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Dry Eyes and LASIK Eye Surgery
When you think LASIK eye surgery, dry eyes might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Typically included in the list of benefits of LASIK eye surgery are improved vision, permanent results, and the ability to dispense with expensive glasses and contacts. In fact, the list of pros for LASIK eye surgery is so long that it’s easy to not take into consideration LASIK’s few drawbacks, such as the increased likelihood of having dry eyes.
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Cataract Factaracts: What Causes Cataracts?
What really causes cataracts? It’s a question well worth asking and answering. Cataracts, one of the scariest eye diseases, is also one of the most common. The leading cause of blindness, it affects more than 22 million people in America alone.
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Understanding the Difference Between PRK and LASIK: Why PRK May be Your Better Option
Recently, some of our patients have asked, “What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?” It’s a great question, and one you should also be asking if you’re considering corrective eye surgery. While both PRK and LASIK eye surgeries correct your vision by reshaping the cornea, the procedures differ in recovery time, methods used, and patient eligibility.
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Determining Which Corrective Eye Surgery is Right for You
Half of all Americans have poor eyesight, according to a study from the National Eye Institute. Some studies estimate higher, with 3 out of 4 American adults needing vision correction. With such widespread vision problems, an increasing amount of Americans are exploring different types of corrective eye surgery, including Houston LASIK. You may be wondering, “which eye surgery is best for me?”
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How To Prevent Cataracts: Simple Tips Anyone Can Use
Cataracts are a life-changing development that may rudely disrupt an active lifestyle. As a result, many patients wonder how to prevent or avoid cataracts. It’s commonly thought that because cataracts occur naturally, they can’t be prevented through good habits, diet, or any other preemptive action.
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Cataracts: The Facts You Need to Know
You may be able to hobble through your day with an achy back or a broken toe, but eye issues can stop you in your tracks. Our eyes are among the most vital organs in our bodies but, unfortunately, eye disorders such as cataracts are more common than people think. Over half of all adults aged 65 and older have at least one cataract, and cataracts are the most common cause of blindness, globally.
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Diabetic Vision Loss: Preventative Steps & Treatments
Living with diabetes is tough. You have to check your blood sugar, adjust your diet, a monitor other additional or potential health complications. Eye health is one of these potential health complications, and one to which both type 1 and type 2 diabetics should pay special attention. Diabetes is the leading cause of vision loss for people under age 74, but there are steps you can take to better manage your eye health.
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How Sun Exposure Can Harm Your Eyes
When you were young, your parents probably taught you to not stare into the sun. There’s a very good reason for that. Not only is doing so uncomfortable, intense sun exposure can cause severe and permanent damage to your vision. Even if you’re not looking right at the sun, too much sun exposure can lead to significant eye problems. Here’s why you should be protecting your eyes from the sun during these hot summer days.
Sun Exposure and Cataracts
The most common cause of blindness, cataracts occur when the lens that surrounds your eye becomes clouded, resulting in lost or decreased vision over time. Recent research has found that frequent, chronic exposure to sunlight can contribute to the formation of cataracts.
Cataracts often form through a process known as oxidative stress, and typically appear with age. Exposure to UV rays from sunlight, however, can produce damage similar to that seen after oxidative stress, except that in this case the harmful effects on your lenses are caused by Glycation. In other words, the same UV light exposure linked to skin cancer can also lead to the creation of cataracts.
Sun Exposure and Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration is a broad term referring to a range of degenerative eye conditions that ultimately result in loss of sight. While age is the most common cause of macular degeneration, overexposure sunlight can also play an important role in its development.
The “macular” in Macular Degeneration refers to macular pigment, which protects your eyes by absorbing harmful blue light rays that would otherwise damage the rest of the eye. If the macular pigment is exposed to too much blue light, its effectiveness will diminish, leaving your eyes vulnerable to macular degeneration.
Choose Sunglasses That Protect Your Eyes
When choosing a pair of sunglasses, it is crucial to choose a pair that offers strong UV protection. There are two distinct varieties of sunlight: UVA and UVB, both of which are invisible to the human eye. While both UVA and UVB are dangerous to your eyes, UVA radiation penetrates the body more deeply and is believed to be more harmful to your eye lenses.
For protection from both UVA and UVB radiation, look for sunglasses that offer UV 400 protection or higher. Sunglasses which have UV 400 protection are capable of blocking radiation equal to or less than 400 nanometers, making it adequate for both UVA and UVB protection.
An important note: Do not be misled into believing that darker or polarized lenses offer more protection. The UV protection rating is the most important factor to keep in mind.
For Effective Cataract and Macular Degeneration Treatments, Call the Eye Center of Texas
As Texas’ leaders in eye care, we offer a number of treatment options for people with cataracts or macular degeneration, including laser and inlay treatments. Whether you believe your condition was caused by sun exposure, age, or other factors, we will work with you to devise a safe and effective treatment plan. Don’t wait any longer, improve your vision by scheduling your free consultation at Eye Center of Texas today!
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Why LASIK Eye Surgery is Not for Everyone
Commercials for LASIK eye surgery promise that LASIK is “quick and painless,” and that you’ll “never wear glasses again.” Caught up in the dream of forever eradicating our need for eyewear, we may not pay too much attention when the ad goes on to say “talk to your doctor to find out if LASIK is right for you.” Although LASIK is very common, there are a few medical reasons why LASIK eye surgery is not for everyone. Here are some common reasons.
Age and LASIK Eye Surgery Candidacy
If you are under the age of 18, most doctors would not consider you a good candidate for Lasik, because individuals under 18 can still experience significant changes to their prescription which could undo the effects of LASIK eye surgery.
On the other hand, there is no specific age at which you are too old to receive LASIK; depending on your ocular health, you can have your vision corrected through LASIK at any age over 18. That said, if your eyes suffer from complications such as macular degeneration and cataracts, LASIK eye surgery could harm your eyes and worsen their condition. Patients with these conditions are, therefore, often disqualified as LASIK candidates.
Pupil Size and LASIK Candidacy
Pupils are the part of your eye that absorb light and make it possible for you to see. Having large pupils might not seem like a huge deal, but it is a very important factor in determining your LASIK candidacy. People with large pupils are more likely to experience negative side-effects from LASIK eye surgery, including halos, starbursts, and glares. While these side effects may not be debilitating, having large pupils could still disqualify you as a LASIK candidate, especially if you suffer from other ocular health issues.
Corneal Structure and LASIK Candidacy
Like your pupils, your corneas are extremely important to your sight. The same way pupils can be large or small, corneas can be thick or thin. Unfortunately, people with thin corneas are at greater risk of complications from LASIK eye surgery which can disqualify them as candidates for the procedure. Corneal scarring can also disqualify you from receiving LASIK eye surgery.
Diabetes and LASIK Candidacy
Because diabetes can cause retinopathy, a condition that enlarges the pupils, people with diabetes may not be considered a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. However, if your diabetes is well-managed and your eyes are in good health, your diabetes may not disqualify you as a LASIK candidate. It is extremely important that you consult your doctor if you have diabetes and are considering LASIK.
Unsure of Your LASIK Candidacy? Schedule a Consultation to Learn More!
If you are interested in LASIK eye surgery but are worried that certain complications could stand in your way, the doctors at Eye Center of Texas are here to help. During your consultation, we will discuss your eyes, your health, and take every step necessary to accurately determine your candidacy. It’s true, LASIK isn’t right for everybody, and if that’s the case for you, we will explore alternative treatments that will help you gain the vision you’ve always dreamt of.
Schedule your consultation today at any of our Houston offices to get started on your path to clearer vision.
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Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?
When people think of lasers, they’re more likely envision destructive ray guns or a light show at a rock concert than eye surgery. It’s no surprise then that many people believe laser eye surgery is a risky and scary procedure. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth; LASIK surgery is not only very safe, it entails very little discomfort as well. But still the mystery remains, what really does happen during LASIK?
Pre-Surgery Preparation
Prior to the surgery, the first thing that the doctor will do is put numbing drops into your eye. These drops are an anesthetic, which begin the process of relaxing your eye. The muscles within your eye will then loosen up, causing you to blink a lot more infrequently than normal. With your eye relaxed, the doctor will apply a clamp to hold your eyelid open for total stability during the operation. There’s no risk of you blinking and messing up the surgery, and you won’t feel any pain or discomfort since your eyes have been numbed.
During the Surgery
When the anesthetic is fully activated and your eye is totally numb and relaxed, a corneal flap is made and the laser begins to reshape your cornea. The laser part of the surgery lasts for less than a minute. It’s possible to feel a little bit of pressure on your eye while the laser is working, but any discomfort you may feel doesn’t last long. There won’t be any burning either, since the laser is actually cold!
Post-Surgery Recovery
LASIK surgery isn’t a painful procedure. The peak amount of discomfort that happens post-surgery lasts for about three to five hours, when it’s best to keep your eye closed allowing your eyes to heal. The corneal flap that is made during the surgery heals quickly by resting the day of your surgery coupled with medicated eye drops for the week following surgery.
Dispel the Myth of Painful Laser Eye Surgery
With all the facts in consideration, we can confidently say that LASIK does not hurt. At most, LASIK causes mild discomfort for a few hours. The biggest hurdles for patients considering LASIK is not the surgery itself, but the misconceptions and fears surrounding the procedure. Thankfully, the remedy for this is simple:
Talk to your doctor at Eye Center of Texas about LASIK and learn exactly what happens during the surgery. Doing so will not only remove any of your uncertainties around the procedure, but will also help you gain confidence that the future of your vision is in the hands of professionals.
Are you ready to improve your vision? Contact Eye Center of Texas today to learn more about laser eye surgery. Or, call with any questions at 713-395-1515.
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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
LASIK/Near Vision:
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Fax: 713-357-7278
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Medical Office:
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Medical Fax:
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455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
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Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
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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