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Have Glaucoma & Cataracts?
Today there is good news for patients considering cataract surgery and who have glaucoma. The FDA-approved iStent is great news for people who have both a cataract and glaucoma,” says Dr. Mark Mayo. The eye drops used to treat glaucoma can be difficult to administer and expensive. With iStent, many patients will need less medicine to control their eye pressure and some may not need prescription eye drops at all.” Studies have shown that more than 90% of patients do not comply with their ocular medication dosing regimens and nearly 50% discontinue taking their medications before 6 months. Dr. Mayo cautions that, “This can be a serious problem. When pressure in the eye is out of control, it can increase the risk for permanent vision loss. I consider iStent an important advancement in protecting against vision loss for my glaucoma patients.”
How Does iStent Work?
iStent works like the stents used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. When blood vessels get clogged, a stent creates access to the vessel flow. While a highly innovative technology, how iStent works is elegantly simple:
- If you have glaucoma, over time the eye’s natural drainage system becomes clogged
- iStent creates a permanent opening through the blockage to improve the eye’s natural outflow & spares the eye tissue often damaged in traditional surgeries
- Restoring this mechanism lowers and controls pressure within the eye
iStent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. It is placed in your eye during cataract surgery and is so small that you won’t be able to see or feel it after the procedure is over. It is 20,000 times smaller than the lens implanted during cataract surgery. iStent is designed to create a permanent opening in your trabecular meshwork, and works continuously to improve the outflow of fluid from your eyes to help control eye pressure.
iStent Q & A:
- What causes high eye or intraocular pressure?
Your eye uses an intricate fluid outflow system to keep it balanced and healthy. At the center of this system is the trabecular meshwork. In patients with open-angle glaucoma, a blockage in the trabecular meshwork keeps the fluid in your eye from draining properly. When this happens, fluid backs up and eye pressure rises. - How does iStent lower eye pressure?
iStent is designed to create a permanent opening in your eye’s drainage system to improve the outflow of fluid from your eyes. By increasing fluid outflow, iStent lowers pressure within the eye. - How big is the stent?
It is about the size of the letter c in the word cent on a penny. In fact, it is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. - Is iStent safe?
Yes. iStent is a safe glaucoma treatment and has been approved by the FDA for mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma. - Will I be able to feel or see the iStent in my eye?
No. iStent is so small you won’t be able to see or feel it after the procedure. - Does iStent hurt?
No. iStent does not hurt. You will not even know it is there. - Will I be able to stop taking my glaucoma eye drops?
In a U.S. clinical trial, iStent patients who achieved a target pressure of <21, were more likely not to need their medications than patients with cataract only surgery. It helps decrease the likelihood that a second glaucoma medication would need to be added in the future. - How much does iStent cost?
iStent is covered by Medicare and many private insurance plans.
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January Is Glaucoma Awareness Month
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month and the Eye Center of Texas wants to help raise awareness of the disease by reminding mid-life and older Houstonians to get regular eye examinations.
Glaucoma is a disease that gradually takes an individual’s sight without warning. Although the most common forms of the disease primarily affect middle-aged adults and the elderly, glaucoma has no age boundaries. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness and can affect people of all age groups, including infants and children. Those at high risk of getting the disease are African-Americans, individuals of Latino ancestry, persons over age 60, and immediate family members of those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma. More than 3 million Americans and about 70 million people worldwide have the disease, with most being unaware that they have it. Because peripheral or side vision loss begins first, a person may not be aware he has the disease until he has lost a large amount of his sight.
The two most common types of the disease are primary open angle glaucoma – which is hereditary, and angle closure glaucoma. If an individual has been diagnosed with glaucoma, he should let his family know that they are at an increased risk of getting the disease. To prevent glaucoma, at risk individuals and persons over age 40 should have regular eye exams that include measurement of eye pressure, and a careful evaluation of the optic nerve, which is the part of the eye that sends images of what a person sees to the brain.
Eye Center of Texas urges you to get an dilated eye exam from your eye doctor. And while ECT doesn’t do regular eye exams, we co-manage with 275+ Houston area Optometrist. If you don’t have an Optometrist, call us or click on the below link and find optometrist in your desired zip code.
Find an optometrist for your routine eye exam
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New Year, New Vision with LASIK
Make a resolution to start 2016 with new and improved vision…with LASIK!
Patients can use their Flex Plan to get LASIK and fulfill their New Year’s resolution! If you or a family member has Flex Plan funds, this is a good time to make LASIK affordable.
And…LASIK is Safer than Ever Before!
Laser vision correction is one the world’s most popular elective surgeries. If you live in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Clear Lake, Pasadena, Galveston, Kingwood, The Woodlands, Conroe, Bellaire you can visit one of our 6 locations and experience the quality care from our eye experts. Did you know that LASIK is approved for astronauts, fighter pilots and first responders? LASIK has gone through many innovations since it’s inception, which has made it safer. Presently, Bladeless LASIK or iLASIK is the ultimate technology to achieve the outcome you expect.
Because your two eyes are unique, wavefront mapping is performed on each of your eyes. This ensures a custom treatment for each individual eye. Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, this treatment will produce safe, superior results.
This year fulfill a New Year’s Resolution that will change your life. Make this the year you finally get LASIK.
Meet Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade at https://www.eyecenteroftexas.com/meet-the-doctors/
Call 713-797-1010 and ask for Kathy or Steve!
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Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
LASIK surgery is laser eye surgery. It is designed to correct certain visual impairments, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and severe astigmatisms. It has a 96 percent success rate and has been approved by the FDA since 1996.
LASIK is considered very safe and effective. However, a small portion of individuals that receive LASIK surgery experience some complications. Therefore, it is very important to talk to one of our eye doctors in Texas to make sure you are a good candidate.
Benefits of LASIK Surgery
- 96 Percent Effective
- No Stitches
- Noticeable Vision Correction as soon as the Next Day
- Reduced Need for Glasses or Contacts
LASIK Surgery Procedure and Safety
LASIK eye surgery is described as quick and painless, and for the most part, this is true. Numbing drops are placed into your eyes prior to the procedure, and the eye surgery only takes about 30 minutes. During your surgery, our eye doctor will create a flap in your cornea and fold the flap away from your eye.
Next, small amounts of tissue will be removed from the remainder of the cornea, according to your prescription. At the end of the surgery, our eye doctor will fold the flap back over your eye. No stitches are needed because the flap seals immediately against the surgery site.
After your surgery, you will be given drops to help keep your eyes lubricated and to prevent infection while the flap fully heals. Some people notice a dramatic increase in their vision the day after surgery. But for most people, it takes a few days to notice an improvement.
Your eye doctor will also schedule you for a follow-up a few days after the procedure to make sure you are not experiencing any complications.
Risk Factors for LASIK Surgery
It is important to understand that LASIK is a surgery, and all surgeries come with some risks. Complications with LASIK surgery occur in less than 1 percent of patients, and often the complications are easily corrected with antibiotic or lubricating drops. In rare instances, corrective procedures may be needed.
Individuals with any of these symptoms should call our eye doctor immediately even is a follow-up appointment is scheduled.
- Dry Eye That Lasts for More than a few Days
- Eye Pain
- Glare or Halo Problems
- Periodic Blurry Vision
- Problems with the Flap
- Reduced Night Vision
To schedule an appointment for a LASIK surgery consultation, call our LASIK hotline at 713-395-1515 or schedule an appointment using our convenient online form.
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Is LASIK Worth It?
LASIK has become a mainstream and routine eye surgery for millions of people the world over. As with any surgery, the LASIK operation is not without potential complications and risk; however, with the right medical team, the benefits of this procedure can be life changing.
Who is Eligible for LASIK?
It is important to note that not everyone is an ideal LASIK eye surgery candidate. The process is most effective for certain types of eyesight conditions and the overall health of individuals. Some of the requirements include, but are not limited to, a patient must be at least 18 years old, the individual must meet the guidelines approved by the FDA, a healthy retina, a stable prescription for at least a year and the patient cannot be a nursing mother or pregnant.
LASIK Benefits
Statistically speaking, LASIK is significantly less likely than short-term or long-term use of contact lens to cause infection that can negatively impair vision. For those who wear contact lens the chances of visual infection are 1 in 2,000 and for those who have LASIK treatment the chances are 1 in 10,000. The initial cost is a one-time expense rather than a monthly and annually recurring expense incurred by persons with contacts, glasses, saline solution and other eyesight maintenance required with poor vision. LASIK patients no longer face inconvenient situations when a contact is lost or glasses are broken during important or potentially dangerous moments in life such as professional meetings or driving.
The Risks of LASIK Surgery
This life-changing surgery is not without risk. It is possible that an individual may have to undergo an additional surgery within 10 years due to overcorrection, regression or under-correction. A small percentage of people who participate in this eyesight-enhancing surgery may still be required to wear glasses or contacts after the procedure. It is possible some symptoms such as dry eyes or visual effects may occur. In worst-case, and highly rare, scenarios an individual may have worse eyesight than before the operation. And, this is an elective surgery that is not covered by most insurance policies; therefore, all expenses will likely be paid in full out-of-pocket.
The benefits far outweigh the risks for the vast majority of LASIK patients with success rates of varying degrees at over 94 percent with roughly 85 percent achieving 20/20 vision or even better. For those who are eligible, this is a personal decision that each individual must make after speaking with a medical professional further about every risk and every benefit. Each case is as unique as the individual alongside their health and safety.
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Give the Gift of Sight with LASIK
Why not give a gift that will last for years? Put LASIK under the Christmas tree this year!
All-Laser LASIK at Eye Center of Texas is a state-of-the-art method of laser vision correction that leaves the vast majority seeing 20/20 or better. LASIK is quick, simple and relatively painless solution to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, with or without astigmatism.
You may be thinking that LASIK is too extravagant a gift. But with 0% LASIK financing options available, this becomes a very affordable option.
Make it a Christmas they’ll always remember. Call us at 713-797-1010.
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Understanding LASIK Surgery
Approximately 50 percent of Americans suffer from visual impairment of some type. Astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness are examples of vision problems and may begin in youth or later in life. Glasses are the most common device used to correct poor vision, but contact lenses have also gained considerable popularity over the last four decades. LASIK eye surgery is a third option, and one that provides numerous advantages not associated with glasses or contacts. However, it is important to make sure that the surgery is completed by an experienced LASIK surgeon.
Procedure
There are several variations of the procedure, some of which are more advanced than others. The technique preferred varies somewhat from one LASIK surgeon to the next. Therefore, prospective patients are wise to discuss the different alternatives with the surgeon of their choice. However, the basic steps involved in the surgery are similar, regardless of which variation a person and his or her ophthalmologist ultimately choose.
Application of Numbing Drops
First, the surgeon applies numbing drops to the eyes. He or she then gently pulls down the lower eye lid to administer the initial dose of drops. Extra drops may be added later, if the doctor feels this is necessary. In most cases, it takes only 10 to 15 minutes for the drops to become effective. Although patients feel the presence of the device that holds the lid in an open position, experiencing pain is very rare.
Flap Creation
The surgeon’s next step is to create a flap using a blade or laser. When the flap, which is used to make the visual correction, is lifted, the patient’s vision blurs and dims and this is entirely normal.
Reshaping
Laser reshaping, the phase with which most individuals are familiar, is the point at which the surgeon will reshape the cornea’s stroma layer to ultimately correct the person’s sight. The cells removed depend on the prescription needed for each patient, and varies considerably from one individual to the next.
In most cases, patients are instructed to look at a green or red light while special ocular software tracks their eye movement. This is to ensure appropriate precision during the procedure. Patients may notice an odor and hear a clicking noise, both of which are normal and to be expected.
Following the reshaping phase, the surgeon replaces the flap he or she created with special instruments. More eye drops may be applied at this point, and the healing process begins at once. In most instances, the surgery takes 30 minutes or less.
Regardless of the specific technique used by the surgeon, the success rate of LASIK surgery has remained very high since its inception, and it is not associated with a substantial number of side effects or post surgery complications. Improvement in vision is virtually instant, but individuals are typically given very specific post-op instructions and a follow-up visit is scheduled for the morning following the surgery to evaluate the outcome and ensure it was successful. Those who believe they may benefit from surgical vision correction should discuss the pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery with a qualified and experienced ophthalmologist.
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ECT Storm Updates
Eye Center of Texas will be closed today, Tuesday, June 16, 2015 due to the weather. We care about all our patients and staff members and want everyone to be safe. If you have an appointment at any of our clinics, we will call you and reschedule your appointment. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
Please stay home…be safe and don’t take any chances.
Sincerely,
Eye Center of Texas Doctors
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Technology Matters
Because we value our commitment to our patients we utilize only state-of-the-art equipment based on its outstanding performance, quality, track record and safety features.
LASIK – VISX S4 Excimer Laser: Ultra-precise correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism allowing patients to have successful LASIK outcomes and reduces night vision issues.
Cataract Surgery – LenSx Laser: Traditional cataract surgery produces excellent outcomes. However, until recently the major steps of cataract surgery were done using manual techniques. Now we are able to offer our patients the latest technology which has set the new standard for safety and precision in cataract surgery – Laser Cataract Surgery. The LenSx laser provides our patients with computer-controlled precision by automating some of the most challenging steps of refractive cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery – ORA (Optiwave Refractie Analysis): This extremely advanced technology allows the surgeon to take real-time measurements, make adjustments to lens powers, astigmatism correction and IOL placement during cataract surgery.
Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Dr. Edward C. Wade of the Eye Center of Texas have help thousands of patient obtain better vision. To find out more about the Eye Center of Texas and our excellent team of doctors and staff, contact us at 713-797-1010.
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Annual Eye Exams are Important – Even After LASIK
Many LASIK patients ask if they will ever need to see their optometrist again after their LASIK procedure. After all, most LASIK patients will no longer require glasses or contact lenses. However, while your vision may be 20/20 or better following your LASIK procedure, it is still important to visit your eye doctor once a year for a routine annual checkup to maintain the health of your eyes.
In addition to assessing eyesight and prescribing eye glasses and/or contacts, optometrists are trained to look for eye diseases and conditions that can threaten vision and overall health, including cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and other eye diseases. Serious eye diseases, such as glaucoma, often have no symptoms at all until permanent vision loss occurs. A yearly visit to your eye doctor is your best defense against possible future debilitating eye diseases.
Our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Dr. Edward C. Wade have incredible confidence in the results achieved by their patients and stand behind their work. Every patient who chooses Eye Center of Texas for their LASIK surgery is covered under our “Limited Lifetime Warranty”.
ECT warranty includes:
If a LASIK patient’s vision worsens anytime within the first year and if treatment is deemed medically appropriate by the surgeon ECT will cover the cost of an enhancement. If a patients vision worsens after the first year and if treatment is deemed medically appropriate by the surgeon, ECT will offer an enhancement for a reduced fee*. Warranty eligibility is easy for you to maintain by simply having an annual eye exam with an optometrist within our referral network.
*please refer to your paperwork for reduced fee amount.
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Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
Pasadena
4415 Crenshaw RoadPasadena, TX 77504
Medical Office:
281-977-8800
Medical Fax:
281-977-8877
Sugar Land
15200 S.W. Freeway, Suite 130Sugar Land, TX 77478
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