Selecting a LASIK Surgeon

Selecting an eye surgeon best qualified to perform LASIK is not nearly as difficult as it might seem. Selecting any surgeon requires careful research, and there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that you choose an eye surgeon wisely.

One of the first things we tend to do is ask around. Word-of-mouth recommendations are valuable, and you can learn a lot about a doctor, his clinic, staff, and care by speaking to former patients. But, sooner or later you will find a disgruntled patient. Bear in mind that some people are never satisfied and always manage to find fault with everything. On the other hand, give careful consideration to what their complaint is and try to determine if they contributed to the problem and how. In other words, use caution and “consider the source.”

Another step is to research LASIK, carefully, to learn what is involved in the procedure, and what you can expect regarding results, recovery, discomfort, improvement, and possible alternatives to LASIK.

You want to evaluate potential surgeons based upon their professional qualifications, experience, and other attributes. Most eye surgeons make their training, credentials and affiliations known. When you find one you think you may want as your surgeon, be prepared to ask him questions to help you decide for certain. Check out this free, downloadable, PDF file of 50 questions you can ask you physician.

Dr. Harvey Carter and his staff at the Carter Eye Center in Dallas are among the most highly qualified and experienced eye surgeons in North Texas. Dr. Carter performed the first laser refractive correction in North Texas, and has earned many honors in his field. In addition, he was invited to be a core investigator in the International Society for Refractive Surgery’s American LASIK study, in 1996.

Dr. Carter is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and has over 20 years of experience treating tens of thousands of LASIK patients. Please visit his site to learn more about LASIK, Dr. Carter and his staff, and to contact him for a free consultation. Don’t forget to ask about his “20/20 or it’s free” offer.

LASIK Misconceptions

LASIK is improving over time. New techniques and equipment are constantly being researched in an ongoing effort to find new and better ways to help people achieve better health and better vision. There is much misinformation circulating about surgical procedures. Often this comes from dated articles that people read about LASIK, or information they learned from their doctors, family or friends, months or even years ago. What they knew then may no longer be the case.

Some of the misconceptions include:

• Thinking your eyesight is too bad for LASIK to help you
• LASIK doesn’t correct astigmatism
• Thinking you are too young, or too old, for LASIK
• Thinking you’ll still have to wear glasses after LASIK, anyway
• Vision requirements of your job disqualify you for LASIK
• Your doctor has told you, in the past, that you don’t qualify for LASIK

New products, ones that were formerly in research and development stages, have been approved by the FDA and are now on the market. Researchers are continually studying the eye, eye disease and aberrations, and are continually finding new ways to treat these.

If you have always wished there was a way to improve your vision and to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts, see a qualified eye surgeon for a complete examination and discussion of new methods that might work for you. What couldn’t be done just a few years ago, is being done for thousands of people today.

The Carter Eye Center in Dallas has a staff that is qualified to let you know, based upon your examination, what corrective procedures are best for you. Please contact them today for more information, or call them at 1-800-950-2020.

Is LASIK Safe?

LASIK complications are less than 1% nationwide, which places it among the safest of any surgical procedure. The CustomVue® VISX STAR 4 wavefront laser that Dr. Carter uses has been used for over a million LASIK surgeries and is the most reliable equipment for both diagnostic and surgical LASIK procedures. Using such state-of-the-art equipment by highly experienced staff reduces the risks of surgery to below national averages.

Yet, all surgery has risks, and you should be aware of these so that you can make an informed choice whether to have LASIK surgery or not. The risks of LASIK are well-established but many are temporary. Others are correctable with additional treatment. Both the risks and benefits of LASIK are listed on the Risks/Benefits of Lasik page.

Overall, most of these risks are almost entirely eliminated by using wavefront technology. Dr. Carter, a former FDA investigator was the first in North Texas to perform LASIK after it’s approval. Dr. Carter has performed thousands of LASIK surgeries since then.

To schedule you free consultation, please contact the Carter Eye Center in Dallas, or call 1-800-950-2020. The Carter Eye Center is committed to giving you the best care possible, and offers a 20/20 or it’s free, guarantee to back up their promise.

How Do I Know If I Have Cataracts?

Cataracts aren't always obvious, and if they are not blatantly obstructing your vision, you may not even know you have them. The only sure way to know is to have a qualified, experienced eye doctor do an eye examination.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are areas of cloudiness forming in the lens of the eye due to proteins that congeal. Cataracts are not contagious and may appear in one eye and not the other. They tend to worsen over time but may be located out of the center of your vision where you may be less aware of them.

In the early stages they may be difficult to see, and cause only minor disturbance to your vision. As they become denser, or wider you will notice increasingly blurry vision. This may seem, at first, to be a deteriorating ability to focus, that could be corrected by a prescription for stronger glasses.

While cataracts are more prevalent in older people, they can occur in younger people as well. In particular, injury to the eye(s) predisposes them to cataracts, which may cause them to appear at a much younger age than one would expect. Over half of all people, by age 80 years have cataracts.

Risk Factors for Cataracts

While doctors understand what increases the risk for cataracts, they still don't understand what actually causes them. Risks include:

• Age, progressively increases with age
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Long-term use of alcohol
• Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet sunlight
• Exposure to lead

Prevention and Treatment

While you may not be able to prevent all cataracts, you can make some changes that might delay their development. Based on the risk factors, keeping diabetes under control, quitting smoking, drinking in moderation if at all, wearing UV protected sunglasses and hats with brims to block UV sunlight, and avoiding lead can help delay or diminish the development of cataracts. Treatment is indicated when the cataracts interfere with your ability to carry out normal tasks, and involves surgically replacing the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL.)

If you suspect that you have cataracts, it's time for an eye examination. Please contact Carter Eye Center in Dallas for an appointment with one of our highly qualified and experienced eye doctors.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the natural lens develops opaque or cloudy areas that prevent light from passing through to the retina properly. Cataracts may occur as a normal part of aging, or as a result of trauma. Treatment involves removing and replacing the lens with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL.)

Cataracts develop slowly, so are not always apparent in their early stages. As proteins in the lens cohere to each other they begin to form cloudy areas that diminish visual clarity. This may seem, for a while, to be merely a need for "new glasses" with a stronger prescription. Over time they can develop into visible cataracts, for which the only treatment is replacement.

There are three types of IOLs and each has pros and cons. Crystalens®, an accommodating lens, moves under the control of your eye muscles. ReZoom® and ReSTOR® are multifocal IOLs, or fixed lenses. They don't move within the eye. These use concentric rings of incremental focal power to allow good vision at various distances.

Older types of IOLs are still used occasionally. These are monofocal lenses that focus clearly at a single distance range. With the monofocal lenses you will need glasses to see at other distances.

Astigmatism can complicate IOL implant surgery, and cause the individual to need glasses for some or all activities. An alternative is to undergo a procedure to correct the astigmatism as well. Your eye surgeon can advise you of the most suitable options once he does a thorough eye exam.

The Carter Eye Center in Dallas is a perfect choice for your exam. Dr. Harvey Carter and his staff use the newest equipment and techniques to diagnose and treat cataracts. Please visit their site for more information, and contact them for a free consultation. Call 1-800-950-2020.

Ready for LASIK but not sure you can afford it?

Now you can!

Carter Eye Center is offering 60% off your LASIK procedure! That's better than any other offer he's had, and it beats out all other competitors in the DFW area.

Dr. Harvey Carter and his staff know the economy is down, but your eyes shouldn't suffer because of it. If you want to see the best, come see THE best at Carter Eye Center.

*Carter Eye Center's 60% offer ends on October 31st.

Does LASIK Hurt?

No Pain

One of the remarkable facts about LASIK is the lack of pain from this surgery. During surgery, you will be given anesthetic eye drops, eliminating pain from the procedure itself. You might feel a little pressure, but that shouldn’t cause any discomfort.

There is, however, some discomfort that you might experience for a short period (12 to 24 hours), such as itchy or watery eyes or even dry eyes until the nerves heal. The total healing period for LASIK can take six months, but recovery to normal activities can be as soon as two days to a week.

Because the tear ducts and sinuses affect each other, dry sinuses may accompany dry eyes, causing "sinus headaches" for a short time. You will be given drops that will relieve the discomfort.

It isn't entirely certain why dry-eye occurs, as there are several mechanisms involved in tear-production. One theory is that the tear stimulating nerve is severed during corneal surgery, and tears don’t return until that nerve heals.

You can lessen the effect of dry-eye by avoiding antihistamines and other medications that tend to dry up sinuses (and eyes as well). Check with your doctor about medication that you can change or eliminate or drops that will lubricate your eyes. Avoid drops that have preservatives. Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated, use a humidifier and avoid dry or windy areas. Air conditioning, fans, heating systems and extreme cold can dehumidify the air, aggravating dry eyes.

Plenty of Gain

On the positive side, LASIK results in clear vision almost immediately. While dry-eye can blur vision, using drops until natural tears resume will take care of that effect. With risks running as low as 1%, the benefits of LASIK are many.

Dr. Harvey Carter and his staff at Carter Eye Center of Dallas are ready to make your LASIK surgery experience pain free and comfortable for you. Please visit them at Carter Eye Center or call 1-800-950-2020 to schedule a free consultation.