What’s Living in Your Contact Lens Solution?

New research out of Liverpool has shown that a certain bacterial strain (Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 39016) has the ability to survive in contact lens cleaning solutions for over four hours. Most other bacterial strains that were tested were killed within 10 minutes after being placed in the contact lens disinfectant solutions; this new strain is much more resilient and can cause more harm to contact wearers.

This bacterium can cause a condition called microbial keratitis, which is an ulceration and inflammation of the cornea that can lead to vision loss. Even before this research, LASIK has been reported to be up to 5 times safer for your eye health than wearing contact lenses; this may be one more motivating factor for contact lens wearers to consider LASIK vision correctionin Richmond.

If you are currently one of the 30 million Americans who wear contact lenses on a regular basis, you owe it to yourself to:

• Ensure you are using the very best contact lens disinfectant solution available
• Talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist about contact lens safety
• Let your eyes take a break from contacts occasionally – wear your prescription eyeglasses instead
• Follow proper lens care practices for cleaning, disinfecting and storing your lenses (e.g., replacing your storage case every 3-6 months)
• Schedule regular eye exams to ensure you are being proactive with your eye health
• Schedule a LASIK Consultation in Henrico to learn about your vision correction options

Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center provides free LASIK Consultations to help people find out if this procedure might give them the lens-free life they desire. Imagine: no worrying about bacteria in contact lens solutions; no hassling with taking your contacts out at night and taking proper care of your contacts; no dry or irritated eyes from contact lenses.

Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com to schedule your free LASIK Consultation right now. Or take the first step by completing the quick online LASIK Self-Evaluation. 

LASIK & Large Pupils

If you have large pupils, you may have heard that having LASIK vision correction in Richmond, Virginia might increase your risk of certain side effects, such as halos/glare around lights at night.

There have been numerous studies over the past 10+ years about the effect of pupil size on LASIK outcomes. While there is no conclusive evidence, researchers have found some correlations in the size of the surgical ablation zone (the section of the cornea that is reshaped by the laser), the follow-up period and night vision problems.  

No Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone 6.0 mm in diameter or larger
• Follow-up period at least three months

Some Night Vision Problems

• Ablation zone smaller than 6.0 mm in diameter
• No ablation size specified
• Less than three months follow-up

The advanced LASIK technologies we use at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center in Richmond may reduce the chance of night vision problems for many patients. However, if you are considering LASIK and are concerned about night vision problems, it’s best to schedule a free LASIK Consultation to first find out if your eyes are right for LASIK. During the Consultation you can ask the doctor specific questions about LASIK side effects and inquire about the results of past LASIK patients.

Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com today to schedule your LASIK Consultation. You can also take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation prior to your appointment. 

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. 

Scared of LASIK? Get the Facts!

If you’ve been living for years with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, constantly annoyed with contact lenses and glasses, you’ve undoubtedly heard about how LASIK can improve your vision. You may have even gone so far as having a LASIK consultation to find out that you are, indeed, a good candidate for the procedure. So why haven’t you taken the plunge and had LASIK eye surgery?

Maybe it’s the cost of the procedure (although there are excellent financing options available). But maybe you are apprehensive – scared, even – about having someone perform a procedure on your eyes. It is understandable to have anxiety about LASIK, but consider this: According to the Eye Surgery Education Council, “LASIK vision correction has the highest patient satisfaction rate of any elective surgery: 95.4%, according to a 10-year survey of scientific studies from around the world. And new advances in technology now deliver better outcomes than ever. The majority of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or better after laser vision correction. Nearly all patients achieve 20/40 or better, which is fully functional and good enough to drive legally in most states without corrective lenses.”

Other studies have shown that there are more than 700,000 LASIK procedures performed in the United States every year. Satisfied patients express feelings of amazement because they can see with clarity, first thing in the morning; play sports, swim and travel without worrying about glasses or contacts; and have clear peripheral vision.

LASIK is not something to jump into; you should take time to fully research the LASIK surgeons in your area to determine who offers the best technologies and has the best track record of success. Notice we didn’t mention finding the best price. Advances in LASIK technology have bumped up the cost of LASIK slightly, but the overall results are superior and, according to most who’ve had it, well worth the money.
You should also be fully aware of the potential complications of LASIK, which can include:

·         Dry eye syndrome

·         Possible need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery

·         Potentially debilitating vision problems like glare, starbursts, halos or double vision

·         Vision loss

If you want to find out all the facts about LASIK, contact Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK and Cataract Center to schedule a free LASIK consultation at lipstocklaser.com or call 804-288-1543. You can also take a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation on this website.

Researching LASIK Surgeons

You can spend years deciding to improve your vision though LASIK. Research on the Internet and feedback from others who have had similar experiences can aid in your process. However, regardless of how many people you ask about LASIK, without a full LASIK consultation you will never know for sure if you are a good candidate.

The LASIK consultation also allows you to “interview” the surgeon to make sure you are putting the best possible professional in your corner. Below are some questions you should ask your LASIK provider. If he/she cannot or will not give acceptable answers, it is best to continue researching other providers.

LASIK Surgeon Questions

• What professional organizations are you certified by and what organizations to you belong to?
• What specific training do you have in LASIK surgery?
• How many years of LASIK surgery experience do you have?
• How many LASIK procedures have you performed?
• Where do you perform LASIK procedures?
• What are the potential risks and complications of LASIK and how are they handled?
• Does my overall health make me a good candidate for this procedure?
• Do you think LASIK will produce the results I want?
• How much will LASIK cost? Are there any hidden charges? Are there financing options?
• Exactly how will LASIK be performed?
• What type of technologies do you use?
• What do I have to do before, during and after LASIK?
• What will the recovery entail and what kind of external help will I need?  
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with my surgical outcome?

Armed with this information, you can make an informed decision about improving your vision through LASIK.

Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center offers free LASIK consultations and a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation to take the first step in the LASIK discovery process. To schedule your consultation, visit lipstocklaser.com or call 804-288-1543.

Facts About LASIK Recovery

LASIK eye surgery is amazing technology that can correct a person’s nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism (the refractive errors that cause people to need prescription lenses). You can live your whole life with these refractive errors, find out you are an excellent candidate for LASIK and have the procedure done in just minutes per eye – effectively erasing the vision problems.

For most patients, the recovery period for LASIK is faster than you might think. In fact, you may be able to return to work or other normal activities the day after your procedure.

      LASIK recovery steps may include:

• Wearing dark sunglasses when you leave the office 
• Wearing a protective eye shield the first few nights to prevent rubbing while you sleep 
• Taking eye drops to moisten your eyes 
• Taking antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication 
• Resting at home for a few hours following your procedure, limiting  reading or television watching 
• Taking over-the-counter pain medications, if needed (although most patients do not experience any pain or discomfort during or after the procedure) 
• Taking a bath instead of a shower for the first 24 hours after the procedure 
• Avoiding rubbing your eyes 
• Avoiding eye makeup for several days 
• Avoiding areas that are dusty or smoky for several days 
• Avoiding alcohol consumption for 48 hours after surgery 
• Returning to your LASIK provider for a post-op appointment the day after your procedure

Because your eyes will need to relax, you cannot drive yourself home after LASIK, but you should be able to drive yourself to your post-op appointment the following day. The post-op appointment will identify any complications, such as infection, so it is important to keep your scheduled appointment to ensure your LASIK is successful.

      As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK, including:

• Mild, moderate or severe dry eye 
• Vision problems, such as halos, glare, starbursts and double vision 
• Need for glasses or contacts after surgery 
• Loss of vision

With or without LASIK surgery, many people develop presbyopia (or the need for reading glasses) as they grow older.

To learn more about LASIK recovery and all the facts about LASIK, contact Dr. Lipstock at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center to schedule a free LASIK consultation at lipstocklaser.com or call 804-288-1543. You can also take a free online LASIK Self-Evaluation.

Give Your Valentine the Gift of 20/20 Vision

If you are searching for the perfect gift for your sweetheart, consider giving the gift of LASIK…and the possibility of 20/20 vision. Valentine’s Day is all about showing loved ones how much you care, and what better way to show your love than by arranging a free LASIK consultation?

LASIK eye surgery can correct the refractive errors that cause nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These are the conditions that cause people to need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Unfortunately, not every person is a good candidate for this procedure. The only way to determine if your loved one is a good LASIK candidate is through a comprehensive consultation and eye exam by a reputable LASIK provider.

If your loved one finds out that LASIK is right for his or her eyes, you can decide together how to proceed. There are often LASIK financing options available to help pay for the procedure, which costs, on average, $1,600 - $2,500 per eye, depending on the type of technology used. Steer clear of discount LASIK providers that advertise the procedure for less than $600 per eye – these often have hidden fees, are performed with inexperienced surgeons or use outdated technologies that can lead to vision complications.

When performed by a reputable and experienced LASIK surgeon, many LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision – or better – after the procedure, and they often experience a visual freedom they have never had in their lives. Now that’s an amazing Valentine’s Day gift!  

Of course, risks accompany any type of surgery and LASIK is no exception. Vision changes, such as halos, glare, double vision and starbursts; dry eye syndrome; vision loss and the need for glasses after LASIK are some of the risks. Discuss these complication possibilities with your LASIK provider.

Wouldn’t it be great to gaze into your sweetheart’s eyes – without looking through glasses? Contact Dr.Lipstock at Lipstock Laser & Cataract Center today to schedule a free LASIK consultation and learn about financing options to help you afford this thoughtful gift. Visit lipstocklaser.com or call 804-288-1543.