Pirates Don’t Wear Glasses

Blackbeard…Captain Kidd…Black Bart…Redbeard…even Jack Sparrow…

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a pirate who wore glasses (there were plenty of eye patches, though). Does that mean that all pirates had 20/20 vision? Probably not; but it’s safe to assume that pirates didn’t have access to good eye care.

Even if a pirate did manage to visit an eye doctor and find out his vision was less-than-perfect, the idea of wearing eye glasses wasn’t too appealing. (After all, a pirate had a reputation to uphold!) And LASIK vision correction wasn’t FDA-approved before the late 1990s, so all the gleamin’ booty in the world wouldn’t make that an option.  

Why are we talking about pirates? September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day! It’s a day for you to connect with your inner pirate and toss about a few “Aarrs” and “Blimeys” with friends, family and co-workers. You may even want to don an eye patch for the occasion. But if you have to wear glasses to correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, it will be almost impossible to look authentic with an eye patch over your glasses. 

Avast! If you want to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day by looking like a pirate (meaning, no glasses), find out if LASIK vision correction in Richmond or Henrico is right for you. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center.

Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center won’t hornswaggle you with the cost of LASIK and they will even provide LASIK financing options to make better vision more affordable. 

Give Dad What He Really Wants

Father’s Day is June 15, 2014. Rather than the traditional neck tie or golf accessories, why not give Dad the chance at improved vision? If you know a Dad who wears glasses or contacts, think how much easier his life would be if he could work and play without those hassles. By arranging a free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center, you just might set in motion one of the very best Father’s Day gifts ever.

Some people simply aren’t very proactive when it comes to scheduling health appointments for themselves. Your Dad may need a little extra push to schedule that LASIK Consultation. But you can assure him that this is a very simple and pain-free process that is only meant to provide him with information about:

• His overall eye health
• His vision characteristics
• His vision correction options (LASIK may not be right for him)
• His possibilities for 20/20 vision
• LASIK technologies
• LASIK costs
• LASIK financing

You can also assure him that the LASIK Consultation will not include any hard sales tactics. The ultimate decision to proceed with LASIK in Richmond is his choice and his choice alone.

By the way, it also happens to be Men’s Health Week June 9-15, so it’s the perfect time to get Dad thinking about his overall health and well-being. Encourage your Dad to get plenty of sleep, stop smoking, exercise, eat healthy, reduce stress and have preventative check-ups. Included in this wellness checklist may also be that LASIK Consultation mentioned earlier.

If you have a well-deserving Dad in your life that might benefit from improved vision, contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center today at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com to schedule a free LASIK Consultation for him. 

Using Flex Plans to Pay for LASIK

Tired of wearing glasses or contacts but not sure how to pay for LASIK? If your company offers a Flexible Spending Account, you can choose to place a portion of your pre-tax earnings into this short-term, tax-free savings account to use for non-reimbursable medical expenses, such as LASIK. You can save up to $2,500 on LASIK, depending on your annual income. This program lowers your taxable income.




Use it or Lose it! Most Flex Plans have strict usage rules. If you don't spend your money on your procedure within the specified timeframe, you will lose your savings.




Follow These Steps for Flex Plan Savings 

1. Find out if you are a candidate for LASIK by scheduling a Free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center
2. Find out your company's deadline for open enrollment to sign up for Flexible Spending Accounts 
3. Find out how the cost of your LASIK procedure so you’ll know how much to set aside in your account. This will be determined during the Consultation. Dr. Lipstock cannot pre-determine what procedure will be best for you without examining your eyes first.

Combine Flex Plan Savings with LASIK Financing! Contact Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center to learn more about our 0% interest LASIK financing program, how LASIK is performed and what advanced LASIK technologies Dr. Lipstock uses. Contact us today at 804-288-1543 or lipstocklaser.com.

Tackle 2014 with Improved Self-Esteem

Most people associate the month of February with Valentine’s Day, love, romance, roses and chocolate. But did you know that February is also International Boost Self-Esteem Month? This is a great time to take a moment to think about how you feel about yourself. If you feel negative thoughts creeping in, stop those toxic thoughts and focus on something that is positive in your life. Or you can also take action to improve your current situation.

Sometimes a negative self-image can stem from a physical trait that causes you either physical or mental discomfort. Take, for example, bad vision. Some of the Richmond vision correction patients we see at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center are simply fed up with not being able to see clearly when they wake up in the morning. Some become frustrated because they can’t excel in sports (like water or snow skiing, basketball or football) because their glasses make it too difficult. Others find that the hassles of keeping track of glasses and contacts make their lives too stressful. And some just don’t like the way they look in glasses.

If your poor vision is lowering your self-esteem, LASIK eye surgery in Richmond, VA may be the magic boost you need. LASIK corrects the refractive errors that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Of course, not everyone’s vision problems can be corrected with LASIK. A specially-trained ophthalmologist must examine your eyes to determine if your corneas are thick enough, if you have the right medical history to support LASIK, and more.

LASIK Financing

If this type of self-esteem boost sounds too expensive, research your Richmond LASIK financing options. At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center we help make LASIK affordable for a variety of budgets.

Don’t let poor vision bring down your self-image. Take the first step in the LASIK process by completing our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation. If you are ready to start the process, contact us at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com to schedule an appointment online. 

Get Motivated, Get Moving, Get LASIK This February

February is the time for sports fans to really get their game on! The month kicked off with SuperBowl XLVII, and we are now headed into the 2014 Winter Olympics from Feb. 7-23, and the NBA All-Star game on Feb. 16. There is even “Curling is Cool” Day on Feb. 23.

If these events motivate you to get moving, but you feel held back because you have to wear glasses or contact lenses, this might be the extra nudge you need to pursue LASIK vision correction. Having LASIK in Richmond, Virginia can make outdoor and indoor winter activities much more enjoyable. It’s nearly impossible to wear glasses when you ski, snowboard or play basketball and wearing contact lenses can make your eyes become very dry and irritated.

Even if you aren't ready to tackle the half-pipe or master the perfect slam-dunk, Richmond LASIK may have you enjoying life without lenses. LASIK corrects the vision impairments of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by correcting the shape of the cornea. These minute corneal corrections can allow light to focus properly on the retina (the back of the eye) to reduce or even eliminate your need for corrective lenses. 

At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center, Richmond ophthalmologist Dr. Lipstock offers LASIK financing to help patients afford to achieve Olympic-style, All-Star vision. Contact us today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation by calling 804-288-1543 or visiting lipstocklaser.com. 

Take Steps to Achieve Your (Vision) Dreams

What are your dreams? Most of us have one or more personal aspirations. The Dream Come True Foundation has designated January 13, 2014 as National Make Your Dream Come True Day. So, rather than listing nebulous New Year’s resolutions this year, use January 13 to actually take steps to make those dreams a reality.

Improving vision is often a dream for individuals who have to wear glasses or contacts. When you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, seeing the world clearly without the aid of vision correction devices may seem like an unobtainable goal.

However, at Lipstock Laser & Cataract Center, we have helped thousands of people achieve their dream of 20/20 vision and visual freedom through LASIK vision correction. The problem is that many people leave LASIK in the “dream” category, without ever truly investigating if they can afford LASIK and if the procedure will work for their eyes.

January 13 is the perfect day to schedule a free LASIK Consultation and really take that first step. Dr. Lipstock offers free LASIK Consultations to determine your LASIK candidacy, discuss LASIK financing options and answer all of your questions about LASIK.

Contact us today to make your vision dream a reality! Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com. 

Make a “New Year, New Vision” Resolution

Welcome to 2014! We all make resolutions this time of year (to lose weight, stop smoking, get a better job), but despite our good intentions of putting ourselves first, our resolutions often get buried under other responsibilities.

This year, make a conscious effort to move your own happiness up the priority list. Are you tired of the hassles of glasses and/or contact lenses? Do you wish that you could actually see your alarm clock when you first wake up in the morning? If you haven’t looked into LASIK vision correction yet, maybe now is the time to find out if the procedure is right for you.

More than 14 million Americans have had LASIK. That’s an astounding number of people who chose to simplify their lives by correcting the shape of their corneas to minimize or completely correct their nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

Imagine how much more you could enjoy everything that 2014 has in store if you didn't have to worry about:

• Losing your contacts
• Breaking your glasses
• Buying cleaning solutions
• Taking your contacts out at night

No ophthalmologist can guarantee you 20/20 vision after LASIK. But if you choose a surgeon who has a great track record of success, uses advanced LASIK technologies and offers a comprehensive evaluation to ensure your eyes are right for the procedure, the odds of great vision are in your favor.

Don’t just assume that awesome vision is unobtainable. Contact Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond today to schedule a free LASIK Consultation and find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK. You can also ask about LASIK financing. Call today at 804-288-1543 or schedule an appointment online at lipstocklaser.com. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

Be a Positive Role Model for Kids by Enjoying Life to its Fullest

      April 25, 2013 marks the 20^th Anniversary of the “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day” program. Over the years this educational program has had several objectives, including:  

• Exposing children to what parents/mentors do at work
• Showing children the value of education
• Helping children discover the power of a balanced work and home life
• Helping children envision their future and take steps toward their own goals

We applaud this program and congratulate the organization and everyone who has participated in the event on one level or another.

Children see adults as role models, whether we are cognizant of this or not. Being a productive member of society is one way to be a positive influence; emitting strong self-confidence, even happiness, is another. When you feel good about yourself – both inside and out – you project positive vibes to everyone around you. Children have an uncanny ability to pick up on these vibes and internalize them to themselves.

If you are constantly hassling with glasses or contacts – or even avoiding certain activities because it’s too difficult to see without your corrective lenses, those negative feelings can be unconsciously transferred to the children around you. LASIK eye surgery can give you freedom from these aggravations, helping you enjoy life more fully. Just picture yourself with 20/20 vision swimming, skiing or playing at the park with your kids. What a great gift to give yourself and the younger people around you.

With the advances in LASIK technologies and LASIK financing options, more people than ever can eliminate their nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Take the first step in discovering if LASIK can give you 20/20 vision. Contact Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center to schedule your LASIK Consultation. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com.

Make Your Tax Refund Really Count: Invest in Your Vision

It’s hard to believe that April 15 (yes, Tax Day!) is just around the corner. Hopefully you’ve almost finished your taxes and have an idea what kind of refund is coming your way.

Did you know the average tax refund in 2012 was $2,700? Regardless of how much you have coming, you’re probably thinking of ways to spend your windfall. Here’s the thing: You could spend your refund on new furniture, a 60” plasma TV, vacations or shopping sprees. But these purchases are fleeting.

If you have vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism and have to wear glasses or contact lenses to see clearly for reading, driving or working, you could put your tax refund toward the ultimate goal of 20/20 (or better) vision. LASIK eye surgery has made this a reality for literally millions of Americans. The average cost of LASIK is anywhere from $1,600 per eye for non-customized LASIK to $2,500 per eye for customized wavefront-guided procedures. It may seem like a bit much, but we offer 0% and low interest LASIK financing options to make it really affordable. And if you put your tax refund check toward LASIK, you could save a substantial chunk off the cost.

Maybe your vision problems have stemmed from growing older, such as the formation of cataracts. Constantly cloudy vision, halos, light glare and even double vision can really impede your quality of life. Cataract surgery can eliminate those symptoms. While insurance often covers the cost of cataract surgery and Monofocal Intraocular Implants (IOLs) (that’s vision for one distance only), you can spend a little extra on Premium Lens Implants to remove the cataracts and gain vision for all distances, effectively eliminating your need for reading glasses (presbyopia) at the same time.

Of course, you can’t run out and spend your tax refund on better vision until you’ve had a comprehensive eye exam to determine the root cause of your vision problems.

Your new vision could last a lifetime. That would leave you plenty of time to spend your future tax refunds on new furniture, 80” plasma TVs, vacations or shopping sprees…you’ll enjoy them even more without glasses, contact lenses or cloudy vision.

Contact Lipstock Laser & Cataract Center to schedule your Vision Consultation in so we can diagnose your unique situation and recommend an appropriate course of action. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com.

Got the “Luck ‘o the Irish” When it Comes to Your Eyesight?

  

If you look up the origin of the saying, “Luck of the Irish,” you’ll find that most people use it to mean you are actually lucky. Ironically, Irish history states that the Irish often had bad luck. 

Regardless of how you might use that popular Irish saying, let’s take a moment to think about luck when it comes to your vision. Let’s face it, some people are just born with great genes and perfectly shaped corneas, while others have refractive errors that lead to problems with how the eye focuses light. You may have:   

·         Corneas that are longer and steeper than normal, resulting in nearsightedness (or myopia) where close objects are seen clearly and far away objects are blurry

·         Corneas that are shorter and flatter than normal, resulting in farsightedness (or hyperopia) where far away objects are seen clearly and close objects are blurry

·         Corneas that are football-shaped instead of round-shaped, resulting in astigmatism where you may have some degree of blurred vision at all distances

·         Eye lenses that become stiffened over time, making it harder to focus properly, especially up-close, resulting in presbyopia

No, it’s not fair. But there is a way to combat what Mother Nature gave you: LASIK Surgery. Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK; however, if you have the right eye health and corneal thickness, your corneal shape might be corrected through this procedure. LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A LASIK process called Blended Vision is sometimes used to correct presbyopia, by correcting one eye for near vision and one eye for far vision to eliminate the need for reading glasses.

There is no need to be miserable with your eyesight – especially when LASIK financing exists to help you afford this amazing procedure. Even if LASIK isn’t right for your eyes, there may be other vision procedures that can be done to produce the results you desire.

So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Let Lipstock Lasik & Cataract Center help you get the good “Luck of the Irish” in regard to your vision. Go ahead and enjoy yourself on March 17, then call us to schedule your free LASIK Consultation so we can discuss your unique situation. Call 804 288 1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com/.