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What Is Astigmatism and Can LASIK Correct It?
Astigmatism is a common vision condition that occurs when the eye is not completely round. While the cause of astigmatism is unknown, there are several treatment options to help remedy astigmatism’s resulting blurred vision. Treatment options include, eyeglasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.
The first step in understanding astigmatism is knowing the different parts of the eye and how they function.
- Cornea: the clear front portion that covers the eye helps to refract (bend) light to focus on the retina
- Retina: the light-sensitive area in the back of the eye
- Eye Lens: the transparent structure that helps the cornea to refract light
When light enters the rounded cornea of the eye or the eye lens, the eye refracts (bends) the light causing clear vision. When the cornea or lens are not round, but shaped more like the back of a spoon or football, the light is refracted unevenly. When uneven refraction occurs, only part of an object can be focused on at one time causing vision to appear blurry.
Symptoms
This condition causes one’s vision to be blurred or distorted in varying degrees and at all distances. If the vision is not corrected, eye strain, fatigue, or headaches may occur.
Diagnosis
Sometimes this condition occurs with other vision problems such as nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). Your eye doctor can give you a diagnosis after a comprehensive eye exam.
Treatment
Practically every type and intensity of blurred vision can be corrected with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses.
If the thought of wearing glasses or contact lenses does not appeal to you, refractive surgery could be the best solution to remedy your vision. The best candidates for this procedure have healthy eyes and do not have diseases, scarring, or retinal problems.
Several different types of refractive surgery include:
- LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis): LASIK surgery corrects vision by reshaping corneal tissue so that it correctly focuses light into the eye and onto the retina. A flap made in the outer corneal layer allows access to the tissue underneath.
- PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): During this procedure, the eye surgeon reshapes the cornea using a laser on the outer surface of the cornea (unlike the LASIK procedure that accesses underlying tissue).
As with all surgical procedures, there are risks and complications associated with refractive surgery. A frequently reported complication is persistent dry eyes. To lower your risks, consult a LASIK surgeon who can advise you what procedure is best for you.
Benefits of Lasik Surgery
- Improved vision. Research reveals that approximately 95% of the people who chose this form of laser eye surgery now see with 20/40 (10%) or 20/20 (85%) acuity.
- Speedy results and recovery. Some patients experience clear vision immediately after the procedure. Others have clear sight within the day and can return to their normal schedule the day after the surgery.
- Lasting results. After about three months, the eyes have adjusted and the patient’s improved eyesight will be permanent. No follow-up is needed unless there are complications.
- No more contact lenses expenses. No more money and time spent on replacement lenses, cases and cleaning solutions. You pay for contact lenses for as long as you use them. You pay for your surgery only once.
- Goodbye, eyeglasses. Glasses tend to limit peripheral vision. Laser eye surgery improves your complete vision.
Houston Astigmatism Solutions
The Eye Center of Texas’ Dr. Wade and Dr. Mayo have performed over 60,000 successful LASIK procedures. If you are interested in learning more about how you can correct your astigmatism through LASIK surgery, fill out this form for a FREE LASIK consultation.
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What Does LASIK Surgery Do? Is it Right for You?
LASIK surgery is used to correct errors in the lens of the eye. It is a type of refractive eye surgery that remedies the way that light enters the eye which allows a person to focus on an object. People who benefit from this type of surgery include those who are nearsighted, farsighted and/or have astigmatism.
The LASIK Procedure
LASIK is a relatively quick procedure that usually takes place on an outpatient basis. It will usually only take about 15 minutes for both eyes and the results can typically can be noticed within 24 hours. Most patients report the surgery being pain free and when there is any discomfort, it is often simply dryness and minor burning sensations.
Before your surgery, you will meet with an eye doctor or coordinator to be acquainted with the procedure. The surgeon will also want to examine your eyes, check the thickness of your cornea, and corneal mapping as well as pupil dilation. To get ready for your surgery, your doctor will advise you to stop wearing rigid contact lenses for three weeks before being evaluated for surgery. Soft contacts can be worn longer but should be removed for three days prior to the surgery.
During the surgery the surgeon will use a laser to create a thin flap in the cornea. The access to the cornea allows the surgeon to reshape it so it can reflect light properly and the flap is put back to cover the lens. Numbing drops keep the eye from experiencing any pain, and the entire procedure is quick and efficient.
The Risks to LASIK
LASIK surgery is a common, 15 minute procedure with minimal to no pain. However, as with all surgeries there are some risks involved that all Lasik patients should be aware of.
Some of the possible risks to LASIK include:
- Halo glow around objects
- Night driving problems
- Eye dryness and itching
- Glare
- Vision fluctuations
Recovering from LASIK Surgery
One of the attractive things about LASIK surgery is that there are no bandages or stitches and recovery time is quick with minimal pain, allowing many patients to return to work the day after surgery. Numbing drops are used during the surgery and are given to the patient post-surgery to alleviate any minor irritation that might occur. 24 to 48 hours after surgery you will need a follow-up appointment to check on your progress. The best way for a quick recovery is to get plenty of rest following the procedure, take prescribed medications (eye drops) as directed.
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Thinking About LASIK – Ask Your Eye Doc
If you’re thinking about LASIK Vision Correction, you’re probably asking yourself, what LASIK surgeon should I go to? Answer: Your regular eye doctor.
Your regular eye doctor is most familiar with your eye conditions and vision history. While not all eye doctors will initiate a conversation about LASIK, don’t let this prevent you from asking him/her about it. Your eye doctor can recommend a trusted eye surgeon to perform the LASIK eye surgery. You may feel more comfortable with your eye doctor’s referral than with a LASIK eye surgeon you heard about on the radio or saw on the internet.
Eye Center of Texas works with 275+ Houston area optometrist. These eye doctors are excellent doctors and can co-manage your case (meaning…your eye doctor won’t perform the surgery but can determine whether or not LASIK is right for you and can see your for your pre and post operative eye care visits).
If your eye doctor finds that you’re a good candidate for LASIK (or PRK/Visian ICL) they can help schedule your LASIK surgery time and date. The day after your surgery, you will return to your regular eye doctor for your post operative care.
So if you’r thinking about LASIK surgery, don’t trust a radio advertisement, call your eye doctor…and there’s a very good chance they will recommend Dr. Mayo or Dr. Wade at Eye Center of Texas.
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ALL TREAT – NO TRICK
Think how much easier and more fun it would be to do whatever you love to do without the hassles of glasses and contacts. Whether you have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, there’s a good chance you’re a candidate for LASIK. Call us today 713-797-1010
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Flex Account – Loose It Or Lose It!
It’s that time of year again! Time to Flex your way to savings.
A Flexible Spending Account (often called an FSA, flex plan, flex account, flexible spending arrangement, or cafeteria plan) is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows participants to pay for qualified medical or health care-related expenses on a pre-tax basis.
Benefits of a flexible spending account include reduced income taxes and the opportunity to use the benefits to save hundreds or thousand of dollars a year on approved expenses.
We know that the specifics of using your FSA account can get confusing. Give us a shout and we will gladly show you how to use your account for LASIK.
Schedule your free LASIK evaluation today, 713-395-1515
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cataracts
Many people believe cataracts have to be “ripe” before they can be removed. This is simply not true. Cataract surgery is a routine procedure that can be performed as soon as your vision problems begin to interfere with your life.
What happens if cataracts go untreated?
Over time, the clouded areas of your lens can become larger and denser, causing your sight to become worse. This can take anywhere from a few months to many years. Eventually, though, your entire lens can cloud over and cause blindness.
Which lens will work best for me?
No single lens is right for everyone and only your doctor can determine the most appropriate option for you.
Do all lenses let you see at different distances?
No, only lenses with multiple focal points are designed to give you full range of clear vision. For instance, the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR IOL is designed to perform near, far and everything in between, so you can experience crisp vision for the most important things in your life, like reading, driving and outdoor activities.
Will they treat both eyes at the same time?
No, your surgeon will only treat one eye per procedure, allowing your eye adequate time to recover and stabilize before treating the other.
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Cataract Surgery Can Be Life Changing
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens, the part of the eye responsible for focusing light on the retina and producing clear, sharp images. Old cells in the lens die and become trapped in the sealed lens capsule, accumulating until light passing through the lens scatters, resulting in a blurry or fuzzy image. Contrast sensitivity is reduced, as if you were always trying to see in dim light.
In the past people waited until their cataract was fully “ripe” and nearly blinding before having it removed, the current recommendation is to have the surgery as soon as a cataract interferes with normal activities, including driving, watching television, climbing stairs, playing tennis, cooking and reading. In fact, the more advanced a cataract becomes, the more difficult the surgery.
The surgery to remove the cataract involves a very small self-healing incision in the cornea — less than one- eighth of an inch, or 3 millimeters, and no stitches needed — through which a tiny probe is inserted that transmits ultrasound waves to break up the cataract. The emulsified lens is then suctioned out through the probe.
The clouded lens that is removed is replaced with an individually fitted artificial lens that can result in near-perfect visual acuity — the ability to see distance. Or for those who prefer a correction of near vision for reading, an artificial lens can do that instead. For some people, even a multifocal lens can now be fitted, to improve both near and far vision.
If you or someone you know has a cataract or is need of cataract surgery and lens implants please feel free schedule a cataract evaluation at Eye Center of Texas by calling 713-797-1010.
Cataract surgery…is nothing short of amazing.
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Blade-free LASIK Surgery Houston
Blade-free LASIK Surgery Houston
Better visions can be a critical factor for doing work tasks, driving, engaging in hobbies and simple enjoyment of everyday life. LASIK is an eye surgery procedure that has allowed millions of people to achieve better vision without glasses or contact lenses to accomplish these goals.
The new technique known as “blade-free” LASIK surgery uses a high-energy laser to make the incision on the eye to allow the correction process. This type of surgery offers a number of benefits for patients.
The LASIK Procedure
LASIK vision correction is done in two steps. First, a flap is created on the cornea of the eye. This is generally a painless procedure that only takes a short time. Second, the cornea is shaped to provide better vision for the patient. The procedure is generally easy and painless, with few complications.
The Improved “Bladeless” Technique
New technology now allows surgeons to use high-energy lasers to make the initial flap incision that allows vision correction of the eye. Previously, eye surgeons used a small blade called a “microkeratome” to create the flap on the eye. A blade-free laser technique was approved in 2007 to produce the same result with improved results.
Although the blade technique is still used for certain patients, physicians find that blade-free laser surgery offers superior results with greater comfort for the patient. For blade-free LASIK surgery, Houston residents can rely on the experienced physicians and skilled staff at the Eye Center of Texas for accurate and easy vision correction.
Benefits of Blade-Free LASIK Surgery
Blade-free LASIK surgery is preferred by many surgeons because of the additional benefits to patients:
- A more uniform thickness of the flap that is created, leading to fewer complications
- Faster recovery times
- Better vision acuity
Recovering From Bladeless LASIK Surgery
Most patients find that they are able to see normally after 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Before that time, you will be asked to use eye drops to prevent infection and to keep your eyes moist. The drops may cause a slight burning in the eye, and your vision may blur slightly after using them.
After the initial recovery period, your eyes may be sensitive to light for a few days after the surgery. Use sunglasses to help alleviate this problem. Within a few days, patients generally see an improvement in vision and can resume their normal activities.
Experienced Surgeons For Superior Results
The physicians at Eye Center of Texas have performed thousands of blade-free LASIK procedures that have resulted in improved vision, eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. The skilled and knowledgeable staff at the center will ensure that you are comfortable throughout the procedure and will provide full instructions for aftercare.
For more information on blade-free LASIK surgery, Houston patients can contact the Eye Center of Texas for further information on this procedure.
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How Much Should You Pay for LASIK?
The cost of LASIK vision correction varies among practices, based on the surgeon’s experience and what the center includes in the fee. You may hear radio ads that claim “LASIK starting as low as $499 an eye”, but in most cases this is a bait and switch center and be aware that you will probably pay a lot more than the advertised $499. and often the total cost of the procedure will be similar to costs for quality surgeons who don’t advertise too-good-to-be-true fees.
We are not the least expensive LASIK practice in Houston because we never sacrifice safety to save you money and our price includes a “limited lifetime warranty” (at no additional cost). We have invested heavily in advanced laser technology and our diagnostic technology is second to none. This investment is extremely important to our patient’s results. Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Dr. Edward C. Wade excellent LASIK surgeons and combined have performed over 60,000 successful LASIK procedures. If you’re thinking about LASIK…give us a call. 713-797-1010
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Happy JulEYE – Dry Eye Awareness Month
Dry Eye signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include:
- A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Increased eye irritation from smoke or wind
- Eye fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye redness
- A sensation of having something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Periods of excessive tearing
- Blurred vision, often worsening at the end of the day or after focusing for a prolonged period.
- Poor tear quality
- Decreased tear production
- Older than 50
- Postmenopausal women
- Eyelid problems (Blinking spreads a continuous thin film of tears across the surface of your eyes. If you have an eyelid problem that makes it difficult to blink, tears may not be spread across your eye adequately or your tears may evaporate too quickly, causing dry eyes).
- Medications
- Medical Conditions (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and thyroid disorders).
- LASIK surgery
- Wind
- Dry air
- Tasks that require enough concentration that you blink less often, such as working at a computer, driving or reading.
Tests used to determine the cause of your dry eyes may include:
- A comprehensive eye exam. An eye exam that includes a complete history of your overall health and your eye health can help your doctor diagnose the cause of your dry eyes.
- Measuring the volume of your tears. Your doctor may measure your tear production. In this test, blotting strips of paper are placed under your lower eyelids. After five minutes your doctor measures the amount of strip soaked by your tears.
- Determining the quality of your tears. Other tests use special dyes in eye drops to determine the surface condition of your eyes. Your doctor looks for staining patterns on the corneas and measures how long it takes before your tears evaporate.
Because doctor appointments can be brief, and because there’s often a lot of ground to cover, it’s a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment.
- Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you’re taking.
What you can do in the meantime:
*To relieve your signs and symptoms while you wait for your appointment, try over-the-counter eye drops. Look for lubricating eye drops and avoid those that reduce redness in the eyes. Eye drops that reduce eye redness can cause additional eye irritation.
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
Pasadena
4415 Crenshaw RoadPasadena, TX 77504
Medical Office:
281-977-8800
Medical Fax:
281-977-8877
Sugar Land
15200 S.W. Freeway, Suite 130Sugar Land, TX 77478
Medical Office:
281-277-1010
Medical Fax:
281-277-4504
Clear Lake
455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
Medical Fax:
281-282-9152
Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
Medical Office:
346-547-7070
Medical Fax:
281-214-2971
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
936-647-1610
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620