Southern Eye Institute

Southern Eye Institute Trusted eye care in Houma & Thibodaux-Southern Eye Institute combines top doctors, advanced technology & compassionate eye care to protect your sight.

Dr. Kellum,
Dr. Zeringue, Dr. Tran, & Dr. Huettemann. Dr. Keith Kellum of Kellum Eye Center and Dr. Nano Zeringue of Accurate Eye Care have merged to form Southern Eye Institute. Visit us at our two locations. Our Houma office is located at 446 Corporate Drive and our Thibodaux office is at 900 Canal Blvd Suite 3. We look forward to providing professional medical and surgical eyecare for you and your family. We can be reached at 985-872-5577 for the Houma office and at 985-448-3353 for our Thibodaux office.

Cataracts- Glare from headlights isn’t always normalIf night driving feels harder than it used to, cataracts may be part...
02/25/2026

Cataracts-

Glare from headlights isn’t always normal

If night driving feels harder than it used to, cataracts may be part of the reason. Clouding of the lens can scatter light and increase glare.

This often develops gradually, making it easy to overlook at first.

Routine exams help monitor lens clarity and keep you informed about changes.

Clear vision plays an important role in everyday safety.

VALDEA® — THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING FOR DRY AMD 🚨For the first time in history, there is finally a real treatment. Not a v...
02/24/2026

VALDEA® — THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING FOR DRY AMD 🚨

For the first time in history, there is finally a real treatment. Not a vitamin. Not “wait and watch.”

🔥 Valeda® Light Therapy is the FIRST and ONLY FDA-approved treatment for Dry AMD.

This revolutionary technology uses gentle, painless light to stimulate your retinal cells — helping improve visual function and slow disease progression.

✔No injections.
✔No surgery.
✔No downtime.

Just advanced science designed to help preserve what matters most — your sight.

⌛️Every day you wait, AMD can continue to progress.

💫Every day sooner you act, you give your eyes a chance.

✨ Patients across the country are already experiencing the benefits.
Now it’s your turn.

🚀Protect your vision while you still can.

Dry AMD no longer means “nothing can
be done.”

Now, something can!

📞 Houma: 985-872-5577
📞 Thibodaux: 985-448-3353

Myth: Only sunny days require sunglassUV rays reach your eyes even when it’s cloudy. Exposure adds up over time and can ...
02/24/2026

Myth: Only sunny days require sunglass

UV rays reach your eyes even when it’s cloudy. Exposure adds up over time and can contribute to long‑term eye changes.

Consistent protection—not occasional use—makes the difference.

Quality sunglasses help shield your eyes year‑round.

Small habits today help preserve vision tomorrow.

02/22/2026

Happy Birthday to the one who keeps our surgery schedule! 🎉

For 13 years, she’s been coordinating surgeries like a pro, answering a million questions a day, and somehow keeping everything running smoothly without breaking a sweat. Patients trust her, doctors rely on her, and we honestly don’t know what we’d do without her.

Brandi, thank you for your dedication, your patience, and for being such an important part of the SEI family.

Help us wish her the happiest birthday! 🎂👏

Presbyopia: when your arms suddenly aren’t long enough to read the menu anymore.Don’t worry—your eyes aren’t “getting ol...
02/20/2026

Presbyopia: when your arms suddenly aren’t long enough to read the menu anymore.
Don’t worry—your eyes aren’t “getting old,” they’re just… maturing gracefully.

Ready to stop playing the “zoom in, zoom out” game with your phone?
Come see us at Southern Eye Institute and let’s get those near-vision superpowers back. 👓✨
Call today to schedule your exam!
📞 Houma: 985-872-5577
📞 Thibodaux: 985-448-3353

Today, we honor the leaders who helped shape our nation and the vision they had for America’s future. Their courage, de...
02/16/2026

Today, we honor the leaders who helped shape our nation and the vision they had for America’s future. Their courage, dedication, and foresight remind us how powerful clear vision can be—At Southern Eye Institute, we believe good vision is something worth protecting. Whether it’s reading the Constitution, watching your grandchildren grow, or simply enjoying the beauty around you, your eyes help you experience what matters most.

👁️ Make your vision a priority. Schedule your comprehensive eye exam today.

📍 Houma: 985-872-5577
📍 Thibodaux: 985-448-3353

Wishing you a safe, proud, and happy Presidents’ Day! 🇺🇸

02/16/2026

Dry AMD is one of the leading causes of vision loss, and until recently, options were limited. Valeda uses targeted light therapy to stimulate the retina at a cellular level, helping improve function and slow progression. It’s non-invasive, painless, and changing how we treat dry AMD.
Now at Southern Eye Institute!

🎭💜💛💚 Mardi Gras Eye Safety Tips! 👁️✨Parades are fun. Flying beads… not so much when they hit your eye. 😅Here’s how to p...
02/13/2026

🎭💜💛💚 Mardi Gras Eye Safety Tips! 👁️✨
Parades are fun. Flying beads… not so much when they hit your eye. 😅

Here’s how to protect your vision while you catch the fun:

✔️ Wear sunglasses or protective eyewear
✔️ Keep a little distance from floats when throws start flying
✔️ Turn your head if beads are coming fast
✔️ Watch kids closely—they’re bead magnets 🎯
✔️ If something hits your eye and it hurts, don’t rub it

Because no one wants their Mardi Gras memory to be… “that time I got beaned in the eyeball.” 😬

Tag a parade buddy and share to keep everyone seeing clearly this Mardi Gras! 🎉👁️

👋 Meet Dr. Patrick Huettemann — or as many of our patients know him, “Dr. H.”We’re excited to spotlight Patrick Huettema...
02/11/2026

👋 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

👁️ Dry Eyes: More Than “Just Irritating” — It’s a Real Medical ConditionDo your eyes burn? Feel gritty, tired, watery, o...
02/10/2026

👁️ Dry Eyes: More Than “Just Irritating” — It’s a Real Medical Condition

Do your eyes burn? Feel gritty, tired, watery, or blurry—especially after screen time?
You may be dealing with Dry Eye Disease, and you’re not alone.

👉 What Is Dry Eye?

Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough quality tears or when tears evaporate too quickly.
Without proper moisture, your eyes become irritated, inflamed, and uncomfortable.

⚠️ Common Symptoms

✔️ Burning or stinging
✔️ Scratchy “sand in the eye” feeling
✔️ Redness
✔️ Blurry or fluctuating vision
✔️ Excessive tearing (yes—this is a dry eye sign!)
✔️ Eye fatigue
✔️ Light sensitivity

🧠 Did You Know?

Some people with Sjögren’s syndrome (an autoimmune condition) commonly experience severe dry eye because their body attacks tear-producing glands. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical.

💡 Treatment Options We Offer

Every case is different. We tailor treatment to YOU:

✅ Prescription eye drops
✅ Artificial tears (properly selected)
✅ Punctal plugs
✅ Meibomian gland therapy
✅ Thermal treatments
✅ Anti-inflammatory drops
✅ Omega-3 support
✅ Advanced dry eye evaluations

🏡 At-Home Tips That Really Help

You don’t have to suffer in silence—small habits make a big difference:

✔️ Use warm compresses daily (5–10 minutes)
✔️ Clean your eyelids/lashes gently
✔️ Blink more during screen use
✔️ Follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 min, look 20 ft away for 20 sec)
✔️ Stay hydrated
✔️ Use a humidifier
✔️ Avoid direct air from fans/vents

❤️ Why It Matters

Untreated dry eye can affect your comfort, vision, work performance, and quality of life.
The good news? Most patients improve dramatically with the right care.

📍 Schedule Your Dry Eye Evaluation Today

📞 Houma: 985-872-5577
📞 Thibodaux: 985-448-3353

Let’s get your eyes comfortable again. Clear vision shouldn’t hurt. 👁️✨

🌟 New Hope for Dry Macular Degeneration 🌟Photobiomodulation (PBM) TherapyIf you have Dry AMD, there’s finally a non-inva...
02/09/2026

🌟 New Hope for Dry Macular Degeneration 🌟

Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy

If you have Dry AMD, there’s finally a non-invasive treatment designed to help protect and support your vision.

✅ Uses gentle, low-level light
✅ Helps retinal cells work more efficiently
✅ May slow vision decline
✅ No injections. No surgery. No downtime.

Think of it as a “boost” for your eye’s energy system—helping tired retinal cells function better.

👁️ Safe. Painless. In-Office.
⏱️ Quick treatment sessions
📅 Multiple sessions over a few weeks

👉 Don’t just wait and watch. Take action early.

📆 Schedule your consultation today to see if PBM is right for you.
Let’s protect your sight—before it fades.

📞 Call us @ our Houma office- 985-872-5577
Or Our Thibodaux office- 985-448-3353

📞 Call us @ our Houma office- 985-872-5577 Or Our Thibodaux office- 985-448-3353
02/06/2026

📞 Call us @ our Houma office- 985-872-5577
Or Our Thibodaux office- 985-448-3353

Address

446 Corporate Drive
Houma, LA
70360

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 12pm
1pm - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+19858725577

Website

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Our Story

Dr. Keith Kellum of Kellum Eye Center and Dr. Nano Zeringue of Accurate Eye Care have merged to form Southern Eye Institute. Visit us at our two locations. We also welcome to our staff Dr. Janie Tran and Dr. Jodie Simon. Our Houma office is located at 446 Corporate Drive and our Thibodaux office is at 900 Canal Blvd Suite 3. We look forward to providing professional medical and surgical eyecare for you and your family. We can be reached at 985-872-5577 for the Houma office and at 985-448-3353 for our Thibodaux office.