Best Ophthalmological Clinics In Houston Near Me

4worldlovers:
Many people think of LASIK as the primary option for vision correction when considering options to reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Though LASIK is an amazing procedure, it’s not right for everyone.


The answer is: yes. There are safe, effective LASIK alternatives available to patients throughout the United States! Keep reading to learn about some of the LASIK alternatives available at Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston, TX!


If you have had a LASIK consultation, you may already know whether you’re a good candidate for LASIK or not. If not, there are several reasons why you may not qualify for the LASIK procedure. Some of the most common factors include the following:


To get LASIK, you must be at least 18 years old. This is FDA mandated.


Good LASIK candidates will have stable vision with a prescription that hasn’t changed in at least a year or more.


If you want to get LASIK, you cannot be pregnant or breastfeeding. Hormones can cause your eyes to change during pregnancy and this can take several months after the birth of your baby to stabilize. You need to wait at least three months until you are no longer breastfeeding before you can consider getting LASIK. This gives your eyes enough time to stabilize.

It’s also better for your infant because you must take eye drops to reduce inflammation and the chance of infection. Chemicals from these eye drops can be passed through your breastmilk if you are breastfeeding and can be potentially harmful to your child.

With any surgical procedure, LASIK included, you need to be in good health. This aids effective LASIK recovery. If you have any autoimmune conditions like HIV or Sjogren’s syndrome, this may make it more difficult.

If your corneas are too thin, you cannot safely have the LASIK procedure. During LASIK, you must have enough corneal tissue, as it is reshaped during the procedure.

If your corneas are too thin, getting LASIK could cause severe vision complications. For someone with thinner corneas, removing any corneal tissue during LASIK could lead to complications.

At Diagnostic Eye Center in Houston, LASIK is just one of many vision correction procedures we offer. If you are not a LASIK candidate, you may qualify for one of these procedures instead.

Advanced Surface Ablation, which is also known as LASEK, is a laser vision correction procedure offered as an alternative to LASIK eye surgery. Unlike LASIK, LASEK does not involve creating a flap to reshape the cornea.

Creating a flap is one of the most important steps during LASIK but it can lead to complications for some patients, especially those with thin corneal tissue. During LASIK, a small flap is created in the cornea using a femtosecond laser.

This flap is carefully pulled back and then the cornea is permanently reshaped using short pulses of ultraviolet light with an excimer laser. After reshaping the cornea, the flap is then pulled back to its original position and left to heal on its own. There are no stitches or bandages used.

During LASEK, the epithelium, which is the cornea’s anterior outermost layer, is loosened using a diluted alcohol solution. It is then moved to the side.

Unlike PRK, which is another procedure that LASEK derives elements from, the epithelium is not discarded. It is instead loosened but still attached.

The surface of the cornea under the epithelium is then treated with the excimer laser and the epithelial flap gets returned to its original position. This is a step that’s similar to LASIK.

After returning the epithelial flap to its original placement, a soft contact lens is then placed over the cornea. This makes the eye more comfortable as the healing process begins.

LASEK may be a better vision correction procedure if you have dry eye syndrome, thin corneas, or epithelial basement membrane dystrophy. Talk to your eye doctor if you are interested in learning more about LASEK.

Another reason why someone may not be a good LASIK candidate is the strength of their prescription. LASIK using excimer lasers is only FDA-approved to correct for up to -11.00 diopters of nearsightedness, up to 5.00 diopters of astigmatism, and up to +5.00 diopters of farsightedness.

4worldlovers: Imagine a life free from the hassles of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Imagine being able to play your favorite sport or see the arm clock at night without corrective lenses.


LASIK eye surgery is a refractive surgery, meaning it corrects certain vision problems such as astigmatism. LASIK has the potential to completely rid patients of glasses and contact lenses, giving many patients more freedom with their vision. LASIK is extremely effective, with few risks involved. The lifestyle benefits for patients who are active are tremendous, allowing them to pursue their hobbies, sports, activities or career options with less dependence on contact lenses and glasses. If you are tired of depending on contact lenses and eyeglasses, LASIK surgery in Houston may be right for you!


During LASIK eye surgery, the goal is to remove corneal tissue using an excimer laser, gently reshaping the cornea. This changes the focusing power of your eye, allowing for sharp vision.


Before LASIK surgery, you will come in to our office in Houston for a consultation. The consultation will make sure you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery.

Before the LASIK procedure, your doctor in Houston will make the necessary pre-operative preparations. You are positioned under the laser microscope, with a lid speculum to hold your eyelids back, so you do not blink during the procedure. Next, our doctors use a microkeratome device to create a thin corneal flap. The flap is then lifted back, exposing the inner layers of the cornea. The next step is to use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea, using the specifications that were prepared before surgery. Lastly, the flap is smoothed back down and reseal itself, requiring no stitches.

Following your LASIK procedure, it is not uncommon to experience symptoms such as burning, itching, or foreign body sensation (feeling like there is something in your eye). It is normal to feel some discomfort or even mild pain. Your eyes will tear and water, and your vision will be blurry and hazy. The blurriness is completely normal and should dissipate. You should refrain from rubbing your eyes, as this could dislodge the flap that was created during surgery. All of these symptoms should improve within the first few days or the week after surgery.

There are several types of LASIK surgery, which you and your doctor will discuss prior to your procedure. Each procedure offers different benefits and can sometimes be combined with one another.

Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK, as there are certain things that would make LASIK surgery riskier for you. Luckily, there are plenty of other options when it comes to permanent vision correction. Dr. Slade in Houston will discuss with you which method of vision correction will suit your eyes.

People who are 18 and older with a history of stable vision

Healthy eyes with no history of the disease or certain autoimmune conditions

At the Slade & Baker Vision Center, this enhanced visual enhanced lifestyle is a possibility. It all starts with one of the most thorough eye exams you will ever have. We want to make sure that you are a great fit for the procedure so that you have an amazing outcome.

4worldlovers: Apply today to find a financing option that meets your needs.

4worldlovers:

Your eyes deserve the best and most experienced care. At Houston Dry Eye Clinic, we focus on delivering compassionate and accessible eye care to Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas. Our optometrist specializes in minor eye infections and injuries including dry eye conditions. Our goal is to keep your eyes healthy so you can do what you love! Contact our eye doctor today!

At Houston Dry Eye Clinic, we help patients of all ages overcome dry eye issues, injuries, strains, or vision impairments through administering our experienced eye care treatments and approaches. Dr. Panzer is an eye doctor who also offers routine eye exams, contact lenses, and designer glasses brands. In many cases, we can provide same-day glasses while also accepting Medicare.

"Nobody was helpful with dry eye condition after four eye surgeries for droopy eye, cataract, and lens transplant in a two-year period. Exceptional ophthalmologist, plastic surgeon and numerous optometrist, but no help until Dr. Panzer provided an extremely helpful recommendation. I am fortunate living in Wyoming to be here to have access to someone of his expertise."

"Our family had a great eye exam! You are warmly and professionally greeted the moment you arrive in the office. Dr. Panzer is very friendly, giving a thorough exam with the most current techniques available. The eyeglass frame choices are current trends."

4worldlovers:
With a reputation that spans more than 60 years, Berkeley Eye Center is recognized as one of Texas’ most established comprehensive eye care facilities. Our experienced team offers top-notch Houston LASIK and cataract surgery services to help you see clearly.

In addition to our 25 clinics and optical locations located throughout the greater Houston area, we also offer patients the added access and convenience of six state-of-the art laser eye centers throughout Texas, and the Caplan Surgery Center, Katy Area Surgical Center & Grand Oaks Surgery Center, our Medicare-licensed ambulatory surgery centers for outpatient cataract care.

As pioneers in the field of cataract and refractive surgery, our surgeons continue to set the standard in the field of LASIK laser vision correction, cataract removal and implantation, retina care and glaucoma management.

The goal for Berkeley Eye Center is to provide you with affordable, superior eye care and unparalleled customer service. Learn more