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Eye Center of Texas Keratoconus Patient Gets Long-Awaited Results with Corneal Cross-Linking
Today, we celebrate a Keratoconus success story and the perseverance of Eye Center of Texas patient Bekah Blanton. Bekah’s arduous, 6-year-long journey to find quality Keratoconus treatment led her to our offices this past July. However, after receiving the Corneal Cross-Linking procedure, Bekah’s vision is finally improving.
In honor of National Keratoconus Day and Bekah’s success, we want to help spread the word about what Keratoconus is and how the Corneal Cross-Linking procedure works.
What is Keratoconus?
Keratoconus is a condition of the eye in which the cornea weakens and being to “bulge” out. Many doctors, like Bekah’s, liken the shape of this bulging to that of a cone or a football. It typically causes nearsightedness, distorted and blurred vision, and light sensitivity.
What is Corneal Cross-Linking?
Also called collagen cross-linking, corneal cross-linking is a procedure that helps strengthen the cornea. It’s performed in two ways: epithelium-off and epithelium-on. In the epithelium-off method, the doctors remove the outer layer of the cornea (the epithelium) and activate a B vitamin, riboflavin, using UV light. Meanwhile, the epithelium-on method is very similar, although leaving the epithelium on increases the time needed for the riboflavin to reach the cornea.
End and begin your Keratoconus journey at Eye Center of Texas in Houston
Six years is a long time to wait for proper treatment. If you have Keratoconus, call Eye Center of Texas at 713-797-1010 or request an appointment online. Over 300 Houston-area doctors recommend Eye Center of Texas, home of some of the best LASIK and cataract surgeons in the country.
Here at Eye Center of Texas, we take pride in helping people like Bekah by providing them with the treatment they deserve. In the meantime, we hope that by sharing this information about Keratoconus and Corneal Cross-Linking we can make the journey for patients like Bekah less difficult.
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Dry Eye Syndrome
Your quick guide to dry eye causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment
Dry eye syndrome, also called “dry eyes,” is a common condition caused by a lack of adequate moisture in your eyes. According to the National Women’s Health Resource Center, the likelihood of experiencing dry eyes increases with age, and dry eyes affect nearly twice as many women as men.
Is it dangerous to have dry eyes? While it may be easy to overlook the burning and itching caused by dry eye syndrome, if left untreated, dry eyes can eventually lead to great discomfort. In extreme cases, dry eyes may cause vision loss due to a scratched and/or scarred cornea (For more information, read our blog post to discover “What are the symptoms of a scratched cornea?)
Learn more about what causes dry eye syndrome, how to identify dry eye symptoms and risk factors, and what treatment options are available.
What causes eye dryness?
Tears are meant for more than crying; they also help keep your eyes healthy and lubricated. If your eyes aren’t be moisturized well enough by your tears for whatever reason, your likelihood of having dry eyes increases significantly. Dry eyes are most frequently the result of three different types of tear-related issues:
- Decrease in tear production
- Excessive tear evaporation
- Variance in a patient’s normal tear composition.
Decreased tear production causes and risk factors
Age is the most frequent contributor to decreased tear production. Age-related decrease in tear production typically begins after age 50. But what does our age have to do with our tears?
Our hormones continue to shift as we get older, including those that help regulate tear production. Women, who have a higher susceptibility to dry eye syndrome, also undergo more hormonal shifts than men (during both pregnancy and menopause). These shifts in hormones can cause a decrease in tear production.
Other risk factors for decreased production of tears include:
- Health conditions
- Diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, rosacea, Sjӧgren’s syndrome. (These disorders can target the surface the eye, causing inflammation and dry eyes.)
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Thyroid disorders
- Medications
- Birth control and acne medication
- Antihistamines and decongestants
- Depression and anxiety medications
- Diuretics and beta-blockers
- Sleeping pills
- Medications for Parkinson’s disease
- Damaged tear glands
- Laser eye surgery such as LASIK, typically a temporary side effect. Read our posts about contacts after LASIK and dry eyes and LASIK eye drops for more information.
Excessive tear evaporation causes and risk factors
The culprits by excessive tear evaporation are often either the condition of the air in your environment or a decrease in your regular amount of blinking due to concentration. Dry air, smoke-filled air, or high winds can all contribute to dry eyes, as can spending extended periods at the computer, behind the wheel, or with your nose in a book, during which you are less likely to blink.
Read our posts on eye damage from cell phone use and avoiding eye strain for more information on issues regarding dry eyes and blinking.
Other risk factors for decreased production of tears include:
- Overwearing your contact lenses
- Air conditioning and fans which, like wind, can decrease humidity and worsen symptoms.
- Ectropion (out-turning of the eyelids) or entropion (in-turning of the lids)
Causes and risk factors for a disparity in average tear composition
Tears are not made of water alone. In fact, tears are comprised of three main elements — water, oil, and mucus. If your tears are missing any one of these elements, the surface of the eye will likely not receive enough moisture, which in turn can cause dry eyes. The risk factors and causes of inadequate tears often go hand in hand.
Risk factors for inadequate ears include:
- Clogging or blocking meibomian glands (also called tarsal glands), oil glands found on the rim of the eyelid
- Vitamin A deficiency
- Overwearing your contact lenses
- Being older than 50
- Being a woman
Symptoms of dry eye syndrome
The symptoms of dry eye syndrome vary widely and differ from person to person. For some, these symptoms can remain unpronounced (and easy to ignore) for some time. Neglecting to seek treatment, however, is typically unwise. When it comes to taking care of your eyes and your vision, it’s almost always better to go get your eyes checked — to be safe rather than sorry.
Common symptoms of dry eye syndrome include:
- Itching, burning, scratching, and stinging sensations
- Light sensitivity
- Redness (typically blepharitis, a type of eye inflammation)
- Excessively watery eyes
- Eye discomfort and/or intermittent eye pain
- The sensation of having a foreign body in the eye
- Blurry vision or fluctuating vision capacity
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Difficulty driving at night
Dry eye syndrome treatment
How do you get rid of dry eyes? Luckily, there are many, many treatment options for dry eye syndrome. Even if your dry eyes don’t respond to simple home remedies for dry eyes such as using a humidifier (to add moisture to the air) or taking breaks from your screen, you have plenty of treatment alternatives to choose from.
The type of treatment you choose will depend on the frequency and severity of your dry eye syndrome. No eyes are the same (dry or otherwise) so it’s smart to consult with your doctor about which type of treatment will be best for your eyes.
Treatments for dry eye syndrome include:
- Artificial tears: Artificial tears, generally available without a prescription, can provide temporary relief from dry eye syndrome. Artificial tears are adequate for mild dry eyes, but if symptoms are not relieved with artificial tears alone, more treatment may be necessary.
- Restasis or Xiidra: In addition to artificial tears, your eye care professional might recommend the daily use of a prescription drop, such as Restasis or Xiidra. These medications reduce the inflammation associated with dry eye syndrome and help your eye produce more natural tears. Symptom relief with these medications is not immediate; it may take up to three months for you to notice improvement.
- Punctal plugs: Punctal plugs (also called punctum plugs, lacrimal plugs, or tear duct plugs) are small devices that can be inserted into your tear ducts, helping tears stay on the surface of your eye longer periods of time. A punctal plug procedure can be completed in-office.
- Supplements: Omega-3 supplements have historically been recommended to help with dry eye symptoms. There is, however, controversy over their efficacy.
- Eyelid hygiene: Keeping the eyelids clean and healthy can help reduce eye inflammation. Many eye care professionals recommend warm compresses and lid scrubs for at-home eye maintenance.
- BlephEx: BlephEx is a quick in-office procedure that cleans they eyelids and eyelashes.
- LipiFlow: LipiFlow is another simple in-office procedure that clears clogged meibomian glands (the oil glands found on the rims of your eyelids).
- True Tear: True Tear is new device designed to stimulate natural tear production. Your own tears are released through simple and painless stimulation of the nerves in the nose. This treatment is a great option for patients who prefer to reduce their intake of medications or their use of eyedrops.
- Autologous Serum Tears: These eye drops are made from your own blood serum and can be an ideal option for those who have severe dry eye that doesn’t respond to other treatment.
- Specialty contact lenses: These specially designed contact lenses cover the eye and keep it moist. Scleral lenses are a popular option for more severe forms of dry eye syndrome.
Say goodbye to dry eyes at Eye Center of Texas
Whether your dry eyes are a result of medications, a health condition, or simply age, it’s best not to ignore your symptoms. The sooner you address your dry eyes, the sooner you’ll find relief, and the less likely your dry eyes will become a greater nuisance to you in the future.
Dry eye syndrome may be a common condition, but it’s also a highly treatable condition. With experienced doctors and six convenient locations, Eye Center of Texas has everything you need to find relief from dry eyes in safety and comfort.
Call Eye Center of Texas at 713-797-1010, or schedule an appointment online today.
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What Are the Early Signs of Cataracts?
When older patients come to us, they usually have a range of questions and concerns about their eyesight. Some wonder, “What’s the likelihood I’ll need glasses?” when what they really should be asking is “What are the early signs of cataracts?”
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What to Expect After Cataract Surgery
Knowing what to expect after cataract surgery sets you up for a smooth recovery. Whether you elect to have dropless cataract surgery, laser cataract surgery, or to combine glaucoma and cataract surgery, it’s best to know in advance how you plan to handle driving after cataract surgery, exercising after cataract surgery, cooking after cataract surgery, and (potentially) blurred vision after cataract surgery.
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What to Expect After Glaucoma Surgery
Knowing what to expect after glaucoma surgery can be just as important than knowing what happens during the surgery itself. After all, you won’t be spending your recovery time in a hospital.
As with all eye surgeries, it’s crucial that patients take good care of their eyes post-op in order to protect their eye health and vision. Learn what to expect after glaucoma surgery, the precautions you should take, and the tools that you’ll need for a successful recovery.
What are the different types of glaucoma surgery?
Glaucoma treatment focuses on lowering the intraocular pressure of the eyes caused by fluid buildup. There are glaucoma medications that can help lower intraocular pressure. But what if the body either stops responding to these medications or the patient has reached the maximum dosage? In these cases, glaucoma surgery is typically the next step patients take.
There are many types of glaucoma surgery, and knowing what to expect after glaucoma surgery will depend on which surgery is performed. The three glaucoma surgeries outlined here —selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), Trabeculectomy, and shunts/implants — are some of the most common. Note that many patients with glaucoma and cataracts opt to have both surgeries at the same time.
- Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is, as its name suggests, laser treatment for glaucoma, during which an ophthalmologist creates very small holes to relieve pressure with a laser aimed where the cornea and iris come together. Some patients worry: “Is the SLT surgery painful?” While having a laser pointed at your eye might sound scary, most SLT recipients report little to no discomfort during or after the surgery.
- During a trabeculectomy, an ophthalmologist creates a very small surgical incision to help drain the fluid and decrease the intraocular pressure. The results of this procedure tend to be more permanent than SLT, and typically has a high success rate, according to patients living with a trabeculectomy.
- In this option, shunts or implants are surgically inserted into the eye. You may also hear of these as eye stents for glaucoma. Once completed, these surgeries — including the iStent glaucoma and cataract surgery — allow for the shunt or implant to replace the eye’s damaged draining system, reducing intraocular pressure.
How long does it take to recover from glaucoma surgery?
Recovery time after glaucoma surgery varies per patient and per surgery, but most patients heal within 3 to 6 weeks. Reserve the day after the surgery for recovery time. During the rest of the recovery time, it’s generally recommended that postoperative glaucoma patients avoid strenuous activity. This type of activity includes heavy lifting, exercise, stressful work, etc.
Driving after glaucoma surgery
The day of and the day after surgery, it’s best to coordinate and pre-plan any rides and transportation that you will need. Beyond that, like recovery time, when you can begin driving after glaucoma surgery will depend on the patient or the surgery, with some patients reporting that they feel comfortable driving within a week, and others prefer to wait for up to two months.
Other necessary precautions after glaucoma surgery
When asked about glaucoma surgery, we often receive questions such as, “Is glaucoma surgery dangerous?” and “Is there pain after glaucoma surgery?” Glaucoma surgery is a common procedure and regarded as safe with minimal pain during recovery. We also receive many questions about proper precautions after glaucoma surgery.
With any procedure there is some small risk of infection after surgery. Some common precautions that most doctors recommend their patients take to avoid infection and other issues after glaucoma surgery include:
- Don’t rub or scratch your eyes. It’s common for vision to be blurry for a few days after glaucoma surgery, as well as for your eyes to sometimes feel itchy. Whatever you do, resist the temptation to rub or scratch your eyes.
- Take all prescribed eye drops. These eye drops can help soothe the aforementioned itchiness and stave off infections.
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity. While no one is asking you to spend the next few weeks on the couch, it’s wise to avoid the gym during recovery time. If your job requires heavy lifting, you may need to request additional time off of work or request other assignments while you recover.
- Avoid swimming pools. No matter how refreshing a dip in the water might sound, swimming pools, hot tubs, and saunas are breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria, and it’s best to avoid them during recovery.
What is the success rate of glaucoma surgery?
Glaucoma surgery has a high success rate. The vast majority of patients report that their eye pressure has gone down after glaucoma surgery, improving their eye health overall.
Thanks to Eye Center of Texas, thousands of Houstonians have received successful glaucoma surgery from our glaucoma specialists in Houston. In fact, over 275 Houston-area eye doctors refer their patients to Eye Center of Texas exclusively. To find out if cataract surgery is right for you, schedule an appointment today.
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- Fuchs Dystrophy and Cataracts: Your Surgery Options
- PRK after LASIK: What you need to know
- Fast-growing Cataracts
- Sun Damage to Eyes: UV and You
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Our Locations
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6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
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Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
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Medical Office:
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Medical Fax:
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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:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
281-214-2971
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620