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January is Glaucoma Awareness Month
Glaucoma has no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.
The good news is…glaucoma can be detected in its early stages through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. ECT encourages all people at higher risk of glaucoma…(African Americans age 40 or older…everyone age 60, especially Mexican Americans…and those with a family history) to get a dilated eye exam because early detection and timely treatment may save your sight.
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Happy New Year’s Eve – Remember These Champagne Safety Tips
New Year’s Eve Eye Safety Tips
New Year’s Eve is one of the worst times of the year for eye injuries. This fact is due to one tradition…the midnight champagne toast. Many people do not know how to correctly open a champagne bottle. When a bottle is opened improperly, the cork is expelled at a high velocity by the gas pressure in the bottle. A champagne cork can fly up to 50 miles per hour. If the cork accidentally strikes the eye, it can lead to serious injuries including internal hemorrhage, traumatic cataract, and torn or detached retinas. To avoid turning a happy celebration into a tragedy follow some very easy rules:
Chill your champagne! Warm champagne creates more pressure behind the cork.
Do not shake the bottle!
Use a towel when opening the bottle.
Point the bottle at a 45-degree angle away from yourself and from anyone else.
Following these few steps can help ensure a safe and happy holiday with no unexpected trips to the emergency room! From everyone at ECT we wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to serving your vision care needs in 2015!
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Quit Smoking…A GREAT New Year’s Resolution
Make a healthful resolution to be smoke free in the New Year by kicking the habit!
No butts about it; Smoking is harmful to almost every organ in your body, including your eyes.
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Diabetes and Long Term Eye Damage
High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to the retina, a critical part of the eye. This is known as diabetic retinopathy, and it can cause progressive, irreversible vision loss. It is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people between the ages of 20 and 74.
And get this…people with Diabetic-Retinopathy will increase 47% from 2010 to 2030? Our doctors advise patients with diabetes to take an active diligent role in preventing vision loss from diabetic eye disease problems with regular dilated eye exams and health lifestyle choices.
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November is National Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United States. If it’s not controlled, diabetes can cause blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other health problems.
Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:
Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes.
Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association estimates the total national cost of diagnosed diabetes in the United States is $245 billion.
Our doctors advise patients with diabetes to take an active diligent role in preventing vision loss from diabetic eye disease problems with regular dilated eye exams and health lifestyle choices.
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What is Blade-Free Cataract Surgery?
Blade-free cataract surgery is a HUGE step forward from traditional cataract surgery.
In traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a blade to manually make incisions in the eye. With blade-free laser cataract surgery, the surgeon creates a precise surgical plan with a sophisticated 3-D image of the eye. A bladeless, computer-controlled laser allows the surgeon to perform your surgery to exact individualized specifications, not attainable with past cataract surgery methods.
With laser cataract surgery, you can move forward with confidence knowing that you’ve chosen the most advanced technology available for this life-changing procedure, one that enables a customized cataract surgery experience.
Eye Center of Texas is proud to be one of the first practices in Texas to offer bladeless cataract surgery with the LenSx® laser. For more information about blade-free cataract surgery, please call us at 713-797-1010.
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Lost Cost LASIK – You Get What You Pay For!
I just spoke to a potential LASIK patient and he wanted to know why ECT’s LASIK price is more expensive than the LASIK center across the freeway from our Bellaire location. Here’s the low down on LASIK centers that advertise “LASIK starting at $499. per eye”.
Technology
Not all LASIK centers offer the latest LASIK technology: ECT only offers Custom Bladeless LASIK, the most advanced LASIK technology available today. It requires the use of a Wavefront Analyzer and a second laser to create a thin layer of corneal tissue. A cheaper LASIK center is more than likely to offer the older microtome technology. Another word for microtome is BLADE. Always ask if their LASIK price includes “Wavefront Custom Bladeless Technology”?
The Surgeon’s Qualifications
You get what you pay for, and what you want to pay for is a qualified LASIK surgeon with at least thousands of procedures under his LASIK belt. Surgeons with less experience and fewer qualifications are likely to command cheaper prices.
The Old Bait-and-Switch
You see or hear an advertisement: LASIK starting at $499/eye – but when you go in for your LASIK evaluation they tell you that you don’t qualify for the $499. because your Rx is too high or you have astigmatism (and most patients have astigmatism). Once they explain all their “add on fees”, you find out that their price is the same (or higher) than ECT’s.
While LASIK shopping, remember that LASIK is eye surgery. Great surgeons spend years perfecting the art and science of their craft, and will charge a price that reflects their expertise. Beware of cheap LASIK centers that advertise starting at $499/eye or even $999/eye.
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Can I go blind if I have LASIK…and does LASIK hurt?
Every day we have patients call to inquiry about LASIK eye surgery…and the number one question they ask: “how many people have gone blind due to LASIK”? According to the FDA there have been no reported cases of a patient going blind due to LASIK.
Second most asked question: Does LASIK hurt? No. Because anesthetic eyedrops are used during surgery, the procedure is not painful. Patients may feel a moderate amount of pressure around the eye during surgery as the instruments that hold the eyelid may cause minor discomfort. After surgery, some patients may experience tearing, irritation, and light sensitivity. These sensations are all temporary and will improve within the first day.
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Thank You Dr. Wade
I was afraid to have cataract surgery on my 2nd eye because my 1st eye was botched 11 years ago by another surgeon.
This is what I want to share: during cataract surgery on my 1st eye the surgeon ruptured my posterior capsule. I later learned he should of stopped and stabilized the tear – but he continued with the surgery. This mistake has resulted in a longstanding iritis (a serious condition that can lead to vision loss) and eye pressure problems. I had to have additional surgery and to this day I must apply a steroid drop 4 times a day.
I was afraid to have surgery on my 2nd eye, but because of Dr. Wade’s character and experience – he gave me the confidence to have cataract surgery on my right eye and the outcome was successful with no complications! I’m very grateful to Dr. Wade and his staff and I would highly recommend the Eye Center of Texas.
Thank you Dr. Wade….!
C. Trevino
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Traditional vs Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries in the United States,and 3 million Americans elect to have cataract surgery each year.If a cataract is not removed and the lens replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL),the cataract can actually cause blindness.
When it comes to cataract surgery, there are many choices. Several different IOLs are available, which perform various functions. There are also 2 different methods of cataract surgery…traditional cataract surgery and laser-assisted surgery (blade free).Both methods are effective and safe, but differ in technique.
Traditional Cataract Surgery
Traditional cataract surgery is safe and extremely effective. A surgeon makes a tiny incision in the side of the cornea to remove your clouded lens. Using a process called phacoemulsification, your surgeon will insert a small probe in your eye. The device releases ultrasound waves that break up the lens so it can be suctioned out.
Using the same small incision, your surgeon will then insert the IOL into your eye. The incision is so tiny that it usually does not even require sutures, and the eye tissue seals itself. This procedure is done on an outpatient basis, takes about 15-20 minutes, and has a very quick recovery time. Most patients are back to normal activities within a day or two.
Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (Blade Free)
This procedure provides the same outcome as traditional cataract surgery but uses a different method. It utilizes a femtosecond laser to break up cataracts. Your surgeon will use special software to create a surgical plan with a 3-D image of the eye. The plan includes the location, depth, and length of the cataract in all planes. Using the unique map of your eye and the settings created in the software, the femtosecond laser will actually create the incisions and assist in the cataract removal.
Light energy from the laser causes disruption of tissue borders with minimal damage to nearby tissue. The old lens is removed, and then, the new lens is inserted. Recovery time is very similar to traditional cataract and most patients are back to normal activities in a day or two.
Which method is best for you?
When having a cataract evaluation at ECT, your doctor will talk to your about your options. Both methods have proven success rates. Bottom line, if you have a cataract you should take steps to have it removed because if it’s not removed the cataract can cause blindness.
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Our Locations
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455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110, Webster, TX 77598- Medical Office:
- 281-332-1397
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22215 Cypresswood Dr., Suite 116
Cypress, TX 77433- Medical Office:
- 346-537-0088
- Medical Fax:
- 346-537-0187
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6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650, Bellaire, TX 77401- Medical Office:
- 713-797-1010
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Greenhouse Medical Plaza
2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084- Medical Office:
- 346-547-7070
- Medical Fax:
- 281-214-2971
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4415 Crenshaw Road, Pasadena, TX 77504- Medical Office:
- 281-977-8800
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15200 S.W. Freeway, Suite 130, Sugar Land, TX 77478- Medical Office:
- 281-277-1010
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100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118
Conroe, TX 77304- Medical Office:
- 936-647-1610
- Medical Fax:
- 936-647-1620
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