LASIK and Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common refractive error, which means that the eye does not focus light properly on the retina (the back of the eye). This condition causes light to focus on areas in front of and/or behind the retina, making vision blurry or distorted at all distances.

Astigmatism occurs when you have an irregularly-shaped cornea. LASIK vision correction can often correct the “football” shaped cornea of astigmatism into more of a “basketball” shape, thereby allowing light to properly focus on the retina and provide clear vision.

LASIK is not the best option for all patients with astigmatism. For example, if your corneas are too thin to support the procedure or if you have a medical condition that may interfere with healing, an alternative to LASIK (such as PRK) might be more appropriate.

Advances in LASIK technology have made this popular procedure a viable option for more patients than ever before. To find out if you might be a good candidate for LASIK, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond to schedule your free LASIK Consultation at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com. 

Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

The shortest day of the year is almost here. December 21^st is the Winter Solstice; it’s the first day of winter and a great time to step back from all of the craziness of holiday preparations and just enjoy the simpler things in life.

Here are a few suggestions we have for unwinding:

• Make a homemade craft for a loved one
• Enjoy the beauty of the season: take a hike, watch the sun set, build a snowman
• Light candles in your home, build a fire in the fireplace
• Sip hot chocolate and read a book
• Have a simple dinner party (or go out to dinner) with family and friends
• Reflect on what you wish for the upcoming year

While you are reflecting, if “improving your vision” tops your list of wishes, take a moment out of your Winter Solstice celebration to schedule a free LASIK consultation. Even though this day falls on a Saturday, you can still schedule an appointment online at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center’s website: lipstocklaser.com.

LASIK vision correction helps people reduce or eliminate their need for glasses. Dr. Lipstock has helped over 15,000 patients correct their refractive errors and live a clearer life. The procedure isn't for everyone, which is why the free LASIK consultation is so important.

Enjoy the 2013 Winter Solstice! And, if you wear glasses or contacts, let Dr. Lipstock show you how much more enjoyable your winter can be with LASIK. 

Busting LASIK Myths

If you have been considering LASIK, but you’re confused about some of the claims being made, you might be falling victim to some common LASIK myths. In this blog, we will provide the reality behind five common LASIK myths.

#1 – Anyone can have LASIK.

This simply isn’t true. Certain vision conditions and even your overall health may cause you to be a poor candidate for LASIK. You must have a full LASIK examination by a trained ophthalmologist to determine:

• The thickness of your cornea (if it is too thin, LASIK is not recommended)
• Prevalence of Dry Eye Syndrome
• Prevalence of eye disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, etc.
• Your current medical health

If a surgeon tells you that anyone can have LASIK, go somewhere else!

#2 – You’ll never need glasses again after LASIK.

Regardless of whether or not you have LASIK, a condition called presbyopia can “sneak up” on you when you reach your mid-40s. Caused by the stiffening of the eye lens, the eyes begin to have problems focusing on near objects. This is an age-related problem that happens to virtually everyone, and you may need reading glasses later in life to read up-close or in dimly-lit situations.

#3 – If you have astigmatism, you can’t have LASIK.

When you have a cornea that is shaped more like a football than a basketball, advanced LASIK technologies can be used to change the shape of the cornea to create the optimal shape and improve vision. Of course, every patient is unique. You can find out if your particular degree of astigmatism can be corrected by having a full eye exam.

#4 – LASIK is expensive. It’s cheaper to wear glasses.

When you look at the total cost of LASIK, it may seem like an unobtainable luxury. However, studies have shown that in the long run people may spend less on LASIK than on the continued maintenance of eyeglasses and contact lenses…and these are expenses that never end. When you weigh that number against the one-time cost of LASIK, and the fact that excellent LASIK financing options exist, the procedure looks much more affordable.

#5 – If I can’t have LASIK, I can’t get my vision corrected.

There are actually alternatives to LASIK for people who aren't candidates for LASIK. PRK or ASA procedures do not require that a corneal flap be created, so those with thin corneas are sometimes candidates for this option. Alternatively, Refractive Lens Exchange is a procedure in which the natural lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial Intraocular Lens (IOL) to correct vision. There are other options as well, and your doctor should discuss those with you.  

Don’t write off LASIK without knowing all of the facts. Schedule your free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond today at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com to learn more. 

Celebrate Letter Writing Day!

Did you know that December 7 is Letter Writing Day? It’s a real observance that encourages people to swap their computer keys and texting thumbs for a pen or pencil…and to craft a hand-written note to someone. Sending someone a personal letter shows that you took time out of your busy schedule to share a story or two about your recent activities…or to thank them for a kind gesture…or to ask Santa for that new remote-controlled car!

For some people, writing a letter means getting out their glasses or putting in their contacts to see their words form on the page. Farsighted people have difficulty seeing things up-close, which can make writing, reading and fine detail work just plain impossible without corrective lenses. Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability to jot down a note anytime, day or night, without the hassles of glasses or contacts?

LASIK vision correction can make letter-writing a breeze for some patients. The process actually corrects the shape of the cornea in farsighted patients, helping light to focus directly on the retina as opposed to behind it.

LASIK won’t help you craft the great American novel, but it has helped millions of Americans see up-close more clearly. It’s also important to know that even after LASIK, some patients need reading glasses in later life due to the natural stiffening of the eye’s lenses…a naturally-occurring condition called presbyopia.

To find out if your next Letter Writing Day could be celebrated without glasses, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond today by calling 804-288-1543 or visiting lipstocklaser.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. 

Happy Thanksgiving from Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the team at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center would like to take a moment to share a few of the things for which we are thankful.

We are thankful that:

• We've had the privilege of providing eyesight care for the people of Richmond since 1986.
• We have an outstanding ophthalmologist who is specially trained and highly experienced in LASIK vision correction.
• The LASIK technologies we've invested in are allowing us to improve vision for even more patients – even some of those who were not candidates in the past.
• Our entire team maintains strong ethical standards and only performs LASIK on qualified candidates.
• We help patients afford the improved vision they desire through LASIK financing options.
• We get the opportunity to help educate people about every aspect of LASIK, whether or not they choose us for their procedure.

Our goal is to make our patients feel thankful that they chose Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center for their vision correction.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy time with your loved ones this holiday season. And if the quality of your vision isn't something that is making you thankful, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com.  

Improve Your Vision for National Family Literacy Month®

The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) has designated the month of November as National Family Literacy Month®. Having the ability to read with your children can dramatically improve their performance at school as well as their economical, emotional and social development. Family reading time also helps to strengthen the family bond.

At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center we work hard to help adults achieve clear vision so it’s easy and fun to read – both to their children and for their own enjoyment. One way we do this is through LASIK vision correction. LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by actually changing the shape of the cornea. When the cornea is properly shaped, light coming into the eye will focus correctly on the retina (the back of the eye).

Some patients are able to eliminate their need for glasses and contacts after LASIK. Of course, every patient is different, but think of how much more enjoyable reading would be if you didn't have to hunt for your glasses or take out your contacts at night when reading before bed.

Not everyone who wears glasses is a good candidate for LASIK. You need an in-depth examination by a trained ophthalmologist to find out for sure. At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center we offer free LASIK Consultations to do just that.

The NCFL has created a fundraising challenge called The Big Give for Families Learning to raise money to support family literacy and learning programs. Participants can win a variety of fantastic prizes. Visit the NCFL website to learn more: http://www.famlit.org/.

Make this a National Family Literacy Month to remember. Contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation to find out if LASIK is right for you: 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com. 

It’s Your Last Chance to Think about Yourself before the Holidays!

The holiday season is right around the corner. That means an endless stream of holiday parties, gift-buying, present-wrapping, cooking, baking, decorating…and on…and on…and on…

Before the holiday craziness hits, take a moment to do something good for yourself...something that will help make your holiday season a little easier…especially if you currently wear glasses or contacts to correct myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.

We’re talking about LASIK vision correction.

Did you know that more than 14 million Americans have had LASIK to correct a refractive error? This is when your eye is shaped in a way that light does not focus directly on the back of the eye (the retina). LASIK uses lasers to remove tiny, precisely targeted amounts of corneal tissue to create a slightly different shape and allow light to focus properly. The effectiveness of this procedure depends on several factors:

• The LASIK technology being used
• The experience of the surgeon
• The health and condition of your eyes

The best news is that the entire surgery only takes minutes per eye, and most patients are able to return to work (or their holiday preparations) within a day or two after surgery. And, if you’re concerned about spending too much money before the holidays, Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center offers LASIK financing options to make the procedure budget-friendly.

Treat yourself to a free LASIKConsultation. You might learn that you could remove the added stress of glasses and contacts from your holidays. Contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond today by calling 804-288-1543 or visiting lipstocklaser.com. 

Do Starfish Have Eyes?

The next time you stumble across a starfish while swimming in the ocean, gaze into his arms to see if he notices you. That’s right…his arms!

Oddly enough, most starfish have primitive compound eyes on the tips of each of their arms. A recent study showed demonstrated that starfish use these eyes to process visual information, especially when there was a need to locate food sources. Two groups of starfish were studied: one group with eyes and one group without. The two groups were placed in a sandy area of the ocean and studied how they moved toward the coral reef, which was their food source. The group with eyes was able to navigate directly toward the reef, while the group without eyes wandered aimlessly.

Additional studies into starfish may help researchers learn more about eye evolution.

Researchers are also continually studying human eyes and devising new technologies to correct vision problems. For example, in the past if you were nearsighted, farsighted or had astigmatism, you were stuck wearing glasses or contact lenses for life. Today, people have options, such as LASIK laser vision correction, to potentially eliminate their need for corrective lenses.

That means swimming in the ocean (and checking out the starfish) with clear vision using just a regular snorkel/diving mask or goggles.

If seeing starfish and other sea creatures more clearly sounds attractive to you, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. Dr. Lipstock isn't an expert on starfish, but he has extensive experience in helping qualified candidates improve their vision. 

Set up an Early Detection Plan for Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center we are proud to treat our patients as family, and we work very hard to make sure the procedures we perform for them are as life-changing as possible. Whether it’s through LASIK vision correction, cataract surgery, treatment for an eye disease or even just a routine eye exam, our main goal is always to provide a better quality of life.

Did you know that certain cancers can spread to the eyes? Breast cancer is one type of cancer that can cause secondary intraocular cancer in the middle layer of the eyeball. It often has no symptoms, but it can be detected during routine eye exams. This is one more reason why regular eye exams are so important.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, an astounding 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is absolutely key in fighting and surviving breast cancer. Having an early detection plan for breast cancer in place is extremely important for women. This plan should include such scheduled monthly/yearly activities as:

• Breast self-exams
• Mammograms
• Clinical breast exam by a gynecologist or family doctor

You should look for changes in the breasts, including:            

• Lumps
• Skin texture changes
• Nipple tenderness or changes
• Breast size or shape changes
• Nipple discharge

Dr. Lipstock doesn't treat breast cancer, but his detailed eye exams may help identify potential underlying health problems. If you are experiencing any changes in your vision or just want to be proactive in preserving your health, please contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center right away to schedule your Consultation. Contact us today at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com. 

How Does LASIK Correct Myopia?

Myopia, also called nearsightedness, is a vision condition that affects approximately 30% of people in the United States. This condition makes it difficult to see objects that are far away, so corrective lenses are often prescribed to see things like white boards/SMART boards in school, televisions, movie screens or road conditions when driving.

Distant objects are difficult to see is because light is not focusing properly on the back of the eye (the retina); the cornea is too steep or the eye is too long. Light ends up focusing in front of the retina so distant objects appear blurry.

LASIK eye surgery corrects myopia by reshaping the inner layers of the cornea so light will focus on the right spot on the retina. Only a microscopic amount of tissue is reshaped using a laser, but the results can be amazing. In fact, many people achieve 20/20 vision (or better) after LASIK vision correction.

If you are nearsighted and are tired of wearing corrective lenses, look into LASIK today by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center. This Consultation will tell you if your cornea is thick enough to support this procedure or if a different procedure would be more appropriate for your eye structure and still give you the results you want. Contact us today at lipstocklaser.com or 804-288-1543. 

What is a LASIK Self-Evaluation?

A LASIK Self-Evaluation is an interactive online tool to help you determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK vision correction surgery. While this is not a substitute for a full LASIK Consultation from an experienced ophthalmologist, it is a great first step in the LASIK research process.

The Self-Evaluation asks questions about what your vision is like right now, such as:

•      I can’t see things up close
•      I can’t see things far away
•      It’s difficult for me to drive
•      I’ve been diagnosed with astigmatism
•      I wear glasses / contacts / reading glasses

The Self-Evaluation also asks questions regarding your current medical health and your eye health. This information is kept strictly confidential.

When all of the details are submitted, the Evaluation tallies the information and provides an immediate, personalized result as to whether or not LASIK might produce the results you desire. You can use this information to further research your options or as back-up information to share during your full LASIK Consultation with a surgeon. The only way to know for sure if you are a candidate for LASIK is by having a complete eye exam to determine your corneal thickness and overall eye health.  

Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond offers a free LASIK Self-Evaluation on his website at lipstocklaser.com. If you are considering LASIK, we encourage you to take the quick assessment to see what might be best for your unique situation. 

LASIK vs. Contact Lenses

Many people are unaware that wearing contacts every day may be a bigger risk than having their vision corrected with LASIK.

The fact is, if you have to wear contact lenses, hard contact lenses will give you the best vision, but they are a real nuisance, uncomfortable, prone to slipping, and easily broken. Soft contacts on the other hand are more comfortable, but due to their composition and design it can be more difficult to correct astigmatism.

Possible Complications of Contact Lenses

With prolonged usage, especially in adverse environmental conditions, contact lenses can lead to:

• Cornea redness or inflammation
• Corneal infections
• Corneal abrasions
• Corneal ulcers
• Corneal swelling
• Dry eye

LASIK eye surgery may eliminate or reduce the need for corrective lenses. As with any type of surgical procedure, there are potential risks of LASIK surgery, including:

• Dry eye syndrome
• Visual symptoms, such as halos, glare, starbursts or double vision
• Vision loss

Cost of LASIK

The average one-time cost of LASIK ranges from $1,600 per eye for non-customized LASIK to $2,500 per eye for customized wavefront-guided procedures. When these costs are compared to the ongoing expenses of contacts and glasses, LASIK often makes sense financially. Over any 10 year period the average vision impaired person will spend around $12,000 on:

• New eyeglass prescriptions
• New frames and lenses
• Replacement lenses or an endless stream of replacement contacts
• Cleaning and sterilizing solutions

Not every person has the right eye conditions to support a LASIK procedure. If you are tired of wearing contacts or glasses and want to explore the LASIK option, the only way to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK is by scheduling a LASIK Consultation. Contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond today at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com to start on the path! 

In Music, the Eyes Have It

The eyes have been dubbed “the window to the soul.” Maybe that’s why so many eye make-up products are sold and why so many songwriters focus on this expressive facial feature in their music…songs like:

•     Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
•     Doctor My Eyes by Jackson Browne
•     Eyes Without a Face by Billy Idol
•     Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue by Crystal Gayle
•     When You Close Your Eyes by Night Ranger
•     Betty Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes
•     Private Eyes by Hall and Oates
•     For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton
•     Angel Eyes by the Jeff Healey Band
•     Behind These Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson
•     Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain by Willie Nelson

If you’re tired of hiding your eyes behind corrective lenses, you should consider laser vision correction. LASIK eye surgery has allowed millions of Americans to showcase their “baby blues” (and other eye colors, of course) for the world to see.

LASIK eye surgery is performed on people who are nearsighted, farsighted and who have astigmatism. No LASIK surgeon can absolutely guarantee that LASIK will free you from corrective lenses forever, but this popular procedure is very effective for most patients…especially when they choose a surgeon who has extensive experience and a proven track record of success…a surgeon like Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond.

If you can think of other “eye” songs, share them with us on our Facebook page facebook.com/LipstockLasik  And be sure to contact us soon at 804-288-1543 or on lipstocklaser.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. 

Elephant Eyes

      In honor of National Elephant Appreciation Day on September 22, here are some facts about elephant eyes:

• Their eyes are very small, only about 1.5” in diameter
• The location of their eyes on the side of their heads allows for peripheral vision but not depth perception; the trunk creates a large blind spot in their vision
• They have three eyelids: an upper, lower and one that moves vertically for more protection
• Their long eyelashes keep foreign matter out of their eyes
• They have the same visual pigments as humans with red/green color-blindness
• Their range of vision is only about 30 feet - some people might say that elephants are nearsighted!

Because of their poor vision, elephants use their sensitive trunks to navigate. Their poor vision does not hinder their ability to orient themselves, and that’s a good thing since vision correction surgery just isn’t performed on elephants!

It is, however, performed on millions of Americans every year. At Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center, we’ve performed many LASIK vision correction surgeries to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK in Richmond is considered to be one of the safest medical procedures when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Lipstock. Of course, there are risks with any type of surgical procedure, so it’s always advisable to get all of the facts about LASIK before you decide to pursue this popular procedure.

One way to get the facts is by scheduling a free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center. You can find out if your eyes have the right characteristics for LASIK and you can get all of your questions about LASIK answered.

So don’t forget to take a minute to appreciate elephants on September 22 (an elephant wouldn’t forget). And, if you’re stuck wearing glasses or contacts, contact us today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation at lipstocklaser.com or 804-288-1543.

Glasses, Contacts and Sports – How to Improve Your Game

Recently we read that September is National Little League Month. We’re not sure how many people actually celebrate this observance, but it got us thinking about all of those boys and girls on the field who wear corrective lenses as they play. In turn, this made us think of “vision-challenged” adults who continue playing sports of any kind.

Being nearsighted, farsighted or having astigmatism can become a real nuisance in life, especially if you are trying to see to hit a baseball/softball, swim laps in a pool, putt a golf ball into a hole or any other type of sport. Forced to wear glasses or contact lenses as you play, you can face different challenges than those with “near-perfect” vision. Sweaty noses can cause glasses to slide, dirt and debris can get underneath contacts, glasses can be broken and contacts lost.

Think of how much you could improve your game of choice if you were lens-free.

When you add LASIK vision correction to your pre-season training activities, you may be able to erase corrective lenses from your sports equipment list.

Dr. Lipstock at Lipsotck LASIK & Cataract Center is ready to be your vision trainer. Schedule your free LASIK Consultation with us today at lipstocklaser.com or 804-288-1543 to find out if your eyes are in the right physical condition to handle LASIK. You can also ask questions about LASIK and learn more about Dr. Lipstock's background and experience. 

Life After LASIK

Some people wonder what life might be like after they have LASIK. Of course, no two people’s eyes are exactly the same, so no two LASIK procedures will produce the exact same results. However, at their follow-up appointments, many patients express that they…

L – Love their new vision so much that they share their success with family members, friends and even strangers on social media and online review sites

A – Appreciate life without the aggravations and costs of broken glasses, lost contact lenses and expensive replacements and cleaning solutions

S – Show off their beautiful/handsome eyes

I – Impress their friends with their ability to see every menu, clock, street sign and more

K – Kayak, swim and play sports lens-free

No doctor can guarantee 20/20 vision after LASIK, but many patients do achieve this level of vision (or even better) after LASIK! Likewise, no doctor can guarantee that you’ll never have to wear glasses again. 

There are simply no “guarantees” in medicine. But Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center has achieved some amazing results with LASIK procedures, and his patients are walking testimonials to his success.

If you’d like to find out what your life might be after LASIK, contact us today at lipstocklaser.com or 804-288-1543 to schedule a free, no obligation LASIK Consultation.