The LASIK Blog

Great Response to Vision Harvest "Free Cataract Surgery" Program

SInce Fox New York's coverage last week of our Vision Harvest program we have heard from many in need of cataract surgery.  These patients are without health insurance and have no means to pay for this vision restoring procedure.  Many of their stories are heart breaking.  I am so looking forward to November 25, when these patients will be undergoing their free cataract surgery.

Special thanks to Dr. Sapna Parikh, who covered this story on Fox.  I received and e-mail from Dr. Parikh today.  She forwarded me a message from one of the people we will be treating next week:

Topic: Dr. Sapna
Subject: vision harvest
Comments: I don't know how to thank you for providing me with the
information to restore my sight I was accepted today for free cataract
surgery.  I have been at my wits end for 2 years trying to figure out
how to afford this procedure. Dr. Silverman is a gift from GOD and you
are an angel for delivering his message. Thank you so much Dr.Sapna.

This message has been typical of the response from those we have seen this past week at EyeCare 20/20.  It certainly leaves one with a warm feeling inside.  As they say, "It is better to give than to receive."  I couldn't agree more!

For those interested in participating in this year's Vision Harvest program, there are still spots available for free cataract surgery for those who qualify.  We will continue to be seeing patients Monday and Tuesday this week to determine eligibility for surgery on Wednesday.  Those interested should call:

973-200-8250

Vision Harvest 2009 Featured on Fox' Good Day New York

Dr. Sapna Parikh featured our Vision Harvest 2009 program this morning on Fox' "Good Day New York".  On November 25, 2009, doctors at the River Drive Surgery and Laser Center of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, will perform FREE cataract surgery during Vision Harvest 2009, for those that are uninsured and can’t afford to pay for the procedure. 

The response to this airing has been awesome, over 20 people have called to set up an appointment to determine their eligibility since the segment aired an hour ago!  Thank you Dr. Parikh!!

This week, participating eye physicians will continue to be evaluating prospective cataract patients and scheduling them for their free procedure.  Eligible patients will have all eye examinations, testing, medications, and surgery provided to them free of charge.  For more information, interested patients should call 973-200-8250 to set up a free evaluation to determine their candidacy.

VISION HARVEST 2009: Free Cataract Surgery Offered For Those Patients Who Are Uninsured And In Need Of Treatment

Here is a copy of a press release that went out today announcing Vision Harvest 2009.  Several of the surgeons at my surgical center and I have decided to provide free cataract surgery to patients without insurance and unable to pay for the procedure.  The date of this event will be the day before Thanksgiving, November 25, 2009.  All patients interested in this program may contact the Vision Harvest 2009 hotline at 973-200-8250 or my ofice at 973-560-1500.

So far the release has been picked up by NJNewsRoom.com.  I will keep you all up to date with regards to the program.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Nancy Lord, Administrator at River Drive Laser & Surgery Center; Jay Tendler, MD, our anesthesiologist who will be providing free anesthesia services; Gene Maresca of Alcon Labs, who will providing the surgical supplies; Steve Kramaritsch of Alcom Pharamceuticals, who will be supplying eye drops for post op care; Kerri Muli, administrator of EyeCare 20/20, for organizing the program; and Alana Tendler, who will be assisting us in scheduling patients for the event.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Keri Muli @ 20/20 Communications, Inc.

P: 973-560-1500

F: 973-560-0419

info@eyecare2020.com

 

VISION HARVEST 2009

Local Area Eye Surgeons Will Be Giving Back This Thanksgiving Season

    Free Cataract Surgery Offered For Those Patients Who Are Uninsured And In Need Of Treatment

 

Elmwood Park, NJ, October 20, 2009- On November 25, 2009, doctors at the River Drive Surgery and Laser Center of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, will perform FREE cataract surgery during Vision Harvest 2009, for those that are uninsured and can’t afford to pay for the procedure.  In 2008, the United Status Census Bureau reported, that there is an estimated 46.3 million Americans without health insurance. “With so much emphasis in the news discussing the current recession and those Americans who have been affected by unemployment and loss of health insurance, my colleagues and I believe it is the perfect time to give back to our community. We all agree no one should go without needed cataract surgery due to finances,” said East Hanover ophthalmologist, Cary M. Silverman, M.D. who organized the event. “We want to make sure that any vision impaired person in New Jersey without insurance or financial resources learns about this remarkable program.”

 

Over the next few weeks, participating eye physicians will be evaluating prospective cataract patients and scheduling them for their free procedure.  Eligible patients will have all eye examinations, testing, medications, and surgery provided to them free of charge.

 

Participating ophthalmologists in this year’s Vision Harvest program include:

 

·       Anthony D’Amato, M.D.- Advanced Eye Surgeons of North Jersey, Bloomfield, NJ/ Dover, NJ

·       Phillip Eichler, M.D.- Eye Institute of Essex, Belleville, NJ

·       Michael Farbowitz, M.D.- Short Hills Ophthalmology, Short Hills, NJ

·       Orazio Giliberti, M.D.- Giliberti Eye and Laser Center, Totowa, NJ

·       Scott Pomerantz, M.D.- Metropolitan Eye Care, Paramus, NJ

·       Cary M Silverman, M.D.- EyeCare 20/20, East Hanover, NJ

For more information, interested patients should call 973-200-8250 to set up a free evaluation to determine their candidacy.

 

Cataracts are a progressive condition that cause the eye's lens to become cloudy, and eventually opaque leading to a progressive dimming of your vision. The exact cause of cataracts is unclear, but they occur in everyone as they age. Cataracts may be the result of a lifetime of exposure to ultraviolet rays, and other factors such as cigarette smoking, diet, and alcohol consumption. Cataracts can also occur at any age as a result of other causes such as eye injury, exposure to toxic substances or radiation, certain medications or as a result of other diseases such as diabetes.

 

About River Drive: Located in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, River Drive Surgery and Laser Center was created as an ophthalmic ambulatory surgery facility dedicated to providing patients with excellence in eye care in a warm and caring environment. The center is designed as a facility which is planned and administered to render a safe, comfortable, effective environment for patients and personnel, and to give assistance to the medical staff in meeting certain restorative health needs of patients without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.

 

###

LASIK for the Gold Makes Front Page of Daily Record!

Dr. Cary Silverman, left, with Olympic medal-winner speedskater Chad Hedrick, who received a free LASIK procedure from the East Hanover LASIK specialist.

Last Sunday's Daily Record featured EyeCare 20/20's LASIK for the Gold Program.  This program allows US Olympic Athletes a chance to improve their performance through laser vision correction.  To learn more about this program you can:

1. Visit the web site.
2. Become a Facebook fan.
3. Follow on Twitter.
4. Read the Article.
5. Download the article.  Download LASIK surgeon helping Olympians focus on gold | dailyrecord.com | Daily Record

Dr. Cary Silverman performs LASIK surgery on Frank Smith of Paramus.

Bid for LASIK at The Seeing Eye's On-Line Auction

The Seeing Eye is one of EyeCare 20/20's favorite charities.  They were involved in our drive to enlist more Facebook fans back in February.  EyeCare 20/20 has donated a LASIK surgery to the Seeing Eye's current on-line auction.

Join The Seeing Eye's 80th Anniversary celebration! Since 1929, The Seeing Eye, Inc., located in Morristown, N.J., has been assisting people who are blind to enhance their independence and self-confidence through the use of Seeing Eye dogs.

This auction is your chance to help them celebrate 80 years of helping people transform challenges into opportunities, obstacles into victories, and Seeing Eye Dogs into partners in life's triumphs.  Your participation will ensure that The Seeing Eye continues to provide its pioneering and innovative services for generations to come.  

Click here if you would like to bid on this auction.

Flomax Side Effects Lead to Call for Cataract Surgery Screening - AboutLawsuits.com

Flomax Side Effects Lead to Call for Cataract Surgery Screening - AboutLawsuits.com Shared via AddThis

Download Flomax Side Effects Lead to Call for Cataract Surgery Screening - AboutLawsuits.com

Paul Stewart 1st to Get Free LASIK Thru "LASIK the Refs!" Offer

Back in September, Ed Hochuli blew a call that cost the San Diego Chargers the game.  At the time, I offered Hochuli a chance to make his job easier, free LASIK surgery.  He has yet to accept the offer! 

In October, I lamented about the rash of bad calls plaguing the World Series.  At this point I extended my free LASIK offer to any official or referee in any Major Professional sport.  Again, I had no takers... 

There have been many other bad calls made by the refs over th past few months, some I have written about, others I have ignored...  After each bad call I have reasserted my offer for free LASIK on any professional official.  Again I have had no takers, until today!!

Paul Stewart contacted us several months ago about our "LASIK the Refs!" program.  He was very interested in having LASIK and decided to take us up on our offer.  One of the most successful and respected individuals in hockey, Paul Stewart has done it all.  Player, Referee, and now Coach as he is the ECAC Director of Officiating.  Paul Stewart may be the only person to ever make it on the Ice in the NHL twice.

Well, Paul made it down to New Jersey today to have his LASIK!  All went well, and he is now sleeping it off.  He is due back in the office tomorrow for his post op check, I will keep you all abreast of how he is doing, along with some video testimonials from him.

Dr. Silverman Named New Jersey "Top Doc"

Download HospNews 

In the October, 2008 issue of Hospital Newspaper-NJ, Dr. Silverman was named as the only ophthalmologist in the New Jersey Top Doc List.  Dr. Silverman has also been named in Castle & Connolly's Top Doctors in the Metro New York Area every year since 1997.  He has been named as a Top LASIK and Refractive Cataract Surgeon.

Valentine's Day Gift!?: EyeCare 20/20 Featured in Splash Magazine Gift Guide

Running out of gift ideas for this Valentine's Day?  Check out Splash Magazine's Valentine's Day Gift Guide.

Eyeare 20/20's LASIK services were featured in the health and beauty section of Splash Magazine's Valentine's Day Gift Guide.  This gift guide features many gift ideas for this Valentine's day.  Items from food to health care to technology gifts to entertainment and culture are highlighted in 26 sections.

 

Sports Agent Blog Interview: Seeing 20/20… LASIK and Sports

I was recently interviewed by the SportsAgentBlog.com.  The interview was posted today.  This blog is the first site on the Internet devoted to servicing Sports Agents. My interview discussed LASIK and its relationship to sports.  Below is an excerpt from the introduction:

Tiger Woods and LeBron James. They are two of the most recognizable and celebrated athletes on the face of the earth. Both have an almost unparalleled ability to dominate their respective sports, are seen worldwide in countless marketing endeavors, and will both be considered two of the greatest athletes of all time. Another thing they share in common? They have both had LASIK eye surgery done. They’re not alone either. Greg Maddux, Amare Stoudemire, Rip Hamilton, and many others are also taking the time to get the procedure done. With so many big name athletes having their vision corrected, you can see a trend beginning to develop within the professional sports world.

According to a June 2006 Study, approximately 168.5 million residents in the United States, roughly 75% of the population, use some form of vision correction. So chances are you and most of the people you know are wearing glasses or contacts to see properly. With vision being such a critical aspect of every sport, many athletes are considering undergoing the LASIK procedure. Here with us is Cary M. Silverman, M.D., Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20 in New Jersey, to answer some questions about LASIK for us. As a distinguished eye surgeon, Dr. Silverman has been featured in publications such as USA Today, The New York Times, and as a guest ophthalmologist on The Health Network. He has treated a number of professional athletes and is currently correcting the vision of a number of U.S. Winter Olympians prior to the 2010 games in Vancouver.