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Comprehensive Eye Examinations
We are pleased to provide complete eye care for your entire family. When you come in for your exam, you will receive a thorough evaluation of your visual skills as well as a complete health check of your entire visual system. Using the latest in diagnostic equipment and technology, Dr. Raffa will assess the overall health of your eyes and screen for glaucoma and other sight-threatening diseases.
Affordable, Quality Frames and Sunglasses
We offer a wide variety of frames and sunglasses including styles by Coach, Vera Wang, Nine West, Fossil, Maui Jim and Bolle', to name just a few. Our highly trained and knowledgeable opticians will help you select a frame that will accentuate your own personal style and facial features, as well as provide you with optimal visual effectiveness. We can also carry safety glasses and sports goggles.
Contact Lenses
Dr. Raffa will fit you with a pair of lenses that is just right for you. If you are a new contact lens wearer or are trying a new contact lens for the first time, it may take some time for your eye to adjust and to find the right fit for you. Whether rigid or soft lenses, we are experienced in dealing with the most challenging prescriptions and we do not quit until we get it right. Dr. Raffa will evaluate your visual needs along with your lifestyle to recommend the lens that will best fit your needs. Some of the contact lenses Dr. Raffa may suggest include:
- multi-focal
- multi-focal with astigmatism
- extended wear
- colored lenses
- Wild Eyes™
Digital Retinal Photography
Many patients over the years have struggled with having their eyes dilated. However, it is critical that Dr. Raffa be able to view the retina and the back of the eye in order to identify the early onset of visual disease. We are very happy to be able to provide patients with an alternative to dilation, Digital Retinal Photography. This highly sophisticated camera allows Dr. Raffa the ability to view the back the eye and store the image for comparison over time - no drops, no waiting for dilation to wear off, no hassle!
Care for Eye Disease and Dry Eye
Dr. Raffa is certified to treat all eye disease, including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, macular degeneration, high risk medication and dry eyes.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, however, vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, Dr. Raffa may prescribe a medication that will lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. More advanced forms may require laser treatments or surgery.
Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens becomes too hazy, vision will be impaired. Dr. Raffa is certified to diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects your vision to the extent where you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, Dr. Raffa may recommend cataract surgery. We work closely with some of the best cataract specialists in the Denver area and will assist you with the arrangements for your surgery and post-operative care.
Diabetes: We recommend that patients with diabetes have an examination every six months or annually, depending on the severity of the disease. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and cause damage to the retina. Dr. Raffa is able to detect this condition through a dilated retinal examination and/or use of a highly sophisticated retinal camera that allows him to view the back of the eye. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. If advanced diabetic eye disease is discovered, you may be referred to a board certified retinal specialist for further testing.
Macular Degeneration: Macular Degeneration is the number one cause of blindness today. It is often marked by a sudden loss in central vision. The best defense against this disease is early detection, which is why it is important to have the back of eye checked annually through retinal photography.
High Risk Medication: Some medications, particularly those used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases that affect the immune system, may build up on the retina and cause visual complications. The most common of these medications is Plaquenil. This condition can be detected through retinal photography and should be monitored annually.
Dry Eyes: Symptoms include scratchy, burning, and/or gritty feeling eyes, which may be accompanied by mild redness. Oral medications, reading, computer tasks and dry environments may aggravate eyes that are already marginally dry. Dry eyes can be diagnosed using dyes to observe tear patterns, evaluation of the amount of tears on the front of the eye and by reviewing your symptoms. Treatment may include artificial tears, eye drops for allergies, and/or punctal plugs inserted into the tear drainage canals.
Emergency Care for Eye Injury or Infection
Dr. Raffa is board certified to provide emergency treatment for eye infection and eye injuries. During office hours, please call (303)805-5900 in Littleton or (303)688-3636 in Castle Rock. After hours, Dr. Raffa may be paged at (303)610-4270.
LASIK
Many patients have discovered that LASIK can be a life-changing opportunity to free themselves from being dependent on contact lenses or glasses. Most people experience improved vision immediately following the procedure and it often continues to improve for several weeks or even months. There are many options for those in the market for LASIK today and it is critical that the patient educate himself/herself in order to make an informed decision given their individual needs. When you schedule your free consultation with us, we will educate you on the different types of LASIK available and provide you with an understanding of how the procedure works. If you choose to have Dr. Raffa manage your LASIK procedure, he will provide all pre-operative and post-operative care here at our office. We will then schedule your LASIK with Dr. Lawrence Spivack, one of the most respected surgeons in the Denver area. On the day of your procedure, you will be met at the center by Dr. Raffa, who will accompany you during surgery. He is the only doctor co-managing with Dr. Spivack who will actually be there with you during your procedure. This is because he is completely committed to assuring that you will have the greatest opportunity for optimal vision.
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Corneal Refractive Therapy (CRT)
Corneal Refractive Therapy (or CRT) is a process of reshaping the cornea through a series of contact lenses. It is similar to LASIK in that vision is significantly improved as the shape of the cornea is changed. Patients are seen on a weekly basis for 2-4 weeks. The patient sleeps in the contacts and removes them during the day. The goal of CRT is to provide 8-12 hours of clear vision each day, free from contact lenses or glasses. CRT is an effective alternative for those who are not candidates for LASIK.
Vision Therapy
Being able to see clearly is only a part of having good vision. For many people, reading and tasks involving hand-eye coordination can be very difficult. These patients may not possess the eye muscle strength or the visual coordination to complete such tasks. Their eyes may tire quickly or not be able to sustain focus. Upon evaluation, Dr. Raffa will design a program of exercises that will strengthen the muscles in and around the eye and improve coordination, so that tasks that may have been frustrating or just simply avoided in the past, can now be enjoyed and result in success.
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