History of ETEA

East Texas Eye Associates opened its doors in 1959 as the Eye Clinic and has continued to practice since. In 2009, it celebrated its 50^th year. John C. Koch, MD was the first board certified ophthalmologist in the Deep East Texas area. He retired in 1977. Thomas Duncan, MD, joined Dr. Koch in 1976.

Innovation

East Texas Eye Associates is proud to have initiated many firsts to the area with respect to eye care. The first fluorescein angiographic diagnostic photography was performed in 1976 by Jo Ann O’Neill. Ms O’Neill trained for this unique technique with Johnny Justice, a world famous fluorescein angiographer at Baylor University School of Medicine in 1976. Dr. Duncan performed the first operating room phacoemulsification of a cataract at Memorial Hospital in 1977. In 1978, East Texas Eye Associates in conjunction with Memorial Hospital brought to East Texas the first argon laser photocoagulator to treat diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and glaucoma. In 1982, East Texas Eye Associates and Memorial Hospital brought the first YAG laser to perform YAG laser capsulotomy, the treatment for after-cataracts. East Texas Eye Associates added the first Holmium laser to treat glaucoma, and subsequently initiated diode laser treatment of glaucoma in approximately 1993. To date, this is the only diode laser in East Texas for the treatment of glaucoma. The opal laser for treatment of macular degeneration was brought to the area in approximately 1998.

Subspecialty care

Dr. Duncan was the first ophthalmic subspecialist of any type in East Texas, having trained in glaucoma in Cambridge, England with the world famous specialist, John Cairns, MD. The trabeculectomy procedure developed by Mr. Cairns is still the primary operation used for glaucoma today. In 2008, Dr. Duncan was honored by the Texas Ophthalmological Association as the Outstanding Ophthalmologist of Texas for his efforts to advance and protect the practice of ophthalmology in Texas.

East Texas Eye Associates has subsequently provided subspecialty care from the mid-1980’s to 2006 with Dr. Jeffrey Lanier performing corneal transplants. Pediatric ophthalmology was initially provided by nationally known physician Malcolm Mazow, MD, until 2006 when Aaron Miller, MD, replaced him as a pediatric ophthalmologist and strabismus specialist. This was due to Dr. Mazow’s semi-retirement.

Over the years East Texas Eye Associates has brought ophthalmic plastic surgery to Lufkin by bringing in ophthalmic plastic surgeons Thomas Schwartz, MD, and in more recent years Mark Mazow, MD. In 1998, Arthur Willis, MD began coming to East Texas Eye Associates providing both medical and surgical treatment of the retina in our facility. Roberto Diaz-Rohena, MD (Dr. Willis’ associate) started coming to Lufkin in 2006 to increase the availability in the retinal subspecialties. He has also completed a fellowship in uveitis. Dr. Eric Holz, who is also an associate of Dr. Willis and Dr. Diaz-Rohena, joined the practice in January 2010. He served for 12 years as the chief retinal surgeon at Baylor College of Medicine prior to joining our group.

Surgery Center

East Texas Eye Associates Surgery Center opened its doors in 1988 to specialize in ophthalmic procedures. It was the first surgery center of any kind in Deep East Texas. All forms of cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, corneal transplant surgery, ophthalmic plastic surgery, strabismus surgery, and retinal surgery have been performed since that time. The surgery center is not only Medicare approved but it is also accredited by the Joint Commission. This makes it not only the first surgery center in the East Texas area, but has made it unique in seeking the higher level of certification.

Optical Shop

East Texas Eye Associates Optical Shop was founded in 1959. Our optical shop allows East Texas Eye Associates to take care of our patient’s optical needs. The staff consists of two opticians, Della Lumpkin and Rhonda Cates, who have combined experience of over 50 years at East Texas Eye Associates. Both Ms. Lumpkin and Ms. Cates are state licensed and Ms. Lumpkin is ABO-NCLE certified. This allows physician supervision of glasses, contact lenses, and other optical services as needed.

Continuity of Care

Since the founding of East Texas Eye Associates more than 50 years ago, East Texas Eye Associates has met their patients’ needs by providing general and subspecialty ophthalmic care, onsite surgical care, and constant innovation of personal and professional optical services. East Texas Eye Associates is able to provide total eye care.