Medically Reviewed by: Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S.

The Most Common Vision Problems in Houston

November 18, 2018 . 6 min read

It’s true … the most common vision problems in Houston are also common vision problems throughout the rest of the world. But as fellow Houstonians, Drs. Wade, Mayo, and the staff at Eye Center of Texas know exactly what you’re missing out on when the health of your eyes is jeopardized, including but not limited to:

The particulars of an Astros game
The ability to navigate Houston’s 10-lane highways comfortably
The detailed art at the MFAH and The Menil
And of course, your beloved family and friends

At Eye Center of Texas, it’s our goal to turn the most common vision problems in Houston into the most successfully treated vision problems in Houston.
If you’re ready to see clearly again, visit one of our recommended ophthalmologists for your eye exam, then set up an appointment at Eye Center of Texas. Before you do that, go ahead and check out the below for preliminary information regarding your treatment options.

Cataracts

The condition: A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. They are normally the byproduct of age and typically occur in patients over the age of 50. However, exposure to UV light, some facial lotions and products, smoking, diabetes, and eye injuries all increase the likelihood of developing cataracts.

Treatment options: With modern technology, cataracts have become very treatable. If your cataract is hindering your daily life, cataract surgery might be a good option for you. During cataract surgery, your eye doctor in Houston will remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). Laser eye surgery for cataracts is also a very successful procedural option, and it just so happens to be Dr. Mark Mayo’s preferred method of cataract treatment.

Additional cataract resources:

Presbyopia

The condition: Also known as “near vision,” presbyopia is another common vision problem in Houston that’s caused primarily by the natural aging of the eye. When the lens of the eye ages, it becomes less flexible. This lack of flexibility makes it difficult to focus on objects that are nearby. Presbyopia is different from hyperopia (farsightedness) since hyperopia is caused by a refractive error (which we will discuss more in-depth momentarily).

Treatment options: The most common presbyopia treatment is called refractive lens exchange (or clear lens exchange). The procedure is very similar to that of cataract surgery, except instead of replacing a cloudy lens, your doctor replaces the less flexible lens.

Additional presbyopia resources:

Keratoconus

The condition: Keratoconus occurs when your cornea becomes weakened and loses its structural integrity. A cornea with keratoconus will begin to “bulge” out in a cone-like shape. Symptoms include light sensitivity, blurry vision, and myopia.

Treatment options: An increasingly popular treatment for keratoconus is the minimally invasive, in-office procedure known as corneal cross-linking (CXL). Using the B2 vitamin riboflavin, this procedure works to strengthen the natural collagen fibers that maintain the cornea’s natural shape.

Additional keratoconus resources:

Refractive Errors

The condition(s): Refractive errors occur when the shape of your eye causes the light entering to bend incorrectly. The most common refractive errors are hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism.

Treatment options: The most popular treatment for refractive errors is LASIK, a procedure which uses a laser to reshape the eye. During LASIK, your doctor will create a flap in the outermost layer of your cornea (the epithelium). Because of this, patients with thin corneas may not be ideal candidates for LASIK. Luckily, there are successful alternatives to LASIK, including the PRK procedure.

Additional resources for refractive errors:

Treating other common vision problems in Houston

Other common vision problems in Houston include:

Eye Center of Texas has experience treating all of these common vision problems in Houston. For more information on treatment options, check out their corresponding pages on our website and/or give us a call at 713-797-1010.

Eye Center of Texas: Your resource for common vision problems in Houston

The professionals at Eye Center of Texas are striving to reduce the number of individuals struggling with common vision problems in Houston. We are here to answer any of your questions, such as “What common vision problems can be corrected using laser eye surgery?” “Can LASIK restore 20/20 vision?” and “Who should not have laser eye surgery.”

With Eye Center of Texas here to help you out, there’s no reason for you to suffer through compromised vision. Give us a call at 713-797-1010 or request your appointment online today.