Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes and are concerned about diabetic retinopathy often ask the ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas about the best foods for eye health. Often, the foods that are good for your eyes are good for the rest of your body as well, but there are some foods that may be especially good for the health of your eyes. Learn which foods you should put on your next grocery list if you want to “eat for your eyes.”

Foods good for your eyes, brain, and body 

What can you eat to improve your eyesight? Which fruit is good for eyes? Are nuts good for your eyes? What is the best vitamin for eyes? And minerals — which minerals are good for eyes? 

If you’ve started looking into the best foods for eye health, these are the types of questions you’re likely asking. We’ve compiled a list of whole foods, vitamins, and minerals that have been found to promote healthier eyesight. 

Vitamins and minerals: The following vitamins and minerals have high concentrations of antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are believed to help absorb blue light — the type of sunlight that causes damage to your retina. Next to each of these is a list of common fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes high in that particular vitamin/mineral (For a brush-up on the types of vitamins and what they do, we recommend Harvard’s list of vitamins). 

Vitamin A 

Vegetables: Sweet potato, collard greens, turnip greens, kale, Swiss chard, spinach, romaine,  squash, carrot, red pepper, and salmon

Fruit: Mango, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, and papaya

Vitamin C

Vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, kale, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, winter squash 

Fruit: Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, chili peppers, yellow pepper, and guava

Vitamin E

Vegetables: Butternut squash, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnip greens

Fruit: Avocado, sweet red pepper, mango, and kiwi

Nuts & seeds: Hazelnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, almonds, brazil nuts, and sunflower seeds

Zinc

Vegetables: Peas, spinach, broccoli, okra, asparagus, shiitake mushrooms

Fruit: Cantaloupe, avocado, apricot. guava, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and kiwi 

Nuts, seeds, legumes: Cashews, pecans, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, brazil nuts, almonds, lima beans, and chickpeas

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, sardines, walnuts, soybeans, yogurt, and flaxseed have also been shown to help maintain healthy eyesight. 

If I have diabetic retinopathy, how can I improve my vision naturally? 

A few of the top eye health tips we can give you have nothing to do with the best foods for eye health. If you haven’t already, start exploring questions like, “What are the four stages of diabetic retinopathy?” and identify the steps you can take toward preventative eye-care, such as learning how to protect your eyes in summer.

Our second (and arguably more important) tip is to know when to seek out natural remedies vs. when to see an eye doctor. If you have diabetes and have not started searching for a “diabetic retinopathy eye doctor near me,” we recommend doing so as soon as possible.  

Keep your eyes healthy at Eye Center of Texas

Eating foods that are good for your eyes is a great step toward achieving better eye health. But for those with diabetes, eating good food, even if it’s only the best foods for eye health, is only part of a comprehensive plan for taking care of your eyes. 

The trained ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas can help spot and treat eye issues, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetes-related fast-growing cataracts, macular degeneration, cataracts, and more. Over 275 doctors in Houston refer their patients to Eye Center of Texas, home to some of the best LASIK and cataract surgeons in the country. 

To request an appointment with one of our esteemed doctors, call 713-797-1010 or contact us online today. 

Other Helpful Blogs from Eye Center of Texas:

• Difference Between Optometrist and Ophthalmologist 
• Student Chronicles LASIK Experience 
• Can Cataract Surgery Be Done on Both Eyes at Once? 
• How Many Times Can You Have LASIK? 
• How to Take Care of Someone After LASIK

What are the signs of pink eye? Can these signs be similar to other signs of eye issues? Exactly how long does it take for pink eye to show up so that you can be sure of what you’re dealing with? 

If your child has recently come home from school complaining that their eye is bothering them, chances are that you may be Googling questions like these at a frantic pace. 

Find the answers to questions like “What are the signs of pink eye?” and more, in Eye Center of Texas’s overview of all things pink eye. 

What is pink eye? 

Pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the clear tissue that covers the white part of your eye (aka the conjunctiva). Inflammation may be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, allergies, irritants, your eyes’ negative reaction to eye drops, or even prolonged contact wear. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause rare and dangerous versions of conjunctivitis. 

Note: when most patients and doctors refer to pink eye, they’re likely talking about viral pink eye, which is by far the most common type of pink eye. 

OK, what are the signs of pink eye? 

Your pink eye symptoms will vary according to the cause behind the inflammation. However, we can create a general list of pink eye symptoms to answer the question, “What are the signs of pink eye?”

Typical pink eye symptoms include:

• Swollen, irritated conjunctiva
• Itchy, burning eyes 
• Blurred vision and sensitivity to light 
• Green, yellow, or white discharge (removable with a warm washcloth). 
• Frequent tears 

If you or your child has a viral pink eye infection, they might also experience swollen lymph nodes. (This is true particularly for the nodes found beneath your jaw or near the front of your ear). 

How do you know if you have pink eye or “just allergies?”

Technically, if the conjunctiva of your eye is inflamed because of allergies, that is still considered pink eye. 

That said, it can be difficult to tell the difference between pink eye caused by allergies vs. pink eye caused by a virus. For that reason, if you want to know whether your pink eye is caused by allergies, a viral/bacterial infection, or other irritants, it’s best to visit your optometrist. 

If your doctor tells you that your child’s or your conjunctivitis is caused by irritants, you may find the following resources to be helpful: 

• Most Common Vision Problems 
• Itchy, Dry Eyes in Winter
• Does Looking At Your Phone Hurt Your Eyes? 
• How to Protect Your Eyes in Summer?  
• Are Computer Glasses Helpful?

Is pink eye contagious? How do you treat pink eye? 

Once people have the answer to the question, “What are the signs of pink eye?” their follow-up questions tend to be something along the lines of, “How long is pink eye contagious?” or “Can you go to school with pink eye?”

The answers to these questions depend on what kind of pink eye you have.

Bacterial conjunctivitis: Bacterial conjunctivitis, the type of conjunctivitis that is typically brought on by the same bacteria that causes strep throat, is contagious once symptoms appear. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treatable with antibiotics. After the first 24 hours of antibiotics, bacterial conjunctivitis ceases to be contagious, and patients may return to normal activities. 

Viral conjunctivitis: Unfortunately, the most common type of pink eye is also highly contagious It cannot be treated by antibiotics and must wait for it to run its course before you are no longer contagious. Viral pink eye is also often accompanied by a cold or other sinus issues. 

Conjunctivitis caused by allergies/other irritants: These types of pink eye are not contagious and can be treated using allergy medication and limiting your exposure to the offending irritants. 

How long does pink eye last? If possible, how do you get rid of pink eye overnight?

Again, your pink eye’s incubation time will depend on the type of conjunctivitis you have. 

It is not possible to get rid of pink eye caused by a virus or bacteria overnight. With the help of antibiotics, patients will likely experience relief from pink eye caused by bacteria in a few days. Pink eye caused by a virus must run its course — typically 10–14 days — before symptoms clear.

Patients with allergic conjunctivitis can experience relief from symptoms within 24 hours by avoiding allergens and irritants and/or using doctor-prescribed medication. 

What kind of eye doctor should I see for pink eye?

If you or your child has pink eye, it’s best to visit an optometrist as soon as possible. Doing so means you will get an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing your conjunctivitis. Please visit our optometrist webpage to find a suitable optometrist near you (and check out our page on the difference between optometrists and ophthalmologists if you need clarification). 

If you’ve been told your vision problems are not due to pink eye, but another eye disease, Eye Center of Texas is here to help.  Request an appointment online or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.

Other Helpful Articles by Eye Center of Texas: 

• One Student’s Account of LASIK
• Cataract Surgery in Both Eyes at Once? 
• How Many Times Can You Have LASIK? 
• Caring for Someone Who Has Had LASIK
• Why Use Preservative-Free Eye Drops After LASIK

If you aren’t a doctor who specializes in the treatment of eyes, it’s only natural that you might not understand what’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. 

But if you suddenly find yourself in need of an eye doctor, you need to learn about the differences between these two types of eye specialists. 

When should you see an ophthalmologist vs. an optometrist? What can an optometrist detect that an ophthalmologist cannot and vice versa? Read on to learn the answers to these questions and more.

Understanding what’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist (and an optician)

Ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians… try saying that five times fast! All three of these titles are used by eye care professionals and the difference between their areas of expertise isn’t always obvious to the average person. Let’s break it down.

Ophthalmologist 

• Education: Undergraduate degree, four years of medical school, 3-8 years of residency, with an additional possible 1-year internship
• Title: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
• Are licensed to: Perform eye exams and vision tests; diagnose and treat eye conditions; prescribe medications and corrective lenses; perform eye surgery; provide post-operative care
• Other: Subspecialties in the study of specific eye diseases and surgical techniques, may also conduct and contribute to research regularly 

Optometrists

• Education: Undergraduate degree, four years of optometry school
• Title: Doctor of Optometry (OD)
• Are licensed to: Perform eye exams and vision tests; prescribe corrective lenses and contacts; prescribe some medications (an optometrist’s scope of practice is dependent upon each state’s board of optometry)

Opticians 

• Education: Opticianry training (Only in some states — including Texas)
• Title: Opticians are not doctors and thus do not have a medical title
• Are licensed to: In Texas, opticians are licensed to take a prescription (written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist) and create glasses that match your specifications 

Do I need to see an optometrist or an ophthalmologist? 

If you have no medical history of eye and vision problems and/or simply want a routine eye exam, you will likely have all your needs met by visiting an optometrist.

However, if you do have a history of eye and vision problems and are experiencing additional symptoms, it may be in your best interest to visit an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists often provide a wider range of treatment options, including surgical solutions. For example, here are some of the procedures performed by the ophthalmologists at Eye Center in Texas: 

• PRK surgery in Houston 
• LASIK eye surgery in Houston
• Cataract surgery in Houston 
• Eyelid surgery in Houston 
• Laser eye surgery for glaucoma 

Very often, you will come across clinics where optometrists and ophthalmologists work together as a team.

Please note that the ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas do not perform routine eye examinations. We encourage our patients to visit our partner Optometrists, available on our recommended optometrists page.

Visit the Ophthalmologists at Eye Center of Texas

At Eye Center of Texas, we understand that a visit to any doctor — be it an ophthalmologist, optometrist, dentist, or even your GP — can be stressful. That’s why our doctors always take their time with patients and prioritize their comfort and care.

If you have a pre-existing eye condition or are on the lookout for top eye surgeons in your area, request an appointment online or call Eye Center of Texas today at 713-797-1010.

Related Resources:
Cataract Surgery for Both Eyes at Once: Is it Safe?
How Many Times Can You Have LASIK?
How to Care for Someone After LASIK
Why Use Preservative Free Eyedrops After LASIK?
After LASIK, Does the Flap Heal?

May 2019 was a busy month for Curtiss Chapman. In the span of 31 days, he received LASIK from Eye Center of Texas, graduated with a doctorate in Cognitive Neuroscience from Rice University, got married, moved to Germany, and started a new job — all in that order.  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Curtiss’s friends and family questioned his decision to receive eye surgery before so many major life changes. But he and his wife had already decided to move ahead: The benefits of the procedure far outweighed the risk. 

“My wife and I, we had a lot going on,” says Curtiss, “but in the end, that wound up being another reason to get LASIK. We figured, LASIK is incredibly safe whether we’re busy or not, so why not go for it? Why not go through all these important events and start this new phase of my life without glasses?”

The couple had another reason to go ahead with the procedure: “We’d done our research, and we knew that the doctors at Eye Center of Texas are some of best LASIK doctors in Houston and the country. Waiting meant going elsewhere. It meant worrying more.”

Happily, Curtiss agreed to document and share his LASIK experience, both pre and post-surgery. Curious about what preparing for and living a glasses-less life entails? Follow Curtiss on his exciting journey to new eyesight and new beginnings!

Meet Curtiss!

Hello! Curtiss here, writing to you sans glasses on my face… meaning yes, my LASIK procedure went well. Better than ‘just’ well: I now have 20/20 vision in both eyes! I’m hoping that these videos/this post will help encourage individuals interest in LASIK to go ahead and take the plunge if they can. So much can change in just 10 minutes on the operating table.

Before the procedure 

Before you can get LASIK, you have to verify whether you’re a good candidate for the surgery or not. I went in for a consultation and the doctor patiently and candidly answered all my questions (I ask a lot of them, so… that’s no small feat). 

I was given the green light. The next day I called to arrange the date of my surgery as well as the acquisition of the medicated eye drops that I would need to use to help prepare my eyes for the surgery.

That was the easy part. The hard part was talking to everyone about the surgery. People meant well, but it felt like everyone had heard that their cousin’s best friend’s dad’s sister had something “go wrong.” What that something was they could never say… but considering less than 1% of LASIK patients have complications, and the vast majority of those are treatable, I took these stories with a grain of salt.

… until a couldn’t anymore, and then I called Eye Center of Texas in a bit of a panic. They were able to shine light on many of these stories and, essentially, talk me down, and get me back on track to looking forward to life after LASIK. Including… 

During the procedure

The day of my procedure, I met with Dr. Roach for a consultation before and after the surgery. Dr. Mayo performed the actual LASIK procedure. This video should give you an idea of how the day went.

Here are some additional takeaways from the morning of the procedure:

• You put your nametag on upside down because that’s the direction the surgeon sees it from. 
• Before the procedure, you will be given I was given the prescription for the eye drops you’ll need for after the surgery (and a very handy schedule for when to take them), an eye shield, and sunglasses.
• You need someone to go with you to your surgery so that you can get a ride home.
• I was very calm during the procedure because I was given a Valium. The valium also helped me sleep later when I got home (I don’t nap often, so that was a relief).
• I didn’t feel any pain during the procedure, but I did feel a kind of “pressure.” The sensation isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but it’s normal (and really not that bad).
• The doctor warned me that my vision may go black at some point during the procedure. This doesn’t happen to everyone – it didn’t happen to me – but I was still glad that I knew about it.
• If you are offered a stuffed animal, take it. I didn’t, and I regretted not having something to hold… not because I needed to be comforted, but because it gives you something to do with your arms.
• Eye Center of Texas will help you donate the glasses you don’t need anymore to someone who can use them.

After the procedure

I was told that patients are to avoid opening their eyes as much as possible on the day of a LASIK procedure. Dr. Mayo and Dr. Roach also told me that the best thing to do would be to sleep (wearing the eye shield). 

As I said, thanks to Valium, I was actually able to sleep. The rest of the day I listened to podcasts, put in my eye drops, and used Tylenol PM to make sure I slept at night. 

All said, the day went really well because my wife and I had done a little bit of planning. If you’re about to get LASIK, Eye Center of Texas has a pretty comprehensive list of good things that you (or your spouse/friend/parent) can do to help you through your first day post-LASIK. 

A day after the surgery, I could see clearly again. Isn’t that crazy?

I did have dry eyes, but the eye drops helped with that, and dry eyes post-LASIK are pretty par for the course. Writing to you from around a month out, I can tell you that my dry eyes have gotten (and are continuing to get) a lot better, although I do occasionally need eye drops throughout the day.

Graduation

A few days after the surgery, a good number of my immediate family came into town for my graduation — 16 total, if you include the kids. That was the first time that any of them saw me without my glasses, including my nephews, who were quick to tell me, “you look different, Uncle Curtie!”

I was able to walk the stage without wearing the glasses that had seen me through 6 years of study — not something I ever imagined would happen. But the fact that I no longer needed glasses didn’t really hit home until I saw several of my colleagues get their glasses knocked off of their face as they were being hooded.

The move pt. 1

My wife and I moved in stages: first, from Houston to San Antonio, where we would stay a few weeks until we got married there, then we went on our honeymoon, and then we moved to Germany.

As we packed up our belongings for the first stage of the move (Houston to San Antonio) Houston, ever the cooperative city, decided to rain. The rain was not ideal, but it was a lot less frustrating than it normally would be because I was no longer wearing glasses. Where before I would have been either staring through raindrops or constantly taking my glasses off to wipe them, I could now simply focus on not dropping the sofa.

The wedding

I didn’t take a video of me not wearing glasses on my wedding day proper, but when the pictures get developed, I won’t be wearing glasses in any of them.

I wasn’t wearing glasses when I looked out on the crowd of our friends and family who gathered to celebrate my wife and me, I wasn’t wearing glasses when I saw my beautiful wife walking down the aisle, and I wasn’t wearing glasses when I danced like crazy during the reception.

In fact, I didn’t even think about my glasses at all on my wedding day, and that was awesome. 

But, for your viewing pleasure, here’s a video of me and my wife the day AFTER our wedding, right before we hung out at the lazy river (in sunglasses but not glasses… because UV rays and cataracts are definitely a thing).

The move pt. 2

My wife and I just finished our honeymoon, and while I’ve grown accustomed to living without glasses, I still occasionally forget that I no longer need them. 

I have now reached for phantom glasses in the following cities (so far): Houston, San Antonio, Denver, New York, London, Vienna, Salzburg, and our new hometown in Germany. I have pushed phantom glasses up my nose on planes, in the mountains, and while drinking delicious German beer.

It’s strange to think that my colleagues here will never see me wearing glasses. Strange, but good.

My wife has also gotten used to seeing me without glasses. And with everything that has happened between my LASIK surgery and now, this huge change to my everyday life does sometimes seem like it happened a long time ago, in a different life.

But every once in a while my wife will look at me, smile, and say, “no glasses!” and both my joy at living without glasses and my gratitude for Dr. Mayo and the staff at Eye Center of Texas comes rushing back, all over again.    

Life after LASIK at Eye Center of Texas

Patients like Curtiss (aka Dr. Chapman) are one of the main reasons the team at Eye Center of Texas loves coming to work every day. Even with 75,000 successful LASIK surgeries under our belts, we never get tired of hearing how LASIK has changed the daily lives of our patients.  

Curious about what it’s like to work with some of the best LASIK eye surgeons in Houston? Wondering, “Am I a good candidate for LASIK?” or what the average LASIK recovery timeline looks like? Request your LASIK appointment online or call us today at 713-395-1515 for more information.

For patients who need cataract surgery done in both eyes, most doctors prefer to wait a few days between operating on the first eye and the second eye. But with the increasing popularity of procedures such as LASIK, during which many patients can have both eyes operated on in the same day, more and more people are asking, “Can you get cataract surgery for both eyes at once?”

The answer to this question isn’t straightforward for all practices. Learn why many doctors state that you shouldn’t get cataract surgery for both eyes at once, but others (including those at Eye Center of Texas) think you can and should. 

What if I want to get cataract surgery in both eyes at once…?

Patients who live far away from their doctor or who find that visiting doctors to be an intensely stressful experience have good reason to want cataract surgery performed on both eyes at once. In fact, the desire for same-day cataract surgeries on both eyes has gotten so popular that it has its own acronym: SBCS (simultaneous [or sequential] bilateral cataract surgery), also referred to as SB. 

Risk is the deterring factor for most doctors who are hesitant to perform SBCS. While cataract surgery is safe and complications from cataract surgery are rare, many doctors are wary that SBCS makes patients more vulnerable to eye infections, some of them potentially blinding. 

Another reason some doctors prefer to wait between surgeries is that doing so gives them the opportunity to make adjustments to the procedure on the second eye, which is based on the eye’s reaction to the first eye. Out of concern for the health of your eyes, ECOT still prefers to wait a bit between the two surgeries to ensure their success. 

How long do you have to wait between eyes for cataract surgery? 

The cataract surgery recovery time varies from patient to patient, but most people are able to adjust to their cataract-less vision in about two weeks. Your doctor will likely want sight from your first eye to recover before performing surgery on the second eye. Following best practices for post-operative cataract surgery care will minimize your recovery time. 

(For an example of best practices for post-operative cataract surgery, check out our article that answers the question, “When can I go swimming after cataract surgery?”) 

Can cataract surgery be repeated?

Because it requires the removal of your cloudy lens, cataract surgery cannot be reversed or repeated. That said, cataract surgery is one of the safest and most common types of surgery in the nation. However, if a patient discovers they have issues with their replacement lens, they can have their IOL adjusted or changed. For more information on IOLs, read our posts on cataract surgery and multifocal lens pros and cons, monofocal lens implants, and astigmatism-correcting lenses. 

What will happen if my cataract is left untreated? 

While the question, “Can you get cataract surgery for both eyes at once?” is still up for debate, most doctors will agree that you shouldn’t leave your cataracts untreated; untreated cataracts can lead to total blindness.

That said, not all types of cataract surgery are the same. Eye Center of Texas was one of the first centers to offer bladeless cataract surgery (which is the safest and most precise means of removing cataracts), and the center continues to be a pioneer in cataract surgery treatments. 

Considering cataract surgery in Houston? Have questions about cataract surgery costs? Over 300 Houston-area doctors choose to refer their patients to Eye Center of Texas for their vision needs. Call us today at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today. 

Related Resources: 

• Protect Your Eyes in Summer
• What are Computer Glasses? (And Do You Need Them?)
• Cataract Stages – With Pictures
• Cataract Surgery Side Effects 
• Houston Eye Specialist 

Patients preparing for LASIK surgery often ask us, “How many times can you have LASIK?” While it’s natural to want all the information you can have when it comes to your vision, only 5% of patients consider getting additional laser surgery post-LASIK. 

LASIK is an incredibly safe and common procedure with permanent results. What follows is a brief overview of what circumstances might lead to the need for additional LASIK or LASIK enhancement surgery. 

Can LASIK eye surgery be repeated? 

Yes, most patients can undergo LASIK surgery multiple times. However, the answer to “How many times can you have LASIK?” changes from patient to patient, depending on the health and thickness of their corneas. 

Since most doctors opt to perform LASIK on patients who are over 18 and whose prescription has stabilized, most LASIK candidates don’t need additional LASIK treatment. This is because their eyesight won’t undergo many changes post-surgery. This fact is especially true of patients over the age of 40.

For the small percentage of clients whose vision does change after LASIK, enhancement procedures such as PRK after LASIK are available. 

In addition, doctors should warn patients with high prescriptions that they have a greater likelihood of needing additional treatment long before the surgery takes place. (Check out our post “Is my vision too bad for LASIK?” if you’re concerned that you might fit into this latter category.) 

Can LASIK be repeated years later? 

LASIK can be repeated from the end of the normal LASIK recovery timeline to many years after the surgery. Again, exactly how many times you can have LASIK will depend on the health and thickness of your cornea. 

Whether you anticipate needing additional LASIK or a LASIK enhancement, making sure that you follow through with all of the best practices while preparing for LASIK and during LASIK surgery post-operative care improves the likelihood of a successful first and second surgery.   

Is LASIK safe long-term? Can your vision get worse after LASIK?

The effects of LASIK surgery are permanent. Your LASIK can’t “wear off.” However, the health of your eye can change, which in turn can make your LASIK less effective. The vast majority of these eye health changes occur independently of your LASIK procedure — meaning they would likely have happened whether you chose to have LASIK or not.

For example, many people experience presbyopia (the hardening of your eye’s lens) as their eyes age and as they begin to wear reading glasses to make up for presbyopia-related vision loss. (Good news! Presbyopia, also known as near vision, can be treated.)  

Concerned about the safety of LASIK? Talk with the doctors at Eye Center of Texas. 

Around 95% of LASIK patients experience life-changing improvement in their vision after their first (and only) procedure. One way to ensure the success of your LASIK procedure is to go to a reputable LASIK surgeon. 

If you want the benefits of LASIK but are worried about the procedure, request an appointment at Eye Center of Texas, which is home to some of the best LASIK surgeons in Houston, Texas. Our team of professionals will walk you through the process step-by-step and take the time to answer any questions you may have. 

Don’t settle for the hassle of glasses and less-than-perfect vision. Call 713-395-1515 or request an appointment online to schedule a LASIK consultation today.

Related Resources: 

• Protect Your Eyes in Summer
• What are Computer Glasses? (And Do You Need Them?)
• Cataract Stages – With Pictures
• Cataract Surgery Side Effects 
• Houston Eye Specialist 

If someone close to you is going to have LASIK eye surgery on one or both of their eyes, it’s natural to want to help. Yet while there are plenty of resources out there that outline pre-op best practices and post-op LASIK recovery timelines, it’s harder to find a primer for someone who wants to help look after a recent LASIK patient.  

There’s actually a lot you can do to help care for someone who is about to have/has just had LASIK surgery, even when LASIK patients are able to return to (most) activities 24 hours after the surgery.  

Here are some of our favorite recommendations for ways to make the LASIK experience (even) easier. Of course, these tips are also helpful if it’s you who is having LASIK done and you’re looking for some ways to make the experience as smooth as possible.

1. Research LASIK surgeons in your area and familiarize yourself with the LASIK process

If your friend/partner has just begun their LASIK journey, you would not be remiss in helping them research their LASIK options. Research the best LASIK surgeons in Houston by reading the reviews, checking their years of experience, and making note of their accreditations, awards, etc.

After your loved one has their consultation, learn whether or not their vision is too bad for LASIK, and schedules a surgery date. Learn the answers to the following questions: What are the precautions to take after LASIK eye surgery? What can you NOT do after LASIK? What eye drops can you use after LASIK?

By taking the time to know a little bit (or a lot) about LASIK best practices, you may be able to put your loved one’s mind at ease on the day of the surgery, especially if they’re feeling nervous. The following materials will help you beef up on your LASIK knowledge:

• LASIK FAQs
• LASIK Surgery Prep
• Can I swim after LASIK?
• Things to avoid after LASIK

2. Pre-purchase extra eye drops

A doctor will prescribe medicinal eye drops for before and after LASIK surgery, but almost all patients experience some level of dry eye after they no longer need to take those medicinal eye drops. Having a box of preservative-free eyedrops on-hand for when that time comes can save your loved one an inconvenient, dry-eyed trip to the convenience store.

3. Pre-purchase Tylenol PM or an equivalent medicine

LASIK patients are recommended to sleep as much as possible the day of their LASIK procedure. While the Valium that most doctors give their patients pre-op will likely knock them out for a few hours after the operation, many patients have noted needing a little extra help getting to sleep later in the day.

4.  Pre-purchase and prepare meals

Since patients are told to keep their eyes closed as much as possible the day of the surgery, it’s wise to have meals pre-purchased and, if possible, prepared. (The latter is especially true if the patients will be spending some of the recovery time alone.) If the patient has young kids, taking this additional step will be extra helpful when you’re short a pair of helping hands at mealtimes.

One final pro tip for your post-LASIK kitchen life: Now is the time to use all of those paper plates you’ve had lying around since last Halloween and all the pre-wrapped plasticware from takeout that you have shoved in the back of your utensil drawer.

5. Pre-purchase/rent entertainment that doesn’t require visuals

Noticing a theme? Many post-LASIK care tips involve a little bit of prep, and this is especially true of entertainment for the day of the surgery. LASIK surgery often takes place in the morning, it’s recommended that patients keep their eyes closed for the first 24 hours after surgery. That means they’ll be spending the entire day with their eyes closed — and if they can’t sleep, sitting in the dark can get really boring really quickly.

We recommend getting pre-purchasing entertainment that doesn’t involve the heavy use of screens. Popular options include podcasts, audiobooks, and music. If you want to go analog, you could also just read out loud to the person who just had LASIK.

Slightly more eccentric suggestions include “listening” to a movie you’ve seen a million times so that you can visualize it OR “listening” to a movie you’ve seen a million times… but in a language that you’re trying to learn!

6. Make plans for phone use

Patients should avoid looking at screens for the first 24 hours after LASIK, including phone screens. If they are comfortable with it, you can read their texts for them or, if they have an iPhone, they can have Siri read their messages to them.

The next day, using your phone after LASIK is permitted (although we do advise continued avoidance of screens). If your friend/partner need to use their phone, they may find some relief by making their phone’s text size bigger and by turning down the screen’s brightness.  

7. Provide support the morning of the surgery

Even the most stoic of patients may feel a little nervous the morning of their procedure. For some patients, just having a friendly face nearby may help relieve stress and make the difference between a frazzled pre-op experience and a smooth one.

Other patients may want to have someone who will remind them to bring everything they need, eat, take a shower (to avoid getting water in their eyes later on), and wear comfortable clothes (so that they can go to sleep right after the surgery).

8. Provide transportation

Your friend/partner will, at the very least, need a ride home from the clinic after their surgery; they won’t be able to open their eyes to drive, and Eye Center of Texas will not release a patient to a taxi driver (including Lyft and Uber). That said, most patients prefer to bring someone who will be there throughout the whole procedure. Since the surgery takes only 5 minutes per eye, you won’t be in the waiting room for long!

9. Help keep track of their eye drop schedule

An eye surgeon should prescribe at least one (probably two) types of eye drops that must be taken at various times on the day of the surgery, as well as in the following days. Since the LASIK surgery participant will be sleeping often on the day of the procedure, patients have found it helpful to have someone nearby to make sure that they wake up at the appropriate times and use the appropriate drops. Helping them pre-set alarms can also be helpful.

10. Help with the pets and/or kids  

Does the LASIK patient’s dog need to be taken outside? Does their cat need its litter box cleaned? Do their children need to be picked up from school? Are either the children or the pets mischievous enough to get into or chew up eye drop bottles? Has everyone been fed? Time to chip in!

11. Help with the dishes

If you didn’t want to use the paper plates and plastic utensils mentioned in tip #4, doing your loved one’s dishes can be a huge help. Not only will it help them keep water from getting into their eyes, but it will allow them to continue to rest as well.

12. Encourage rest, rest, and more rest!

At Eye Center of Texas, we are frequently asked, “How can I heal faster after LASIK?” The recovery time for LASIK is extremely short, but for the best healing results, we recommend lots of rest, preferably with your eyes closed. It can be tempting for some LASIK patients to spend a “quick 5 minutes” on their phone the day after the procedure, only to then realize that they’ve been on it for an hour.

So if you’re looking for one big way to help your friend/partner recover from LASIK, perhaps the best thing you can do is to encourage them to relax and enable them to rest until at least 24 hours has passed.

13. Make note of follow-up appointments

This one is more for the spouses and partners of LASIK patients, but it’s still worth mentioning. Your doctor should schedule a one day, one week, and one-month follow-up for your LASIK procedure. These follow-ups allow the surgeon to monitor the progression of the LASIK patient’s recovery and the overall health of their eyes.

14. Celebrate the little things!

Each LASIK patient will begin to see better at their own pace. Some patients can see more clearly immediately after the surgery, and others notice a difference after they wake up the next morning.

And when excitement about the “big change” wears off, know that you and your loved one will continue to celebrate the little things now that they are glasses and contacts free. Walking in the rain? No problem! Taking the lid off of a pot that will steam? Sure! Wearing non-prescription sunglasses to the beach? Finally!

Eye Center of Texas provides top-quality care for our LASIK patients

Electing to have LASIK surgery is a big step in someone’s life. Now, when someone starts asking themselves, “Am I candidate for LASIK?” you’ll know exactly what to do if the answer is yes. And you’ll also know exactly who to call for your LASIK needs. The professionals at Eye Center of Texas are here to answer any questions.

To get started on your journey towards better vision, give us a call at 713-395-1515 or request an appointment online today!

Most doctors recommend using preservative-free eye drops after LASIK eye surgery. That’s because dealing with dry eyes is a pretty standard part of post-operative care for LASIK eye surgery. But why exactly should you use preservative-free eye drops after LASIK surgery, as opposed to other types of eye drops?

Discover the ins and outs of using eye drops after LASIK surgery and why preservative-free eye drops are your best choice.

Why should you use preservative free eye drops after LASIK?

You don’t technically have to use preservative-free eye drops, but preservative-free eye drops are definitely the best artificial tears to use after LASIK in terms of what’s best for your eye health.

Some companies use preservatives in their eyedrops to prevent a deterioration of the artificial tear and to keep your eyes free from contamination. While that may sound good on the outset, those same preservatives are toxic to your eye and cause irritation and inflammation.

Recently, some companies have begun selling drops that claim to be “preservative free on contact.” These companies argue that the toxins in the preservative disappear quickly enough to not affect the eye. In reality, the dissipation of the toxins in these drops relies on several factors (ambient light, for example), and if any of these factors is missing, the toxins remain in your eye.

In short, the toxins in eye drops with preservatives can undo the healing and relief you’re trying to achieve. Since your eyes are especially sensitive post-op, truly preservative-free eye drops are the best artificial tears after LASIK.

How often should I use artificial tears after LASIK?

Let’s say you’ve read our post on how to prepare for LASIK and have diligently gone out and gotten the preservative-free eye drops after LASIK. Now what?

Every eye patient is different, but most patients will receive prescription eye drops to take directly before and after their LASIK surgery. After the first day, you can use preservative-free eye drops after LASIK as much as you would like. The standard recommended usage is 4 times a day.

How long after LASIK can I stop using eye drops?

We are often asked how long to use preservative-free eye drops after LASIK. Our typical answer? It depends. Every LASIK patient experiences different levels of dryness and can use preservative-free eye drops after LASIK until the dryness abates. However, if you experience extreme and persistent dryness, do bring it to the attention of your doctor.  

If you plan on wearing contacts after LASIK, note that there are also types of contacts that can help reduce dryness!

Depend on Eye Center of Texas for all your LASIK questions & needs

Using preservative-free eye drops after LASIK surgery is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to best practices for pre- and post-op LASIK eye surgery care. Here at Eye Center of Texas, you will receive not only some of the best LASIK in Houston, but some of the best tips and advice, too.

With over 75,000 successful LASIK procedures to our name, you can rest assured that your vision is in good hands at Eye Center of Texas. Call us at 713-395-1515 or request an appointment online today for a LASIK consultation.

Over the years, we’ve noticed that one question, in particular, seems to come up often during our LASIK consultations: Does the corneal flap heal after LASIK?

While the informed answer to that question has some nuances (which we’ll cover here), the essential answer is: Yes. In fact, the LASIK flap dislocation percentage is less than one half of 1%.

If you’re a LASIK candidate and follow through with the standard post-operative care for LASIK eye surgery, chances are that the only thing you’ll have to worry about is after LASIK is what type of fancy non-prescription sunglasses you’re going to buy.

Now let’s get to why that’s true.

Why is there confusion about the corneal flap healing after LASIK?

Many people are afraid of putting contacts in their eyes, let alone electing to have LASIK eye surgery. Every few years, someone plays off of those fears and raises suspicion about the integrity of the LASIK procedure.

One of the more recent scares concerned whether or not the corneal flap actually heals. As this rumor was perpetuated, the subtleties of the corneal flaps healing process (which we’ll get into in a moment) were only partially or incorrectly explained.

The surgeons at Eye Center of Texas have performed over 75,000 successful LASIK surgeries. They can and do attest to the fact that the surgery is perhaps the safest and most researched elective surgeries available.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. After conducting many studies (including this one) the U.S. military decided that LASIK was so beneficial to a soldiers’ performance that they’ve had the procedure performed on hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel.

How do your eyes heal after LASIK?

Alright, so how does the corneal flap heal after LASIK? The corneal flap heals in different ways at different parts of the flap. We’ve broken it down for you here:

• Epithelial layer: Your epithelium is the very, very thin layer found on the surface of the cornea. It begins healing almost immediately after the flap has been replaced and is the reason that you don’t feel a “line” between the flap and the rest of your eye.
• Stroma: Your stroma is what makes up most of your cornea’s mass. Stromal healing takes place along thickest parts of the flap’s edges.
• Bottom layer: Here is where the recent round of, “Does the corneal flap heal after LASIK” originates. During the corneal flap’s healing process, the bottom layer of the flap does not “join” with the surface underneath it… which is actually a very good thing. If it did, you’d be stuck with an opaque layer of collagen that would do the exact opposite of what LASIK is supposed to do: improve your sight.  

If you’re thinking, “That’s all well and good, but how long does it take the flap to heal after LASIK?” rest assured. Your corneal flap begins healing immediately after the surgery. It will be mostly healed after 24 hours after your procedure. For more information about healing times, check out our post on the LASIK recovery timeline.

How do I know if my corneal flap moved?

Let’s get down to the direct questions. Can the flap be moved after LASIK? And if so, how can you tell if it’s moved? Like any surgery, LASIK surgery does come with risks. After the first day of healing your flap can move, but only under extreme circumstances. Check out a timeline to learn more about LASIK recovery.

What do we mean by extreme circumstances? Let’s say a LASIK patient is involved in a high-impact accident on or around their eyes. In this case, there is a small but real chance that the flap can move.

Now let’s say you accidentally rubbed your eyes a few days after LASIK, and you’re concerned that you’ve moved the flap. In this case, it’s extraordinarily unlikely that your flap will move.

Here’s a general rule to live by with regard to corneal flap dislocation: If you’re not sure whether or not your corneal flap has moved, then your corneal flap has not moved. In the very unlikely event of corneal flap dislocation, patients will feel immediate pain and should seek emergency treatment.

Why would I need reading glasses after LASIK?

LASIK surgery addresses refractive errors in your vision: nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Standard LASIK procedure does not address presbyopia, which is the hardening of the eye that’s a natural part of your eye’s aging process. That’s why some LASIK patients will eventually need to wear glasses to read as they get older.

Patients concerned about presbyopia (also known as near vision) can find more helpful information in our posts on LASIK eye surgery for presbyopia and resource page for additional presbyopia solutions.

See clearly again at Eye Center of Texas

Have other questions like, “Does the corneal flap heal after LASIK?” We’re here to help. Eye Center of Texas is known for providing some of the best LASIK in Houston. As we mentioned earlier, our surgeons have successfully restored the vision of over 75,000 patients (and counting!) with LASIK.

Come see why over 300 eye doctors refer their patients to Eye Center of Texas. Call us at 713-395-1515 or request an appointment online today for a LASIK consultation.

Cataracts come with a slew of frustrating symptoms, but can cataracts cause headaches?

While it’s very unlikely that your headache stems from cataracts, cataracts can indirectly cause headaches. In these cases, having your cataracts treated by a Houston cataracts specialist may provide some relief from your headaches.

Explore how cataracts can cause headaches, learn more about early signs of cataracts, and discover which eye conditions are the likely culprits behind headaches.

How can cataracts cause headaches?

OK, so how can cataracts cause headaches, even indirectly? Your body often tries to compensate for vision loss due to cataracts. In some cases, it can do so in ways that can create headaches. Specifically, you may squint to improve your focus or, conversely, raise your brows to let in more light. Both of these reactions can create headaches.

Additionally, when your cataracts are bad enough to negatively affect your vision, they may change the efficacy of your glasses, leading to a headache as your eye works harder to see.

Can cataracts cause ocular migraines?

No, cataracts do not cause ocular migraines. Ocular migraines are caused by a reduction in blood flow in the blood vessels of the eye. While ocular migraines may result in blurred vision that’s not entirely dissimilar to the blurred vision caused by cataracts, the blurred vision caused by ocular migraines should subside along with the migraine.

What are the typical cataract symptoms?

Are you concerned that you may have cataracts? If so, you may be wondering, “What is the first sign of cataracts?” Cataract symptoms vary from person-to-person, but you’re more likely to experience any of the following symptoms long before you experience a cataract-induced headache:

• Blurred, cloudy, or double vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Frequent prescription changes  
• Halos
• Light sensitivity

Exhibit none of these symptoms? Good! Maintain your good eye health and brush up on how to avoid cataracts.

What eye conditions do cause headaches?

While it’s unlikely that your headaches are caused by cataracts, there are other eye problems that are more likely to induce headaches:

• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Eye strain
• Ocular migraines
• Presbyopia (near vision)  

Expert Cataract treatment in Houston

Can cataracts cause headaches? While the answer may be “rarely,” that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. The best way to find out if your headaches are caused by cataracts is to visit a professional (especially if you notice that you’re struggling with other cataract symptoms).

The surgeons at Eye Center of Texas provide some of the best cataract treatment in Houston, including treatment for fast-growing cataracts. With over 800,000 successful laser eye surgery procedures for cataracts, there’s no doubt that you’re putting your vision and eye health in capable hands.

Ready to see clearly again? Call Eye Center of Texas 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online today!                                                                                     

Related Resources:

• How to Protect Your Eyes in Summer
• What are Computer Glasses?
• Cataract Stages (Pictures)
• Cataract Surgery Side Effects
• Houston Cataract Treatment: Cataract Specialists Near You