Southern Eye Institute

01/14/2026

Diabetes:
Your eyes can reveal diabetes
Changes in the blood vessels inside the eye can be one of the earliest signs of diabetes—sometimes before symptoms are noticed elsewhere.

A comprehensive eye exam can detect diabetic eye changes early, helping patients protect both their vision and overall health.

👉 If you have diabetes—or a family history—regular eye exams matter.

01/13/2026

Macular Degeneration / Diabetic Eye Disease
Some vision problems start quietly

Conditions like macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease often don’t affect vision right away. Changes can begin in the back of the eye long before you notice anything different.

That’s why regular dilated eye exams are so important—especially if you have diabetes or a family history of eye disease.

Early detection gives us more options and helps protect vision long-term.

👉 If you’re managing diabetes or noticing subtle changes, an exam is a smart next step.

01/13/2026

👋 Meet Dr. Patrick Huettemann — or as many of our patients know him, “Dr. H.”

We’re excited to spotlight Patrick Huettemann, one of the fantastic optometrists here at Southern Eye Institute. Dr. H has officially been part of the SEI family for a year and a half now, and if you’ve seen him already, you know exactly why patients keep asking for him by name.

Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Huettemann completed his undergraduate studies at LSU (yes… a proud fan of the LSU Tigers 🐯). He went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry, followed by advanced externship training in private practice in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

What patients appreciate most about Dr. H? He’s thorough, approachable, and explains things without the medical mumbo-jumbo. He takes the time to listen, answer questions, and make sure you actually understand your eyes—not just nod politely and hope for the best.

When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll find him on the golf course, out fishing, or cheering (sometimes loudly) for LSU on Saturdays.

If you’re looking for an eye doctor who’s knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and genuinely cares about your vision, Dr. Huettemann is now accepting new patients—and he’d love to meet you.

📞 Call us today to schedule with Dr. Huettemann and see what so many of our patients already know: you’re in great hands at Southern Eye Institute. 👀✨

Houma office- 985-872-5577
Thibodaux office- 985-448-3353

01/12/2026

Save the date!

01/08/2026

👁️ Thursday Thoughts: Your Eyes Are Working Overtime
Most people don’t think about their eyes…
until they start burning, blurring, or begging for mercy around 4 PM.

What happens when your eyes get overworked?

• Blinking drops by up to 60% during screen use
• Tear film evaporates faster
• Eye muscles stay locked in “near focus”
• Result: dryness, headaches, fatigue, and blurry vision

Simple ways to protect your vision:

✔️ Follow the 20-20-20 rule
✔️ Adjust screen height to eye level
✔️ Blink more (seriously)
✔️ Use preservative-free artificial tears
✔️ Make sure your glasses or contacts are current

👁️ Clear vision shouldn’t be a weekend luxury.

📍 Southern Eye Institute
Helping you see comfortably—every day of the week.

01/07/2026

👀 It’s Wednesday… How Are Your Eyes Holding Up?
Midweek Eye Reality Check:

• Staring at screens = less blinking
• Less blinking = dry eyes
• Dry eyes = burning, redness, blurry vision
• Blurry vision = squinting
• Squinting = headaches
• Headaches = are you questioning your life choices by 3:17 PM

Quick Wednesday Fixes:
👁️ Follow the 20-20-20 rule
(Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds)
💧 Use preservative-free artificial tears
(Your eyes like hydration too)
🖥️ Blink. On purpose.
Yes, it feels weird.
Yes, it works.

🕶️ Make sure your glasses or contacts are actually doing their job

📍 Southern Eye Institute
We keep Houma & Thibodaux seeing clearly

01/06/2026

🟢 Glaucoma Awareness Month: The Sneakiest Thief You’ll Never See Coming

Glaucoma is called the “silent thief of sight” for a reason.
No pain.
No warning.
No symptoms—until vision loss is permanent.

That’s the scary part:
👉 You can feel fine and still be losing vision.
What you should know:

• Glaucoma damages the optic nerve
• It often starts with peripheral vision loss
• Once vision is gone, it’s gone for good
• Early detection = vision saved

Who’s at higher risk?

✔️ Age 40+
✔️ Family history of glaucoma
✔️ Diabetes or high blood pressure
✔️ African American or Hispanic heritage
✔️ Long-term steroid use

The good news?

A simple eye exam can catch glaucoma early—before it steals your sight.

👁️ See it before you can’t.

📍 Southern Eye Institute-
Houma 985-872-5577
Thibodaux 985-448-3353
📞 Call today or book online
💬 Early detection is everything

01/06/2026

🎉🎂 Happy Birthday, Tammy! 🎂🎉

Today we’re celebrating Tammy's Birthday!!
Tammy is an absolute rockstar at SEI! 💙 Patients adore her, staff can’t imagine life without her, and honestly… she’s the heartbeat of this place. Around here, we don’t just work together — we’re family, and Tammy is a big reason why.

When she’s not taking great care of our patients, you’ll find Tammy living her best life at family get-togethers 🥰, trying her luck at the casino 🎰, or soaking up every moment with her grandkids ❤️.

We are so grateful for everything she brings to SEI, and we love her more than words can say. Help us wish Tammy the HAPPIEST of birthdays and make this one a celebration to remember! 🎉🎈

01/06/2026

👁️ Lid Hygiene
Red, itchy, gritty eyes? Styes that keep coming back? Burning at the end of the day?
Chances are that your eyelids need a little more love.
Your eyelids have tiny oil glands that keep your eyes comfortable and your vision clear. When those glands get clogged—hello irritation, dryness, and infection.

Let’s talk about the usual suspects:
💄 Makeup & Mascara
• Mascara harbors bacteria (especially after 3 months)
• Sleeping in makeup = clogged glands
• Applying liner inside the lash line blocks oil flow

✨ Lash Extensions & False Lashes
• Glue buildup traps debris
• Incomplete cleaning = inflammation
• Poor hygiene increases infection risk

🧔 Yes, Men Too
• Facial oils, sweat, and debris count
• Eye rubbing transfers bacteria
• Lid hygiene isn’t cosmetic—it’s medical

What healthy lid hygiene looks like:
✔️ Daily gentle lid cleansing
✔️ Warm compresses (5–10 minutes)
✔️ Clean hands before touching your eyes
✔️ Replace eye makeup regularly
✔️ Take breaks from extensions when irritation starts

Think of it like brushing your teeth—but for your eyelids. Skip it, and problems build up fast.

📍 If you’re dealing with chronic irritation, styes, or dry eye symptoms, it may be time for a professional evaluation. Healthy lids = comfortable eyes.

👉 Call us or book online to learn how to protect your eyes long-term.
Houma Office-985-872-5577
Thibodaux Office 985-448-3353

12/31/2025

12/31/2025

When Not to Wait on Eye Symptoms

Sudden vision loss.
Flashes of light.
A curtain in your vision.
Eye pain with redness.

These are urgent eye symptoms—not “wait and see” moments.

👉 Call Southern Eye Institute immediately if you experience any of these.

12/31/2025

Did you know we accept Traditional Medicaid at our office? 🙌That means if your child is covered by Medicaid and is ages 0-20, we’ve got you.

If you have questions about eligibility or scheduling, please contact our office — our team is happy to help.
We have Locations in Houma and Thibodaux

🤳Houma office inquires- 985-872-5577
🤳Thibodaux office inquires-985-448-3353

💫Providing quality eye care to families in our community.💫