The LASIK Blog

My Favorite 10 Blog Posts of 2009

As 2009 winds to its end, it is very common to see lists of the year's best and worst.  From songs to movies, from news makers to sporting events.  Here is my list of the 10 best posts of The LASIK Blog for 2009.

1. LASIK for the Gold's Katherine Reutter Loves Colbert Nation.  Stephan Colbert made the news this year when he decided to sponsor the US Speed Skating team in next year's Olympic Games.  Katherine Reutter, a member of LASIK for the Gold, had a great appearance on the Colbert Show.  She even had her leg signed by Colbert!  LASIK for the Gold is a program that offers free LASIK to our US Olympic athletes.
2. Vision Harvest 2009 Featured on Fox' Good Day New York.  Dr Sapna Parikh, medical corespondant for Fox 5 news did a story featuring EyeCare 20/20's involvement in providing free cataract surgery to those in need.  The result, 20 patients underwent the procedure for free on the day before thanksgiving.  Our hope is to make Vision Harvest an annual event.  I will keep you posted.
3. LASIK the Refs!  is an ongoing segment that features bad calls in sports.  LASIK the Refs offers professional umpire or referee a chance to improve their performance through free LASIK surgery.  So far 2 have taken me up on the offer.
4. Avastin vs Lucentis:  Why our Gov't Will Never Manage Healthcare Efficiently!  My continued lements concerning the costs in treating macular degeneration.
5. The Flomax-Cataract Controversary, Continued.  My effort to change the treatment protocols when Flomax is prescribed.
6. US Healthcare run Amok:  Conjunctivitis treated for a mere $2500!  A story of crazy overspending in healthcare.
7. DIVERSIFICATION:  7 Reasons to Get LASIK at a Full-Service General Ophthalmology Practice.  Important considerations in chosing where to go for your LASIK surgery.
8. Twitter, Blogs, and LASIK.  Social media and how I use it in my ophthalmology practice.
9. ReSTOR +3.0 Now Available!  The second generation IOL that has vastly improved the results for refractive cataract surgery.
10. Free Mini E-Book Download: Today's Facts About LASIK.  Useful resources for those interested in having refractive surgery.

I have enjoyed talking with you all this past year, and hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog.  I look forward to continued blogging in 2010.  If there is anything in health and eye care you would like me to discuss, please leave me a comment.  I will do my best to answer in a timely manner.

Have a Happy New Year!  I will see you all in the next decade!!

Prevent An Eye Injury: How to Open that Champagne Safely on New Year's Eve

There is no doubt that improper handling of a champagne bottle can lead to serious eye injuries, and lead to an awful start to the new year.  Last year I posted the following clip on YouTube.  It explains how to safely open a champagne bottle.  SInce the posting I have received several comments on the proper way to open a bottle.  One comment suggested never leaving the un-caged cork unprotected.  I agree, pressure should be placed on the cork as soon as the cage is removed!

While we are on the subject of champagne, @GaryVee of the Wine Library just came out with his top 10 champagne selections:

1. Legras Brut Champagne Presidence Vv 2002

2. Legras St Vincent 2000

3. Legras St Vincent 1990

4. Jose Michel Special Club Brut 2002

5. Pierre Peters Brut 2003

6. Jacquart Allegra 1999

7. Legras St Vincent 1996

8. Conde De Subirats Brut Nv 

9. Andre Clouet Brut Grand Reserve 

10. Dumont Brut 

All of us at EyeCare 20/20 wish all of you a Happy, Healthy, Safe, and Propsperous New Year.  We look forward to keeping you all informed on eye care topics in 2010!

Happy Holidays From EyeCare 20/20!

It's certainly beginning to feel like the holiday's are upon us.  The big snow storm is heading our way here in New Jersey, ensuring that we will certainly have a white Christmas next week!  Last week our office had our annual Holiday Luncheon, Habatchi lunch was enjoyed by all!

Many of our patients are scrambling to get their last minute presents.  EyeCare 20/20 has offered many of our previous LASIK patients a free $1000 "gift  of sight" certificate to go towards LASIK surgery performed at EyeCare 20/20.  Although this offer ended yesterday, we are extending it through Christmas Day.

All of us at EyeCare 20/20 wish everyone a Healthy & Prosperous Holiday Season and New Year!

No Proof in ABC's GMA Claim to Link Between Nearsightedness and Texting

There was an interesting story this morning on ABC's Good Morning America:  Study Finds More Nearsighted Americans.  This story was based on a recent National Eye Institute Story.  The lead in to this story claimed a link between our kids texting and myopia.

Also called myopia, nearsightedness is a refractive error that produces clear vision for near objects but blurs objects seen in the distance. Nearsightedness is caused by an abnormally steep curvature in the cornea or by an elongated eyeball. As a result, light rays passing through the cornea converge at a point before the retina.

Several interesting points were made in the piece:

• Myopia in the US increased from 25% in the 1970's to 41% today.
• Myopia effects 40 to 50 million Americans.
• Costs of treatment is $2 to $3 billion annually.

The story further went on that there is a genetic predisposition to develop myopia and suggests that close work may be a contributing factor, however, there is no scientific proof if this linkage.  Adding the fact that there are over 110 billion text messages sent annually just clouds the issue.  Many more people eat sushi today than in the 1970's, maybe this is the cause of myopia development?!?

It might simply be that nearsighted patients like to do close tasks more because it is easier for them.  The question becomes:  What comes first the task or the condition?, just like the chicken and the egg story.

In my opinion there is no correlation between myopia development and close work, computer work, or texting.  Further study is certainly warranted to determine environmental causes.  I do agree with the takeaway message:  Regular eye exams are required to maintain eye health!  If there are no problems, get that eye exam every 2 years..

LASIK for the Gold's Katherine Reutter Loves Colbert Nation

Since announcing his sponsorship of the US Olympic Speedskating Team, Stephan Colbert has had many Olympians as guests on his show.  Katherine Reutter, Olympic hopeful and member of LASIK for the Gold, made it to the Colbert Show last night.  She even had her thigh signed to help her towards her quest for Gold in Vancouver this February.  Between this and her recent LASIK, she's a lock!

Stephan Colbert even asked Katherine for help in his challenge to defeat Olympic Speedskater Shani Davis in a race.  May I suggest Katherine refer Colbert to LASIK for the Gold?  This may be his only hope!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Stephen Challenges Shani Davis - Katherine Reutter
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor U.S. Speedskating

All Eyes on Samson Dubina in This Week's Nationals Following His LASIK

 

 Samson presents me with a signed paddle following his LASIK last week.

Table Tennis star Samson Dubina had his LASIK surgery last week at EyeCare 20/20 without a hitch.  In fact he is already back in competition, and doing quite well.  According to Samson:

To Doctor Silverman and all the staff at Eyecare 20/20,

Thank you so much for your kindness in correcting my vision.  I just won my first tournament last week and look forward to excellent results next week in Las Vegas at the US Nationals.  My eyes are no longer dry or tired at the end of a long competition.  If you are interested in watching my matches, they should be online at www.usatt.org or at www.tabletennis.teamusa.org/live

We look forward to watching Samson's progress as a member of LASIK for the Gold in his quest for Olympic glory!

In the following video, Samson discusses his LASIK experience:

Olympic Hopeful, Samson Dubina Joins LASIK for the Gold

Table Tennis sensation, Samson Dubina, made the trip to EyeCare 20/20 from Canton, Ohio last week in hopes of improving his chances to make the 2012 US Olympic team.  Samson is an awesome Table Tennis Player, he came in 5th place in last year's Nationals and won the Mixed Doubles Competition. 

In this video, Samson discusses his expectations of how LASIK will improve his performance.

Personally, I am a poor ping pong player at best.  Watching Samson in action has given me a new appreciation of the sport.  Hopefully, LASIK will take Samson to the next level, and olympic glory!

Vision Harvest 2009: Free Cataract Surgery Program Reveals a Health Care System in Crisis

As I stated in my previous blog post, November 25 was the inaugural Vision Harvest free cataract surgery day at River Drive Surgery Center.  Twenty patients without insurance, or the means to pay, were provided free cataract surgery.  I promised to post interviews of many of these patients the day after their surgery.  Well, here they are.  The video is in 3 parts, due to YouTube's 10 minute time constraint.

While you are watching these videos I am sure that you will notice several recurring themes dealing with a breakdown in our health care system.

• Many people who are gainfully employed cannot afford coverage.
• Tying health care to employment leads to no health care when unemployed, creating a vicious cycle.
• There are many large cracks in our current system which are not being addressed by the current health care debate.

After viewing these videos, I am sure that you will come to the same conclusion:  our health care system is broken and in need of an overhaul.  What do you think needs to be done?