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Considering LASIK… Do Your Homework.
So you’re thinking about having LASIK Eye Correction? GREAT…now do your homework. The first thing to research is the surgeon. The second thing is technology (get this…many LASIK surgeons still create their patients flaps with the microkeratome (blade) system. Last, but not least… price (many people put price over surgeon and technology).
The Surgeon: Our surgeons, Dr. Mayo and Dr. Wade are two of the top LASIK surgeons in Texas. Together, they have performed over 60,000 LASIK procedures and are considered “the doctors…doctor” – meaning more Houston eye doctors refer their patients to them. Dr. Wade is also one of a select number of surgeons in Houston that offers the Visian ICL procedure – a procedure for extremely nearsighted people that probably are not candidates for LASIK.
Technology: Many LASIK surgeons in the Houston area are still using metal microkeratomes (blades) to make flaps. The difficulty with flaps being make with microkeratomes – is the chance of a significant complication is much greater than with the IntraLase (blade free) method for creating flaps. Our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mark L. Mayo and Dr. Edward C. Wade used the blade microkeratomes for years, but as soon as a safer and more precise technology was available, they changed over. Now, all our flaps made during the iLASIK procedure are blade free IntraLase. Our surgeons love the safety and exact nature of the blade free flap making experience.
Additionally, some Houston LASIK surgeons are still doing non-custom LASIK procedures. At the Eye Center of Texas we only offer the Advanced CustomVue Wavefront–guided VISX excimer laser technology for a truly customized experience. When you match the IntraLase method with the CustomVue Wavefront laser vision correction procedure, you get the absolute best results. iLASIK is the latest and most advanced LASIK procedure available – and it’s the only technology the Eye Center of Texas offers.
Price: If you check around, you will find that we are not the most expensive…but then we are not the cheapest. We are right in line with the other reputable Houston LASIK surgeons…but in addition to having surgery by at one of the top LASIK centers in the county – you will receive a ‘limited lifetime warranty’. Very few LASIK surgeons offer this. And if you need a little help with payments, you may want to consider Care Credit Financing. This makes it easier for those patients that would like to ease the burden of payment.
Call the Eye Center of Texas at 713-395-1515 to schedule your FREE iLASIK evaluation.
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March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month
March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month. Whether you work on a computer, or use power tools at your job, it’s important to keep eye health and safety in mind…since the gift of sight is irreplaceable.
More and more workers using technology suffer from computer vision syndrome. Computer vision syndrome is a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. Computer vision syndrome symptoms can range from physical fatigue to eye twitching. If you think you are suffering from symptoms of computer vision syndrome, it’s important to see your eye doctor.
However, if you are like most people who work on electronic devices all day, there are things that you can do to prevent computer vision syndrome. Here are some tips that you can use:
- See An Eye Doctor: The first step to preventing computer vision syndrome is seeing your eye doctor for an eye exam. It is a great way to keep tabs on your eye health. Tell your eye doctor if you are a heavy user of electronic devices during your daily routine.
- Get to Know the 20/20/20 Rule: If you work on a computer at your desk, take a 20 second break every 20 minutes and shift your vision to something else 20 feet away.
- Make Sure to Blink: When you work at a computer or on other electronic devices, you are less likely to blink. However, you need to blink because it keeps your eyes moist and prevents dry eye. So remember to blink when you are working at your computer.
- Take Mini Breaks: Most people only take two 15 minute breaks throughout the work day, but if you take shorter more frequent breaks from working on your computer, it will be a lot easier on your eyes. Make sure to get up, stretch, and move around during your breaks so that your eyes get a chance to rest.
- Computer Eyewear Is An Option: Your eye doctor may be able to prescribe computer eyewear that can help alleviate eye strain if you are heavy electronics user.
If your job requires the use of heavy machinery, be sure to remember safety glasses. All it takes is a tiny sliver of metal, a particle of dust or a splash of chemical to cause significant and even permanent eye damage.
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Will I Have 20/20 Vision After LASIK Surgery?
One of the most common questions we get asked at the Eye Center of Texas is: Will LASIK give me 20/20?
Will LASIK give me 20/20?
It’s a great question, and the answer depends on your best correctable visual acuity. When you come in for your free LASIK evaluation we will gather data about your eyes including: visual acuity, refraction, measurement of current glasses, measurement of night time pupil size; measurement of corneal thickness, corneal topography and Wavefront analysis. (Related: LASIK consultation preparation & What does LASIK fix?)
Based on your results, our doctors and staff will take as much time as necessary to help you understand your expectations and explain the risks and benefits of this amazing procedure.
Restoring 20/20 vision during LASIK surgery
Our Houston LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mayo and Dr. Wade only offer the IntraLase (blade-free) method for creating flaps in the superficial layers of the cornea. The IntraLase method is the safest and most precise way to make flaps in the cornea. Additionally, we only offer the Advanced CustomVue Wavefront-guided VISX excimer laser technology to reshape the underlying cornea. Your fingerprint is unique to you as your visual system is and the laser creates a custom fingerprint of your visual system.
The laser vision correction ablation automatically centers and automatically tracks the eye and shuts off automatically is there is movement. With iLASIK, there is iris registration. With iris registration, the laser looks at pinpoint areas of the iris and centers the laser vision correction on those specific areas. Bladeless Custom LASIK with iris registration is called ‘iLASIK’ and is the most progressive and advanced way to perform LASIK.
Better than 20/20 vision with LASIK?
With the combination of Dr. Mayo and Dr. Wade’s great surgical skills and the iLASIK technology…many of our patients achieve better than 20/20…that’s right…better than 20/20. We’re in this with you, from the first evaluation, to after-LASIK care and beyond. For further reading, visit our LASIK recovery timeline which covers questions like, “How long after LASIK can I see 20/20?”
Call us at 713-395-1515 to schedule your free iLASIK evaluation or contact us now…you’ll love your new vision!
Eye Center of Texas is the premier LASIK eye institute in Houston, with over 75,000 LASIK procedures and running.
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So You Have a Cataract…
Today I met Kate P. she’s 62…in great health…and has cataracts. After talking with her for awhile, she admitted her optometrist told her she had cataracts (over a year ago), but she was too scared to see a surgeon. She’s couldn’t tell me why she was scared…she said maybe because she thought the surgery would go bad and she would be blind or because she thought they would “just go away”. She realized her vision was too poor to drive at night…and she didn’t want to be forced to stay home because of her terrible night vision. So finally…today she had her cataract evaluation, talked with Dr. Mayo about her options…and booked her cataract surgery. Just before Kate left, she told me after meeting Dr. Mayo, our staff, and learning more about cataracts…she was relieved and felt she was in great hands and is looking forward to her new…clear vision.
Just in case you don’t know…
- Most cataracts are related to aging…and by age 80 more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had a cataract.
- No one knows why the eye’s lens changes as we age…they just do.
- When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses stronger bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids, but eventually surgical intervention will be necessary to see clearly again.
- Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with more than 3 million Americans undergoing cataract surgery each year.
- While cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgeries…your outcome is highly dependent on your surgeon’s skill, volume and experience. It’s import ants to find a skilled ophthalmologist who not only has a long track record of success , but one who will also make you feel comfortable.
- Additionally, you want to find a practice that embraces both proven traditional tactics for cataract surgery, as well as the latest in technological advancements for the best results possible.
Today, cataract surgery is one of the easiest, most common, and safest surgeries performed in the United States. You should consider it as soon as vision problems start to interfere with usual activities.
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What is the Difference Between LASIK, PRK and Clear Lens Exchange
When patents come to us to find out if they are a good candidate for LASIK vision correction we conduct a very thorough eye examination – because not everyone is a good candidate . For example, your cornea might be too thin, or the shape of your eye might not be appropriate for LASIK. ECT also offers PRK, which is an excellent option to improve your vision.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is the most popular surgical procedure to correct vision problems. LASIK is a type of laser vision correction performed by a surgeon using a computer-controlled laser that emits precise pulses of energy to reshape the cornea. LASIK dramatically reduces the need for glasses or contact lenses by treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. After LASIK, nearly all patients see well enough that they don’t need glasses or contacts for most or all activities requiring distance vision.
What is PRK?
PRK, which stands for photo-refractive keratectomy, works in exactly the same general way as LASIK by reshaping the cornea. While both LASIK and PRK are two-step processes, in PRK the first step is different. Whereas LASIK involves providing the laser treatment under a flap, PRK is the application of the laser treatment on the corneal surface.
What is Clear Lens Exchange?
This procedure is much like cataract surgery, where the natural lens of the eye is exchanged for a custom lens implant. So, when LASIK or PRK is not the best option for you, we most likely have other procedures to improve your vision!
The only way to know what procedure is right for you is to schedule a no-obligation evaluation. We will do a comprehensive set of specialized tests and talk to you about what will work best for your eyes. Our friendly LASIK Counselors and Physicians look forward to seeing you to answer all your questions.
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What Is LASIK?
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a quick and painless outpatient treatment that uses a cool beam of light to gently reshape the surface of the cornea, thereby improving vision. It is designed to be a onetime treatment to help normalize your vision, while also reducing or eliminating your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. LASIK is an FDA approved procedure. Over 19 million LASIK procedures have been performed making it the most common elective vision procedure in the U.S.
What is Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is when the eye is shaped more like a football than a baseball which causes blurred vision or a sense that each eye is seeing objects slightly differently. The result produces multiple focal points. Astigmatism can make wearing contact lenses difficult or even impossible. LASIK is now a great option for people with astigmatism who want clear, comfortable vision.
What is Myopia (Nearsightedness)?
The normal eye is a perfect sphere. The cornea and lens focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With nearsightedness, the cornea’s curvature is too steep for the shape of the eye. The light is focused in front of the retina, causing images of distant objects to appear blurry.
What is Hyperopia (Farsightedness)?
The normal eye is a perfect sphere. The cornea and lens focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With farsightedness, the cornea’s curvature is flat for the shape of the eye. The light is focused in back of the retina, causing a blurred image.
Why Go to the Eye Center of Texas?
Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade specialize in LASIK vision correction. Combined, they have helped over 60,000 patients achieve clear vision and reduce their dependence on glasses. Not only do they have an enormous amount of experience – but they only offer the latest in LASIK technology…iLASIK (aka…blade free). Over 275 Houston area optometrist refer their patients to Dr. Mayo or Dr. Wade for their LASIK surgery. What are you waiting for? Call us at 713-395-1515 or call your family eye doctor and tell them you want LASIK vision correction and you want Dr. Mayo or Dr. Wade for your surgeon!
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Introduction to iLASIK
Did you know LASIK eye correction is the most common elective vision procedures in the world? In fact, approximately 19 million procedures have been performed. Combined, Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade have performed over 60,000 LASIK procedures. Not only do they have an enormous amount of experience – but they only offer the latest in LASIK technology…iLASIK.
iLASIK is also known as IntraLase ‘blade free’ LASIK. IntraLase is the laser that makes the safest and most accurate flap possible…and combined with CustomVue wave print, our surgeons are able to give patients custom vision…which results in the best possible vision. There are 3 steps to the iLASIK procedure:
- The first step is to create a 3-D map of each eye. This map serves as the individual road map for your iLASIK procedure and is called WaveScan Map.
- Step #2 – the surgeon creates a thin corneal flap in a process called the IntraLase Method and this unique laser is an advantage of the iLASIK procedure. (Some vision centers use a blade to make the corneal flap).
- When the cornea flap is safely made, a second laser is used to make the correction to the cornea based on the exact specification/measurement of your eye(s). The entire procedure is typically completed in about 15- 20 minutes and is pain free!
If you check around, you will find that we are not the most expensive…but we are not the cheapest. We are right in line with the other reputable Houston LASIK surgeons…but in addition to having surgery by Dr. Mayo or Dr. Wade, you will receive a ‘limited lifetime warranty’. Very few LASIK surgeons offer this. And if you need a little help with payments, you may want to consider Care Credit Financing.
We love what we do at the Eye Center of Texas and we would love to help you achieve great vision! Call us at 713-395-1515 to schedule your free iLASIK evaluation or ask your optometrist (over 275 local optometrist refer their family, friends, and patients to ECT for their LASIK procedures).
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The Heart Truth
February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month and National AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) and Low Vision Awareness Month
Some of the same things that put you at risk for heart disease and stroke also put you at risk for AMD. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
- Smoking
You can tackle several risk factors at once by doing these 4 things: eat healthier foods, exercise, stop smoking and take your medications as instructed.
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Macular Degeneration and the Amsler Grid
Macular degeneration (AMD) is a chronic eye disease associated with aging that gradually destroys central vision. It is one of the leading causes of legal blindness and vision impairment in older Americans. AMD affects central vision, but not peripheral vision – therefore, it doesn’t cause total blindness. The progression of AMD can be slow or rapid, but the deterioration of central vision generally occurs over a period of a few years.
There are two types of AMD, dry and wet. The dry form occurs in approximately 90 percent of those with AMD. The wet form only occurs in 10 percent of those with AMD, but it accounts for 90 percent of all severe vision loss from the disease. “Wet” is a chronic condition with no cure, but it can be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT), conventional laser, and anti – VEGF medication treatments, or combination therapies.
Like other chronic diseases, wet AMD requires that people with the condition take an active role in monitoring their symptoms. The Amsler grid is a safe and simple, self-administered screening test used to evaluate possible problem areas in the macular.
Test each eye separately. Cover the eye that you are not using · Keep the grid about 14 inches away · Look directly at the dot in the center of the grid · If you normally wear glasses, do so while looking at the grid
Repeat this test on your other eye. If you notice blurry or wavy lines, and dark or blank spots you may have a vision problem in the eye and you should call your eye doctor.
Early detection and treatment are the best defense of losing your vision.
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January is Glaucoma Awareness Month
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a serious condition that involves an elevation in pressure inside the eye caused by a build-up of excess fluid. Left untreated, it can destroy the optic nerve, which is the main nerve of the eye. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world today…but it doesn’t have to be.
In most cases, it is a painless disease…and there are no symptoms other than loss of vision, which can occur so gradually that many people do not realize it is happening. The first vision loss is usually peripheral vision (what you see off to the sides when you are looking straight ahead).
Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be treated. If it’s diagnosed
in its early stages, blindness can almost always be prevented. Because it is painless, it is very important that patients have regular eye exams. This is especially true for people who:
- Have a family history of the disease
- Are of African-American descent
- Over the age of 40
Possible Signs of Glaucoma:
If you are suddenly experiencing the following symptoms, you may have glaucoma and should seek immediate treatment:
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Halos around bright light
The Eye Center of Texas treats all types of glaucoma. The most common is called ‘open-angle’ glaucoma. It occurs in 80% of all people with glaucoma and most ‘open-angle’ cases are treated with eye drops that we prescribe in the office. We also offer laser trabeculoplasty or SLT. The SLT (which is covered by most insurance plans) treats intraocular pressure by gently opening up the drainage canal of the eye with multiple laser spots.
To schedule your glaucoma evaluation, call the Eye Center of Texas at 713-797-1010
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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