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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Does LASIK have any side effects?
LASIK is one of the safest, most effective and predictable types of surgery one can have today. However, LASIK is surgery, and as with any type of surgery, there are side effects that patients should be aware of and fully understand before consenting to have LASIK.
The most common side effect of LASIK is dry eyes. It usually lasts three to six months and can be treated with medicated eye drops. Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome. As a result of surgery, your eye may not be able to produce enough tears to keep the eye moist and comfortable. Dry eye not only causes discomfort, but also can reduce vision due to intermittent blurring and other visual symptoms. This condition may be permanent. Intensive drop therapy and use of plugs or other procedures may be required. Other possible side effects of LASIK are halos around lights, particularly at night, reduced vision due to glare from lights or the sun and a scratchy sensation due to dry eyes after LASIK surgery. The under or over correction of the vision error is possible and may require additional surgery. Pink or red spots on the white of the eye may be visible after LASIK surgery.
Severe side effects are less common but still possible. As with most surgical procedures, infection and inflammation may occur requiring antibiotics or even another surgery. A problem with the corneal flap such as wrinkles or a shifted flap, although rare, could require surgical treatment. There is a small chance that, even after additional surgery, vision will be worse than it was before surgery.
Your chances of experiencing side effects from LASIK eye surgery increase if you already suffer from certain eye conditions such as dry eye, Keratoconus (deterioration of the cornea), thin corneas, and previous eye surgeries. Other health issues also can contribute to problems with LASIK surgery. A comprehensive evaluation for complicating conditions should be completed before undergoing the operation.
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LASIK Recovery Info
Immediately after LASIK surgery go home and rest. If you are uncomfortable, you can take 2 Advil or 2 Tylenol. Begin using your drops when you arrive home (as directed). You will be more comfortable with your eyes closed, but it’s okay to peek. Don’t worry if your eyes are tearing, this is a natural response and the tears are soothing and aid the healing of your eyes. Do Not Rub Your Eyes!
Expect your vision to fluctuate during the 2-3 weeks following surgery. You may experience dimming of your vision in the evening or light sensitivity or glare. These symptoms and any discomfort you may have will grow less each day. Get plenty of rest.
Do no get anything in your eyes for the first three days. Avoid eye makeup, gardening and dusty, dirty environments for one week. You may wash your face, shower and shampoo your hair 24 hours after your procedure, but keep your eyes closed so no soapy water gets in your eyes.
You will see your post-op doctor one day after surgery. Your eyes may be somewhat sore and the vision may be blurry, but these symptoms will improve with time. The redness and irritation will subside in one or two days.
You will use eye drops for seven days following surgery. The drops may sting on instillation. Wash your hands before instilling drops and do not touch the dropper bottle to your eye. Wait five minutes between drops. Use preservative free artificial tears every two hours for the first week.
For two weeks after surgery, avoid swimming, hot tubs, saunas or any other contact with possibly contaminated water. You may resume jogging, with weight lifting and/or aerobics one week after surgery, but do not increase your level of exercise for two weeks.
Do not rub your eyes for two months and avoid contact or racquet sports for one month after surgery. Please make sure you go to all your post-operative appointments.
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Patients happier with LASIK than with Contacts
SAN DIEGO — Patient satisfaction with LASIK is better than that with contact lenses, results from a new survey suggest.
“We were surprised to see that it made their night vision better,” said Francis Price Jr, MD, an ophthalmologist practicing in Indianapolis, who presented the survey results here at the World Cornea Congress.
The research team could find no studies that compared LASIK with a realistic control group. “We think there’s been a movement to compare LASIK with a perfect eye, which probably doesn’t exist,” Dr Price said.
The lack of data makes it hard for patients to decide whether they would benefit from the procedure.
“This study sets an appropriate benchmark for LASIK by comparing it with a popular alternative: contact lenses,” he reported.
Dr Price and his colleagues surveyed 1815 adults younger than 60 years to evaluate satisfaction with their method of vision correction; 1111 were planning to undergo LASIK and 704 wore contact lens, most of which were soft. Participants completed the survey at baseline and then at yearly intervals for 2 years.
The proportion of participants in the LASIK group reporting moderate to severe difficulty driving at night decreased over the follow-up period, from 14% at 1 year to 7% at 2 years.
In the contact lens group, there was little change in the degree of satisfaction with the vision-correction method over the 2-year follow-up period.
People who wore glasses and then underwent LASIK surgery were more likely to report dry eyes. However, Dr Price reported, 75% of those wearing glasses had tried contact lenses before LASIK but reverted to glasses because of dry eye.
“I think dry eyes overall are underappreciated,” said Dr Price.
Dr Price did not report the statistical significance of any of the findings.
“I think this was a good comparison,” said session discussant Stephen Kaufman, MD, from New York Downstate Medical Center in New York City.
He told Medscape Medical News that he wasn’t surprised to see that LASIK improved night vision because glasses can produce glare, and both glasses and contacts can get dirty.
LASIK doesn’t deserve the reputation it has for causing poor night vision, he said. “The technology has improved,” he explained. In fact, “the technology is fantastic.”
This study was funded by the 23 participating practices and the Cornea Research Foundation of America. Dr Price reports financial relationships with Alphaeon, Calhoun Vision, Interactive Medical Publishing, RevitalVision, STAAR Surgical, and TearLab. Dr Kaufman has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
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Where do you go for LASIK Surgery?
Where Do You Go for Houston LASIK Surgery?
There are many places that offer LASIK surgery in Houston, but how do you know which center is good for you? One of the first things to look for is the doctor. In Houston, LASIK surgery is performed by many ophthalmologists, but the ones with the right credentials are the ones you want to visit. Having board-certified LASIK eye surgeons on staff is good to know if you are thinking about finding a place in Houston where LASIK surgery is available. That means the doctors have studied a specific discipline and have demonstrated their ability in that particular area. A board-certified doctor is much more trustworthy and has shown they have the necessary skills to perform their duties at the highest level.
Also, their experience in performing surgery for LASIK is important as well. If the doctors have performed about 40,000 operations, then that says they know what they are doing and have accrued many testimonials that will tell you about their skills as a doctor.
You might also want to see if Houston-area eye doctors refer their patients to a particular LASIK surgeon. This shows that family eye doctors place enough of their trust in the surgeon to send their own patients there. These local eye doctors should give you their honest opinion about who you should go to in Houston for LASIK surgery. Their business could suffer if they send you to the wrong doctor, so the chances of them giving you the right information are pretty high.
The equipment LASIK surgeons use is another factor to consider when choosing a place in Houston for LASIK surgery. Using the latest, most technologically advanced tools for LASIK surgery should be commonplace because equipment on this level will turn out the best results. The VISX CustomVue Star 4 laser is a type of tool used in LASIK surgery for reshaping the cornea. It is stationary, and therefore more reliable than mobile equipment. Also, IntraLase lasers are another tool that expert LASIK surgeons use (note: many LASIK centers that advertise LASIK for $499/eye do not offer this technology). The IntraLase laser is a bladeless laser that uses cool laser light to cut the flap needed for the surgery and it performs the incision precisely.
If you are looking for a place in Houston where LASIK surgery is performed at the most professional and compassionate levels, come to The Eye Center of Texas. Dr. Edward Wade and Dr. Mark Mayo are two of the nation’s top LASIK surgeons and combined have performed over 60,000 LASIK surgeries.
Come and find out if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery today!
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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:
346-547-7070
Medical Fax:
281-214-2971
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
936-647-1610
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620