Myopia (Nearsightedness)
Nearsighted individuals typically have problems seeing at a distance and are forced to wear glasses or contact lenses. The nearsighted eye is usually longer than a normal eye, and its cornea may also be steeper. Therefore, when light passes through the cornea and lens, it is focused in front of the retina. This will make distant images appear blurred. There are several refractive surgery solutions available to correct nearly all levels of nearsightedness.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Farsighted individuals typically develop problems reading up close before the age of 40. The farsighted eye is usually slightly shorter than a normal eye and may have a flatter cornea. Thus, the light of distant objects focuses behind the retina unless the natural lens can compensate fully. Near objects require even greater focusing power to be seen clearly and therefore, blur more easily. LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange and Contact lenses are a few of the options available to correct farsightedness.
Astigmatism
Asymmetric steepening of the cornea or natural lens causes light to be focused unevenly, which is the main optical problem in astigmatism. To individuals with uncorrected astigmatism, images may look blurry or shadowed. Astigmatism can accompany any form of refractive error and is very common. Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, corneal relaxing incisions, laser vision correction, and special implant lenses.
Presbyopia
Presbyopia is a condition that typically becomes noticeable for most people around age 45. In children and young adults, the lens inside the eye can easily focus on distant and near objects. With age, the lens loses its ability to focus adequately. Although presbyopia is not completely understood, it is thought that the lens and its supporting structures lose the ability to make the lens longer during close vision effort. To compensate, affected individuals usually find that holding reading material further away makes the image clearer. Ultimately, aids such as reading glasses are typically needed by the mid-forties. Besides glasses, presbyopia can be dealt with in a number of ways. Options include: monovision and multifocal contact lenses, monovision laser vision correction, and new presbyopia correcting implant lenses.
Welcome to Garrett Eye Center
John Michael Garrett M.D. graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1973. After completing a 2-year Internship and Internal Medicine Residency at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Dr. Garrett completed a 3 year residency in Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta. He followed this with a fellowship in microsurgery, including Phaco-emulsification cataract removal and corneal transplant techniques under Richard Schulze M.D., in Savannah, Georgia. Upon completion, he began an Ophthalmology practice here in Iron Mountain, opening in January 1979.
Welcome to Garrett Eye CenterCenter of Excellence For Crystalens
The Crystalens® advantage unlike standard cataract replacement lenses, Crystalens® lenses correct your cataracts and give you back your full range of vision. Crystalens® is the first and only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens that uses the natural focusing ability of the eye. The lens flexes like your eye's natural lens, allowing you to see better at all distances.
Crystalens3D-Eye Online
If you are interested in learning more about the procedures offered by Dr. Garrett and the staff at Garrett Eye Center, please visit our 3D-EYE ONLINE Video library. You will be able to watch animations of the procedures offered in our Iron Mountain, MI office and Ambulatory Surgical Center.
Click the link below to view our videos.
3D-Eye OnlineAmbulatory Surgical Center
Garrett Eye Center’s Ambulatory Surgical Center opened in 1987, and is the first and only ambulatory surgical center in the area. Over 1,000 surgeries are performed per year in the surgical center. We have a certified anesthesiologist on site. The surgical center offers convenient, cost effective treatment with a well-trained staff, specializing in ophthalmology.
Click the link below to learn more about our Ambulatory Surgical Center
Ambulatory Surgical CenterGlaucoma Treatments (SLT)
It is estimated that almost three million Americans have glaucoma. Half of these people are not aware that they have the disease. It is important to make an appointment with Dr. Garrett for a comprehensive eye examination to determine if you could be at risk for Glaucoma. Dr Garrett specializes in SLT laser treatment. SLT is a therapy that uses a special laser to reduce the pressure in the eye. It is usually painless, and the treatment takes a few minutes.
Glaucoma Treatments (SLT)Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s ability to process and store sugar has been impaired. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. People with untreated diabetes are said to be 25 times more at a risk for blindness than the general population. This is why it is important to schedule an appointment with Dr. Garrett for a diabetic eye examination if you believe you may be at risk for Diabetic Retinopathy. To learn more about the symptoms and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy click the Learn More button below.
Diabetic RetinopathyDesignated ILASIK Surgery Center
Until recently, glasses and contacts were the only options available to correct vision. With the latest advances in technology and surgical procedures there are several new options available to correct vision problems including iLASIK! The Garrett Eye Center also offers free LASIK screenings for patients! Take advantage of this opportunity to speak with Dr.Garrett or Dr. Hartwig about the entire LASIK experience.
ILASIK