Dr. Harvey Carter - A leading Dallas-based LASIK surgeon
August 29, 2007 - Chandana Banerjee
 |
 |
 |
||
 |
|
 |
||
 |
 |
Dr. Harvey Carter, M.D., is a leading Dallas-based LASIK surgeon who promises uncompromising and exceptional service to all his patients. He was the first eye surgeon in Texas to perform the procedure Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) and the first in the USA to perform Crystalens surgery after it was FDA approved. In fact, He is the world’s leading Crystalens implant surgeon. Crystalens is the fastest growing lens implant for non-LASIK correction of presbyopia (the need for reading glasses).
SurgeryWatch: Thank you Dr. Carter, for taking the time to speak to SurgeryWatch. You have been an eye surgeon for the past 20 years and have loads of experience in this field. How did you decide to become an eye surgeon?
Dr. Carter: I became interested in micro-surgery while doing parasitology research in college at SMU. The project required microscopic dissection of snails. Enjoying the microscopic dissection, I looked for a surgical field which included micro-surgery.
SW: Where have done your medical training from?
Dr. Carter: I did my pre-medical training at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas and my medical school training as Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Medicine in New Orleans. I did my internship at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas with rotations at Parkland Memorial Hospital of Dallas and my ophthalmology residency training at The Medical College of Georgia.
SW: You offer the most advanced vision correction procedure – Custom Wavefront LASIK. How is the procedure different and more effective than standard LASIK?
Dr. Carter: This wavefront guided procedure increases the probability of patients achieving 20/20 or better levels of uncorrected vision. This technology frequently results in vision levels of 20/16 or 20/12.
SW: Everyone may not be suitable for LASIK. How do you determine, who is good for LASIK and who is not?
Dr. Carter: A thorough pre-operative refractive examination is performed to exclude and disqualify those patients who have pre-existing problems rendering them a non-candidate for LASIK. Anywhere from 0% to 5% of patients may be disqualified during this screening process.
SW: What are the other procedures that a person can benefit from if he/she is not suitable for LASIK?
Dr. Carter: Other laser vision correction procedures that may be appropriate include IntraLASIK, LASEK and PRK. All three of these procedures are laser vision correction techniques with the last two being advanced surface ablation techniques. Additionally, we offer the Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) which is also referred to as the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) procedure.
SW: You were the first surgeon in the USA to perform Crystalens Surgery after it was FDA approved. Please tell us about this procedure.
Dr. Carter: Crystalens is the first and only accommodating or focusing lens implant ever approved by the FDA. This lens implant moves or focuses inside the eye using eye’s own muscles to focus at different ranges. I was honored to be the first surgeon to implant this lens in the U.S. following its FDA approval in 2003. Today, this lens implant is the fastest growing lens implant in its category.
SW: How is presbyopia caused and how do you treat this condition?
Dr. Carter: Presbyopia is a natural aging of the lens in the human eye whereas the lens becomes stiffer and less flexible over time, the eye’s ability to focus on near objects decreases. Presbyopia is most commonly treated by the use of reading glasses, bifocals and trifocals. Bifocal contact lenses as well as mono-vision contact lens therapy have been tried. Surgically, presbyopia can be treated with Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), mono-vision LASIK or a number of presbyopia correcting intraocular lens implants, with the most popular choice being the Crystalens.
SW: Cataracts affect a lot of elderly people. Is there any way to prevent cataracts?
Dr. Carter: There is no prevention for cataracts; it is a natural aging process. Some people develop cataracts earlier in life than others for various reasons. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person. The most common cause of a cataract is natural aging of the eye. Other causes include family history, certain medications, radiation therapy, health problems, previous eye surgery, injury to the eye, unprotected UV exposure and other factors which are unknown.
SW: How are cataracts treated?
Dr. Carter: The only way to treat a cataract is to surgically remove it. During cataract surgery, the natural lens, containing the cataract, is removed from the eye and a synthetic intraocular lens is implanted. This quick, virtually painless procedure is accomplished through a very small incision and rarely requires stitches. My patients return to most normal activities within a few hours after the procedure.
SW: Many people opt to have eyelid surgery to reduce sagging, puffiness, folds or under eye bags that create a tired or stressed appearance. What kind of care should be taken after the eyelid surgery?
Dr. Carter: After eyelid surgery, patients must be careful not to put any pressure on their wounds or suture lines and should avoid significant weight gain in the post-operative period.
SW: You also offer Botox treatments to your patients to make them look younger. Are the results of Botox treatments instantaneous? Are there any risks involved in Botox?
Dr. Carter: The effects of Botox are noticeable anywhere from one to seven days after the treatment. Botox reduces fine lines and wrinkles in the face; however the effect will lessen over time. As with any procedure, there are risks involved.
SW: Please tell us about your wonderful team who help you take such good care of your patients.
Dr. Carter: My caring staff makes our patients feel very comfortable throughout the entire process. Each patient receives a lot of individual attention from my staff making them feel as if they are our only patient.
SW: What do you like to do in your leisure time?
Dr. Carter: In my spare time, I enjoy restoring antique automobiles and traveling when my busy schedule permits.
SW: Thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us!
Dr. Carter: You’re welcome. It has been a pleasure.
