Frequently Asked Questions

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids causing red, irritated, itchy eyelids and the formation of dandruff-like scales on eyelashes. It is a common eye disorder caused by either bacterial or a skin condition such as dandruff of the scalp or acne rosacea. It affects people of all ages. Although uncomfortable and may bluring vision, blepharitis is not contagious and generally does not cause any permanent damage to eyesight. AVEC Eye Center - Medical & Cosmetic is specialized in Blepharitis treatment. Over the years, we have developed our proprietary therapy and successfully treated thousands of patients with chronic Blepharitis. We become one the referral center in Utah for Blepharitis.

Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently impacting vision in the affected eye(s) and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye. Glaucoma is also called silent blindness. It has no pain, no noticeable vision loss, no redness until it becomes very severe. The vision loss is non-reversible. Early detection is the key to preserve vision and prevent blindness, The routine examination is very important. At AVEC Eye Center-Medical & Cosmetic, we detect glaucoma early; We monitor glaucoma vigilantly; We treat glaucoma selectively accourding to the condition of the disease; and control glaucoma effectively to prevent vision loss.

Cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. Early in the development of age-related cataract the power of the lens may be increased, causing near-sightedness (myopia), and the gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of blue colors. Cataracts typically progress slowly to cause vision loss and are potentially blinding if untreated. The condition usually affects both eyes, but almost always one eye is affected earlier than the other.” Glare and difficult driving at night can be a sign of cataract. AVEC Eye Center-Medical & Cosmetic is specialized in cataract surgery and experienced in premium intraocular lens (IOL) insertion, e.g. Multifocal IOL to see distance and near without glasses and Toric IOL to correct astigmatism to make you see better.

“Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face as a complication of this disease. All can cause vision loss.” Annual dilated eye exam is the key for early detection and effective treatment of diabetic eye diseases. AVEC Eye Center - Medical & Cosmetic is a major referral center for diabetic eye exams from the local primary care doctors.

Floaters in the eye can occur after age 50, which can be of different forms, e.g. circle, hair, dots etc. It is a normal physiology change of the eye. The material in front of the retina behind the lens called Vitreous, which can be liquefied, shrink and degenerated, therefore pulling away (dethatching) from retina and casting image and causing floaters. It is benign by itself. However, it may cause retinal detachment during its initial phase. Within 6 months of its onset, it increases the chance of retinal detachment by 10%. Therefore, it is very important to see an Ophthalmologist for a comprehensive dilated retinal exam as soon as possible. Retinal detachment can be repaired. However, timing is crucial for good vision results. AVEC Eye Center-Medical & Cosmetic is specialized in eye floater exam. We understand the urgency of the condition and offering same day walk in emergency exam. You may even call our emergency number to request an after hour emergency appointment if necessary.

Laser vision correction can successfully correct near sightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism to eliminate the dependency on glasses. A careful pre-Lasik examination and consultation is extremely important for a successful outcome. Dr. Chou has successfully performed over 25,000 case of Lasik surgery with less than 1% of complication rate, which is much lower than national average.

Eyes change with age, just like grey hair appears when you become older. Eyes will become harder to see or focus at about age 45, more need for glasses and light, and easier to get tired. Eye may get more dry or irritated. Glaucoma, cataract may develop after age 50. Floater (Vitreous Detachment) may develop after age 55. Macular degeneration may develop after age 60. They are all natural physiology changes. However, these aging changes can sometimes cause some non-reversible pathological changes and cause permanent vision loss. Therefore, it is very important to follow the guidelines of American Academy of Ophthalmology to have annual eye exams by an Ophthalmologist (MD, a medical doctor), not an Optometrist (OD, a glasses doctor). Also, exam your eyes as soon as something unusual happens.

Dr. Chou is a very experienced and caring ophthalmologist (MD, Ph.D), her exam is very thorough and she explains to her patients in the language they can understand. She has successfully detected diabetes, multiple sclerosis, lymphoma, carotid artery occlusion, heart valve malfunction, thyroid disease and save lives just by a routine eye exam. Also, prevention can successfully delay the aging eyes, e.g. good protective sun glasses, proper nutrition, and routine eye exams.

Aging skin and face starts at age 28: the growth cycle of eye lashes starts to shorten, wrinkles starts to form. Early prevention and prompt treatment is the key to look good at age 50 when everybody starts to exhibits the noticeable results of aging of their skin and face. Effective sun protection, antioxidant,collagen stimulating growth factor serum, DNA repair remedy, pigment removal medical cream, redness-removal medical cream for rosacea and acne, and lash stimulating Latisse will effectively reverse and slow down the aging. Procedures such as facial peel, microdermabrasion, radiofrequency, and laser can also rejuvenating the face by tightening the skin, stimulating collagen, and removing the wrinkles and pigments. Aging face is not just due to sagging skin. It is due to the aging structure change of the face: bony recession of the brow bone sags the brow and eye lids; bony recession decreases the cheek bone and allows skin hanging down lower; fat redistribution to make hollow tempo, hollow eyes, bags under eyes, pouching cheeks, thin lips, droopy mouth corners, and sagging jaw. We can fix it. If you start prevention and treatment early, you may never needs surgery or delay the surgery for years.

AVEC Eye Center-Medical & Cosmetic provides the whole spectrum of cosmetic prevention, maintenance, therapy and surgery. All the products sold in AVEC is medical grade for aesthetic physicians. These products are manufactured and sold by FDA approved US leading pharmaceutical companies. They have extensive research and clinical trials, and they are well tolerated and generating clinical results. High quality and effective skin products prevent aging and maintain your youth. Botox and differ types of filler injection can remove your wrinkle and sculpture and contour your face to make you look 10 to 15 years younger immediately without much pain and down time. Of course, when time comes when you need surgery, the previous injection only helps but not hurts. Blepharoplasty is our specialty to surgically lift your eye lids and remove the unwanted bags of your eyes.

AVEC has developed a proprietary therapy for lashes with Eye Lash Exfoliation to improve the general health and look of the lash, special eye lash shampoo for daily lash hygiene and nutrition, and Latisse to medically extend the eye lash growth cycle from normal 3 weeks to 12 weeks. Latisse can successfully double the length of eye lashes, increase the volume of eye lashes by 22% and improve the color of eye lashes by 18%, which is FDA tested and approved. Both the efficacy and side effect are well studied and tolerated. The over the counter products have absolutely no comparison to it. AVEC Eye Center-Medical & Cosmetic is an authorized medical facility to carry Latisse, we have favorable pricing, which is actually cheaper than the over the counter product.