The LASIK Blog

Go Pirates! Seton Hall Basketball Winner Loves Her LASIK...

Last year, Seton Hall's Mens Basketball Team offered a free LASIK surgery to their fans the final game of the season at the Rock.  Emilia Keen was the luck winner.  Emilia attends all Seton Hall games as her daughter is a cheer leader for the team.

Emilia was in the office yesterday for her 6 month post op visit.  She is quite happy with her results.  Since she opted for a monovision treatment, she is able to see both distance and close without the need for glasses or contact lenses.

 

Colbert Pokes Fun at Board Certification & LASIK

Stephen Colbert had a great show yesterday, poking fun at Rand Paul's board certification in his own National Board of Ophthalmology instead of the American Board of Ophthalmology.  He then "performed" LASIK on his intern.  It was very funny!!

BTW, I am Board Certified in the ABO, and would love to do the intern's and Colbert's LASIK!  Hey Stephen, give me a call, my office is not far from Montclair, we already have the US Speedskating connection thru LASIK for the Gold, and I will do it for free!!

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
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LASIK the Refs Program Offered to FIFA Refs Following Poor Performance at 2010 World Cup

This year's World Cup has showcased some of the world's best Soccer players and teams.  Unfortunately, it has also been marred by some of the worst officiating in years. 

Fans have been dismayed in seeing USA's Maurice Edu's goal dissallowed by a phanthom penalty, numerous questionable red cards, Brazil's Luis Fabiano's "hand ball" goal, offside goals by New Zealand's Shane Smeltz and Argentina's Carlos Tevez, and Frank Lambard of England's "missed goal."  All these bad calls, and we are only into the round of 16!

Much has been reported about the officiating inadequacies including:

1. The 10 worst calls of this year's World Cup
2. Referees requiring security following bad calls
3. FIFA ignoring bad calls
4. The need to add security to FIFA officiating

As the controversies mount, I have decided to extend EyeCare 20/20's LASIK the Refs Program to all FIFA refs participating in this year's World Cup.  After the tournament is concluded, any of thes refs can hop on a plane, fly to New Jersey, and get your free LASIK surgery.  In this way, maybe we can do our small part in making sure that the game is decided on the pitch, and not by the zebras!

Here is a copy of our most recent press release on the subject:

 

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2010

Media Contact: Keri Muli – 973-560-1500, ext. 111; [email protected]

LOCAL SURGEON OFFERS FREE LASIK TO WORLD CUP SOCCER REFEREES

EAST HANOVER, NJ - As a result of the blown call by a World Cup soccer official in the United States’ last match versus Slovenia, local ophthalmologist Dr. Cary Silverman is offering free LASIK surgery to any World Cup or professional soccer referee.  As Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20, Cary M. Silverman, M.D., oversees one of the premier vision care facilities in the tri-state area, and the first practice in New Jersey to offer treatment using custom wavefront LASIK with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser.

On Friday, June 18, referee Koman Coulibaly of Mali called a much-debated, late penalty against the United States that nullified a potential match-winning goal in Johannesburg.  The Americans, who ended up in a 2-2 tie with Slovenia, now need a victory Wednesday against Algeria to move out of Group C and into the Round of 16.

 “This is maddening,” Silverman said, “These are the greatest athletes on the biggest stage in the world and they deserve to have the games officiated correctly.  Frankly, so many of these errors could be avoided if the officials had better eyesight.  LASIK is the best way to achieve that and I make an open offer to any World Cup official to utilize our service, for the good of the sport.”

Former NHL referee and current ECAC Director of Officiating Paul Stewart was the first to take advantage of Silverman’s “LASIK the Refs” program.

Silverman recently provided free LASIK to eight members of several United States Olympic teams, including winter medalists: Curt Tomasevicz (bobsled – gold), Chad Hedrick (speedskating – silver and bronze), Molly Engstrom (hockey – silver), Katherine Reutter (short track speed skating – silver and bronze), and Erin Pac (bobsled – bronze).  For more information on Dr. Silverman’s Olympic initiative, go to: www.lasikforthegold.com.

LASIK uses a computer-controlled laser to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Silverman employs the latest advances in LASIK surgery to provide patients with the highest level of vision correction possible. With the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser technology, he is able to customize the LASIK procedure to the vision needs of each individual patient.

To learn more about EyeCare 20/20, visit: www.eyecare2020.com. For more information on recent blown calls and the LASIK THE REFS program, go to: www.lasiktherefs.com. 

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The Seeing Eye Free LASIK Auction Ends Thursday!

The Seeing Eye is one of EyeCare 20/20's favorite charities.  Once again, EyeCare 20/20 has donated a LASIK surgery to the Seeing Eye's current on-line auction.

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 assist them in their mission to help 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 to bid on this auction. But hurry, bidding closes at 11:59 PM EDT on May 13!

Ochocinco Fined: Save the Dollar, Save the Fine, Support LASIK the Refs!

Chad Ochocinco was fined by the NFL AGAIN today for $20,000!  The infraction?  According to the Huffington Post:

During the third quarter of Cincinnati's 17-7 win over the Baltimore Ravens, officials initially ruled that Ochocinco got both feet down at the sideline for a 15-yard catch. The Ravens challenged, and the call was overturned when replays showed the receiver's toe landed on the white sideline.

While the play was under review, Ochocinco walked toward the officials with the dollar bill.

Ochocinco said he was just having fun, but the league didn't like it.

Ray Anderson, the league's executive vice president of football operations, sent Ochocinco a letter that said: "The very appearance of impropriety is not acceptable. Your conduct was unprofessional and unbecoming an NFL player."

The letter cited league rules that prohibit abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures toward officials. The letter also noted that players are prohibited from taking items onto the field that are not part of their uniform. The league has cracked down on players using props for celebrations.

In response to the fine, the company that made Ochocinco's iPhone application said it will donate an additional $20,000 in the receiver's name to the Hillview Acres home for abused children in Chino, Calif. John Shahidi, the president and CEO of Rock Software, Inc., has assisted the home.

Chad, we have a better solution, after the next controversy, donate free airfare to the ref who blew the call.  Fly them to New Jersey where they can get their free LASIK surgery as part of EyeCare 20/20's LASIK the Refs Program!

Free LASIK Again Offered to Major League Umpires

Three bad calls in Game 3 and several in Game 4 of the ALCS between the Yankees and Angels have again brought attention to the inconsistent officiating in baseball.  Hats off to third base umpire, Tim McClelland, who admitted to his bad calls  in a post game interview.  "After looking at replays..  obviously there were two missed calls, not obviously, there were two missed calls...  I'm out there trying to do my job the best that I can.."  Once again EyeCare 20/20 is offering to aid the umpires in doing their job better.  Forget instant replay.  Tim McClelland, or any major league umpire, give us a call.  We would be happy to improve your vision free of charge with LASIK! 

This is what our LASIK the Refs program is all about.  Here is a copy of a recent press release:

LASIK THE REFS!

EAST HANOVER, NJ - Due to the spate of recent blown calls in professional sporting events, including last night’s American League Championship Series, local ophthalmologist Dr. Cary Silverman is offering free LASIK surgery to any major league umpire or referee.  As Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20, Cary M. Silverman, M.D., oversees one of the premier vision care facilities in the tri-state area, and the first practice in New Jersey to offer treatment using custom wavefront LASIK with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser.

 “This is maddening,” Silverman said, “These are the greatest athletes on the biggest stage in the world and they deserve to have the games officiated correctly.  Frankly, so many of the errors from this baseball post-season and the NFL regular season could have been avoided if the officials had better eyesight.  LASIK is the best way to achieve that and I make an open offer to any official from the major league sports to utilize our service, for the good of the game.”

There have been several calls in the Twins/Yankees and Angels/Yankees playoff series that officials admitted were incorrect after viewing replays post-game.

LASIK uses a computer-controlled laser to reshape the cornea and correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Silverman employs the latest advances in LASIK surgery to provide patients with the highest level of vision correction possible. With the ALLEGRETTO WAVE® laser technology, he is able to customize the LASIK procedure to the vision needs of each individual patient.

Silverman was recently in the news for providing free LASIK to eight current members of several United States Olympic teams, including medal contending speedskaters Chad Hedrick and Katherine Reutter.  For more information on Dr. Silverman’s Olympic initiative, go to: www.lasikforthegold.com.  For more about EyeCare 20/20, go to: www.eyecare2020.com. For more information on recent blown calls and the LASIK THE REFS program, go to: http://facebook.com/lasiktherefs.

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LASIK the Refs: Thank-you Phil Cuzzi!

Mark Teixeira's walk off home run in the 11th inning ended one of the most exciting baseball games this long time Yankees fan has seen in a while.  This game will more likely remembered for another blown call.  In the top of the 11th, Umpire Phil Cuzzi called a ball hit by the Twins' Joe Mauer foul.  Replays show that the ball landed in fair territory, costing Mauer a double.  He ended up with a single instead.  The Twins did end up loading the bases with no outs and still failed to score a run, so who knows if this bad call really made any difference in the game's outcome.

There is an excellent article in today's Star Ledger, "An ump's life means living on a fine line".  This article discusses Cuzzi's journey to become a MLB ump.  What I like about Cuzzi is that he is a stand up guy who admitted his mistake Friday night. 

"There is no excuse.  I missed the play.  It's a terrible feeling.  As badly as everyone on that field may have felt, I don't think any of them had a worse night's sleep than me."

It turns out that Cuzzi is a Jersey guy.  He lives in Nutley, no more that 20 minutes from EyeCare 20/20!  Once more extend my offer to a ref in need.  If Phil Cuzzi wears glasses or contact lenses, and if LASIK could improve his performance on the field, I would be more than happy to provide the LASIK free of charge.  Even if that call did benefit my Yankees!

LASIK the Lineswoman!

This years US Open was very entertaining...  I will start this post by saying that there was no excuse for Serena William's outburst that ended her semifinal match with Kim Clijsters at the US Open this weekend.  Although she has since publicly apologized for her actions, there is very little discussion about the call itself. WIth the score 15-30 at a critical moment in the set, how could the unnamed lines-woman make a foot fault call unless it was blatant?  Video review has shown that it was a blown call, there was no foot fault!

According to Geoff MacDonald in his blog, Straight sets:

A foot fault occurs when the server touches the baseline or the court with either foot. Sometimes a player’s foot slides forward and touches the line inadvertently, and, because a player can’t see the rule violation, the foot-fault call provokes a lot of anger. Often the players’ frustration with themselves is then directed at the line official. For Serena Williams, who has been called for foot faults throughout her career, the call came at a critical moment in the match. Down by a set and serving at 5-6 and 15-30, the call on her second serve gave Kim Clijsters two match points.

Carol Cox, a veteran tennis official who evaluates line officials and referees for the United States Tennis Association, said there were two schools of thought on making a foot-fault call at a critical juncture in the match. “One philosophy is that it is a rule, and you call it when you see it,” Cox said. “The second way of thinking is more in line with a good N.B.A. official: You don’t make a call that can decide a match unless it’s flagrant.”

John McEnroe had a similar view to the N.B.A. comparison when he was commenting on the CBS broadcast on Saturday night. “You can’t call that there,” he said.

The Lines-woman, who remains nameless, blew the call.  Maybe her glasses fogged up before the call, distorting her vision, maybe she needs a new refraction and pair of glasses.  Regardless of the reason, this cannot happen again, Linesman should not be involved in the outcome of a semifinal match at a Grand Slam Event!  I hereby extend our LASIK the Refs offer:   I invite the Linesman to contact me at EyeCare 20/20 and come in for free LASIK surgery, so that she can make a proper call ot non-call in the future.

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.

LASIK @ EyeCare 20/20: Free LASIK Winner Steve Baldassari

I received a letter this past winter from a long time patient of EyeCare 20/20 named Steve Baldassari.  Steve is a former Parsippany police officer who has been forced to go on disability due to some health issues.  He stated that he had been interested in LASIK in the past and could not afford the surgery at this time, but more importantly was in need of some eye care to determine the cause of many of his symptoms.  After examining Steve, I informed him that he would be receiving free LASIK surgery if he was eligible for the LASIK surgery.

This all took place in December, around the holiday season.  It has taken 5 months to get to the bottom of Steve's eye problems, and he is now eligible to receive his free LASIK.

This video was filmed in December when I first informed Steve of my decision to treat him free of charge.