Best Specialized Physicians Ophthalmology 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: The Houston Methodist Blanton Eye Institute specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of eye disorders and diseases, providing hospital-based eye care for the most challenging ophthalmic cases and procedures, as well as year-round ophthalmic care, state-of-the-art dedicated ophthalmology operating room facilities and a devoted, caring staff.

The Institute is chaired by Andrew G. Lee, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology. He has published more than 350 peer reviewed publications, 40 book chapters and seven full textbooks on ophthalmology. He currently serves on the board of 15 medical journals including the American Journal of Ophthalmology, the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, and Eye. Dr. Lee has been honored with both the Secretariat Award and the Senior Achievement Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Learn more >

4worldlovers: Leading Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, Neuro-Ophthalmologists, Pediatric Ophthalmologists, Retinal Disease Specialists, and Eye Surgeons at UTHealth Houston.

The Robert Cizik Eye Clinic has long been recognized as a leader in patient care, research, and education. The Clinic – part of the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at McGovern Medical School – provides patients with access to a collaborative, multi-disciplinary group of ophthalmology specialists who strive for great clinical outcomes.

The clinic is located on the 18th floor of the Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza (MHMP). The outer walls are glass, with views of Rice University, Main Street, Downtown, Hermann Park, and the Texas Medical Center. The Clinic is designed for function and aesthetics, and contains the most sophisticated equipment available for patient care.

The 19th floor houses the Moran Pediatric Eye Clinic, which has 4 exam lanes built specifically for our youngest patients.

The 15th floor of MHMP houses the Memorial Hermann Surgery Center-Texas Medical Center. Most outpatient surgery is performed in this location, and some cases are performed at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.

Researching new innovations and treatments for both common and rare diseases of the eye

At UTHealth Houston, we are dedicated to helping develop new treatments in vision care through our research and clinical trials, as well as transforming today's medical students, residents and fellows into top-notch ophthalmologists.

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: My work focuses on improving the outcomes of cataract surgery and refractive surgery procedures such as LASIK and PRK. It involves all aspects: careful measurement, individualized selection of the appropriate options for each patient, meticulous surgery, prevention of complications, and maximizing the final vision. I also specialize in the management of complex conditions including cataract and intraocular lens problems, iris repair and replacement, and management of LASIK and PRK problems. I conduct research and teach physicians around the world in these areas.

Douglas D. Koch, M.D. is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in treatment for cataracts and laser vision correction.

Hamed AM, Wang L, Misra M, Koch DD "A comparative analysis of five methods of determining corneal refractive power in eyes that have undergone myopic laser in situ keratomileusis.." Ophthalmology. 2002 Apr;109(4):651-8. Pubmed PMID: 11927420

Koch DD, Liu JF, Glasser DB, Merin LM, Haft E "A comparison of corneal endothelial changes after use of Healon or Viscoat during phacoemulsification.." Am. J. Ophthalmol.. 1993 Feb 15;115(2):188-201. Pubmed PMID: 8430728

Lane SS, Kuppermann BD, Fine IH, Hamill MB, Gordon JF, Chuck RS, Hoffman RS, Packer M, Koch DD "A prospective multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the implantable miniature telescope.." Am. J. Ophthalmol.. 2004 Jun;137(6):993-1001. Pubmed PMID: 15183782

Soparkar CN, Wilhelmus KR, Koch DD, Wallace GW, Jones DB "Acute and chronic conjunctivitis due to over-the-counter ophthalmic decongestants.." Arch. Ophthalmol.. 1997 Jan;115(1):34-8. Pubmed PMID: 9006422

Basic and complex cataract surgery including personalized selection of the best option for each patient, meticulous measurements, and management of the most complex cataract and intraocular lens problems.

I was involved in the early stages of the development of laser cataract surgery and find it to be a major advance for accuracy and safety for the appropriate patient.

LASIK and PRK offer the possibility of remarkable vision for the appropriate patient. I have been doing these procedures from the time of their early introduction and have been involved in many of the major clinical trials that have brought new advances. My major emphasis is quality of vision and safety for all patients.

I also specialize in surgical procedures to repair and replace the iris, including leading at Baylor a new trial of an artificial iris that is individually designed to match the patient's other eye. Results have been amazing.

4worldlovers:
I have been going to the Berkeley Eye Center at the Shops for the last 3 years. I see Dr. Kokel. She is absolutely PHENOMENAL! She puts you at ease during your eye exams and explains everything thing she is doing without rushing you. She is my favorite Eye Doctor for my eyes without a doubt. Her nurse that assists her I wish I knew her name she is amazing, too. She makes you feels at ease and answers all your crazy questions with patience before the Doctor sees you. She’s AWESOME!! Then there is their AMAZING Floater Optician Mrs. Fletcher. She will help you pick at eye glasses that are best for your needs. She will help explain to you what your insurance covers and what are your options in purchasing your glasses. Then lastly, there are the front desk people who are super friendly and helpful to make sure you are checked in and ready for your visit. Berkley Eye Center at the Shops ROCKS!!! Thank you, all for ALL your hard work and dedication to your patients!! You are ALL very much appreciated!!”