Medically Reviewed by:
How Much Should You Pay for LASIK?
The cost of LASIK vision correction varies among practices, based on the surgeon’s experience and what the center includes in the fee. You may hear radio ads that claim “LASIK starting as low as $499 an eye”, but in most cases this is a bait and switch center and be aware that you will probably pay a lot more than the advertised $499. and often the total cost of the procedure will be similar to costs for quality surgeons who don’t advertise too-good-to-be-true fees.
We are not the least expensive LASIK practice in Houston because we never sacrifice safety to save you money and our price includes a “limited lifetime warranty” (at no additional cost). We have invested heavily in advanced laser technology and our diagnostic technology is second to none. This investment is extremely important to our patient’s results. Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Dr. Edward C. Wade excellent LASIK surgeons and combined have performed over 60,000 successful LASIK procedures. If you’re thinking about LASIK…give us a call. 713-797-1010
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
Happy JulEYE – Dry Eye Awareness Month
Dry Eye signs and symptoms, which usually affect both eyes, may include:
- A stinging, burning or scratchy sensation in your eyes
- Stringy mucus in or around your eyes
- Increased eye irritation from smoke or wind
- Eye fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye redness
- A sensation of having something in your eyes
- Difficulty wearing contact lenses
- Periods of excessive tearing
- Blurred vision, often worsening at the end of the day or after focusing for a prolonged period.
- Poor tear quality
- Decreased tear production
- Older than 50
- Postmenopausal women
- Eyelid problems (Blinking spreads a continuous thin film of tears across the surface of your eyes. If you have an eyelid problem that makes it difficult to blink, tears may not be spread across your eye adequately or your tears may evaporate too quickly, causing dry eyes).
- Medications
- Medical Conditions (such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma and thyroid disorders).
- LASIK surgery
- Wind
- Dry air
- Tasks that require enough concentration that you blink less often, such as working at a computer, driving or reading.
Tests used to determine the cause of your dry eyes may include:
- A comprehensive eye exam. An eye exam that includes a complete history of your overall health and your eye health can help your doctor diagnose the cause of your dry eyes.
- Measuring the volume of your tears. Your doctor may measure your tear production. In this test, blotting strips of paper are placed under your lower eyelids. After five minutes your doctor measures the amount of strip soaked by your tears.
- Determining the quality of your tears. Other tests use special dyes in eye drops to determine the surface condition of your eyes. Your doctor looks for staining patterns on the corneas and measures how long it takes before your tears evaporate.
Because doctor appointments can be brief, and because there’s often a lot of ground to cover, it’s a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment.
- Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you’re taking.
What you can do in the meantime:
*To relieve your signs and symptoms while you wait for your appointment, try over-the-counter eye drops. Look for lubricating eye drops and avoid those that reduce redness in the eyes. Eye drops that reduce eye redness can cause additional eye irritation.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
Laser Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery has undergone a revolutionary advance – shifting from a manual technique to an ultramodern femtosecond laser procedure which can treat even the hardest of cataracts in minutes. Not since the “no-stitch” cataract procedure has the ophthalmology profession experienced such a seismic shift in eye surgery; and it’s now in Houston. On July 20 2012, Dr Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade earned the distinction of being among the first to perform the LensSx Laser Cataract procedure in the United States. With the introduction of the FDA approved LenSx Laser, the eye surgeons at Eye Center of Texas now have the ability to provide patients with computer-controlled precision as it automates some of the most challenging steps of refractive cataract surgery. The laser replaces the traditional hand-held blade to optimize all incisions for enhanced, reproducible surgical performance. The breakthrough technology provides the surgeon with real-time three dimensional visualization for true customization of your lens replacement procedure.
Recent results show that the LenSx Laser is up to 10x more precise than manual techniques for some portions of the cataract surgical procedure and improves the safety and accuracy of your cataract surgery.
The good news is that you are experiencing cataracts at a time in the evolution of cataract surgery when technological advances are making the procedure better with laser cataract surgery. Eye Center of Texas offers a range of treatment options to suit your vision goals. Your eyes are unique. Based on the distinctive anatomy of your eyes, we will work with you to help you achieve your “personal best” vision. While no two patients are the same, our doctors will evaluate your eyes to determine if you are a candidate for Laser Cataract Surgery, assess your desired vision outcome and help you decide which Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) will most likely help you achieve your vision goals.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
How Are Cataracts Treated?
When a cataract progresses and decreases vision to a point that it interferes with your lifestyle and daily activities…cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. Cataracts affect more than 22 million people over 40 years of age in the U.S. and are the leading cause of blindness among the country’s older adults. Cataract surgery can offer improved vision, and is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed today. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it could be an indication it’s time to consider cataract surgery:
- When driving, there’s too much glare from the sun or headlights
- You are having problems seeing well enough to read, sew, watch tv or play games
- You are afraid of bumping into objects or falling down
- Your vision doesn’t improve sufficiently when wearing glasses
ECT’s cataract surgeons, Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade will perform on one eye at a time. This is done to minimize potential complications. Cataract surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical center with local anesthesia. Cataract surgery is day surgery and patients are released directly after surgery.
Eye Center of Texas offers the latest in advanced lifestyle lens implants and specialize in bladeless cataract surgery. We aim to achieve the best for every patient by working with a team of experienced doctors that will carefully analyze your eye health and visual needs.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
What is a Cataract Evaluation?
Have you ever wondered how the doctors determine if you have a cataract? At Eye Center of Texas cataracts are detected through a comprehensive cataract evaluation eye exam that may include the following tests:
- Visual Acuity: A visual acuity test measures your quality of vision at certain distances. Your doctor will ask you to read letters of various sizes from a chart. Your eyes will be tested individually and together to measure the accuracy of your eyesight at different distances. A visual acuity test is an easy, painless, and quick way to diagnosis cataracts, although more tests will be needed to make sure cataracts are the cause of your vision problems.
- Contrast Sensitivity: Contrast sensitivity testing is similar to visual acuity testing but places greater emphasis on how cataracts can decrease image contrast due to light scattering and glare caused by the cataract. Eye doctors consider contrast sensitivity testing to be a more realistic measurement of true quality of vision.
- Slit Lamp: A slit lamp is a special type of microscope that magnifies your eye so your doctor can examine the lens to determine the presence and severity of a cataract. Your doctor will ask you to place your chin on the chin rest of the slit lamp. A light will then be directed at your eye. By looking through the slit lamp, your doctor can examine the lens to determine the degree to which it is clouded.
- Pupil Dilation: Pupil dilation is a common test used in diagnosing cataracts. Clouding of the lens is not noticeable until a cataract reaches an advanced stage. When your eye is dilated, however, the pupil increases in size, offering a view of your entire lens. By thoroughly examining the lens, a doctor can determine whether or not a cataract is affecting your quality of vision.
Additional tests may be needed and cataract evaluations take between 3-4 hours.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
Wearing Sunglasses After LASIK
After LASIK surgery, most patients find that their eyes are more sensitive to light than before. If you experience any light sensitivity after your LASIK surgery buy a good pair of dark sunglasses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.
Corneal haze (a hazy or foggy view) is a possible side effect of LASIK and it is believed that exposure to UV light is the main reason, so if you’re debating whether you should wear sunglasses after LASIK, debate no more; and it doesn’t make a difference whether it’s summer or winter either, light can affect your eyes regardless of the season.
Bottom line….after LASIK surgery plan on investing in some good quality sunglasses and enjoy your new view of the world!
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
Don’t Forget To Change your Drivers License after LASIK
Following LASIK patients no longer require glasses or contact lenses for driving. If you have a restriction on your driver’s license that requires the wearing of glasses or contact lenses you must return to the Department of Public Safety and retake the DPS vision test to have the restriction removed off your drivers license. A letter from the surgeon or the post-op optometrist is not sufficient and will not prevent a patient from receiving a ticket.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
What is a LASIK Enhancement?
A LASIK enhancement is a follow-up LASIK procedure that sometimes is performed if the outcome of your original vision correction surgery is unsatisfactory.
Enhancement procedures are performed at the discretion of your LASIK surgeon, they are based on your visual symptoms and ability to do and see the things you desired without dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Enhancements are additional surgical procedures and they require the addition of laser energy to the cornea and thus require a true medical necessity and should not simply done to just to see things a little better.
An enhancement is performed by lifting the original flap created during the LASIK procedure with a special spatula like instrument. There is usually no need to cut a new flap so the risks associated with creating the flap originally are not a factor in retreatment. Rarely a new flap may need to be created.
To determine whether you’re a good candidate for a LASIK enhancement, your eye doctor will re-evaluate your corneas with the same methods used prior to your first LASIK procedure.
The enhancement rate for Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade is
How Much Does A LASIK Enhancement Cost?
LASIK enhancements at ECT are free if required within the first year of your original procedure. ECT also offers all LASIK patients a “Limited Lifetime Warrant” (at no additional cost)… which is a $400.00 per eye charge for an enhancement performed after your first year. To maintain your “Limited Lifetime Warranty” you must complete complete all your follow-up visits, and have an annual eye exam with ECT or with an ECT affiliated optometrist.
Most LASIK centers do not offer a warranty and in many cases patients are required to pay the full LASIK fee for an enhancement. It’s important when choosing a LASIK surgeon that you ask about policies and fees for enhancement procedures and the additional follow-up care needed if a LASIK enhancement is performed.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
What is an Artificial Intraocular Lens (IOL)?
During cataract surgery, your surgeon will need to remove your natural lens and your eye will loose its ability to focus light and images clearly on to the retina (the light-sensitive tissue that lines the inside surface of the eye). In order for you to be able to see clearly, your surgeon will replace your natural lens with an artificial intaocular lens (IOL).
Learn more about the IOL options that are available to cataract patients.
Monofocal IOLs
Since “mono” means one, monofocal lenses provide one type of focused, or clear, vision. They provide clear vision either at distance or near, but not both.
Most patients who select monodical lenses choose to have good distance vision, and use reading glasses to help with near tasks, such as reading, computer work or sewing.
Monofocal lenses are typically covered by insurance and Medicare, and usually require no additional out-of-pocket payment.
Toric IOLs for Astigmatism
Astigmatic lenses (or toric lenses) are monofocal lenses that can correct astigmatism.
Because astigmatic lenses can correct astigmatism, they may reduce the need for an astigmatism correction in the patient’s eyeglasses after surgery.
Astigmatic lenses are not fully covered by insurance and Medicare, and require out-of-pocket patient contribution.
Premium IOLs: Multifocal
Since “multi” means “more than one,” multifocal lenses provide more than one type of focused, or clear, vision. They attempt to provide clear vision both at distance and near simultaneously.
Because multifocal lenses correct both distance and reading vision, they can reduce the patient’s dependence on eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Multifocal lenses are not fully covered by insurance and Medicare, and require out-of-pocket patient contribution.
Related Articles
Medically Reviewed by:
When Should I have Cataract Surgery?
Are cataracts interfering with your day-to-day routine? If so, it’s time to consider cataract surgery.
Cataracts are clouded areas in the lens that can develop in one or both eyes…and are primarily caused by aging. Cataract development is painless and develops slowly over time, so often people aren’t even aware of a change in vision.
Because cataracts develop over time, vision loss is gradual but can also be dangerous when performing common activities. Here are several reasons that you may want to consider having cataracts removed:
- Sun or headlight glare impairs your vision, making it difficult for you to drive safely.
- Poor vision is affecting your ability to perform normal tasks and the things you love, like golf, needlework or reading.
- Blurred vision, glare, double vision, dull color vision.
Cataract surgery is a common procedure (the total number of people who have cataracts is estimated to increase to 30.1 million by 202), so don’t let nerves get the best of you. During this outpatient procedure, your surgeon will remove the clouded lens, and replace it with an artificial lens. If you might be a candidate for cataract surgery, or just have questions about eye health, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Eye Center of Texas. We can get you on the path to a brighter, clearer future.
Related Articles
Financing Options Available
Apply today to find a financing option that meets your needs.
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