Services provided at our office include:
	Comprehensive Eye Examinations		Full Service Glasses
	Designer and Polarized Sunglasses!!		How do Polarized Sunglasses Work?
	Contact Lenses		Laser Vision Correction
	Laser Vision Correction Common Questions		Eye Infections, Eye Injuries, Dry Eyes
	Eye Diseases; Cataracts, Glaucoma, Diabetes		Surgery Co-Management

Eye Examinations

We know your vision is important to you – and it’s important to us as well. From the moment you arrive for your office visit, YOU are our number one priority. We schedule ample time for your appointment so you will never feel rushed. Our doctors' priority is to make certain you have all of your questions and concerned addressed in our office. We offer numerous educational videos on eye conditions frequently diagnosed so you are completely informed on your ocular health and visual performance.

Our office provides complete eye care for both adults and children. Please remember to bring both your medical AND vision insurance card to your exam. Most of our exams address the 'health' of your eye, and your medical insurance will apply to your visit if you so wish. Our comprehensive eye examinations will review your eyes inside and out for any potential eye disorders or diseases. Your visual skills and abilities are carefully evaluated and appropriate treatment is prescribed, whether it’s medication, lenses, or vision therapy. We are prepared to handle whatever your eyecare needs are, and will treat them with the latest in diagnostic equipment and are committed to keeping up with eye care technology.

Eye Care Center is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory and optical dispensary that in most cases can bring you SAME DAY SERVICE on your glasses! Not only do we fabricate your glasses, but we also maintain and repair them should they become broken or damaged. Our lab technicians strive to offer you outstanding quality and service. We specialize in catering to your needs for custom glasses such as: computer, golfing, motorcycle, reading, sewing, and shooting glasses. Our highly qualified opticians are able to adjust and fit your glasses to you for extended comfort and vision.

Our team of doctors and staff utilize the latest technology to provide you with any frame or lens design available, while keeping abreast of the latest lens innovations. From progressive (no-line) bifocals, to anti-reflective treatments, to polarized sun lenses, to the thinnest and lightest lens materials, we will help you select the lens options that best fit your lifestyle and vision requirements.

Today’s frames come in a wide variety of materials, from the most durable plastics to the almost indestructible titanium. There are also numerous frame styles, from designer fashion frames, to children’s frames, to sun and sport glasses, to safety frames. Our staff is trained to help you find frames that look great, fit properly, and meet all your vision needs.

Here at the Eye Care Center, protecting your eyes from harmful UV light rays is a top priority. Eye conditions resulting from sunlight exposure may cause irreversible damage to the back of your eye (called your retina), and it can even cause early cataract formation.

Our doctors specialize in fitting prescription sunglasses that not only protect your eyes from harmful UV light, but also allow you to stay updated with the latest fashion trends.

Our doctors recommend polarized lenses for optimum outdoor vision. For years, boaters and fishermen have used polarized sunglasses to reduce reflected glare from the water surrounding them. But now that many others who spend time outdoors have discovered the benefits of polarized lenses, the popularity of these types of sunglasses has soared.

Besides boaters, outdoor enthusiasts who benefit the most from polarized sunglasses include skiers, golfers, bikers, and joggers, who enjoy a clearer view along with elimination of glare.

These sunglasses can be used for driving and, in fact, can reduce glare from a long, flat surface such as the hood of the car or the road's surface. Polarized sunglasses can also be used indoors by light-sensitive people, including post-cataract surgery patients and those continually exposed to bright light through windows.

Light reflected from surfaces like a flat road or smooth water is generally horizontally polarized. This horizontally polarized light is blocked by the vertically oriented polarizers in the lenses.

The result: a reduction in annoying and sometimes dangerous glare.

There is some debate on the effects of polarized lenses on snow-covered surfaces. Some experts say they can reduce the intense glare that is caused by sunlight reflecting off snow. Others purport that the lenses are not satisfactory for sports such as downhill skiing because they may not provide the contrast the eye needs to distinguish ice patches or moguls.

In addition, polarized lenses may also react adversely with liquid crystal displays (LCDs) found on the dashboards of some cars or in other places such as the digital screens on automatic teller (bank) machines. The problem with LCDs is that when viewed through polarized lenses from a certain angle, they can be invisible.

Our professionals can help fit you into a pair of lenses that is just right for you. We are experts in fitting contact lenses and can handle the most specialized needs. Whether rigid or soft lenses, we are experienced in handling the most difficult of prescriptions.

If you have allergies, then you know allergies can be particularly annoying to contact lens wearers. In the past many people had to quit wearing their lenses during the allergy season. However, new lens materials and allergy medications have made it possible for these people to eliminate the burning itchy eyes associated with allergies. Prescription medications such as Patanol and Alocril are amazingly effective and safe even in children as young as three. Let us know when you come in for your appointment if you have special allergy needs and we will be happy to help you.

Most people with vision correction issues are wanting to know more about LASIK and whether it is right for them. Here is a brief description of the procedure;

A flap is surgically cut in the cornea and gently folded back. An Excimer Laser is used to reshape the cornea into a flatter shape (this is much like a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea). The flap is then put back in place, acting like a natural bandage. The healing process is quick and the discomfort level is quite low.

People will often say that they did not feel anything, and could see well the very first day. Most people have improved vision in 24-48 hours. but it must be noted that each person will heal at a different rate. Vision, although greatly improved immediately after surgery, often continues to improve for some weeks, even months.

LASIK is not for everyone. People's eyes are different so even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it may not be the best course of treatment for you. If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in picking the right surgeon, procedure and laser appropriate for you.

After the procedure, we take great care to monitor your eyes and adjust your medication for the best possible results.

What is PRK??Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) involves using an Excimer laser that uses a cool ultraviolet beam of light instead of a blade to reshape the cornea. It is commonly used to treat low and moderated levels of both myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism.

What is LASIK??Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) combines the Excimer laser with an instrument called a microkeratome. The microkeratome makes a thin flap in the superficial cornea that is lifted upwards. The Excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue, and the flap is replaced. The flap seals within 24 hours of the procedure. This procedure is used for moderate to high levels of myopia and astigmatism.

Are PRK and LASIK new procedures??PRK was invented in 1987 although it was not FDA approved in the U.S. until 1995. Several million people in Europe and Canada have had this procedure prior to its approval in the U.S. The microkeratome has been in use for over ten years for other corneal procedures. It has been combined with the Excimer laser for LASIK for the last several years.

Are these procedures painful??The procedures themselves are painless. With PRK there is discomfort after the procedure for 1 to 3 days as the epithelium (the outer corneal layer) heals. With LASIK there is little discomfort as the outer layer of the cornea is undisturbed.

Should I get one eye done or do both eyes simultaneously??Most of our patients have both eyes treated at the same time because there is only one recovery period, and the healing time is minimal. If you have only one eye treated, be aware that you may experience headaches and disorientation from the different refractions in each eye.

Will I be able to see better immediately??Vision is typically blurry immediately after either procedure. The vision clears up with PRK in approximately 1-2 weeks and within 1-2 days for LASIK. Because the healing process is different for each patient, it is hard to predict when vision will stabilize.

Will my vision be 20/20 after the procedure??As with any procedure, we cannot guarantee perfect results after the procedure. Ten years of PRK studies show that 95% of patients see 20/40 or better without additional correction. This is legal driving vision. Some people only need their glasses for certain activities after the procedure and some have eliminated the need for glasses altogether. Presbyopia, a condition that affects EVERYONE around age 40 and requires them to wear reading glasses, cannot be corrected by any refractive surgery.

Is the procedure permanent or will I need to have it performed again in a few years??Both procedures are permanent. The tissue is completely removed and does not grow back.

Can I wear contacts if I still require correction after the procedure??Yes, the advantage to these procedures is that you can wear soft or gas permeable lenses after the procedure, if needed.

How soon can I have the procedure performed??If you are wearing glasses and have a stable refractive error, the procedure can be performed at any time. If you are wearing soft contact lenses you will need to be out of the lenses for approximately 1-2 weeks. If you are wearing gas permeable, hard lenses, or sleep in your contact lenses, you will need to be out of the lenses for approximately 1 month.

Are there any restrictions on who can have the procedure??We prefer to have patients treated who are over 21 years old and have a stable refraction. You are not eligible if you have diabetes, collagen vascular disease (Lupus,etc.), keratoconus, autoimmune disease (HIV), wear a pacemaker, or are a keloid former. There are also other conditions that could eliminate you as a candidate, therefore a complete eye exam is needed to determine if you are eligible.

When can I go back to work and when can I drive??Everyone heals at a different rate. Some people have surgery on Thursday and return to work on Friday, others take several days off work. You should not drive for at least 48 hours after either procedure.

Our office provides emergency services for eye infections and eye injuries. Please call our office at 979-779-9000 during office hours or for emergencies. Our staff will work with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. State of the art microscopes allow us to examine the front surface of the eye and facial areas around the eye for infection or injury. After assessing the extent of the injury or infection a treatment plan will be formulated and explained to you. Treatment may include medications and supportive care. Follow-up visits to monitor your recovery will be scheduled as needed.

Cataracts: The natural lens in the eye gradually becomes less clear as we get older. When opacities develop in the lens and the lens gets too hazy, vision will be impaired. Our office can diagnose and manage cataract care. When the cataract affects the vision to the extent that you cannot read or see distant objects comfortably, we will recommend cataract surgery. Our office co-manages with cataract specialists that are proven experts in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery can provide you with a bright new world of vision.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma gradually destroys the optic nerve tissue in the back of the eye. The greatest danger of glaucoma stems from the fact that the disease is painless and without obvious symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The most common cause is from pressure being too high inside the eye, but vascular disease and other diseases can also cause glaucoma. We always monitor for glaucoma during routine eye examinations. Tests include checking the pressure of the eye, screening for peripheral vision defects and analyzing the appearance of the optic nerve. If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, we typically prescribe medications that lower the eye pressure. Most forms of glaucoma are successfully treated with eye drops. Laser treatments and eye surgery are secondary treatments that offer alternative ways to treat more advanced glaucoma.

Diabetes: Diabetic patients should have a dilated retinal examination each year. Laser treatments have proven to slow the progression of retinal eye disease for many patients. Diabetes often stimulates the growth of new blood vessels in the back of the eye, which ultimately leak and damage the retina. If this condition is discovered early, laser treatment can destroy these vessels. We have the latest instruments used to detect changes in the back of the eye. If we discover advancing diabetic eye disease that can be treated or needs further evaluation, we will refer you for consultation and further testing to a board certified retinal specialist.

Our office provides working arrangements with eye surgeons and more specialized eye care doctors to provide many of the surgical services such as Cataract surgery, Laser surgery, Refractive surgery and Strabismic surgery, retinal detachments, retinal tears and hemorrhages. You can be assured that your eyes will be comprehensively managed by the best eye care professionals.