Mann Eye Institute's Blade-Free LASIK procedure ideal for the right candidates

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The spring sports season is nearing, and players with nearsightedness, or even farsightedness or astigmatism, can keep their eye on the ball better with the Blade-Free LASIK procedure performed at Mann Eye Institute and Laser Center in Market Street. Located in the heart of The Woodlands, the team at Mann Eye Institute provides exceptional patient care with pre- and post-operative appointments for their many vision correction options beneficial to sports athletes.

A recent patient underwent the procedure primarily for cost reasons, but also for aesthetic reasons.

“Mann Eye Institute has a calculator on their website that will show you how much you will save on glasses and contacts over your lifetime,” Emily Powers, patient, said. "When I ran the calculation, it was well over $20,000, and that didn’t include what I’ve spent since I started wearing glasses in third grade, and I had to wear such thick lenses.”

Powers said getting new glasses and contacts was a regular occurrence about every four years.

“It was time for me to get new glasses again,” said Powers. “My mom said just go check into [LASIK]. Over a lifetime, it would be a considerable savings.”

An initial free LASIK screening includes a thorough examination of the eyes and comprehensive tests, which include dry eye testing, visual acuity and refractive error, screening visual field, pupil size in low & medium light, ocular pressure, corneal topography & corneal thickness, and the general health of the eyes. All this prior to the LASIK procedure to determine candidacy.

“I wasn’t afraid of the procedure,” said Powers, “I was afraid I wouldn’t be a candidate for it.”

If candidacy is confirmed, Mann Eye Institute and Laser Center provides patients Blade-Free LASIK with the WaveLight System, the fastest and most advanced FDA-approved laser system in the nation. This combination of the WaveLight FS200 laser and the ALLEGRETTO WAVE Eye-Q excimer laser provides a speedier recovery period with a minimum of downtime.

For over 30 years, the accomplished refractive and cataract specialists at Mann Eye Institute and Laser Center have been at the forefront of vision correction, offering personalized patient care and advanced surgical expertise.Treatment recommendations for vision correction procedures are based on a thorough clinical assessment of the patient’s eyes and careful evaluation of their personal goals. This individual analysis is what differentiates Mann Eye Institute from other laser correction clinics.

The LASIK procedure is a 4-step process performed in a matter of seconds. Approximately the same time it takes to catch a fly ball. Taking a fly ball or a pitch to the face can be destructive to expensive eyewear.

“In high school I played sports, and it was expensive to wear glasses because I was always breaking or losing them,” said Powers. “And in this climate, my glasses were always sliding down due to perspiration. It was so annoying.”

Thus the reason LASIK is ideal for sports athletes, especially those who participate in water sports like swimming and Triathlons. In addition to athletes, LASIK is beneficial to other industry professionals like airline pilots, peace officers, and other first responders, who can’t be hampered with vision correction glasses or contact lenses. During the Magnolia wildfires, firefighters had their contacts pop out from the intense heat, which could have been life-threatening.

For questions concerning candidacy or the suitability of LASIK for a specific industry, call 1+(800) MY-VISION (968-4746), or visit the website.

The Mann Eye Institute and Laser Center is conveniently located in Market Street at 9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 6240.

Powers initial reaction after the procedure: ”I was ecstatic! Goodbye to the four eyes club!”