Hoopesvision - Salt Lake City, Utah Area

Dr. Rivera Returns from First South American User Group for AcuFocus KAMARA

By Hoopesvision on July 30, 2012

Dr. Rivera just returned from South America, where he moderated the first South American User Group meeting and training seminar for the AcuFocus KAMRA corneal inlay, held in Santiago, Chile this past weekend. Present at the meeting were leading surgeons from Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Australia. Dr. Rivera’s presentation will also be part of the upcoming European Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery in Milan, Italy. The KAMRA is a thin corneal inlay used to correct presbyopia in patients above 45 years of age, and is meant to reduce or eliminate the dependence on reading glasses. Hoopes Vision was one of the FDA research sites for the US study, and the device is currently undergoing review by the FDA.

Posted in Lasik in Utah |

Hoopes Vision Employment Opportunities

By Hoopesvision on July 17, 2012

As we prepare to expand and relocate to our new facility later this year, the Hoopes Vision team is expanding as well. This is an opportunity to join a leading ophthalmology practice, with competitive salary and excellent benefits. There are immediate full time openings for ophthalmic medical assistants and patient care specialists. We will be interviewing candidates on Monday, July 23, from 3:00PM to 6:00PM.

Ophthalmic medical assistants perform pre- and post-operative testing on patients, and assist the doctors in performing eye examinations. Previous ophthalmology experience, especially in an eye surgery environment, preferred.

Patient care specialists work in the reception area, facilitating patient check-in and checkout, collecting fees and co-pays. They also answer the telephone, prepare patient charts for the clinic, and perform a variety of other tasks designed to make our patients’ experience a pleasant one. Previous medical office experience preferred, bilingual (Spanish) a plus.

If you wish to schedule an interview for Monday the 23^rd, please RSVP by e-mailing your résumé and cover letter to Ben Duffy (ben@hoopesvision.com) and our office will contact you to confirm.

Posted in Lasik in Utah |

Hoopes Vision is First in World to Offer Multiple Platforms for Custom Laser Cataract Surgery

By Hoopesvision on July 3, 2012

Dr. Phillip Hoopes of Hoopes Vision receives Utah's first Catalys™ Laser Cataract System. Hoopes Vision is the first in the world to offer multiple laser cataract platforms.

Hoopes Visions’ commitment to providing the latest technological advancements to their patients has led to another exciting new option for cataract patients. On July 3, 2012 Hoopes Vision took possession of the Catalys™ Precision Laser, introducing the world’s most sophisticated laser cataract surgery system to Utah. Obtaining the Catalys™ laser system, in addition to the LenSx™ cataract laser already in use, will make Hoopes Vision the first center in the world to offer multiple cataract laser platforms giving patients an unparalleled level of customization in cataract surgery. The Catalys™ is US FDA market cleared for performing capsulotomy and lens fragmentation and delivers unequaled precision and accuracy of laser incisions. The surgeons of Hoopes Vision have been offering patients in Utah laser cataract procedures to their patients since October of 2011 with the LenSx™ laser system.

Having multiple laser platforms available is highly advantageous to the surgeon as well as the patient. While all human eyes share the same basic anatomical structure, every eye is unique in terms of size, depth, curvature and other key features. Offering a range of highly-advanced technologies ensures that every treatment plan is tailored to the specific needs of each patient. These two laser systems embody subtle differences, allowing Hoopes Vision’s surgeons the opportunity to offer our patients a wider range of customization in laser cataract surgery than anywhere else in the world.

According to Dr. Phillip C. Hoopes, chief surgeon and CEO of Hoopes Vision, “It was an easy decision to obtain the Catalys™ laser platform. Our core mission has always been to provide our patients with the best technology to be used by caring, experienced doctors. Our LASIK surgery suite is well-known across the country as one of the most technologically advanced. The addition of the Catalys™ laser will position Hoopes Vision as one of the premiere destinations for cataract surgery in the world.”

Catalys™ features a state-of-the-art laser, advanced 3D imaging, sophisticated software and other unique features that deliver a precise, customized procedure with exceptional patient comfort. Using Catalys™, Hoopes Vision’s surgeons can access and remove the cataract-affected lens with accuracy that is within tens of microns. (For visual perspective, the width of a human hair is 85 microns.) This new level of accuracy may allow surgeons to position the artificial replacement lens exactly where it is intended to ultimately ensure effective performance and excellent visual outcomes.1,2,3

In addition to its accuracy benefits, Catalys’™ sophisticated laser technology makes break-up and removal of the cataract easier and gentler on the patient.4 A clinical study has shown that Catalys reduces the amount of ultrasound energy needed during this step by approximately 40 percent, an improvement that may enhance procedure safety.4

Millions of people suffer from cataracts, an age-related condition in which the eye’s lens becomes clouded, making vision fuzzy or filmy and normal daily activities more difficult. Once a cataract has developed, the only way to improve vision is through surgery. This is why cataract removal is one of the most common procedures worldwide, estimated at 19 million cases each year. Incorporating laser technology into cataract surgery procedures has revolutionized the way this vision problem is treated; dramatically improving the level of accuracy and precision.

Cataract surgery is often paired with the implantation of newer, hi-tech lenses that provide improved near and distance vision with a goal of reducing or eliminating the use of glasses – including reading glasses. Because of the improved outcomes of laser cataract surgery and these new lenses, many people opt to have a similar procedure called laser refractive lens exchange to correct their vision before the development of cataracts.

The new Catalys™ system is the perfect addition to Hoopes Visions’ state-of-the-art facility in the Salt Lake City area. Its sophisticated technology provides accuracy benefits and makes break-up and removal of the cataract easier and gentler on the patient. Patients who choose to have surgery at Hoopes Vision can be confident they are receiving the highest level of customization and the most advanced technology available. For more information, please visit www.hoopesvision.com or call (801)568-0200 to schedule a comprehensive cataract evaluation.

1 Friedman, NJ, et al., “Femtosecond Laser Capsulotomy,” Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 2011 July; 37(7): 1189-1198
2 Yanoff M, Duker J. Ophthalmology: Expert Consult. Third Edition. Mosby; 2008
3 Cekic O, Batman C. The relationship between capsulorhexis size and anterior chamber dept relation. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers. 1999; 30(3):185-190
4 Palanker, D., et al., “Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery with Integrated Optical Coherence Tomography,” Science Translational Medicine, Vol 2 Issue 58: 1-9 (2010)

Posted in Lasik in Utah |

Protect Your Vision:Eye Safety for July Fireworks

By Hoopesvision on July 2, 2012

July is a great month in Utah! Celebrating both the 4th of July and the 24th of July means twice the number of barbecues, two good reasons to spend time with family and friends, and often double the opportunity to watch fireworks.

We hope this month will be filled with great memories for you and your family, and want to remind you that firework safety is an important part of making this month fun. Each Fourth of July period, fireworks are responsible for around 11,000 visits to the emergency room, and nearly 20 percent are for eye injuries.

Although most injuries result from firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles, many of the injuries (including eye injuries) come from smaller fare like sparklers. Because sparklers are marketed as fun for children, parents often underestimate the dangers associated with them. Sparklers can burn at well over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and because they are beautiful to watch, children often want to touch them, or hold them closer to their eye causing sparks or even a hot, burning sparkler to come in contact with their eye.
This time of year can be filled with exciting entertainment, and by keeping safety in mind when dealing with fireworks, you can ensure that it will be remembered for the many great memories rather than tragedy.

Important tips to remember when dealing with fireworks:

• Always view fireworks from a safe distance.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back to a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Be aware of your environment and don’t use fireworks in dry areas – check local laws for restrictions on where they can be used.
• Always wear safety glasses when lighting or using fireworks.
• Read and follow all safety instructions.
• Have a working hose and first-aid kit handy should something go wrong.
• Once you are done with your fireworks, douse them with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to prevent a trash fire.
• Remember that all fireworks – even those marketed for children– can cause injury. Supervise all children around any firework use.

Posted in Eye doctors utah |