Showing posts with label dallas tx. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dallas tx. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

7 Symptoms You May Need Optical Care And Attention

A lot of people feel the only time they must see a eye doctor is just a single time each and every two years to get an eye exam. For people with specific medical conditions for example glaucoma, being diabetic as well as other optic conditions, you will have to get a check-up more regularly. Having said that, there are a few optical circumstances that should send a person to the eye doctor to get an immediate analysis. Should you experience any one of the 7 warning signs in the following paragraphs, you have to make time for an eye exam at once.

1. Blurred Eyesight Or Issues Focusing

Blurry eyesight or possibly having issues focusing on items is usually a sign of a bigger health worry. If you have to squint to see things a lot more clearly or else you recognize cloudy things blocking the path, you could be affected by cataracts or possibly a number of other eye problems. Any kind of a gradual blurring of the vision may suggest you've a difference in your eye prescription. You may notice a variation in terms of how a person read an e-book or observe the computer screen, your vision could possibly be transforming and a session with a Dallas optical consultant is essential.

2. Head Pain

Head aches can be an early cautionary indication that your eyesight is actually adjusting. Take note if your head ache comes about soon after completing a visually tough activity or if perhaps your head pain happen to be toward the front region of the head. You might be needing glasses or a change in prescription.

3. Quick Visual Disturbances

Sudden symptoms of floaters, eye flashes or even blocked vision is usually a indication of a critical vision threatening ailment in regards to the retina. If you have experienced any of these signs or symptoms, find medical care from an ophthalmologist or alternatively er medical doctor immediately.

4. Sensitivity To Light

When you are squinting or even the light hurts your eyes, you ought to head over to an eye treatment center. Sensitivity to light may signal a number of eye diseases or perhaps an eye infection in the individual and it's important to get an eye exam at a Dallas optical center to be able to exclude anything truly serious.

5. Eye Infection

It's possible you have an eye infection in the event you experience itching, redness, inflammation to the eyelids or even yellow discharge. Conjunctivitis is a very contagious virus that is certainly curable by using an prescription antibiotic. It's crucial that you set up an eye exam from the very first indication of infection.

6. Squinting

Squinting can be a warning sign implying that you are having difficulties with your vision. It's also one of the first ways to diagnose if your youngster is actually having troubles seeing. Whenever we squint, the external light which enters the eye decreases and betters our vision. Lazy eye is another red flag, and you should be booking an eye exam with a knowledgeable Dallas optical services center. If it's not discovered as soon as possible, you might experience long-term vision loss.

7. Eye Fatigue

Eye tiredness is in fact a regular occurrence, particularly in people that utilize the computer system with regard to their job. The quantity of sleep at night, colds or flu and also seasonal allergies could cause short-term stress to the eyes. However, you really should get it examined for those who have continuous pains and / or tiredness, simply because this is often a indication of an infection as well as a much more serious health condition.

It doesn't matter if you're experiencing eye pain, fatigue, headaches or perhaps variations in sight, the Dallas optical professionals at Carter Eye Center will be able to help by giving you a comprehensive eye exam to ascertain the origin of the problem.

Carter Optical
5315 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 696-2020

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Reduce Eye Strain From Computers With These Eye Health Tips

Do you spend all day at a computer and suffer from dry eyes, headaches and blurred vision?

If you have these symptoms, you might be experiencing Computer Vision Syndrome, also commonly called computer eyestrain. Several factors can contribute to this affliction, including overuse or misuse of monitors and poor lighting in your work area, as well as other environmental and ergonomic factors.

At Carter Eye Center, we know that quitting your job is probably not an option for this problem, but there are some easy ways to alleviate the symptoms.

1. Take a break! A few minutes away from your computer (and from your desk entirely) each hour can do wonders. If you can’t leave your desk, then sitting back, closing your eyes and relaxing for a few moments still will help greatly
2. Light your workspace properly. If you have the option, use table lamps to the side of your work area, rather than bright overhead lighting or direct sunlight via a window.
3. Blink! Dry air translates to dry eyes, and the easiest fix is to consciously blink -- something that often decreases as computer use increases.
4. Decorate your workspace. Natural plants in your work area can increase humidity and control dust and other particles that can irritate the eyes. Don’t forget to water them, though!

If blurred vision and dry eyes persist, don’t forget to mention these complaints during your annual Dallas eye exam.

Monday, March 26, 2012

How Successful is LASIK?

If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, one of the first questions you probably have is, “How successful is it?” The good news for glasses and contact wearers everywhere is that this procedure is highly successful.

Before scheduling your consultation with a Dallas LASIK surgeon, though, there are some factors to consider that can increase your chances of having great outcome for your laser eye surgery.

What Type Of Surgery You Have Matters

Laser eye surgery isn’t just one procedure -- there are different techniques and different technologies. As technology improves, so do success rates.

With custom wavefront-guided LASIK, such as Dallas Dr. Harvey Carter performs, success rates are exceptional. A recent study found that 44 percent of patients who had this procedure experienced 20/15 or better vision without corrective lenses after three months. The same survey noted that 92 percent had 20/20 vision, and 100 percent had 20/25 or better, in the same time period.

No one needs great vision like our military men and women. A U.S. Navy study found that of sailors who underwent this procedure, 85 percent had 20/15 vision, compared to 69 percent of sailors who had conventional LASIK done.

Success Rates High, Complication Rates Low

As with any surgery, laser eye surgery comes with a certain risk of complications. However, it is one of the safest procedures you can undergo.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that complications occur in only 1 to 5 percent of LASIK surgeries, out of the hundreds of thousands that are performed nationally each year. Of those, most are mild symptoms, such as glare or light sensitivity, that often resolve in time.

Increasing Likelihood Of Success

Not every candidate will see the ideal results of LASIK surgery, but there are some criteria to meet that can increase your chances of success.

Having healthy eyes before surgery is vital to ensuring a good outcome for your procedure. If you are suffering from a condition that could affect how your eyes deal with surgery or healing, the procedure should wait until this issue is resolved. Such conditions include chronic dry eyes, conjunctivitis or eye injuries.

A patient who has had stable vision for at least a year is also more likely to have a successful outcome, which happens for most people at some point in their 20s. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause fluctuations in your vision. So if you are pregnant, this procedure should wait until your vision has normalized after pregnancy.

Certain health conditions also can affect how successful your procedure will be. Degenerative or autoimmune diseases, for example, may disqualify you from having LASIK eye surgery. Sjogren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes and HIV are some of examples.

And the top criteria to increase your success with LASIK is to find a qualified surgeon. An eye doctor with the right experience and a proven record is the best person to advise you on whether you are a candidate for a successful laser eye surgery.

Stop wondering if you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK and start the process of leading a glasses-free life! Call Dr Harvey Carter today and schedule your free consultation.

Friday, March 9, 2012

What Are The Differences Between LASIK And PRK?

If you’re looking at vision enhancement solutions, you may already have heard about Dallas LASIK and PRK, but you might be confused about the difference between the two procedures.

Both are refractive procedures to correct poor vision, but there are many dissimilarities between the two. An ophthalmologist can best help you decide which is right for you, but before selecting a procedure or even scheduling your free consultation, it will help to understand what separates these surgeries.

How The Procedures Are Performed

LASIK, which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, is an eye surgery that uses a blade called a microkeratome or an excimer laser to cut a flap into the patient’s cornea. After the flap is cut, a laser sends pulses into the cornea, reshaping it to correct vision problems.

PRK stands for Photo-refractive Keratatectomy. This procedure utilizes a cool laser light to reshape the central cornea based each patient’s corneal characteristics. The top layer of corneal cells are removed, rather than creating a flap, and the laser is focused directly on the corneal surface, which is flattened or steepened depending on the vision issue being corrected.

Differences In Recovery Time

Because of the differences in the procedures, recovery will be different depending on which surgery you choose.

After the corneal flap is replaced in Dallas LASIK surgery, the eye’s natural suction will allow it to stay in place to heal. The patient should experience significant vision improvements the next day and continued improvement in the following few days. In fact, most patients can even return to work the day after surgery.

On the other hand, PRK patients will have no flap, and the healing of the eye will be on the cornea’s surface. These patients will not experience the complications that on rare occasions can result from flap creation (because there is no flap created), but the recovery time is longer. Patients who undergo this procedure will take on average three to seven days to reach functional vision levels, and it will be one to four weeks before maximum visual sharpness is reached.

Is The Level Of Discomfort Different For Each Procedure?


Because of the removal of the cornea’s epithelial cells in PRK, patients who undergo this procedure typically experience slightly more post-operative discomfort than LASIK patients. However, every patient varies, and some patients experience little or even NO discomfort.

Ideal Candidates For LASIK vs. PRK

Dallas LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With increasingly improving technology, there are many more patients who are candidates for this procedure today than there were 10 years ago. It is the more popular choice, and is better suited to those with thick corneas who want faster results.

PRK also corrects the same vision problems, but it is the safer choice for some people. Patients who have corneal issues, such as scarring, irregularities or thin corneal tissue, might find that this is the better option for them.

While there are many differences between Dallas LASIK and PRK vision correction procedures, both have this in common: They can completely change your life! If you’re ready to get started on the path to glasses-free vision, schedule a consultation at Carter Eye Center today.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Improper Care Of Contact Lenses Can Lead To Big Problems

Some recent studies and surveys are showing a startling -- and sometimes gross -- disregard for the proper care and wear of contact lenses. Some offenders are simply unaware of important rules regarding cleaning and wearing contacts, while others may simply think it’s just not that important to observe the rules.

Whether you don’t know or just don’t care about the guidelines, it’s time to pay attention to what your Dallas optical specialist tries to tell you each year at your annual eye exam: Poor contact lens care can lead to vision problems that can be easily avoided.

You Did What With Your Contact Lenses?

The majority of contact wearers will claim diligent adherence to the rules. In a recent survey by a clinical professor of ophthalmology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, though, a different story came to light.

Of more than 400 contact lens users, just 2 percent were found to actually follow the rules of proper contact lens care. Among the misuses most reported:
  • Swimming or showering while wearing contact lenses
  • Sleeping in contacts
  • Using lenses longer than recommended before discarding
  • Topping off solution in case rather than discarding and refilling daily
  • Never replacing lens cases or replacing only after eye exam
In addition to poor adherence to the most basic contact hygiene rules, a separate survey in the United Kingdom in August 2011 found another disturbing trend of using unconventional means to disinfect, clean and store lenses.

The study, by lens solution manufacturer Bausch + Lomb, found that consumers had turned to such bizarre products as baby oil, beer, coke, petroleum jelly, lemonade, fruit juice and butter as alternatives to contact lens solution. Many additionally report using saliva or tap water -- which Dallas optical service providers will tell you can potentially contain hundreds of damaging micro-organisms -- as a solution when inserting their lenses. Not only can these items be damaging to your eyes, they could also cause pain and discomfort when inserting contact lenses.

Why Is Proper Lens Care So Important?

There are a few reasons to follow the guidelines of proper lens care that your Dallas optical specialist recommends. The first, and most important, being your continued eye health.

Improper cleaning and wearing habits can lead to a range of infections -- some relatively minor, others that could lead to extreme pain and vision loss. For example, showering or swimming with lenses in can expose your eyes to Acanthamoeba, an organism commonly found in tap water and lakes. When left untreated, this parasite can burrow into the cornea and cause vision loss.

Such eye infections for contact lens wearers are rare, but the likelihood of suffering from an infection is even less when the appropriate precautions are taken.

Another good reason to follow good contact lens hygiene? Your own comfort! When contact lenses are properly cleaned, stored and worn, they will be more comfortable for the wearer.

It’s time to start taking better care of your eyes, and there’s no better way to do that than by choosing the top Dallas optical service center. Call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your eye exam!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Do's And Don'ts After LASIK Surgery

Aside from the actual surgery, post-operative care is one of the things that Dallas LASIK surgery patients worry about most. Will I be in pain? Can I drive? When can I go back to work?

Laser eye surgery is one of the most minimally disruptive procedures you can undergo in terms of recovery time. There are some vital after-care instructions you can expect from your ophthalmologist, though. Following your surgeon’s list of do’s and don’ts after LASIK surgery is crucial for your healthy and swift recovery.

If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here are some of the do’s and don’ts that you can expect after your procedure.

Do’s After LASIK Surgery

DO have a friend or family member drive: After your surgery, you’ll need a designated driver to get you home safely.

DO use eye drops as directed: Carter Eye Center directs patients to use the prescribed eye drops every two hours the night surgery is peformed. When doing so, you will be instructed to remove your eye shields, add drops, and immediately replace your eye shields. Don’t worry -- the shields will only need to be worn while sleeping, and only for the first two weeks after surgery.

DO eat or drink what you want: Post-operative LASIK patients are advised to indulge in whatever foods or liquids they want, except for alcoholic beverages. Craving ice cream? Go for it! Feel the need for a cheeseburger and fries? Enjoy!

DO wear safety glasses during sports or high-risk activities: It’s not necessary to live in a bubble after undergoing LASIK surgery, but if you will be engaging in activities that increase your risk of eye injury -- for example, sports or lawn-mowing -- using safety glasses is recommended.

DO feel free to return to work and regular activities: There’s no need to seclude yourself for weeks after LASIK surgery. Normal activities can be resumed the next day.

Don’ts After LASIK Surgery

DON’T worry if you experience discomfort: Some eye discomfort is to be expected after undergoing any medical procedure. To minimize this, keep your eyes closed as much as possible after your surgery, until you wake up the next day. It’s OK to open them for short periods to eat, drink and use eyedrops. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also acceptable to use.

DON’T rub your eyes: For two weeks after surgery, it is very important NOT to rub your eyes.

DON’T get soap or water directly in your eyes: Avoid this for two weeks after your procedure. If soap or water does get into your eyes, put your head down and blink, so that your tears will wash them out. Swimming, hot tubs and water sports should be avoided during these two weeks.

DON’T wear eye makeup: Mascara and eyeliner should not be worn for three days after LASIK surgery. Waterproof eye makeup should not be work for two weeks. Extreme caution should be observed when removing makeup.

DON’T forget post-op appointments: Follow-up care is extremely important after LASIK surgery, so be sure to attend all post-operative appointments and bring your post-op kit with you. Your first appointment after surgery should last about 30-45 minutes.

If you’re ready to start the journey toward glasses-free vision, call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your Dallas LASIK surgery consultation!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Help Raise Awareness Of AMD In February

Prevent Blindness America recognizes February as a month to raise awareness of age-related macular degeneration, also called AMD.

AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in those 65 and older and a vital health issue that many people aren’t aware of. There is currently no cure, but early detection and treatment are crucial to slowing the progression of the disease and lessening its severity.

Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration include being 65 or older, smoking, eating a low-nutrient diet and having a family history of the disease. It is also more common among Caucasians.

Getting regular eye exams is key to catching any eye-related health problems. Call Carter Eye Center to schedule your comprehensive eye exam today!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Is LASIK Surgery Safe?

Most patients who suffer from poor vision dream about a day when they can see clearly without the use of corrective lenses. For many of them, having Dallas LASIK surgery is a great way to realize that dream.

Advancements in laser eye surgery have made it an extremely safe procedure. In fact, with an experienced surgeon, the risk of serious complication is less than 1 percent. As a medical procedure, it still carries a small risk. However, improvements in the field of laser vision correction have advanced dramatically and continue to improve results and decrease risk.

Will My Age Affect The Outcome Of LASIK?

In the past, it was far less common to perform Dallas LASIK surgery on older patients as it was believed age could increase risk of complications. Today, however, studies suggest there is little difference in the success of this procedure for patients whether they are in their 20s or 40s and older. New technologies allow surgeons more options for treating vision problems, no matter the age.

For example, CustomVue Wavefront-guided LASIK, a tool for both diagnosis and guiding the corneal correction, allows for a more exact mapping of each person’s corneal imperfections. This map is used to guide the laser in correction those aberrations, allowing for a more precise correction of a broader range of vision problems.

Increasing Patient Satisfaction With LASIK

They vast majority of LASIK patients find the experience extremely satisfying and the results spectacular. However, a few things have helped increase even more these satisfactory outcomes.

Better screening procedures: Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the surgery. While for many people, it provides superior vision, the quality of results will depend entirely on each individual’s case. Technology advancements have improved both the level of correction for patients who, in the past, may not have been LASIK candidates and the screening process for determining who would benefit from the surgery

Training and experience: Using an experienced, well-qualified surgeon can greatly diminish the chances of complications and dissatisfaction after surgery. Not everyone’s eyes are the same; in fact, hardly anyone’s are. A doctor who is using the most advanced laser technologies like CustomVue can give you better, more individualized results.

Potentials Risks After Surgery

There are a variety of possible complications a LASIK patient might experience. The most often reported complications are glare and sensitivity to light; visual fluctuations; halos or starbursts surrounding light sources; and dry eyes.

Even the most common of these are temporary complications and resolve on their own a few days after the surgery. Decreasing the risk of complications from LASIK eye surgery starts with finding the right doctor. An experienced surgeon will give better results and decrease the risk of complications.

If you’re ready to discover whether you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK eye surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr Harvey Carter today.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Dallas Laser Eye Surgery: The Process

Most people will experience mixed feelings on the day of their Dallas LASIK surgery, and this is completely natural. Patients are likely to be anxious about the actual procedure and what it entails and also excited about the improvement they will notice in their vision.

Knowing what to expect during your visit will enable you to prepare yourself mentally and as a result, this will relieve feelings of anxiety. By minimizing stress and arming yourself with knowledge, you will have a positive surgical experience.

Preparing For the Surgery

Before The Procedure: On the morning of your surgery, eat a good breakfast as normal and don’t worry too much if you didn’t sleep well the night before. You will be advised to have plenty of sleep after the surgery to rest your eyes and to allow you to recuperate.

When to Arrive: Allow plenty of time to get to your appointment and aim to arrive around 30 minutes before your scheduled time. This will ensure that any delays you experience en route to Carter Eye Center will not delay your appointment time.

Who to Bring: You will be unable to drive home from your eye surgery and because of this you should bring a family member or close friend to take you home. Your chosen person will also be able to offer you support before your surgery and may also stay with you throughout the procedure.

When You Arrive: On arrival, you will be greeted by the LASIK technician that will be conducting the surgery. You will be offered a mild sedative that will help to keep you relaxed throughout the process. This sedative can also help you to nap afterwards, which is important for your eye recovery.

The Surgical Process: The procedure is relatively painless and is completed in very little time. The whole process should be complete in just two hours and trained LASIK staff will be with you throughout.

After the Procedure
  • Many Patients notice a significant improvement in vision almost immediately.
  • You will be given clear, protective eye shields to cover your eyes until the next morning, or one shield if you are having LASIK on just one eye.
  • Your chosen friend or family member will take you home and you will be advised to rest and sleep.
  • Most patients will wake with little or no discomfort in their eyes.
The Next Day: Most patients are able to drive themselves to an initial post-op exam without the need for their glasses or contact lenses due the significant improvement in their vision.

Now that you know what to expect before, during and after the surgery, you will hopefully feel less anxious about the procedure. It is also helpful to remind yourself of the benefits of LASIK eye surgery which include a vast improvement in sight and a future without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

If you’re ready to schedule your Dallas LASIK consultation, contact Carter Eye Center today and start the process of getting better, glasses-free vision!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

LASIK - Long Term Effects

LASIK offers patients a permanent solution to nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. It is associated with several benefits that make the procedure a worthwhile investment. Below are a few of the advantages and long-term effects that patients can enjoy with Dallas LASIK eye surgery.

Better Vision

Contact lenses and glasses cannot offer the precise and enhanced vision that laser surgery can. Most patients are able to obtain near perfect or perfect vision in a matter of hours. The entire process is virtually painless and quick, for the ultimate in convenience. The results can last a patient's entire lifetime, making it an advantageous alternative to traditional corrective measures. It is an invaluable procedure that makes life easier.

Better Savings

The long-term endurance of LASIK surgery allows a patient to take advantage of a cost-effective solution to their vision problems. Without the cost of glass frames, lenses, cleaning products, cleaning cloths, glass cases, contact lenses, contact solution and annual eye doctor visits, a patient can save money. When those costs are added up over a patient's lifetime, they surpass the outlay of a surgical procedure. Moving forward with laser surgery is the ideal choice.

Better Appearance

Without the need for glasses, a patient has the ability to improve their overall appearance by eliminating heavy, awkward fitting instruments that get scratched, dirty and are prone to loss or damage. By avoiding contact lenses, a patient can eliminate the feeling of dirty lenses in their eye, constant dryness, irritation, red eyes and discomfort. Eye surgery also allows a patient regain the time that was once used to clean and maintain eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Better Health

While contact lenses may be a better alternative to glasses, it can result in infections. Even with the most careful cleaning practices, they can become dirty and contain dangerous bacteria that lead to disease, severe pain and a major inconvenience. Laser surgery allows you to eliminate these risk factors permanently.

Better Quality of Life

LASIK allows patients to engage in strenuous activities or occupations that may have been risky with contact or glasses. Having an improved quality of life infuses renewed self-confidence and can lead to better opportunities. With superior vision that includes the peripheral dimension that eyeglasses lack, a patient can lead a better life.

Millions of patients have undergone the procedure due to its low risk and high rewards. In very few cases, patients may experience side effects such as glares and dry eye that can often be corrected through an additional surgery or special eye drops. The LASIK industry reports that less than 1% of patients experience complications with their surgery, making it a safe alternative to traditional vision correction methods.

Laser surgery is quickly becoming the most preferred method of treating common eye conditions. Only fully eligible patients are able to undergo the procedure. Dallas LASIK eye surgeon Dr Harvey Carter can determine if you are an eligible candidate for this surgery. Various tests are performed to thoroughly examine the eye and to establish that the procedure is suitable for your vision problem.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Benefits of Dermabrasion in Dallas, TX

Our skin always renews itself by shedding the dry, dull skin and replacing it with smooth, soft, vibrant skin. As we get older, our skin renews itself less and less causing our appearance to be dull and show skin damage. There are many causes of damaged skin, such as:

  • Environment
  • Long Exposure to the Sun
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Aging

After just one treatment with dermabrasion at Carter Eye Center in Dallas TX, you will notice healthier, younger looking skin. Dallas Eye Surgeon, Dr. Harvey Carter uses the Derma Genesis system to effectively and quickly rejuvenate your skin.

Dermabrasion can treat the following skin conditions:

  • Fine Lines and Wrinkles
  • Freckles
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Scar Tissue
  • Acne Scarring
  • Skin Growths
  • Sun Damaged Skin

Rejuvenating your appearance with dermabrasion treatments offer many benefits over other facial rejuvenating treatments like laser skin resurfacing treatments and chemical peels. One of the main benefits is that dermabrasion can be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as BOTOX® and Restylane.

Other benefits of dermabrasion include:

  • Anesthesia is not required
  • There is no pain with the treatment
  • There is minimal risk
  • All skin types can have the treatment
  • No hazardous chemicals are used
  • There is no down time following treatment

If you are interested in learning more about how dermabrasion can rejuvenate your skin in Dallas, Texas, please contact the Carter Eye Center today. At Carter Eye Center, complaints of dull skin will be a thing of the past.