Joseph A. Janes, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Janes was born in November 1951 at William Beaumont General Hospital. His father, Joseph A. Janes Sr., was finishing his tour of duties from the Korean War and WWII at Fort Bliss, Texas. The following year the family moved back to Kansas City, Kansas. Four years later the family moved back to El Paso. The highlight of his young life occurred in 1962 when his brother Don was born. The desert, the mountains, Boy Scouts and Coronado High School formed his adolescent years. He earned his Eagle Scout Award May 26, 1966, and graduated from Coronado High in 1969.

In 1969, he left for New Mexico State University to major in Electrical Engineering. He had passed the various background checks to qualify as a work-study student at White Sands Missile Range. He discovered a talent for chemistry and biology. In 1971, he changed his major to pharmacy and moved to the University of Houston. A close friend of the family Thomas Cost, O.D. was also a pharmacist. He recommended looking into the Optometry program at the University of Houston. After receiving his B.S. in Optometry, he received his Doctor of Optometry in 1976.

The development of his profession has always been part of Dr. Janes’s professional life. He was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston for four years. He has taught didactic courses on special topics of eye disease and contact lens research.  He presently serves as an associate clinical professor for the University Of Houston College Of Optometry. In addition to educating others, Dr. Janes continually seeks to advance his personal knowledge of eye and skin care by completing post-doctorate courses. Included among Dr. Janes’ coursework are Ophthalmic Lasers in Primary Care from NOVA Southeastern Univeristy, Optometric Glaucoma Specialist Course from the University of Texas at Houston Medical School in 2000, and Basic & Advanced Techniques for IPL Photorejuvenation Hair Removal and Treatment of Leg Veins from the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute in 2003.
Dr. Janes has also participated in numerous clinical evaluations and FDA studies for contact lens design and contact lens solutions. He has prescribed thousands of contact lenses for difficult ocular conditions.  He has earned recognition for his ability to fit contact lenses for medical eye conditions such as keratoconus, dry eyes, and post refractive, cataract, and penetrating keratoplasty surgeries. Dr. Janes continues to train interns and residents on contact lens prescription and management. His scientific articles and papers have appeared in numerous professional publications. Dr. Janes has given presentations across the United States and in Canada. 

Dr. Janes has spent the last thirty years practicing, researching, and educating. His main area of interest is in the restoration of functional vision without the use of glasses. His secondary interests are in preserving the appearance of his patients and the efficient management of patient care. With more than 26 years experience with refractive corneal surgery, he has been a participant in the progress of refractive procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Dr. Janes is a leader in the optometric community. He has served as President of the Harris County Optometric Society three times and will begin his fourth term in 2006. He is currently on serving his seventh year on the Board of Directors for Universal Software Solutions, the developers of Versa Suite Medical Management Software, and assists in the development of their electronic medical software. Dr. Janes and Dr. Cross founded the Laser Eye Institute of Houston in 1995. He has served as an officer of the Board of Managers since its inception, and was President during 2004 and 2005 
 

His greatest joy comes from Janet, his wife of over 30 years and his children Kelly, Michael and Stephen. His families understanding and support is a true blessing.