Following being named an International College of Surgeons (ICS) Fellow in 2009, Phillips Kirk Labor, MD was officially inducted at a ceremony held May 6, 2010. With him was Gazi Zibari, MD, a friend and ICS Executive Council member (shown at left with Dr. Labor). Dr. Zibari recommended Dr. Labor for this honor, reserved only for physicians with superior credentials and a well-established international reputation. Said Dr. Labor, “I can’t express how grateful I am to Dr. Zibari and the ICS, and will always strive to live up to this unique honor.” The International College of Surgeons is a global organization whose members include the world's top physicians, with the goal of promoting surgical excellence worldwide.

Phillips Kirk Labor, MD is one of a select few U.S. eye surgeons sought by leading manufacturers to evaluate their latest advancements. At the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Symposium, April 9-14 in Boston, he was invited by Bausch & Lomb to share his experiences and successes implanting the new Crystalens AO intraocular lens. Crystalens AO is the first aberration-free intraocular lens, allowing greater quality distance and intermediate vision than ever before. Bausch & Lomb also chose Dr. Labor as one of only 6 eye surgeons to evaluate patient outcomes for a study related to its new astigmatism correcting contact lens, awaiting FDA approval. "Achieving the best outcome is most important, but I am very honored a leader such as Bausch & Lomb selected me," Dr. Labor said. "They share the desire of our entire practice to offer the most advanced technologies available."

As part of a Reader's Choice survey sent out by Star Community Newspapers, Phillips Kirk Labor, MD was named "Number One Favorite Opthalmologist" for all of Tarrant County. Reader's Choice balloting took place over 8 weeks, allowing readers to vote their favorites across a number of professions.

Star Community Newspapers created a special Reader's Choice Awards insert in which Eye Consultants of Texas ran a full-page, full color ad. The ad quoted Dr. Labor as saying: "I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who voted for me. I must also thank my superb staff who certainly helped me achieve this honor. This reaffirms our dedication to deliver a total experience - to not only help you see better, but ensure you feel good about how you're cared for in every way. Being voted #1 is something I will always cherish, but putting patients first is far more important. Expect nothing less from all of us at Eye Consultants of Texas."

Phillips Kirk Labor, MD has been named a Fellow by the International College of Surgeons (ICS). This honor is reserved only for physicians with superior credentials and with a well-established international reputation. Dr. Labor's international renown for his work with all-laser LASIK and leading expertise more than met these criteria. In addition, he was recommended by ICS member Gazi Zibari, MD - also important to receiving this honor. "This is a career highlight to be recognized not only by the ICS, but by a respected peer like Dr. Zibari," he said. "I will cherish this honor." The International College of Surgeons is a global organization whose members include the world's top physicians. The organization's goal is to promote surgical excellence worldwide.

Eye Consultants of Texas founder Phillips Kirk Labor, MD recently traveled to Duhok, Kurdistan bringing advanced eye care to residents and doctors greatly in need. Dr. Labor is the first U.S. Ophthalmologist ever to visit this region, and the first Western Ophthalmologist Northern Kurds have seen in more than 15 years.

The idea for this mission came from Dr. Labor's friend Gazi Zibari, MD, a Kurdish native who holds high positions at Shreveport's LSU Health Sciences Center, and who helped secure a sponsorship to fund the entire mission. According to Dr. Labor, "It meant a great deal that Dr. Zibari considered me the most professionally capable to make a difference. This plus his firsthand accounts about the lack of modern eye care in Duhok convinced me I had to go."

In addition to devoting daily hours treating patients of all ages, Dr. Labor performed the area's first no stitch cataract surgery. He donated advanced cataract technology, other modern ophthalmic surgical equipment, microscopes and various instruments. Further, he secured agreements with major eye care companies to donate even more surgical supplies to area hospitals. He also spent considerable time teaching local doctors about modern ophthalmic surgical procedures and advanced technologies.

Focusing on the Duhok region, approximately 265 miles from Baghdad, Dr. Labor made additional humanitarian visits to areas near Turkey and Iran. Mosul and Kirkuk - Iraqi regions known for extremist violence - were just to the south, which Dr. Labor said provided a constant reminder war was always near. "What really hit home was the day a bomb exploded in Kirkuk putting everyone on high alert. It was both an unsettling and humbling experience."

The heartfelt gratitude expressed by local Kurds made a huge impact on the Eye Consultants of Texas founder and chief surgeon. "Patients would descend on the clinic, and I was overwhelmed at how thankful the entire community was to have an American doctor there." He also stated he was treated like a dignitary, at one point given the distinction of being interviewed on Kurdistan satellite TV.

Returning home safely, Dr. Labor said another trip sometime in the future is possible. "You simply can't return from a mission like this without a sense you've accomplished something of great value."

The Ziemer Group, inventors and developers of the FEMTO LDV surgical laser and GALILEI corneal mapping system, tapped Phillips Kirk Labor, MD to speak at the Sixth International Congress on Advanced Ablation and SBK (Sub Bowmans Keratomieusis). Dr. Labor addressed a symposium of international leaders in the area of laser vision correction at the convention held in Fort Lauderdale on May 5. His presentation focused on the "all-laser" blade-free advancements of the FEMTO LDV, as well as the enhanced precision technology of the GALILEI, which measures the shape and thickness of the cornea for more accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Labor is the first Texas ophthalmologist, and the first solo private practitioner in the U.S., to own this revolutionary technology. Dr. Labor is considered by The Ziemer Group to be one of the most knowledgeable on these advancements.

"It was an honor to be selected by such an innovative, world-renowned leader such as The Ziemer Group," Dr. Labor says. "More importantly, it's a privilege to be able to offer our patients now, what is truly the future of laser vision correction."

To learn more, log onto www.ziemergroup.com, or call 817-410-2030.

Eye Consultants of Texas founder, Phillips Kirk Labor, MD, is the first Texas ophthalmologist, and the first solo private practitioner in the U.S., to own the FEMTO LDV surgical laser and GALILEI corneal mapping system. Both represent the most innovative laser vision correction technology available today. The FEMTO LDV is the world's first compact mobile surgical laser, offering enhanced "all-laser," blade-free treatment. The GALILEI more accurately measures the shape and thickness of the cornea for more precise diagnosis and treatment of LASIK candidates. While LASIK surgery comes with some risks, the GALILEI enhances safety which helps minimize those risks.

"Both the FEMTO LDV and GALILEI will greatly enhance LASIK treatment, while allowing us to perform simple, affordable procedures right here in our office," says Dr. Labor. "We consider this a valuable investment that will further provide greater outcomes for our patients."

To learn more, log onto www.ziemergroup.com or call 817-410-2030.

The VISX STAR S4 IR (Iris Registration) excimer laser system represents the most advanced laser vision correction technology available today. Eye Consultants of Texas now has its own VISX STAR S4 IR, which adds far more precision to laser vision correction. "The VISX STAR S4 IR has and will continue to be the preferred technology. We found that by investing in this incredible system, not only are we investing in our patients' wellbeing, we can make advanced vision correction simpler and more affordable for them," says founder Phillips Kirk Labor, MD. For more information, call 817-410-2030.

Eye Consultants of Texas founder Phillips Kirk Labor, MD is one of the first Metroplex Ophthalmologists to implant the recently FDA-approved VISIAN ICL™ (Implantable Collamer Lens). Developed to treat Myopia, or near-sightedness, the VISIAN ICL represents a revolutionary achievement for phakic intraocular lenses. It's the first phakic intraocular lens made of Collamer, a material that is very compatible with the eye. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and provides excellent results. Dr. Labor is also offering Collamer intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of Cataracts.

For Dr. Labor this comes on the heels of being the first Texas Ophthalmologist to implant the ReZOOM™ lens, and the first in the Metroplex to implant the Verisyse™ phakic intraocular lens. "Both VISIAN and Verisyse are ideal for any patient who may or may not be a candidate for LASIK, and may provide a superior overall quality of vision when compared with LASIK," says Dr. Labor. "VISIAN gives us more possibilities, and our patients more options as to their treatment."

For more information, log onto www.staar.com, or call 817-410-2030.

Phillips Kirk Labor, MD, Eye Consultants of Texas Founder, was recently the first Texas Ophthalmologist to implant the new ReZoom™ lens.

The ReZoom™ lens is a permanent artificial lens that affords better near, intermediate and distance vision for people who wear reading glasses. Originally designed for cataract patients, anyone dependent on reading glasses or bifocals is a ReZoom™ candidate.

"This is another example of the amazing advancements that are being made in vision correction. As improvements are made, we're committed to providing only the best for our patients," says Dr. Labor.

To learn more about the ReZoom™ lens, please call Eye Consultants of Texas at 817-410-2030

As part of Eye Consultants of Texas' commitment to provide the latest ophthalmic advancements, patients now have a more sophisticated intraocular lens procedure available: Crystalens.

The first and only FDA-approved accommodating intraocular lens, Crystalens is primarily for people over 40 who have near, intermediate and distance vision problems, including cataracts. Crystalens implants move naturally with the eye, further minimizing the possibility of glare, and enhancing vision even more than the multifocal lens.

"Where multifocal lenses are very effective, crystalens goes a step further," says Phillips Kirk Labor, MD, Eye Consultants founder and chief surgeon. "Crystalens is a more advanced, involved procedure that delivers a higher level of multi-focality. Because of this, anyone interested should call us for a complete examination first to determine if crystalens is best for them."

For more information on crystalens, visit www.eyeonics.com.

Phillips Kirk Labor, MD, is the first doctor to perform the Verisyse™ Phakic Intraocular Lens implant procedure in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

What makes the Verisyse Phakic Intraocular Lens so beneficial is how it corrects nearsightedness, in patients who may not be a candidate for other types of Refractive surgery - including LASIK surgery.

Unlike traditional introcular lenses that surgically replace the natural lens, the Verisyse lens is placed in front of the natural lens in one simple procedure.

"We're excited to offer this new development to our patients," says Dr. Labor. "Now practically anyone can minimize and reduce their need for glasses regardless if they are a candidate for LASIK surgery or not."

For more information, log onto www.verisyse.com or call any Eye Consultants of Texas office.

Phillips Kirk Labor, MD, Eye Consultants of Texas founder, is currently one of only five doctors in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex now performing Multifocal lens implants.

Traditional Monofocal lens implants offer clear vison without glasses at a single focal point, either near or at a distance. The Multifocal lens implant is an advanced procedure primarily for cataract candidates allowing near, intermediate and distance vision without glasses.

FDA approved since 1997, the multifocal lens implant is a breakthrough in vision correction, gaining popularity with patients and doctors alike. "This is another example of how we are dedicated to offering the latest procedures to our patients," says Dr. Labor. "However, as with all treatments, we carefully examine every candidate to make sure the procedure is right for them."

For more information, log onto www.arraylens.com or call any Eye Consultants of Texas office.