Vision problems usually start to rise in early childhood. Typically, when discovered early children are outfitted with glasses to help correct their visual problems. As we begin to age other options for correcting vision are made available. Contact Lenses are often a choice one resorts to when needing to correct their vision but not wanting to wear glasses. Although contact lenses can be great for some, for others they can cause dryness, irritation and often infections if not cleaned properly. At Morris Eye Group we offer all options when correcting vision. Usually when a person has exhausted their experience with glasses or contact lenses they start to ask about the option of permanently correcting their vision through LASIK.

LASIK is considered to be one of the most popular elective procedures performed today! It is a great option for those looking to be free from glasses or contact lenses. The procedure takes approximately twenty minutes. It is a painless procedure that is performed by our Morris Eye Group physicians in our Encinitas office. Depending on the type of Laser Vision Correction one has, one most likely will be seeing well the next day. The recovery time is so minimal that often people are back at work, watching TV, and reading a book by the next day.

If you or someone you know is interested in correcting their vision with LASIK, call our office today for a complimentary consultation!

Monovision is a technique that the doctors at Morris Eye Group use when a patient desires to be free from reading glasses. During the natural aging process, most people will need some correction to help with near images. This happens when the muscles that control the way our lens focuses begin to relax. Over time, people need reading glasses to help them see near objects.

For patients wishing to be free from reading glasses monovision may be an option. Monovision is performed with using the dominant eye for distance vision and the non-dominate eye for near vision. If a patient has good distance vision, he/she may only need the procedure performed in one eye (the non-dominate eye). If a patient is nearsighted and needs distance correction, they may only need their dominant eye corrected for distance and the naturally nearsighted eye may be left alone to help the patient see clearly up close. Some patients that have too much of a visual difference between the two eyes, may need both eyes to be corrected for the eyes to be able to work well together.

At Morris Eye Group, our physicians test out monovision on patients that are interested through a contact lens trial. By trying the contact lenses the patient and the doctor will know if the patient adapts well to the monovision. Approximately 80% of people do well with monovision but before we perform the procedure we like to test it with a contact lens to make sure the patient is a good candidate.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in monovison LASIK call our office for a complimentary consultation today!

In our office we use the VISX STAR S4 Excimer Laser with Wavefront guided technology. This technology allows us to be able to get a much more detailed view of someone’s prescription and what their treatment plan will be. A Custom Laser takes into account every person individual visual needs where as a Standard Laser supplies an adequate treatment similar to what glasses or contact lenses would provide a patient. By using a Custom Laser and Wavefront technology we are able to be a lot more accurate in our treatment and provide a patient with clearer crisper vision than a standard laser would provide.

Botox® Cosmetic is used to soften and smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, in between the eyebrows, and on the forehead.  Botox® is non-surgical, has no downtime, and minimal and brief discomfort.  Within 1 to 2 days you may notice a softening n the appearance of these fine lines and wrinkles, and may continue to improve for up to 1 month. Visible results have been shown to last between 3 and 6 months. This varies from person to person.   For the past 7 years, Botox® Cosmetic has been the most popular of all physician-administered cosmetic procedures. Because of this, Botox® Cosmetic is having a 7-Year Anniversary Celebration! If you purchase at least $200 worth of Botox® at Morris Eye Group, you can mail in a rebate form for $50.00! The procedure must be administered by September 30, 2009 and the rebate must be mailed in by October 15, 2009.

JUVÉDERM ® injectable gel is used to smooth out deeper lines and wrinkles as well as plumping up the lip area.  JUVÉDERM® is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration.  JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is injected under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds, like your “smile lines” or nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth, and your marionette lines- the creases from the corners of your mouth to the bottom of your chin. Depending on the person, JUVÉDERM can last up to 1 whole year!

Restylane® and Perlane® provide rejuvenating cosmetic beauty treatments for a natural, younger-looking you! Restylane® is the world’s best selling dermal filler. It is well tolerated, nonsurgical, and long lasting (usually about 6 months).  Restylane® and Perlane® are both composed of hyaluronic acid. Perlane® has larger gel particles and is intended to be injected deeper within the skin for those extra deep wrinkles. Both products can be used for the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Restylane® can also be used for the lip area.

LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% is the first and only FDA approved prescription eyelash enhancement medication.  LATISSE® is used once daily and topically to make eyelashes longer, thicker and darker.  At Morris Eye Group we take all precautions before dispensing the LATISSE® product. Every patient who purchases LATISSE® must have an annual eye exam within the last year in order to purchase the product. This is so the doctors at Morris Eye Group can review the health of your eye and rule out any eye diseases, such as Glaucoma, before starting you on this prescription medication.   All of our doctors, including our 2 O.D.s (Dr. Suzanne Hazen and Janie Bodman) can prescribe this medication.

The ActiveFX™ by Lumenis® combines the precision of a CO2 laser with the speed of fractional resurfacing technology to provide unprecedented facial rejuvenation. Taking years off lined and sun-damaged skin like a nonsurgical facelift, ActiveFX™ achieves immediate, dramatic results that can last for years. It works on multiple levels simultaneously to tighten skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, smooth frown lines, improve skin tone and texture, reveal fresh skin beneath the aged surface, and stimulate collagen growth for a youthful fullness. Dr. Christopher Spellman performs this procedure.

If you have any other questions or concerns, or would like to set up an annual eye exam or cosmetic procedure, please feel free to call Morris Eye Group at 760.631.3500. Again, we have 2 locations in San Diego: Encinitas and Oceanside. Call today, and ask about our Summer Promotion Specials for LATISSE™, Botox® Cosmetic, LASIK, and more!

1.       QUESTION: What is LATISSE™?

ANSWER:  LATISSE™ solution contains the active ingredient, (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%. It is indicated to treat hypotrichosis (no hair growth) of the eyelashes by increasing their growth, including darkness, length, and thickness.

2.       QUESTION: How is LATISSE™ different from other eyelash enhancement products?

ANSWER: Only LATISSE™ has been approved by the FDA as a prescription treatment for hypotrichoses used to grow eyelashes. It has also been studied in a clinical trial to demonstrate its safety and efficacy.

3.       QUESTION: How does LATISSE™ work?

ANSWER: LATISSE™ is believed to affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in 2 ways: first, it increases the length of this phase; and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase. Every night you apply a small amount of the prescription onto an FDA approved applicator and apply that to the base of the upper eyelid. Morris Eye Group will go over how to use Latisse with you when you come into our San Diego office to purchase the product.

4.       QUESTION: What happens when I stop using LATISSE™?

ANSWER: Patients’ eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months. Some patients may feel like they “lost” eyelashes because they are used to the effects of using LATISSE™. This is not the case.  The new, longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes are so beautiful and luscious, that when the original state of eyelashes takes over, it appears that they may have “lost” eyelashes.

5.       QUESTION: Who can prescribe LATISSE™?

ANSWER: Any physician can prescribe LATISSE™ solution. HOWEVER, at Morris Eye Group, we pride ourselves on taking extra precautions when prescribing this medication.  To purchase LATISSE™ from Morris Eye Group, our patients need to have an annual eye exam at our office within the last 12 months and have their doctor look over their chart in order to approve the patient to use LATISSE™.  In some cases, a patient may be asked to come in and see the doctor once more before being prescribed LATISSE™ solution. All 5 of our physicians at Morris Eye Group take these precautions to rule out certain eye diseases and/or abnormalities of the eye before a patient starts LATISSE™.  Luckily, if you decide to purchase LATISSE™ from Morris Eye Group, you can feel comfortable knowing your eyes are being cared for in all aspects. We carry LATISSE™ at each of our locations in North County San Diego. We have locations in Encinitas, as well as Oceanside.

6.       QUESTION: Can I still wear make-up when using LATISSE™?

ANSWER: During the day time, it is perfectly ok to wear mascara, eye shadow, and eyeliner while using LATISSE™ solution. However, when you apply the medication at night, you must make sure to wash all of your make up off before applying LATISSE™.

7.       QUESTION: How long will it take to see results?

ANSWER: The onset of effect with LATISSE™ solution is gradual. You may notice some visual signs of lengthening, thickening, and/or darkening within the first few weeks. But, the majority of patients see significant improvement by 2 months. The optimal results can take up to 4 months.

8.       QUESTION: After I get to my “optimal” growth, what is the maintenance I have to do?

ANSWER: There are no studies thus far with regards to the maintenance stage. Morris Eye Group cannot comment on how patients’ eyelashes carry out when LATISSE™ solution is used less than the FDA approved directions. 

If you have any other questions or concerns, or would like to set up an annual eye exam, please feel free to call Morris Eye Group at 760.631.3500. Again, we have 2 locations in San Diego: Encinitas and Oceanside. Call today, and ask about our Summer Promotion Specials for LATISSE™, Botox® Cosmetic, LASIK, and more!

BOTOX ® Cosmetic is very well known, however there are many myths that are associated with this minimally-invasive, cosmetic procedure. BOTOX ® Cosmetic has been the most popular of all physician-administered cosmetic procedures for the last six years, with approximately 9.4 million procedures administered in the United States since 2002. Below are some commonly asked questions and associated myths surrounding BOTOX ® Cosmetic. Morris Eye Group performs Botox on many patients in the San Diego area.

1.      QUESTION: What is Botox® Cosmetic?

ANSWER: Botox® Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A) is a purified protein that is administered in a simple, nonsurgical procedure to temporarily reduce the moderate to severe lines between the brows, on the forehead, and around the eyes.  It is now commonly used to reduce the pain and occurrence for migraine headaches as well.

2.      QUESTION: How does Botox® Cosmetic work?

ANSWER: Very low doses of Botox® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles responsible for frown lines and wrinkles. By blocking the release of the chemical that causes these muscles to contract, Botox® Cosmetic enables them to relax, so the skin appears smoother. To learn if you would be a good candidate for Botox contact our Encintias or Oceanside office.

3.      QUESTION: How quickly will I see a result?

ANSWER: Within 1 to 2 days, you may notice a softening in the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles, but it typically takes between 4 to 7 days to see the optimal results, and it may continue to improve for up to 1 month.

4.      MYTH: Botox® is unsafe.

FACT: Botox® has been used therapeutically for 17 years. The same formulations received FDA approval in 2002 for treatment of the moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. At Morris Eye Group, we have three doctors who have been medically trained to administer this procedure. You will never have a nurse, technician, or medical assistant perform the procedure on you. Make an appointment with Morris Eye Group for Botox today by calling our Carlsbad or Vista location. We service patients in the entire San Diego area.

5.      MYTH: There are creams that are better than Botox® Cosmetic.

FACT: Topical creams work on the surface of the skin. Botox® Cosmetic works on the powerful muscles beneath the skin that actually cause frown lines to form. Once the muscles relax, the skin can relax and subsequently smooth out.

6.      MYTH: Botox® Cosmetic will leave me with a frozen face.

FACT: Although the results are visible, a treatment with Botox® Cosmetic does not make you look like “you’ve had work done.” The muscle activity that causes frown lines, wrinkles, and fine lines is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases. At Morris Eye Group, our doctors are very conservative and will make you look “refreshed and rested.”

7.      MYTH: If I stop using Botox® Cosmetic, my face will look different than before.

FACT: The effects of Botox® Cosmetic can last between 3 and 6 months. When the product wears off, your face will return to its pretreatment condition. Many people continue regular treatments (typically 2 to 4 times per year).

8.      MYTH: Botox® Cosmetic is not for men.

FACT: Men constitute nearly 10% of all Botox® Cosmetic treatments and that number has grown considerably in the last 5 years.

9.      MYTH: Botox® Cosmetic will affect my skin color

FACT: Mena and women of varying ethnicities and skin types have been successfully treated with Botox® Cosmetic. Because it works only on the underlying muscles, you need not be concerned that it will affect your skin color or texture. In most cases, Botox® Cosmetic actually improves the texture of your skin due to the smoothing of wrinkles and fine lines.

10.  MYTH: Botox® Cosmetic is only for the “rich and famous.” “Real” people like me don’t use it.

FACT: According to a recent survey of 1048 Botox® Cosmetic patients, working mothers between the ages of 40 and 55 are the most common users of Botox® Cosmetic. Also, those with annual household incomes of less than $100,000 (44%) were more likely to use Botox® Cosmetic than those with annual incomes of more than $150,000 (35%).

If you have any other questions or concerns, or would like to set up your next Cosmetic Consultation at Morris Eye Group in the San Diego area,  please do not hesitate to call us at 760.631.3500. We know this can be a very personal decision for you, and Morris Eye Group is here for you to help you in that decision making process.

A cataract can progress very slowly, and, in some cases, the eye’s lens will simply thicken without clouding, causing only loss in distance vision. In those earlier stages, or when clouding of the lens isn’t present, symptoms can often be addressed with stronger glasses or contact lenses, brighter lighting, or the use of a magnifying glass.

When vision loss progresses to the point where it affects your daily life and/or safety, surgery to remove the lens will likely be necessary. In situations where a cataract is in combination with one or more diseases or condition, your doctor also may recommend surgery even if your vision is only mildly impaired. This could happen if your cataract is interfering with the examination or treatment of other parts of your eye.

When a cataract is the only disease present, surgery is, in the vast majority of cases, very successful. In fact, millions of people in the U.S. undergo this vision-saving procedure each year. Dr. Jeffrey Morris performs cataract surgery every week and has had a very large success rate with patient satisfaction after their cataract surgery was complete. To visit Morris Eye Group for cataract surgery, call our San Diego, Carlsbad or Vista office.

If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor may recommend surgery on the eye with the poorer vision first. The second procedure will be completed after the first eye has healed.

Unlike other diseases or conditions, where the eye care professional often dictates when surgery or treatments are necessary, cataract surgery is a decision arrived at by both patient and physician. To determine if the time is right for you make an appointment with one of the doctors at Morris Eye Group. Cataract consultations are performed in our Encinitas and Oceanside offices.

Ultimately, only you know how your vision is affected and how much your cataract interferes with your quality of life.

Cataract surgery is a simple operation where a surgeon removes the eye’s clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial, intraocular lens (IOL). The entire procedure is generally done on an outpatient basis and usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. Patients may experience little to no pain and can usually return to their normal activities the following day.

Cataract surgery is not LASIK, a type of laser surgery in which the cornea is reshaped to improve vision. Morris Eye Group does perform LASIK surgery however; LASIK surgery will not correct cataracts.

The Procedure

Your surgeon will make a small incision at or near your cornea and insert an instrument about the size of a pen tip to break up and remove the cloudy lens. Once the natural lens is removed, the IOL is inserted through the same incision and set into its permanent position.

Cataract surgery is considered one of the safest and most effective medical procedures. More than 3 million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States alone. But not every cataract surgery is the same.

Phacoemulsification. This technique is the most advanced and most commonly used. It requires a very small incision on the side of the cornea (an eighth of an inch or smaller). Because of the size and location of the incision, stitches are rarely needed, and the eye heals rapidly.

Extracapsular surgery. This type of surgery, which usually takes place outside the U.S., is used for very dense or rigid IOLs, It requires a larger incision and stitches are needed, so it takes longer for the eye to heal. More than 90 percent of patients who receive this type of procedure see 20/40 or better.

Intracapsular surgery. The earliest cataract surgeries performed hundreds of years ago involved this procedure, where both the lens and the capsule are removed. Today Intracapsular surgery is hardly ever performed, even in developing countries, and is generally reserved for cases in which the lens has dislocated because of injury and an accompanying disease.

Delaying surgery

Depending on the severity of your vision loss, you may be able to take some simple steps to delay surgery. Options include getting a new pair of prescription eyeglasses and increasing your home lighting. You may also reduce glare indoors by repositioning lights or outside by wearing polarized sunglasses. Morris Eye Group has two large optical shops to help you with all of your optical needs. The opticians at Morris Eye Group fit patients for glasses and contact lenses in Carlsbad and Vista. Call our San Diego office to make an appointment today.

What is an Intraocular Lens (IOL)?

Much like a camera, your eye’s natural crystalline lens plays an important role in focusing images. When a cataract clouds the lens, it makes it virtually impossible to see clearly.

When your cataract progresses to the point that daily tasks become difficult and interferes with your quality of life, you will need cataract surgery. During surgery, your eye’s natural lens will be replaced by an intraocular lens, or IOL. At Morris Eye Group we offer both monofical and multifocal lens implants. A multifocal lens implant allows a patient with cataracts to not only have the cataract removed but also be free of glasses. Morris Eye Group, in Carlsbad and Vista, help patients to make a decision about which lens implant would be best for them every day. To make an appointment with a doctor at Morris Eye Group please call our Encinitas or Oceanside office direct line.

An intraocular lens is an artificial lens made of plastic, silicone or acrylic that performs the function of the eye’s natural lens. Most of today’s IOLs are around a quarter of an inch in diameter and soft enough to be folded so they can be placed into the eye through a very small incision.

LATISSE™ is available by prescription only and is available at both of our offices in Oceanside and Encinitas (North County San Diego).  For your convenience, all of our five Morris Eye Group doctors can prescribe LATISSE™ to you!

If you are interested in having Morris Eye Group screen you for LATISSE you can visit our San Diego office for a consultation.

When purchasing LATISSE™ at Morris Eye Group, we require that you have an Annual Eye Exam within the last year to rule out Glaucoma.  The active ingredient, bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, is the same active ingredient in some glaucoma management medications. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, or any other eye diseases, Morris Eye Group has doctors specializing in these diseases that can assist you in management or cures.  It is imperative to have an eye exam to make sure that you do not have Glaucoma, and Morris Eye Group prides itself on taking all precautions before dispensing LATISSE™. 

The following are step-by-step instructions on how to apply LATISSE™.

1.   Once nightly, start by ensuring your face is clean. Remove all makeup and contact lenses.

2.   Remove an applicator from its tray. Then, holding the sterile applicator horizontally, place one drop of LATISSE™ solution on the area of the applicator closest to the tip, but not on the tip.

3.   Immediately draw the applicator carefully across the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes (where the eyelashes meet the skin) going from the inner part of your lash line to the outer part.

4.   Blot any excess LATISSE™ solution beyond the eyelid margin

5.   Dispose of the applicator after one use. Repeat for the opposite upper eyelid margin using a new sterile applicator. This helps minimize any potential for contamination from one eyelid to another.

For optimal safety and efficacy, you should not use LATISSE™ solution on a Q-tip. LATISSE™ should only be applied with its FDA-approved sterile applicators. Do not use LATISSE™ on your lower lids. Only use LATISSE™ on your upper lids. If you miss a dose of LATISSE™, do not try to “catch up” by applying two doses the next day. Just apply LATISSE™ the next evening. Make LATISSE™ solution a part of your evening routine, like brushing your teeth, or removing your makeup. Using LATISSE™ more than once a day will not increase the growth of eyelashes more than daily use.

Morris Eye Group prescribes LATISSE to patients living in Encinitas, Vista, Carlsbad and Oceanside. If you are interested in having a consultation, call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.

If you stop using LATISSE™, your eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.  Because patients get used to their new, long, dark, thick eyelashes, they may think they have lost eyelashes when they stop using LATISSE™ completely. 

It is important to see an ophthalmologist before starting LATISSE so that you have a good baseline for the health of your eyes prior to taking the medication. Prior to starting treatment with this FDS-approved prescription medication, it is imperative to have a baseline eye exam. Although the medication is considered safe, your eye doctor needs to determine the health of the eye prior to using this medication (especially testing for glaucoma) and then monitor for any effects on the eye after initiating treatment. At our offices in Encinitas and Oceanside we have the equipment and technology as well as the skilled eye specialists to be able to screen for the dispense of LATISSE. Not every medical doctor has this equipment available, mostly only eye doctors do, which is we recommend you come see Morris Eye Group for LATISSE.