At the Cizik Eye Center, a comprehensive eye exam involves multiple tests that measure different aspects of vision and eye health, including visual acuity, visual field, and a refraction assessment. Your doctor will use various lenses and lights to detect eye conditions, many of which don’t have noticeable symptoms in their early stages. Identifying problems during an eye exam and treating them early can prevent about half of all visual impairments.
Pediatricians check the vision and eye health of children and will advise families on when to schedule a visit with an eye doctor. A pediatrician may diagnose and treat common childhood conditions, including styes, crossed eyes, pink eye, lazy eyes, and cellulitis of the eye. They might also diagnose refractive errors, such as astigmatism, far-sightedness and near-sightedness. Parents should schedule an appointment at the Cizik Eye Clinic if their child receives such a diagnosis.
Adults under age 40 who are otherwise healthy should have their eyes examined every five to 10 years. Schedule an additional visit if you experience an eye injury, an eye infection, or if you have any vision symptoms. Some women experience vision changes during pregnancy that may necessitate additional visits.
Over the age of 40, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye exams every two to four years for healthy patients. After age 60, the frequency should increase to every year or two, as vision problems increase with age.
The ophthalmologists at the Cizik Eye Center are medical doctors able to conduct eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, treat eye disease, and perform eye surgery. Our doctors can help detect and treat many conditions, including:
Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the lens to the retina that makes vision blurry. It is very common among older people: Nearly 25 million Americans 40 and older have cataracts, and by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery, a quick, effective procedure that resolves most cases. Your ophthalmologist will discuss the procedure and recovery with you in detail.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause blindness without warning or symptoms. Many patients don’t notice any signs until the disease is advanced. Medical experts estimate that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half are aware they suffer from the dangerous disease. While the damage can’t be reversed, lowering the pressure inside the eye can prevent further damage. Your doctor may prescribe eyedrops or perform surgery or laser treatment.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a damage to blood vessels in the retina in the back of the eyes that can occur when a diabetic’s blood sugar levels are poorly managed. Symptoms include blurriness, dark areas of vision, and difficulty perceiving colors. Blindness can occur without treatment. Medications, laser treatment, or other procedures that reduce eye pressure will help relieve this condition.
Macular Degeneration
More than 10 million Americans suffer from macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of vision loss. The condition is diagnosed when the central portion of the retina deteriorates, making detail hard to distinguish both close up and at a distance. Patients may not have any symptoms in the early phase of macular degeneration, but blurred vision and distorted lines may later prompt a visit to the eye doctor.
The Cizik Eye Clinic opened in 2007 and is housed in Memorial Hermann Plaza at 6400 Fannin Street. It includes dozens of exam areas, multiple operating rooms, and laser suites equipped with the most sophisticated equipment available for patient care.
People travel from across the country and the world for treatment at the Cizik Eye Clinic, in part because our affiliation with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth provides unmatched resources and expertise. Our friendly staff works diligently to make your visit pleasant and efficient, as we maximize patient flow through everything from routine eye exams to the most advanced eye surgeries.
Our physicians are faculty members at McGovern Medical School and are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology or are board eligible. At the Cizik Eye Clinic, we understand that the eye is a small part of a whole patient who deserves top-notch, comprehensive care in a cutting-edge facility.