Berkeley Eye Center Blog

Berkeley Eye Center Welcomes Dr. Christopher Fuller - Houston Retina Specialist

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:21:00 -0500

Berkeley Eye Center is pleased to announce the addition of a full-time retina specialist to our staff. Christopher G. Fuller, M.D., has assumed care of all Berkeley Eye Center retina patients. The addition of a full-time retina specialist allows us to provide retina services to our patients on a timely and convenient basis.

Dr. Fuller joined Berkeley Eye Center as a full-time physician in October, and sees retina patients at multiple Berkeley Eye Center locations in the Greater Houston Area.

With experience in treating diabetic related eye disease and macular degeneration, as well as advanced techniques in managing surgical retinal disorders, Dr. Fuller will provide retina services such as diabetic retinopathy and treatment of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with injections when needed.

With the addition of Dr. Fuller to its staff, Berkeley Eye Center has made retina services including intravitreal injections, prophylactic laser treatment, advanced diagnostic imaging and other retina tests readily available at multiple Berkeley Eye Center locations for the convenience of its patients.

Dr. Fuller earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, where he graduated Cum Laude with High Honors, followed by a Medical Degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. He then completed an Internship in Transitional Medicine at Texas A&M Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas, and a Residency in Ophthalmology at The University of Texas at Southwestern in Dallas.

Dr. Fuller then spent a year in the employ of ORBIS International, providing ophthalmic care to patients as far afield as Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

After completing a Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship at Texas Retina Associates in Dallas, Dr. Fuller served as an associate retinal surgeon with High Country Macula, Retina, and Vitreous, PC in New Mexico.

After practicing two years in New Mexico, Dr. Fuller returned to his home state of Texas to join Berkeley Eye Center. He is licensed by the State Board of Medical Examiners in both Texas and New Mexico.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Fuller, call Berkeley Eye Center at 713-526-1600 or fill out our short contact form.

Answers To Your LASIK Questions

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:28:00 -0500

If you’ve considered having laser eye surgery, then it’s likely that you have many questions. A Houston LASIK surgeon is the best person to answer these thoroughly, but if you want some information before scheduling your consultation, then consider these common queries.

Am I A Candidate For Houston LASIK?

This question tops the list among prospective patients for this eye procedure. Unfortunately, it is not something that can be answered without an examination and consultation with an experienced Houston LASIK surgeon.

Most patients who wear glasses will be good candidates. Laser eye surgery is able to treat mild to moderate forms of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. If not, there may be treatments other than glasses available for you that your eye doctor can recommend.

It is important to note that laser vision correction has come a long way in recent years. If you were told in the past that you were NOT a candidate, now is a great time to see if technology improvements have made it possible to have the procedure.

Does LASIK Hurt?

Patients undergoing LASIK surgery will be given medication to feel comfortable, so the procedure itself is not painful.

After the operation, most people experience little to no discomfort whatsoever. You may have a scratchy or watery feeling in your eyes -- temporary symptoms which aren’t bothersome to most people.

What Is The Surgery And Recovery Time Frame?

Once you’ve scheduled your Houston LASIK surgery, your provider will go over pre- and post-operative care appointments in detail. At Berkeley Eye Center, you will spend about 2 hours at the surgery center on the day of your procedure. About 15 to 20 minutes of that will be in the surgery suite, and the procedure itself takes only about one minute for each eye.

Thanks to technology advancements in the laser surgery arena, it is likely that both eyes will be treated during one day. Consult your doctor to decide whether it is best for your situation to have both eyes done at once or to have two different surgeries.

After your surgery is completed, you may experience an improvement in your vision immediately. Typically, patients can function without corrective lenses the next day after having laser eye surgery, and will see a continual increase in visual acuity over five to seven days after the procedure. Most people are able to return to normal daily activities the very next day after having their LASIK surgery.

How Much Will LASIK Cost?

Prices will vary depending on which surgeon you choose and the equipment they use. When it comes to the health and welfare of your eyes, however, going with the cheapest option is NOT the best decision. Laser eye surgery is a delicate procedure, and you want the best equipment and most experienced doctor you can find.

Most Houston LASIK surgeons offer financing options, including Berkeley Eye Center, and while most insurance companies consider refractive surgery an elective procedure, it is still a good idea to check first to see if any coverage or insurance discounts are available.

To find out more about LASIK surgery, schedule a consultation with the experienced surgeons at Berkeley Eye Center today.

Berkeley Eye Center: Now in The Shops at Houston Center

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:03:00 -0500

We’ve moved! Berkeley Eye Center is pleased to announce the relocation of our downtown facility from One Allen Center to The Shops at Houston Center on October 17. The new downtown facility in The Shops is located at 1200 McKinney, Suite 411, only a brief 10-minute walk from One Allen Center. The current One Allen Center location closed October 14.

Our new patient-friendly facility features a full-service eye center, optical shop, and is equipped with the latest technology to care for our patients’ needs. The relocation also increased the size of our office, enabling us to offer a broader optical selection, additional exam rooms and a more spacious reception area to better serve our patients.

Below you will find a map detailing the location of the new facility. Our clinic phone number remains the same: 713-759-9449. For maps, address and phone numbers, you can visit us at www.BerkeleyEye.com.

We also have learned, according to the Houston Chronicle, that a free bus service is set to launch in the spring to transport employees and residents along a 2.5 mile route through downtown. The bus is expected to run Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., which will provide added convenience for our patients to travel from their workplace to our new office at The Shops. Click here to read the full article.

Please feel free to contact us if we can answer any question or be of service to you. We look forward to continuing our tradition of more than 50 years of excellence in eye care by serving you in this new facility. To schedule an appointment at Berkeley Eye at The Shops, call 713-759-9449.

Presbyopia Solutions

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:31:00 -0500

Alternatives to Reading Glasses

Do you find yourself wishing your arms were longer as you struggle to push reading materials further away in order to focus on them? You may be experiencing presbyopia, a natural aging condition in which the eye’s natural lens hardens, preventing it from changing shape easily. This makes the transition between distance and near vision difficult, and seeing up close becomes difficult. Most patients over the age of 45 are presbyopic.

Most turn to reading glasses to solve this problem, unaware of the variety of options available. Depending on your particular condition and age, you could be a candidate for custom lens implants, LASIK, or you may prefer an alternate eyewear solution than reading glasses.

Berkeley Eye Center offers various solutions for presbyopia for those who are reluctant to wear reading glasses. The doctors at Berkeley Eye Center will discuss which of these options may be suited for your particular age and condition.

Surgical Solutions:

Monovision LASIK

Monovision LASIK is a LASIK procedure suited for some patients experiencing presbyopia which allows a person to see near with one eye and distance with the other. This is similar to wearing one contact lens for distance and one contact lens for reading vision. The eyes work together as a team to see both distances.

Custom Lens Implants

Until recently, patients undergoing cataract or lens implant surgery received a monofocal, or single focus, intraocular lens (IOL). Monofocal IOLs implanted in both eyes generally provide excellent distance vision. However, patients often still need to wear glasses for near and intermediate vision.

Multifocal lens implants are now available to replace the cataract or presbyopic lenses in your eyes, allowing patients to see clearly at all distances, providing freedom from reading glasses or bifocals.

At Berkeley Eye Center, we want our patients to have as many options as possible when it comes to their lens implant surgery. With recent FDA approvals, there are now three different multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implants available that can dramatically reduce your dependence on glasses after your lens implant procedure.

-Restor

-Technis Multifocal

-Crystalens

Multifocal lenses are designed to allow patients to see clearly at all distances- near, distance, and in-between. The surgeons of Berkeley Eye Center are among a select group of surgeons, nationally, who are certified to implant all three of these high technology multifocal lenses.

Contact Lens Solutions:

Monovision

Monovision is an alternate method of correcting presbyopia that allows a person to see clearly at all distances. With monovision, a person wears a contact lens for distance in one eye and a contact lens for near vision in the other. The eye that sees well for near vision will be slightly blurred for distance and the one that sees for distance will be slightly blurred for near vision. However, the eyes work together as a team to see clearly at all distances.

Multifocal Contacts

Another solution for presbyopia is multifocal contacts- lenses that have two prescriptions in the same lens. There are two types of multifocal contacts.

In the first, two prescriptions are blended on top of one another, and your visual system is able to select the proper prescription to use at each distance.

The other type is similar to bifocal glasses. There are two different power segments with a line of separation on the contact lens.

Eyeglasses Solutions:

Bifocals

Bifocals are usually a better choice than single vision reading glasses if you already need glasses or contacts for distance. Bifocals correct distance vision in the upper part of the lens and correct near vision in the lower part of the lens.

In lined bifocals, the line between the two different prescriptions in the lenses is visible. Your vision will seem to jump from far to near with little correction for intermediate vision.

In no line bifocals, the line between prescriptions is invisible, allowing for a smooth transition between the near and distance prescriptions. This is the better option when intermediate vision correction is important for activities such as computer work.

Reading Glasses

Many people who have never worn glasses or contacts for distance turn to single vision reading glasses when they first experience symptoms of presbyopia. Reading glasses will help you read up close, but you will have to remove your glasses or switch to your distance glasses to see into the distance.

For more information about presbyopia solutions or to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 713-526-1600 or schedule online.

The Benefits of iLASIK

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:39:00 -0500

Have you been putting off laser vision correction because of concerns about safety? Do you think you might not be a candidate?

Don’t let these concerns delay you any longer. Houston LASIK surgery has never been safer or more effective. With the 100 percent blade-free, all laser procedure known as iLASIK, most people who suffer from myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism can be glasses-free in the few minutes it takes for the qualified surgeons at Berkeley Eye Center to perform this revolutionary procedure.

How Is iLASIK Different?

There are several types of LASIK available today, and when you are considering the options, it’s important to have the facts about all available treatments. IntraLASIK, or iLASIK, is different from the typical form of this vision correction procedure in that no blades are used at any point in the surgery.

The first step of laser eye surgery is creating a thin flap of tissue on the eye that is folded back during treatment. The second step is to reshape the exposed surface using an Excimer laser, followed by replacing the flap.

With laser vision correction surgery using a microkeratome, a mechanical bladed device is used to create the flap. The iLASIK surgery instead uses an Intralase, which is a second laser, to do this.

When using a microkeratome, there is an increased risk of the following complications:

• Corneal abrasions

• Irregular flaps

• Button-hole flaps

IntraLASIK reduces the likelihood of experiencing these complications.

Advantages Of IntraLASIK

When deciding which Houston LASIK procedure is best for you, there are several advantages to iLASIK you should consider.

First, the use of an Intralase laser instead of a microkeratome allows for better control of flap diameter, depth, centration and morphology. The increased safety and precision of this procedure results in three times more flap stability than a microkeratome-created flap.

Additionally, with this laser vision correction procedure, the use of eye-mapping technology allows for a much better vision result after surgery. Berkeley Eye Center uses 5th generation IntraLase technology along with CustomVue, a Wavefront technology that gathers information to allow a custom treatment to a laser surgery patient’s eyes.

The eye map that is created is used to guide the Excimer laser for precise tissue ablation. This gives the surgeon the ability to correct not only issues such as myopia or astigmatism, but also problems like starbursts, ghosting, halos and glare.

By using IntraLase and Wavefront technologies, each patient receives a laser eye surgery that is custom designed for their specific vision needs.

Is This Procedure Safe?

The femtosecond laser used in iLASIK is backed by more than 10 years of clinical research and is FDA approved. This procedure is allowed by NASA, as well as all branches of the U.S. military.

The proven results of IntraLase technology include:

• Faster visual recovery

• Fewer dry eye symptoms

• Enhanced flap stability

To find out if you’re a candidate for Houston LASIK eye surgery and take the first step to better, glasses-free vision, contact Berkeley Eye Center today.

Texas LASIK Provider, Berkeley Eye Center, Announces the Addition of Ophthalmologist - Adam Spengler

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:02:00 -0500

Berkeley Eye Center is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Adam L. Spengler, M.D. to our group of physicians.

A long-time Texan, Dr. Spengler grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from Mary Carroll High School where he played on the soccer team.

Dr. Spengler then attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science. After graduating from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Dr. Spengler completed a transitional internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, and an Ophthalmology Residency at University of Texas at Houston, where he served as chief resident in his final year.

During medical school, Dr. Spengler was elected to the Junior Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society, an opportunity awarded only to the top five percent of his class. He was also a member of the Student Surgical Association and American Medical Student Association and was published in the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal.

Dr. Spengler has participated in many community and volunteer activities, such as providing free vision screenings, health screenings and volunteering with the Habitat for Humanity. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, as well as the Texas Medical Association and American Medical Association.

Dr. Spengler’s professional interests include glaucoma, cataract and refractive surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Spengler enjoys fishing, hunting, golfing, reading, auto-work and jogging, among other pastimes.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Spengler, contact our Weslayan/Greenway Plaza office at 713-526-1600 or schedule online.

Getting Kids Eye Exams Can Help Shape Future

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 14:12:00 -0500

What if there was an easy, inexpensive way to help at-risk children become positive, productive adults? What if we could, as a society, greatly reduce crime statistics, high school dropout rates and future prison populations, while at the same time providing for a brighter overall economic future?

It sounds like a daydream, but something as simple as getting our kids an annual eye exam and a good pair of glasses could make it a reality.

Children’s vision statistics

Illiteracy in children can be directly linked to problems in adulthood, and illiteracy in children is often a result of uncorrected vision problems. Look at these staggering statistics:

• 80% of what children learn comes through their eyes.

• 1 in 4 children has an uncorrected vision problem.

• 80% of children who have trouble reading also have vision problems.

• 50% of children who fail school eye screenings never see an eye doctor.

• 65% to 74% of juvenile offenders have vision problems.

Immediate and long-term benefits

There are immediate benefits to getting children the vision correction they need. Behavior, performance and school attendance improve.

Literacy in children has a direct correlation on productivity in adulthood. Kids who can’t read by 3rd grade are more likely to drop out, earn about 50% less annually as adults and are more likely to be incarcerated.

Prisons forecast the beds they will need in 10 years based on 3rd grade reading levels. – Essilor Vision Foundation

The benefits to helping children who need vision correction are astounding. But what about the costs?

Saving for the future

With uncorrected vision problems comes an increased likelihood of dropping out of school. Here are some more numbers provided by the Essilor Vision Foundation:

• Each dropout costs society $260,000 in lost earnings, taxes and productivity

• Dropouts are more likely to be arrested or become teenaged parents.

• If 1% more males graduated each year, the United States would save $1.4 BILLION annually and have 100,000 fewer crimes.

And the cost to make this a reality -- simply the expense of taking a child to get an eye exam and purchase eyeglasses versus $91,000 a year to house an adult inmate.

Helping the cause

We’ve identified a clear problem with such a simple solution. Clearly, ensuring that your children get their eyes examined regularly and providing them with corrective eyewear if needed can make a big impact on their future.

For some families, affording an eye exam and glasses are just within the budget. But replacing those glasses in the event of losing or damaging them isn’t. In the spirit of helping children’s continued eye health and achievement, Berkeley Eye Center is now offering a free protection plan with the purchase of a complete pair of children’s eyeglasses.

If you buy a complete pair of children’s eyewear purchased by August 31, 2011, we will replace lost or damaged glasses for FREE if it is within 12 months of the purchase.

Before sending your kids back to school, make an appointment at Berkeley Optical and help your children do their best this year.

Houston area LASIK and Optical Center, Berkeley Eye Center, launches Mobile Website

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:26:00 -0500

Scan the QR code above from your phone to view our Mobile site

At Berkeley Eye Center, we strive to be up-to-date in ALL technology -- from the latest advancements in LASIK surgery to the newest ways to keep in touch with our patients on the web.

The increasing popularity of iPhones, Androids and other smartphones has spurred Berkeley Eye Center to accommodate this type of web traffic. To do so, we’ve launched a new mobile version of our website, built just for smartphones! The mobile site offers access to many of the features of BerkeleyEye.com in a way that is easily readable and accessible on smartphone-sized screens.

Request an Appointment from Your Phone

We understand that time is a precious commodity. Maybe you’ve been meaning to make an appointment for an annual eye exam or schedule a LASIK consultation, but there never seems to be a spare minute. Not anymore! Using our mobile site, you can request an appointment from your phone while waiting in line at the grocery store or riding the elevator at work.

Other features that are on our mobile site:

• Find location and contact information.

• Learn more about our doctors.

• Get information about LASIK surgery, cataract surgery and optical services.

• Find out about our financing options.

• Read our blog.

Visit www.berkeleyeye.com on your phone or scan the QR code above to check it out today!

Students and Eyeglasses? YIKES! - Houston Optical Centers offer Students a FREE Eyewear Protection Plan for a Limited Time

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 16:09:00 -0500

Back-to-school time can be hard on your wallet. School supplies, new clothes and maybe even new eyeglasses for your young student all add up.

Eyewear can be a big expense, especially if you include the possibility of replacing lost or broken eyeglasses.

Berkeley Eye Center is here to help!

For a limited time, Berkeley Optical is offering a FREE Eyewear Protection Plan with purchase of a complete pair of student's eyeglasses. If they are lost, scratched or destroyed, Berkeley Eye Center will replace them at no cost! The protection plan covers replacement of one (1) complete pair of student's eyewear within 12 months of date of purchase.*

So bring your students down to Berkeley Eye Center to check out our wide variety of eyewear options to suit a range of budgets. And don't wait! Your student eyewear purchase must be made by August 31, 2011 in order to qualify for the FREE Eyewear Protection Plan.

Print the Eyewear Protection Plan coupon here.

Call any of our 13 Houston area optical centers to make an appointment now!

* Coverage applies to eyewear purchases made for students ages 18 and under. Eyewear purchase must be made by 8/31/2011. Some restrictions apply.

McQueen named Finalist for Health Care Professional of the Year

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:30:00 -0500

Berkeley Eye Center is proud to announce Dr. Brent McQueen was honored as a finalist for the Lake Houston Area Chamber’s Health Care Professional of the Year award. The award recognizes individuals who display dedication to excellence in their fields beyond the normal scope of their jobs.

Dr. McQueen was among three finalists honored at the chamber’s Salute to Health Care Luncheon on June 21. Finalists were chosen based on commitment to their professions and communities, work to help those in need and efforts to inspire others to improve the quality of health care.

"It was an honor to have been nominated for this award," McQueen said. "I am proud to serve the residents of the Greater Lake Houston Area for their eye care needs, and I strive to provide the highest quality of care for my patients."

Dr. McQueen, a board certified ophthalmologist and fellow of the American College of Surgeons, embodies all of these qualities. He attended Texas A&M University, where he was recognized as the Outstanding Student in the College of Science, and attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School after early acceptance. Dr. McQueen completed an Internal Medicine internship at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas, followed by a residency at Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans, where he served as the Chief Resident during his final year of residency.

He has performed thousands of successful surgeries, including LASIK, corneal transplants, and cataract and glaucoma surgeries. Dr. McQueen often participates in medical missions, serving as an eye surgeon and general medical practitioner in Mexico, El Salvador and Africa.

Dr. McQueen practices primarily at Berkeley Eye Center’s Kingwood location but also travels to our Weslayan location in Houston, The Woodlands, Huntsville and Corpus Christi.

To request an appointment with Dr. Brent McQueen, please contact our Kingwood office at 281-319-4334 or schedule online.