Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Eye Institute Patient Services

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

The physicians, optometrists and staff of the Eye Institute provide the most comprehensive eye care in southeastern Wisconsin, from routine checkups to emergency care, from simple cataract surgeries to the most advanced eye surgery, and from proven rehabilitation techniques to novel therapies.

Cornea Disorders

The Eye Institute offers clinical expertise in the diagnosis and management of disorders affecting the cornea. We provide patients with a variety of surgical and medical options for treating pediatric and adult cataracts and corneal disorders, including Fuchs’ dystrophy, corneal edema and corneal scarring. The Eye Institute also provides corneal cross-linking, a recently FDA-approved treatment for keratoconus.

Eye and Orbital Cancer

Cancers of the eye or eye socket threaten not only a person’s vision, but his or her life as well. The specialist physicians in the Eye/Orbital Cancer Program at the Eye Institute provide comprehensive care for patients with these diseases. Learn more at froedtert.com.

Glaucoma

The Eye Institute provides comprehensive evaluation and management of glaucoma, a group of diseases in which too high pressure inside the eyeball can gradually damage the nerve that connects the eye to the brain leading to blindness.

Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD)

The Froedtert and MCW Eye Institute Inherited Retinal Disease (IRD) Clinic was established to offer expanded services such as specialized examinations and testing, physician consultation, genetic counseling, advanced eye imaging, and information about ongoing clinical trials, advanced treatment strategies, and current research about inherited eye diseases. Inherited retinal diseases (also called inherited retinal dystrophies or degenerations, or IRDs) are a group of rare eye disorders caused by an inherited gene mutation and can result in vision loss or blindness. Some people with IRDs may experience gradual increasing difficulties with central or reading vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or surgery. Other people with IRDs experience a gradual loss of vision, eventually leading to complete blindness. Others may be born with or experience vision loss in infancy or early childhood.

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Good vision is not just the result of healthy eyes; it also depends on an healthy link between the eyes and the vision centers of the brain. The Eye Institute provides services for diagnosing and treating diseases that affect anatomical structures behind the eyes, which can cause symptoms such as blurred vision, double vision, asymmetrical pupils, eyelid or facial contractures, eye or head pain and unexplained vision loss. Learn more at froedtert.com.

Optometry

Orbital and Oculoplastic Surgery

The structures that support and protect the eye — the eyelids, the eye socket, the muscles that move the eyes, the soft tissues that surround the eyes and the tear system that helps keep the eyes moist — all can be affected by injuries, infections, inflammations, tumors, congenital anomalies and problems related to aging. The oculoplastic surgeons at the Eye Institute combine in-depth knowledge of the eye with expertise in reconstructive surgery to treat a broad range of conditions: eyelid abnormalities, eye socket injuries, tear system disorders and facial muscle issues. Learn more at froedtert.com.

Pediatric Vision Care and Adult Strabismus

Pediatric ophthalmology services for eye problems in infants and children such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal disease and oculoplastic conditions (droopy eyelid, orbital problems) are provided by collaboration between our pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists, who see patients through Children’s Wisconsin, and specialists at the Eye Institute. Learn more at childrenswi.org. Some of these ophthalmologists also treat adult strabismus, which is defined as misalignment of the eyes. It is commonly termed wandering eye, crossed eye or lazy eye.

Retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma is a tumor from the retina that usually affects children less than five years of age. This rare condition affects approximately 300 children per year in the United States. Early detection and treatment can help prevent the cancer from spreading. With treatment, survival rates are more than 95 percent.

Retina and Vitreous

The retina is the inner posterior lining of the eye that contains the photoreceptor nerve cells that give us vision. The vitreous is a jelly-like substance that fills the middle eye. When a person is experiencing retina or vitreous problems, they may notice floaters and flashes, decreased vision, blurred or distorted vision or they may have no symptoms at all. The retina faculty physicians and staff at the Eye Institute are committed to providing innovative, specialized diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders affecting the retina, vitreous and macula. Learn more about our Retina Service at froedtert.com.

Uveitis

Uveitis generally describes a group of inflammatory diseases that produces swelling and destroys eye tissues. Although often affecting a part of the eye called the uvea (hence the term “uveitis”), uveitis can also affect the lens, retina, optic nerve and vitreous. Symptoms of uveitis include pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, floaters and redness of the eye. Uveitis can affect people of all ages and affect one or both eyes. Causes include trauma, autoimmune diseases, by other diseases affecting the body or infections from viruses, fungus or parasites.