LASIK & Dry Eye

Dry eye can be a fairly common side effect of LASIK vision correction due to the potential for reduced sensitivity of the corneal nerves, leading to a reduction in tear production. Tears are necessary to lubricate and protect the eyes and if there is not adequate tear production, the eyes can become irritated.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

•  Excessive eye watering
•  Itching and burning
•  Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Feeling of sand or grit in the eyes
• Pain
• Blurred vision

Dry eye after LASIK is typically temporary, but some patients can experience the symptoms of dry eye for months or years after LASIK. Lubricating eye drops can help minimize discomfort.

Some patients who have pre-existing dry eye may not be good candidates for LASIK in Richmond because the procedure might exacerbate the condition. Any existing symptoms of dry eye should be discussed with your ophthalmologist prior to having LASIK so your condition can be fully examined. Your eyes may be better suited for alternative laser vision correction procedures. Certain procedures may actually help improve pre-existing dry eye in Richmond.

Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center will discuss all of the risks of LASIK, including dry eye, as well as the benefits of LASIK, during a free LASIK Consultation. He will perform a comprehensive exam to ensure that your eyes are right for the procedure. To schedule your no-obligation appointment, call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com. 

Protect Your Eyes from Winter Rays

Your eyes don’t know what season it is.

Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, your eyes need protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

Most people recognize the need for sunglasses during warmer months and in warmer climates. However, when the temperature starts to dip, people often assume that eye protection is no longer necessary (or even silly).

Why Winter Shades are Important

• The sun is positioned at a lower angle in the sky during the winter, so the rays may affect the eyes more directly
• Fresh snow reflects 80% of the sun’s UV rays, causing extreme glare (dangerous when driving, skiing, etc.)
• Dry eye symptoms can worsen during dry winter months; wraparound sunglasses or sports goggles may help
• Overexposure to harmful UV rays can lead to cataracts and macular degeneration in Richmond
• Polarized, anti-reflective sunglasses can block 100% of UV radiation (ask your eye doctor for recommendations)

Another Reason for LASIK

If you are nearsighted or have astigmatism, you will need corrective lenses to see distant objects clearly; that means investing in a good pair of prescription sunglasses to wear all year long. The other option is to wear contact lenses with over-the-counter sunglasses. However, dry, cold winter air can cause eye irritations for contact wearers.

LASIK vision correction in Richmond can make wearing sunglasses in the winter:

• More cost effective (in the long run the one-time cost of LASIK is cheaper than the ongoing expense of replacing and maintaining glasses and contacts)
• More fashionable (because of the vast choices that exist)
• More comfortable (no trying to fit goggles over glasses)

Wear Sunglasses All Year

Back in 1984, Corey Hart hit the music charts with his hit, “Sunglasses at Night.”

While Mr. Hart may have worn his sunglasses in the evening hours, to stress the importance of protecting your eyes against daytime winter rays, we’d change the song to “I wear my sunglasses all year…”

Sport your cool sunglasses all year long. And if you don’t want to invest in prescription sunglasses, consider having LASIK at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center. Dr. Lipstock offers free LASIK Consultations to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure and answer all questions you may have. Contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center today to arrange your appointment: 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com. 

5 Reasons Your Dog Wants You to Have LASIK

Your “best friend” wants you to have LASIK in Richmond.

If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, here are the reasons why:

1. No waiting around to go on walks while you search for your glasses.
2. No tripping over him in the middle of the night because you can’t see without your glasses.
3. No dropping your contact lenses in his water dish.
4. No getting in trouble for chewing up your expensive prescription sunglasses.
5. No mistaking him for the cat because – well – they are the same size...

After a successful LASIK procedure, you might achieve 20/20 vision. That means vision without glasses to play, wrestle, cuddle and walk your dog...every day and every night.

Make your dog happy. Schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center today to find out if your eye anatomy and eye health is right for LASIK. If Dr. Lipstock gives you the green light and you choose to proceed with the procedure, your pooch will be happier than a poodle in a peanut butter factory. 

Happy Thanksgiving from Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center!

All year long the team at Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Centeris grateful to have a prominent role in the health of our community. This Thanksgiving we want to share some of the specific reasons why we are so thankful:

·         We have the in-house technologies that have helped enhance, protect and preserve eyesight for literally thousands of people in our community. 

·         We get the opportunity to spend time with our patients, getting to know them personally.

·         Our practice is based on strong ethical standards; we only recommend LASIK and other procedures if we feel patients will truly achieve the vision results they desire.

·         We help patients afford a better quality of life with improved vision through financing for LASIK in Richmond and other elective procedures.

·         We are able to provide our patients with a comfortable and caring environment for their eye care.

Happy Thanksgiving! Take time to think of the things you are thankful for this holiday season. If you are unhappy with any aspect of your current vision, or are experiencing vision changes in Richmond that are causing you stress, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center to schedule an eye exam or a free LASIK Consultation. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com.

KaChoo! Is it a Cold or the Flu?

You know the feeling. It starts with a slight tickle in your throat, or the feeling that something “isn’t quite right.” Then…boom! You’re sick.

But how do you know if you have a common cold or the full-blown flu?

The flu typically comes on fast, while a cold can start slowly and gradually become worse. The symptoms of each condition are different, too.

Cold Symptoms

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Itchy throat
• Fatigue
• Mild cough

A cold typically lasts about three days, but congestion may continue a week or more. Sometimes cold complications develop, which can lead to sinus infections, bronchitis, ear infections or asthma attacks.

Flu Symptoms

• High fever
• Extreme muscle aching over your entire body
• Major fatigue
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Nasal discharge
• Dry cough
• Vomiting or stomach pain (in children)

Flu symptoms can last one to two weeks. Flu complications can lead to pneumonia, dehydration, sinus infections, ear infections, hospitalization or even death.

Whether you have the cold or flu, these illnesses can wipe you out and zap your strength. When you are sick, the last thing you want to worry about is fumbling for glasses to read medication bottles or make your way to the restroom in the middle of the night. Successful LASIK vision correction in Richmond can help to minimize – or even eliminate – those added discomforts when you are ill. LASIK works by using a laser to correct your specific refractive error that causes blurry vision at near, distant or all vision distances. If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism in Richmond, LASIK might be right for you. 

It is estimated that between 5% - 20% of people in the United States get the flu every year, and it’s safe to say that a large majority of those people wear corrective lenses. Flu season starts in the fall and really gains strength in January and February. But this pesky virus can continue wreaking havoc well into the spring months.

The flu is spread when flu germ droplets land on you via coughs, sneezes or by touching a surface that is laced with the virus. These germ droplets can be anywhere: on shopping cart handles, school desks, phones, books, door handles, etc. The flu virus can live on hard surfaces up to eight hours! To minimize your risk of getting the flu, keep your distance from people who are sick, frequently wash your hands and avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Your best defense against the flu? Get a flu vaccine! Seasonal flu vaccines work by causing antibodies to grow in the body two weeks after vaccination. This year’s vaccines protect against three types of viruses. The type of protection included in each year’s vaccination is different to keep up with the changing flu viruses. The flu vaccine is available as a flu shot or as a nasal spray. 

Your best defense against blurry vision caused by a refractive error? Get LASIK in Richmond at Lipstock! Our LASIK technology helps most patients achieve 20/20 vision, but the procedure is not right for everyone. Dr. Lipstock can determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK through a comprehensive eye exam.

Contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract center today to schedule a free LASIK Consultation…before flu season knocks you down. You can call 804-288-1543 or schedule an appointment anytime day or night by visiting lipstocklaser.com.

Eye Makeup Safety

Are you putting bacteria on your eyes?

Studies have shown that in as little as 3-months, bacteria can grow in mascara, eye shadow, eyeliners and more, leading to eye infections such as pink eye, dry eye, loss of eyelashes and more.

If just the thought of bacteria on your eyes makes you shudder, consider this: Makeup has expiration dates. Unfortunately, those expiration dates are NOT printed on the containers, tubes and sticks. It’s up to you to keep track of when you purchase cosmetics and toss them after a certain timeframe.

Eye infections can be avoided by following these safety tips:

• Purchase new mascara and liquid eyeliner every 3 months; eye shadow every 12 months; eye pencil every 24 months
• Do not share eye makeup with friends
• Avoid using samples in stores
• Do not apply eyeliner to the inner eye lash lines
• Do not wear mascara that flakes
• Close eye makeup containers tightly
• If you wear contact lenses, put them in before applying eye makeup
• Remove eye makeup at night (remove contact lenses first)

One way to avoid the “contact lens eye infection” trap is by having LASIK vision correction in Richmond to reduce or eliminate your dependence on contacts for clear vision. Of course, even if you achieve clear vision through LASIK, it will become even more important to protect your investment in your vision by practicing safe eye makeup application.

You may be tempted to hang on to eye makeup longer than the recommended timeframe because it can be quite expensive. However, when you consider the cost of treatment for eye infections and the potential for damaged vision, it will be more cost-effective to pay attention to how long your eye products stay in your makeup bag.

If you love wearing eye makeup, but your eyes are hidden behind corrective lenses, contact Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center to discuss the option of Henrico LASIK for your unique eyes. He offers a free LASIK Consultation to analyze your eyes and answer all of your questions about this popular vision procedure. To schedule your no-obligation appointment, call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com. 

LASIK vs. PRK

If you have been told you are not a good candidate for LASIK because your corneas are too thin, you may not have to abandon your dream of 20/20 vision.

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is a type of laser surgery in Richmond that can produce similar vision results to LASIK vision correction, and it can be performed on some patients with thin corneas.

The difference between LASIK and PRK in Richmond is in the first step of the refractive surgery procedure.

• LASIK: A hinged corneal flap is created to allow access to the underlying corneal tissue for laser treatment
• PRK: the cornea’s outer layer (epithelial) is gently removed to allow access to the underlying corneal tissue for laser treatment

The laser refractive treatment is the same for both LASIK and PRK: the cornea is slightly reshaped to correct the refractive error and allow light to focus on the retina for clear vision. Each laser treatment can be completely customized to your unique eye.

After the laser procedure, the corneal flap is repositioned during LASIK; after PRK, the epithelial cells need time to regenerate over the eye. Recovery and final vision results for PRK will take longer and the healing process may be slightly more uncomfortable. However, there is no risk of corneal flap complications with PRK.

Take the first step in the LASIK process: take the free online LASIK Self-Evaluation on lipstocklaser.com. Then call Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center at 804-288-1543 to schedule your free LASIK Consultation to find out if LASIK or PRK might improve your vision. You can also schedule your appointment online. 

Halloween without Glasses

Unless you want to dress up as Clark Kent, Austin Powers, Harry Potter or a hippie chick, there aren’t too many Halloween costumes that feature glasses. But if you…

• Are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism…
• Can’t wear contact lenses…
• And actually want to see your friends at a Halloween party…

…you may have to be a football player, zombie, vampire or other character with spectacles. 

The other option: LASIK vision correction in Richmond.

We’re not suggesting that you enter into refractive surgery just to improve your chances at winning a costume contest. But if you are tired of wearing glasses and would like the opportunity to have 20/20 vision, you owe it to yourself to research your Richmond LASIK options.

Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center offers free LASIK Consultations to help patients:

• Understand how LASIK works
• Determine if their unique eyes are right for the procedure
• Learn about different LASIK technologies
• Learn the risks and rewards of LASIK
• Meet our staff and learn our track record of success

Halloween will be here soon. If you want better vision before October 31, schedule your LASIK Consultation right away so you can find out if LASIK is right for you by calling 804-288-1543 or visiting lipstocklaser.com. If Dr. Lipstock gives you the green light, you could be rocking your Halloween costume lens-free! 

Keep Your Eyes Safe in the Kitchen

At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center,we have helped thousands of people achieve lens-free vision through laser vision correction. And while our LASIK in Richmond allows most of our patients to toss out their glasses, we encourage those patients to protect their new-found clear vision by wearing protective safety glasses when performing certain activities.

Most people know that safety glasses are important when playing contact sports, using power tools or working in the yard. But did you know that they are also important in the kitchen?

According to WebMD, almost half of the annual 2.5 million eye injuries occur in and around the home…and more than 40% of those happen during everyday activities like cooking. (Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma)

Potential Causes of Kitchen Eye Injuries

Your eye can become injured during food prep, oven and stove cooking and cleaning. 

• Cleaning chemical splatters
• Grease/oil splatters
• Champagne corks
• Steam burns
• Spicy juices, such as cutting jalapeños and touching your eyes
• Oven heat

It may seem a bit silly to wear glasses in the kitchen, but whether you’ve invested in your vision through LASIK or already have excellent vision, you don’t want to risk your eyesight to a freak kitchen accident. Get a pair of protective glasses that are approved by the American National Standards Institute and get cooking!

If you are tired of wearing glasses to read recipes, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center to schedule a free LASIK Consultation and find out if LASIK is right for your eyes. You can call 804-288-1543 or schedule an appointment anytime day or night by visiting lipstocklaser.com. 

Does Your Computer Need Glasses?

If you are over age 40, you may be experiencing the effects of presbyopia on your eyesight. Presbyopia is the gradual stiffening of the eye lens that makes it more difficult for the eyes to focus on near objects. This condition happens to almost everyone as they age (even if you’ve had successful LASIK vision correction surgery) and is the reason why so many adults need reading glasses to read things like menus, books, tablets, computers and smart phones clearly.

But what if your computer screen wore your glasses for you?

Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing a technology that may, in essence, create glasses for your computer, tablet or other type of screen. They have developed a prototype of a vision-correcting display using a printed pinhole screen in between two layers of clear plastic to enhance image sharpness. The “computation” technique distorts the screen image based on each user’s unique visual impairment, allowing the image to look clear for that individual. The ultimate goal is to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts to read displays on screens.

Will this technology eventually replace LASIK in Richmond? Probably not,because LASIK not only corrects farsightedness; it also corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism. However, it may help those individuals who have had successful LASIK surgery reduce their need for reading glasses later in life when presbyopia creeps in – at least when looking at displays. Time will tell.

If you are experiencing any changes in your vision or want to reduce your dependence on glasses or contacts, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com to schedule an eye exam or a free LASIK Consultation in Richmond and Henrico.