Howerton Eye Center Blog

September Blog

2008-09-03T18:58:00.001-07:00

Hard to believe summer is almost over. September will be busy here at the Howerton Eye Center . Cathy has a birthday this month on the 16th. Diane and her husband will be celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary and celebrating at Yellowstone . How lucky are they!!!

Word is the Nidek is waiting for final approval from the FDA for the first USA cornea guided custom LASIK. Dr. Howerton is really excited about the opportunity this new platform will offer his patients. For more information of Nidek Catz FDA data visit: http://www.nidek-intl.com/n-express_3.pdf

We are all looking forward to the fall and some cooler weather.

2008-09-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

Contacts vs. LASIK: Making a Decision

If you wear contact lenses, the chances are you have considered getting LASIK laser vision correction so you can finally put the lenses away forever and just see crystal clear all the time. LASIK does have a number of advantages over contact lenses:

Less risk of infection
Less risk of corneal abrasion and scratches
No lens to break or lose
No prescriptions to renew

Essentially, because you will not be touching your eye on a regular basis or putting a lens in direct contact with your eye, there is less likelihood that your eye will suffer damage. With LASIK you are not depending on a prosthesis, so there's no danger that you will break or lose it--a potentially crippling event. And because you don't have to buy new lenses or new cleaning fluids, you will never find yourself in a situation where you've run out of cleaner or lenses and have to rush out to get more.

On the other hand, there are some risks to the LASIK procedure that might make contact lenses a better choice for some people.

Glare, halos, and poor night vision, although rare, can occur
Dry eyes can be a nuisance for some people who get LASIK, requiring eye drops
In certain situations, the flap created during LASIK can become detached, even years after the procedure

Because of these complications, there are some people who might want to think hard before deciding on LASIK laser vision correction. If you do a lot of driving at night, if you suffer from dry eyes, and if you engage in contact sports or other activities where there is a significant risk of trauma to the eye, LASIK may not be for you. And, of course, although the procedure is being made available to more people than ever, not everyone is a good LASIK candidate.

At the Howerton Eye Clinic, we are committed to finding the right vision solution for every patient. With our partners at LensShopper.com, we help people find their way to clear eyesight that fits their lifestyle and personal needs. To learn more, contact us today to set up a consultation.

2008-08-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

What a good way to start August – August 1st is Shawn’s birthday. The month ends great with Judy’s birthday on the 23rd. Happy Birthday to all our great August patients, also.

Dr. Berkowitz starts August 11th and will be at the office on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday. Information on Dr. Berkowitz should be on the web page soon. Dr. Nicolau is on his way home to Corpus Christi . We wish him the best.

Everyone needs to get geared up for their flex plans. This is a great time to tell your family, friends and co workers to come in for a free consultation to see if they are a refractive candidate. They can then sign up for their flex plan. This is a great way to finance your surgery.

Hope all the summer plans go on without a hitch.

Eye Problems?

2008-07-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Not seeing as clearly as you used to?
There's one thing you should really do.
Call Howerton Eye Center for any eye need. Satisfaction is all but guaranteed.

Cataracts, Glaucoma, Eye Exams or other, they're committed to help with no bother.
With concern, friendly smiles and lots of TLC they'll help you to be able to clearly see.

So, call them, do it today!

It may be critical, so don't delay.
Their number is 512-443-9715, and you'll be surprised how much better you'll see to drive!

Elizabeth Ann Keyes
4/10/08
A satisfied customer!

July Blog

2008-07-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone’s summer is going well, hard to believe July already. Big #1 birthday for Shawn’s daughter, Malaney. She is so cute and already walking and already 1. Time flies. Also, Judy’s granddaughter, Julyasa, is celebrating her #4. She and Malaney share the same birthday, a very special day in all our hearts.

Protect your eyes during the summer. Be sure to wear sunglasses with protective coating and always wear protective eye wear when working in the yard or doing house projects. Unfortunately, we see way to many preventable eye accidents.

Dr. Richard Berkowitz will be starting to see patients in our office one to two days a week beginning late July. Dr. Berkowitz had a very large practice in the valley and moved to Austin to be close to his college children. We are happy to have him on staff.

Dr. Nicolau will be leaving the end of July. We wish him the very best on his new endeavors.

Also, new to the practice is a recall and information system called Smile Reminders. Some of you may have already gotten a reminder. Sorry if anyone was inconvenienced. Once we become more familiar we will share all its great properties.

Have a great and safe summer.

Vacation Time

2008-06-14T10:08:00.001-07:00

Vacation time at the Howerton Eye Center! Judy and her sisters have spent some beach time down in the Corpus area. Shawn and her family are going to be cruising the Caribbean. Her 11 month old is walking!!! No walking the plank little one. Dr. Howerton and Jane will be going to Country Jam up north. Diane and her family are planning a D.C. adventure. Sounds like fun for all.

NEW EQUIPMENT AT THE HOWERTON EYE CENTER

2008-05-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

The IOL Master was delivered and installed last week. This new state of the art piece of equipment allows for a measurement of the length of the eye. This calculation is crucial in determining the power of the implanted intraocular lens. The intraocular lens (IOL) is the "new" lens when performing cataract surgery or refractive lens implants.

The cool thing about this equipment is the eye is not touched. This is great for all the squeezer!!! And people who are fearful of having their eye touched. We have currently being using the immersion A-Scan and this is still the method of choice for extremely dark cataracts or eyes with retinal pathology. The IOL Master and the immersion A-Scan are the 2 premium methods of choice for IOL measurements. Go to the box marked cataracts for more information.

UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS AT THE HOWERTON EYE CENTER .

MAY 23rd - Fred Posas
June 1st - Theresa Bischoff
Both would be blown away with any of you calling to wish them Happy Birthday!!

JANE

ASCRS/ASOA Chicago 2008

2008-04-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

Dr. Howerton, Deborah, Linda, Theresa and Shawn hit the Windy City for "The Eye Convention" 2008 did not disappoint. The city itself was great and warmed to 68! But the sights made up for the cold.

Most important was the knowledge and the enthusiastic attitude that Dr. Howerton and the staff returned to Austin . New equipment bought included the IOL Master, surgical instruments and the updated Nidek status. Everyone was buzzing about the incredible opportunity the upgrade on the Nidek will offer to the Lasik world. The most difficult cases seem doable. The research was the talk of the convention. This machine is topographically guided and is truly an individual treatment. It has received FDA approval just working on the wording.

Also, kudos to Shawn she did 3, that is right 3 presentations at ASOA. There was standing room only in her talks. Also, she was semi stalked with people wanting to pick her brain.

Theresa has great pictures and hopefully we can get her to share. Next year is in San Francisco but they are really going to have to get their act together to upstage the Chicago experience.

Jane

ASCRS/ASOA 2008

2008-04-06T09:19:00.001-07:00

We're here at the ASCRS convention looking at web marketing strategies.

LASIK- from the Patient's Prospective

2008-04-03T06:35:00.001-07:00

I mean what can I say, LASIK has changed the way I live my life.

I was constantly in a debate to between wearing my glasses, wearing contacts or risking it and going with my horrible vision.

The Howerton Eye Center changed all of that. I now do whatever I want, when I want to and the last of my worries is my site. I don’t have to make a decision between sunglasses or glasses, swimming or hanging out on the boat.

I want to be able to tell you that I battled through the recovery, finally found my way to good site but there’s no need to lie.

I was up and at it in a couple of hours. I had a couple of follow-up appointments that flew by with the good folks at Howerton.

As a former athlete who has been under the knife more than a few times, this waqs by far the easiest to prepare for, manage through and recover from.

I wonder why I waited so long now.

Sean Adams

Howerton Eye Center Staff to attend International Eye Conference

2008-03-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

The Staff from the Howerton Eye Center will be attending the 2008 ASCRS•ASOA Symposium and Congress being held April 4-9 at the McCormick Place West Building in Chicago, Illinois. This conference is a great opportunity to catch up on the lastest technology available in eye care.

SEAN ADAMS...National Exposure....NO GLASSES

2008-01-01T14:53:00.000-08:00

Our Patient, Sean Adams, gets national exposure preparing for the bowl game. WITH NO GLASSES!

Click here to view the video

Sean Adams- ESPN - has surgery!

2007-12-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

Look, regardless of what anyone says or what we read, you never know what you are going to get after going through a procedure. With technology today and the way that the good folks at the Howerton Eye Center explained everything made me not too nervous before or even during the procedure.

When I first walked into the room, I almost got tickled because there were so many people in the room. I sat down thinking, either this is the most supportive and caring staff in the world or they think I’m a punk and they are going to have to hold me down.

My attitude should lead us all to conclude that the folks at the Howerton Eye Center are the most supportive and caring staff in the world. It is really cliché to say that something is quick and painless but my goodness, it really was. They talked me through every step while I was right there on the table and before I knew it, they were finished.

It has been shock and awe when it comes time to talk about the results. While looking through what seemed like a mist for about 30 minutes, clarity came into focus within a hour or so and only got more clear.

For as cool as I thought it would be, I never got close to thinking about the actual value of the surgery. I was always bothered because I couldn’t wear my glasses and wear sunglasses. I would really have to make a choice on which one I wanted to wear. In my mind I was looking at the advantage of not having to spend money on glasses or contacts but the bigger picture that I just have a small picture of right now is just the convenience and quality of life offered by having lasik surgery.

Now I have the ability to wake up in the morning and have great vision. I don’t have to rush into the bathroom and put my contacts in or go find my glasses.

I can watch television in bed without having to sit up to be able to see through my glasses.

Even the simple things like being able to read the clock on the DVR or the clock next to my bed have become simple.

I laughed because in the few days since the surgery, I have noticed street signs and building fronts that I drive by all the time but now I know what they say.

I guess while I was thinking it would be great in a convenient kind of way, it has really broadened every aspect of my life so far.

When your sight declines slowly over time, I guess you never know what you are missing out on.

Thanks to Howerton Eye Center, now I know.

www.seanadams.net

ESPN RADIO- Sean Adams

2007-12-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

It’s almost funny because one of the things that we usually take for granted is our eye sight. Even when having an eye exam in the past that ended up with glasses or contacts, you never really see the value of it until you drive away from picking up your glasses when you can read street signs and see the inside of restaurants.

The whole idea of lasik surgery has always given me reason to pause because, I mean really, it’s a laser, it’s my eyes and my ability to see.

The one thing that I have always found attractive about having the procedure was being able to lead a less complicated life when it came to activities. I had grown accustomed to making a choice many times when it came to working out and playing sports, especially when it came to being in the sun.

I could either have good vision by wearing contacts or also be able to wear sunglasses or I can wear my regular glasses (that I’m more comfortable with) but deal with them while I’m sweating and working out or playing basketball or something.

Neither one was really a win/win for me.

When the good folks at Howerton Eye Center and I got together on this partnership, I thought it was a God-send.

After doing the consultation yesterday, I am actually more comfortable than I thought I would be. Everyone that I have dealt with from the staff to the nurses to Shawn, my contact all the way up to Dr. Howerton, himself, have been hugely informative and of great comfort.

The one thing that I took from all the testing and preparation that was done yesterday was the fact that the folks at Howerton Eye Center wanted me to know everything going in, the good and the bad.

A lot of companies make the mistake of trying to make you feel comfortable by giving you the good stuff and making you feel good about what’s going on. Being truly comfortable is having a full grasp or everything, even any risk and downside.

I’m really not nervous and can’t imagine what else I could know that would make me feel any better about it.

Maybe things will change as I get closer to next Thursday.

Norm- one month Post Op

2007-12-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well it's been over a month since my Lasik and everything is great! I still find myself feeling like I am forgetting my glasses when I leave the house sometimes. Also I still reach to adjust my glasses once in a while! I'm sure I will get used to it. Practice has been great with no glasses, work is also good. No more squinting to read things in the overheads. I am able to wear sunglasses now without worrying about being able to see. I recommend this surgery to anyone who is thinking about it, it really does change things dramatically!

-Normwww.myspace.com/qrugby1

NORM- First Practice post LASIK:

2007-10-29T17:15:00.000-07:00

For my first rugby practice after the surgery I was still a little nervous. I decided to wear the goggles they gave me to protect my eyes. I usually played without my glasses and had to squint a lot to see the scoreboard and the other players. I had no trouble seeing any of it even with the goggles on! I can even see my teammates eyes a lot better so it is easier for me to read them now. This vision correction is going to improve my game a lot. I would have trouble seeing the coaches signs sometimes and reading the possession arrow, but not anymore! Crystal Clear!

-Norm
www.myspace.com/qrugby1

The Moment of Truth!

2007-10-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

My first eye exam after the Lasik! I was barely 20/20 with my glasses on so I was anxious to see what my eye sight would be. I went in early the day after surgery to get the eyes looked at and take my first eye test. After Dr. Howerton examined my eyes to make sure everything was looking good, I took my first exam. My vision was 20/15 just 1 day after the surgery! Unbelievable, everything is so clear and crisp and no pain at all. My eyes got a little dry the first few days but drops take care of that. I look forward to my life without glasses! It's going to be so nice being able to see clearly while I'm playing rugby too. No more squinting and trying to focus while I'm on court. First day of practice is not far off!!

-Normwww.myspace.com/qrugby1

Norm- Surgery Day!!!

2007-10-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

Surgery Day:

I was so excited to get my Lasik I couldn't wait to get to the office! I wasn't really that nervous but they give you a little something anyway to help you relax. Then you sit on these really comfortable sofas as they wash your eyes and around them. The guy next to me promptly fell asleep and began snoring!

I got on the table fairly easily after they mark your eyes with what looked light a pencil. I have to say that was probably the scariest part, even though it didn't hurt at all.

Dr. Howerton came in and they closed off one eye and got the other one ready. They use a device to hold it open with some kind of tape, it was not painful at all. Then you look into a light it gets dark for a second and it's over! Took about 30 seconds to a minute. The worst part is when they rinse your eyes with water after. I could smell the laser burning too, not a pleasant smell but not a big deal either. They did the same for the other eye and it was over!

I put my goggles on and kept my eyes closed on the way home. When I got there I ate some lunch and took about a 4 hour nap. The drugs they gave me really helped me sleep. Upon waking I could already tell the difference in my sight. I could see the clock without glasses!! How great is this!

-Norm

www.myspace.com/qrugby1

Norm- During his LASIK procedure...

2007-10-11T19:33:00.001-07:00

NORM- Pics from Surgery Day

2007-10-11T19:29:00.000-07:00

Norm did great on surgery day!
Here he is getting ready for surgery.

Norm-

2007-10-10T18:18:00.001-07:00

I couldn't wait to get in to the office and get my pre-op done. They had to run some tests and then get my Lasik scheduled! I figured the tests would be similar to the ones they had done earlier. Some of them were but they were a little more involved and I got to meet Dr. Nicolau and Dr. Howerton. They were very nice and I can't thank them enough for this opportunity to improve my vision!

Well back to the tests, most of them were pretty routine. Then they put these drops in your eyes to dilate the pupils. The told me that I would not be able to see things up close for about 4 hours. I was thinking whatever, I have very good vision up close. Sure enough I got handed a paper and had to hold it like 4 feet away from my face to see it! The rest of the tests went good and we scheduled the surgery!

I did have to wear sunglasses all day though, my eyes were very sensitive to the sunlight. Can't wait for surgery day!!

-Norm

www.myspace.com/qrugby1

NORM- Meets Dr. Howerton

2007-10-10T16:11:00.001-07:00

Norm comes to the Howerton Eye Center for his dilated exam and meets Dr. Howerton.

NORM- Wins LASIK!

2007-10-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

Wow I still can't believe that I actually won the contest! It is such an awesome feeling winning by just one vote. When my girlfriend Katie first told me about the contest I was a little skeptical. I wasn't too sure about entering it, so she did it for me. I'M so glad she did. I have been wanting Lasik for a while but haven't had the money to get it. It will be so nice playing rugby and driving without glasses!

When they brought me in and told me I was in the final seven I was thinking I actually had a chance. At first I thought the staff was going to decide who won. Then I was told it was going to be an online vote that would decide the winner. I knew I had to do some work if I wanted to win.
I passed out little slips of paper with the web site on it to everyone at work. I also put a link to the site on my Myspace page, I think that helped a lot too. One guy at work told me that he gave the site to his wife and she had everyone at her office vote for me! I also asked everyone on my Rugby team to vote.

When I heard the news that I won I was in Birmingham at a training camp. I was so excited! I thought the contest was over a while ago and figured that I had lost, seeing I had not heard anything in so long. It was a total surprise when I got the phone call. I can't wait until I get the surgery!

Howerton Eye Center Welcomes New Doctor

2007-08-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

Howerton Eye Center is please to welcome John Nicolau, M.D. to our practice. Dr. Nicolau will be seeing patients starting August 1st.

Dr Nicolau is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. Degree in Biomedical Science with Minor in Business; Magna Cum Laude Honors. Dr. Nicolau attended medical school at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, Texas.

Dr. Nicolau, his wife, Kayla, and their son, Reid have recently relocated to Austin. His other passion in life is deep sea fishing. He has traveled places such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico and others to explore fishing opportunities. Dr Nicolau is also an avid Atlanta Braves fan and has been for 20 years. He rarely misses a game. Tennis played a big part of his life growing up, he traveled the State of Texas to achieve a state ranking.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Nicolau and his family!

Eye Care Convention

2007-04-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO!!

Howerton Eye Marketing Director, Shawn Powell, with Website Marketing Expert, Bill Fukui in San Diego at the Cataract and LASIK convention (ASCRS). Dr. Howerton ensures he and his staff stay on top of the latest developments and technology in eye care, by attending, and even presenting, at national ophthalmology meetings and conventions.

To see more about our staff, click to our staff page.

Shawn Powell
Howerton Eye Center
512.444.0701