Atlanta LASIK Surgery Center Now Providing Ocular Allergy Testing
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) February 14, 2014 -- The Atlanta Vision Institute, an Atlanta LASIK center specializing in the Intralase procedure, is now offering ocular allergy testing to patients. The testing is non-invasive and allows Dr. Ashraf, medical director at the Atlanta Vision Institute, to better identify the cause of and formulate treatment for common eye allergy symptoms.
Ocular allergies, also known as allergic conjunctivitis, occur when the tissue that lines the eyelids and covers the conjunctiva (the whites of the eyes) becomes swollen or inflamed due to a reaction to an allergy causing substance. Allergy symptoms commonly affect the eyes by causing itchy, red, swollen or watery eyes. Dark circles under the eyes, blurred vision, congestion or a runny nose can also indicate allergies.
Several of these symptoms, however, may also indicate ocular surface diseases such as dry eye syndrome or blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelids, usually near the eyelashes). Ocular allergy testing, now available at the Atlanta Vision Institute, can identify possible allergens thus identifying the cause of allergy-like symptoms. A negative result can indicate that, instead of allergies, symptoms are instead caused by disease or other irritations.
The Atlanta Vision Insitute is offering Doctor’s Allergy Formula (DAF) testing, a propriety and comprehensive diagnostic tool that was developed by ophthalmologists. The test is FDA approved and is customized to accommodate variances in allergens based on geographic location. The test can be performed in the office in less than three minutes and results are available 10-15 minutes after testing. The test is fully reimbursable by medical insurances, as well.
“Allergies are the fifth leading chronic disease in our country. This new allergy testing can identify allergens that may be irritating the eyes so we can treat it properly,” said Dr. Farooq Ashraf, MD, FACS, medical director at the Atlanta Vision Institute. “Instead of treating for dry eyes or red eyes, we are able to identify the underlying cause to create a targeted treatment. If the patient doesn’t have allergies, we can narrow down the cause of symptoms to other diseases or immunological conditions.”
Dr. Ashraf is the founder of the Atlanta Vision Institute and a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in corneal and refractive surgery, as well as other treatments for astigmatism, glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions. He obtained his advanced training in ocular surgery at Johns Hopkins University and has performed over 40,000 LASIK procedures. In addition to his Atlanta practice, Dr. Ashraf has also founded the Atlanta Vision Clinic in Dubai, UAE. For more information, visit http://www.atlanta2020.com.
Shaina Moua, Atlanta Vision Institute, http://www.atlanta2020.com, +1 404-848-0487, [email protected]
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