Former Houston Astros outfielder and World Series Champion Josh Reddick has LASIK with Dr. Andrew Salem at Diagnostic Eye Center
Josh Reddick was a key player for the Houston Astros during their historic 2017 World Series victory. The championship not only marked a major sports achievement but also served as a source of unity and resilience for Houston in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Known for his big personality, Josh won over the hearts of Houston fans with his Spiderman costumes and wrestling belts, in addition to making some amazing plays on the field. He retired from professional baseball in 2023 but still calls the Houston area home.
Josh has been playing baseball since he was a kid, but having to deal with putting contacts in and out every time he played was a huge hassle. Playing in the big leagues also means traveling all over the country, and high altitudes also made his contacts dry out. He finally decided to take the leap and get rid of contacts for good with laser vision correction! Josh says that his biggest motivation was to wake up and be able to see without putting anything on or in his eyes.
After being referred by his team optometrist, Josh came to see Dr. Salem at Diagnostic Eye Center. He had several scans and measurements taken of his corneas, then his eyes were numbed with eye drops. The actual procedure took less than ten minutes! Josh says that LASIK was a great experience! “Everybody on the team was welcoming and treated me with kindness. I knew what to expect going in so it wasn’t much of a surprise.”
To anyone considering LASIK or any other vision correction surgery, Josh says, “Don’t wait! Get it done ASAP!”
Thank you, Josh, for trusting us with your eyes and for sharing your LASIK story with the world! Congratulations on your new 20/20 vision! Your contributions to the Astros and to the city of Houston have left an indelible mark. We’re honored to have played a small role in enhancing your vision, just as you’ve enhanced the spirit of Houston!
Professional Football Player Zac Brooks Chooses PRK with Dr. Andrew Salem at Diagnostic Eye Center
Zac Brooks is a professional football player whose career demands sharp focus, fast reaction time, and total confidence in his vision. After years of playing with glasses and contact lenses—and dealing with the frustrations that came with them—Zac underwent PRK vision correction with Dr. Andrew Salem at Diagnostic Eye Center to simplify his life on and off the field.
Zac has worn glasses since he was about six years old, but as an active kid and athlete, they were rarely practical. “They were either broken or lost all the time,” he says. Even as his football career progressed, relying on corrective lenses remained a challenge.
Vision Challenges in a Contact Sport
Football is a fast-paced, physical game, and contact lenses don’t always cooperate. During games, Zac found that intense focus often caused his contacts to dry out. “Next thing you know, vision goes away because you get blurry,” he explains.
Like many football players, Zac also experienced contact lenses falling out during play after being hit or poked in the eye. “Got poked in the eye, contact comes out—but you gotta keep playing,” he says. “It’s competitive. You ain’t trying to go out because you lost the contact.”
Between the unpredictability of contacts and the risks that came with wearing them long-term, Zac knew he wanted a more reliable solution.
Choosing PRK as an Athlete
Zac had considered laser vision correction as early as college and again when he entered professional football, but timing and vision stability kept him waiting. When the time finally felt right, Dr. Salem evaluated Zac’s eyes and recommended PRK as the best option based on his specific eye measurements. Zac had thin corneas, so he did not have enough tissue for LASIK. Less corneal tissue is treated with PRK, so this was the safer choice for him. As Zac learned more about the procedure, the long-term safety and outcomes gave him confidence in the decision.
For athletes—especially those in contact sports—PRK can also have an advantage over LASIK. Because there is no corneal flap, there is no risk of flap displacement from impact. This risk is still very low with LASIK, but PRK may be a preferred option for some patients. A comprehensive preoperative exam is critical to evaluate corneal thickness and curvature, as well as the patient’s lifestyle and visual needs.
The PRK Experience
The procedure itself was quick, and Zac felt prepared going in. Rather than focusing on discomfort, he describes the recovery as manageable. “It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting,” he says.
With a supportive recovery setup at home, Zac was able to rest and heal comfortably. Understanding why PRK was recommended—and trusting the data behind it—helped reinforce his confidence. “I trust the numbers,” Zac says.
Advice for Others Considering Vision Correction
Now free from the hassles of glasses and contact lenses, Zac is relieved to have one less thing to worry about—on the field and in everyday life. For athletes considering vision correction, he believes PRK is worth the wait and the recovery.
Thank you, Zac, for trusting Dr. Andrew Salem and Diagnostic Eye Center with your vision and for sharing your PRK journey. We’re proud to support athletes at every level in seeing clearly, competing confidently, and performing at their best.
Artist and Reality TV Star Victoria Fuller Regains Her Vision with Refractive Lens Exchange at Diagnostic Eye Center
Victoria Fuller, an accomplished artist and reality TV star, has experienced a life-changing transformation through refractive lens exchange surgery performed by Dr. Andrew Salem at Diagnostic Eye Center. Victoria’s journey to restored vision was marked by perseverance and the quest for answers beyond what numerous doctors had previously provided.
Victoria is known for her appearances on reality TV and her feature in Playboy magazine. She gained widespread recognition as a contestant on the popular reality TV show “The Amazing Race” and has graced the pages of Playboy, where she was named Playmate of the Month. These experiences have made her a well-known public figure, and her vision issues were particularly challenging given the visual demands of her career in the public eye.
For years, Victoria struggled with her deteriorating vision, which significantly impacted her ability to create art. Despite consulting with several doctors, she was told that her vision loss was simply a part of aging. However, Victoria knew there was more to her condition. She felt as if she was constantly looking through a watery lens, unable to see up close or at a distance, and experiencing double vision. This took a toll on her art, forcing her to stop painting on canvas altogether and rely solely on digital work.
A turning point came when a fellow artist recommended Dr. Kevin Gee, an eye doctor based in Houston. Trusting her friend’s advice, Victoria traveled to Houston for a comprehensive eye exam. It was here that Dr. Gee, in collaboration with Dr. Salem, diagnosed her with cataracts and dry eyes—conditions that had been overlooked by previous doctors. She was presented with various lens options, including the advanced PanOptix lenses.
Victoria’s decision to undergo refractive lens exchange was fueled by Dr. Salem’s extensive experience and the state-of-the-art equipment at Diagnostic Eye Center. The personalized care and detailed explanations provided by Dr. Salem, Dr. Gee, and their dedicated team reassured Victoria throughout the process.
Victoria underwent surgery on each eye one week apart. She describes the experience as peaceful and the recovery as remarkably smooth. Just days after her second surgery, Victoria began to see clearly again. She could read without glasses, see distant objects in detail, and appreciate the textures and colors that define her artistic vision. Everyday tasks like reading food labels, applying makeup, and seeing her daughter’s face became joyous moments of clarity.
Reflecting on her journey, Victoria is filled with gratitude for Dr. Salem, Dr. Gee, and the entire team at Diagnostic Eye Center. Her life has been profoundly transformed, and she now encourages others to seek second opinions and trust their instincts about their health.
“I can’t express how thankful I am to Dr. Salem and Dr. Gee for giving me back my vision. My life is forever changed,” says Victoria. “If you’re experiencing vision problems, don’t give up hope. There’s always a solution out there.”
Thank you, Victoria, for sharing your inspiring story and trusting us with your eyes. Your journey of resilience and renewal is a testament to the transformative power of expert care and advanced technology. Congratulations on your newfound clarity and continued success in your artistic endeavors!
Optometrist Dr. Alyssa Banda Finds Freedom from Glasses with EVO ICL at Diagnostic Eye Center
Dr. Alyssa Banda, a dedicated optometrist at Diagnostic Eye Center, has devoted her career to helping others see the world more clearly. Yet her own journey to better vision was marked by challenges due to an autoimmune condition called Sjögren’s syndrome. This condition caused intense dry eyes, fatigue, and dry mouth, which left Dr. Banda unable to tolerate contact lenses and dependent on glasses she had worn for nearly 20 years. “I would reserve contacts for special occasions, but even a few hours of wear would leave my eyes burning for weeks,” she recalls.
Dr. Banda had worked at Diagnostic Eye Center before, during, and after her optometry training, witnessing countless patients’ success stories with refractive surgery thanks to Dr. Andrew Salem’s skill. While many of her colleagues had experienced the life-changing benefits of LASIK or PRK, Dr. Banda knew her dry eye condition made her ineligible. Everything changed, however, with the arrival of the EVO ICL™ (Implantable Collamer™ Lens), which is free of dry eye side effects—a revolutionary option for someone like her. Inspired to learn more, she soon became the first staff member to undergo the EVO ICL procedure at Diagnostic Eye Center.
Dr. Banda’s excitement grew after she learned her favorite childhood star, Joe Jonas, had recently chosen EVO ICL. She was drawn to the procedure’s reversible nature, which, unlike LASIK or PRK, offered her a sense of security. “The prospect of seeing without glasses felt like a distant dream, yet here it was within reach,” she says.
The day of her surgery brought emotions of hope and excitement, and the procedure itself was quick and remarkably straightforward. “I remember seeing the clock across the hall just after surgery—it was surreal,” she shares. By the end of the day, she was already seeing 20/20, with her vision continuing to sharpen in the weeks that followed.
This newfound clarity had a profound effect on her life and confidence. She could now interact with patients without the barrier of glasses, fostering deeper connections with them. Just one month post-surgery, Dr. Banda attended a friend’s wedding, overjoyed to participate fully, free from the worry of dry eyes or contacts. In a heartfelt message to Dr. Salem, she expressed her gratitude, knowing her life had been forever changed.
Today, Dr. Banda’s personal experience fuels her passion for helping patients who feel discouraged by traditional vision correction options. “I’m so fortunate to work alongside such a skilled surgeon,” she says. Her journey not only inspires hope in patients but also allows her to share the possibility of a life unhindered by glasses and contact lenses. Thanks to the EVO ICL, Dr. Banda now embraces each day without limitations, fully enjoying both her work and her life to the fullest.
The doctors at Diagnostic Eye Center have reviewed and approved this content.
