherapy last.

Discover How to Enhance Your Aesthetic Today

Ultherapy is one of the best things for your skin that you can do. Treatment doesn’t take long, but the results can easily last up to two years. To determine if this is the ideal treatment for you, contact us today at ICT Eye in Wichita, KS to schedule your initial consultation. We can’t wait to meet you and help you enhance your aesthetic.

Cataracts, or the clouding on the eye’s lens, is a common symptom of aging. However, this can negatively affect your quality of life. At ICT Eye, we specialize in cataract surgery to help you improve the quality of your life. Keep reading to learn the many benefits of cataract surgery in Wichita KS.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts are common in people age 60 or over. But how do you know you have cataracts? Usually, cataracts develop gradually and you may experience no symptoms during the early stages of the condition. However, with the passing years, you may notice that your vision problems become increasingly more apparent. Some of the earliest warning signs of this condition are:

• Dulled appearance of colors
• Seeing star-bursts or halos when looking at bright lights
• Inadequate vision at night
• Blurred vision

Benefits of Having Cataract Surgery 

There are many benefits to having cataract surgery in Wichita KS. It allows you to see sharper colors, provides you with much clearer vision, and you will be able to see much better at night, even with glaring headlights coming towards you. This procedure will affect every facet of your life, from reading and working to driving and playing backyard football with your grandkids. Here are the three most significant benefits of cataract surgery in Wichita KS.

Enhance Your Quality of Life

Cataract surgery in Wichita KS can give you back your independence and social life. Since cataracts can prevent you from enjoying your hobbies, such as drawing, reading, or driving, people who suffer from them often feel frustrated or dismayed. In 2013, a study revealed that people who underwent cataract surgery felt their quality of life improved by 36 percent compared to people who did not undergo the procedure.

Mitigate Your Risk of Dangerous Falls and Fractures

The older we get, the more dangerous falls become. Among the most significant risk factors of falling is vision loss. In 2012, a study was conducted on Medicare beneficiaries who had been diagnosed with cataracts. The findings indicated a 16 percent reduction in the likelihood of hip fracture a year following cataract surgery. In cases of severe cataracts, the risk of hip fractures a year after the procedure dropped by 23 percent.

Increase Your Chance of Longer Life

In 2013, there was a long-term study published that followed the elderly. The results of this study demonstrated a 40 percent reduction in the risk of mortality for people who received cataract surgery.

How You Can Protect Your Vision

While you may be unable to completely prevent getting cataracts, there are steps you can take to protect your eye health.

• Get regular eye exams – regular comprehensive eye exams will detect losses in vision that you may not have noticed yet
• Wear the proper prescription glasses – if your prescription changes, get new glasses with the appropriate prescription
• Stop smoking – chemicals found in tobacco constrict the blood vessels behind your eyes and increase your risk of developing cataracts

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

Do you think cataract surgery in Wichita KS could enhance your quality of life? If so, contact the friendly professionals at ICT Eye in Wichita KS today to schedule your initial consultation.