The LASIK Blog

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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EyeCare 20/20 LASIK Story Runs in Atlanta

Fox Atlanta ran a story with my interview from FoxNY.  Here it is:

LASIK Alternatives Story on Fox5 Aired Today

As I mentioned last week, Fox5 visited EyeCare 20/20 to do a  story discussing alternatives to LASIK surgery.  It aired today.

Here it is:

LASIK Alternatives Story to Air on Fox5 This Monday

As I previously mentioned, Dr. Sapna Parikh, medical correspondent for Fox5 New York, paid a visit to EyeCare 20/20 to do a story about LASIK alternatives.  She interviewed several patients and me to do this story.

I just got word that the story will air on Fox5 this Monday during the 8 AM News hour.  Be sure to set those DVRs!

Traumatic Dislocation of LASIK Flaps 4 and 9 Years After Surgery

I have an article published in this month's Journal of Refractive Surgery titled: Traumatic Dislocation of LASIK Flaps 4 and 9 Years After Surgery.  With the help of UMDNJ ophthalmology resident, H. Jane Kim, we published two cases of traumatic flap dislocation following LASIK.  One of the cases occurred 9 years following LASIK, making it the longest reported case medical literature.  In this case the flap dislocated when my patient was struck in his eye with a dog's paw.  After treatment both of my patients vision improved to 20/20.

This article brings up an important point, there is a potential to dislocate the LASIK flap if one is hit at the right angle, years after LASIK surgery.  This is one of the reasons I advocate treating those patients who are involved in activities (boxers, special forces, etc) that may preclude them to get hit in the eye with surface treatments such as LASEK.  This procedure creates no flap, and thus minimizes future risk.

Fox 5 Interviews "LASIK Alternative" Patients at EyeCare 20/20

Dr. Sapna Parikh was at EyeCare 20/20 yesterday interviewing two of our patients and me for an upcoming story about LASIK surgery.  Here are some pictures we took during the interview.  I am not sure when the story will air, but will keep you all informed when I get some more information.

 

WDHA Fan Loves Her LASIK at EyeCare 20/20

We have had a lot of success treating many of WDHA's DJs and fans with LASIK.  I received this wonderful note today after seeing a DHA fan one month after her surgery:

May 24, 2010

Dear Dr. Silverman,

I want to thank you for the LASIK surgery I had last month.  I had been wearing contats for the past 30 years and when my doctor told me I could no longer wear them every day I didn't know what I would do.  So my husband and I decided to get a consultation to see if I would be a good candidate for the LASIK procedure.  I wanted to give EyeCare 20/20 a call since I heard a lot about them on my favorite radio station WDHA.  As soon as we walked in we felt welcomed and at ease.  Once we met you and saw the facility, we knew that this was where we wanted to be.  The surgery was quick and you explained each step while my husband was viewing the whole procedure on a screen outside the operating room.  I chose to have the mono vision since I do a lot of computer work and I was finding the need for readers as well.  As soon as the LASIK was complete, I could see things better than I even remember.  Everyday my vision is improving and my eyes are adjusting to the mono vision.

I am forever grateful to Dr. Silverman, Barbara, Keri, and the rest of the EyerCare 20/20 staff for a wonderful experience.

Thank you,

LA

 

Professional Hockey Ref Scott Cherrey Loving His LASIK 1 Year Later!

I received a very nice letter from Professional Hockey Referee, Scott Cherrey.  Its been 1 year since Scott took advantage of our LASIK the Refs program.  I was lucky enough to see Scott during the season, after he reffed a Devils game.  He was loving his new vision!

Here is a copy of Scott's letter:

To Dr. Cary Silverman, Keri McAuliffe, and & all the staff at Eyecare 20/20:
 
It has been 1 year (exactly today) since my lasik eye surgery at Dr. Silverman's office.  It is unbelievable how having the procedure has changed my life!  Not just for my job as an on ice official, but how it has effected my day to day life.  It has been unreal how easily accustomed I have become to life without glasses, and not having to fuss with contact lenses.  I was especially thankful during allergy season this past spring, not having to deal with itchy, scratchy contact lenses bugging my eyes.  Also, for my job I travel alot by airplane, it is so nice to not have to worry about dry contact lenses while in flight.  These little things are all issues that I no longer have to worry about.  Gone are the days of waking up in the morning and seeing a blurry alarm clock, or poking around trying to find my glasses to watch tv from bed.
 
I recently completed my one year 'post-op' check up with my local optometrist.  I am proud to inform you that my eye sight is better then 20/20!!  My optometrist commented that I read lines further down the eye chart then I ever had done in all my years getting check ups with him.  He was very impressed, and I was equally as gratified knowing I done the right thing by getting lasik surgery done at Eyecare 20/20!
 
Forever grateful!
Scott Cherrey
Professional Hockey Official - #50

Bronze Medalist Erin Pac Discusses Her LASIK Vision

The Bronze Medal Olympic Bobsled team of Erin Pac and Elana Meyers were at EyeCare 20/20 earlier this month showing off their Medals and signing autographs for fans.  Erin became a member of LASIK for the Gold last year, before the Olympics.  She is still thrilled with her 20/20 vision!

As the driver of USA Bobsled, there is no doubt how important excellent vision is to preforming well.  A Bronze Medal is certainly validation to the results.  Erin was kind enough to discuss the impact her LASIK had on her Olympic performance.

With ObamaCare Coming, the Time to Get LASIK is NOW!

photo from:  http://moneypennydd.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/obamacare-increases-health-care-costs/

Much about ObamaCare has been written .  One of its negative consequences will be a reduction in the amount of money one can set aside for their Flexible Spending Account (FSA).  The most common variation of the FSA is the Health Spending Account (HSA).  According to Wikipedia:

A health savings account (HSA), is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers who are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), funds roll over and accumulate year to year if not spent. HSAs are owned by the individual, which differentiates them from the company-owned Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that is an alternate tax-deductible source of funds paired with HDHPs. HSA funds may currently be used to pay for qualified medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability or penalty.

The New York Times reported on this last week.  The most important points of this article point out:

• THANKS to the sweeping new health law, your flexible spending plan is about to become a bit less flexible.  Flexible spending accounts have long been a valuable tool for budget-wise consumers. They let you use pretax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses. You agree to set aside a certain amount each year, usually through paycheck deductions, based on what you expect your health care needs to be. By using pretax dollars, you can reduce your overall cost for these items by about 20 percent.
• An attraction had been the extremely generous list of eligible expenses — including deductibles and co-pays, eyeglasses and dental work, over-the-counter cold medicine, sunscreen and vitamins. But under the new law, starting Jan. 1, flex-spend users will no longer be able to submit claims for over- the-counter medicines unless they have been specifically directed to use them by a doctor. Another big flex-spend change ahead: starting in 2013 the annual limit that any employee may contribute to these plans will be restricted to $2,500. Many companies had allowed much more.
  
• LOOK AHEAD. There are still about two-and-a-half years before the lower flex-spend maximum takes effect. If you know a big elective medical or dental procedure is in the offing — like Lasik surgery, braces or long-needed tooth implants or caps — you may want to schedule these treatments while you can still pay for a big chunk of the out-of-pocket expenses with pretax dollars.

The last point says it all.  By cutting HSA contributions to $2,500, it will not be possible to fully fund LASIK with pre-tax dollars!  Paying with these pre-tax dollars can save you at least 20% on the procedure.  Because of the new ObamaCare legislation, THE TIME TO GET LASIK IS NOW!!