Arizona Eye Institute Can Help You See Clearly - 2/14

February 2014 

Do you find yourself struggling with your vision? Do your eyes consistently appear to be tired? If you've answered with a resounding yes to the questions above, then let the doctors and staff of the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center make sure your eyes look and feel their best.

Emilio M. Justo, M.D., founder and medical director at the Arizona Eye Institute & Cometic Laser Center, received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School and completed his residency in ophthalmic laser surgery at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. He was named one of 2013's "Top Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeons" by Plastic Surgery Practice magazine.

When Dr. Justo opened the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center in 1989, the center mostly performed upper eyelid lifts and cataract surgeries. Since then, the center has expanded to include multiple surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

"I continue to meet and share ideas with other medical professionals to stay current on the most recent techniques," says Dr. Justo. "There are now treatments, surgeries, medications and lens implants that were unheard of when I graduated from medical school that are revolutionizing the fields of ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery. Because of this, we offer the latest technologies in restorative and corrective vision."

The Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center has three locations in the West Valley Sun City West, Sun City and Wickenburg. The Sun City West location is unique because it has its own Arizona state-licensed, Medicare-certified, AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care)-accredited outpatient surgery center.

"I personally perform all of our operations here," says Dr. Justo. "We have one of the only ophthalmic surgery centers in the area."

Two of the top surgeries performed by Dr. Justo are eyelid surgery also known as blepharoplasty and cataract surgery. "Eyelid surgery corrects drooping upper eyelids and puffy lower eyelids in order to restore the patient's natural appearance," says Dr. Justo. "It opens up the eyes to reverse vision impairment and creates a younger look."

The eyelid surgery might be covered by insurance, depending on the specific condition, and Dr. Justo and his staff have experience working with insurance companies for coverage. For cataract surgery, Dr. Justo uses the LenSx femtosecond laser, a sophisticated surgical tool that allows cataract surgery to be even more effective, accurate and safer than before, he says. "Cataracts occur when the natural crystalline lens behind the cornea becomes cloudy, obstructing your vision," explains Dr. Justo. "The crystalline lens is then surgically removed and replaced with a synthetic lens."

"The LenSx laser minimizes the risk in each step of the surgery," continues Dr. Justo. "Since no two patients are alike, the treatment is fully customizable." The laser allows microscopic differences such as the thickness and curvature of the patient's cornea and the size of the eyes to be considered when developing treatment, he adds.

The Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center is one of fewer than five practices in Arizona that use the LenSx femtosecond laser. In addition to LenSx, the center uses the ORA System (Optiwave Refractive Analysis, formerly known as OptiPlus) to perform cataract surgery. This system uses a beam of low-intensity laser light during surgery to measure the eyes' focusing capabilities. This technology aids in selecting the appropriate implant lens power, aligning the implant during placement, and diagnosing and managing astigmatism.

"Although the patient's eyes are measured preoperatively with computerized technology, the ORA System allows for an even higher degree of accuracy and reproducibility by taking real-time measurements during cataract surgery after the cataract has been removed," explains Dr. Justo. "The system uses a highly sophisticated technology known as wavefront-guided intraoperative aberrometry."

Aside from surgery, the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center also gives thorough eye exams and can help patients find the perfect pair of frames at the center's Just For Eyes Optical Boutique, which offers high-quality and fashionable eyewear at reasonable prices and accepts most vision insurance plans, says Dr. Justo.

In addition to eye care, Dr. Justo also provides a multitude of cosmetic procedures such as face and neck lifts, endoscopic brow lifts, full body tumescent liposuction, Botox and Dysport, and dermal tissue filler treatments like Juvderm, Radiesse, Restylane, Perlane and Voluma. Additionally, permanent makeup, chemical-peels, and medical-grade skin care are widely performed at the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center.

The Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center is excited to announce that Dr. John Tanner, an experienced medical optometrist, will be joining their staff beginning in March. "It's always great to welcome new people into our center," says Dr. Justo. "Much of our staff has been with us for about a decade or longer."

On March 7, the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center will hold its annual gala and open house at the Sun City West location, where Dr. Justo will be celebrating his 25th year in the Sun City communities. "We will be showing the LenSx laser at the gala and perform demonstrations of non-surgical procedures," says Dr. Justo. For information on attending, contact the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Eye Center.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Justo or if you have any questions regarding a specific procedure, check out the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center website at www.AZEyeInstitute.com, or call their Sun City West location at 623-975-2020 or Sun City office at 623-876-2020. The practices are located at 10701 W. Bell Road in Sun City, 19052 N. R.H. Johnson Blvd. in Sun City West, and the satellite office at 500 Savage St. in Wickenburg.