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. 

Celebrate the Summer Solstice

The summer solstice is Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 6:51am EDT. Hopefully you have plans to enjoy the longest day of the year with family and friends. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, some countries celebrate Midsummer’s Day which occurs near the solstice. Legend has it that the dew on Midsummer’s Day morning has special healing powers to make old people look younger, and Midsummer’s Eve is a time for wishes and magic.

Whether or not you believe in such folklore, this year’s summer solstice may be the perfect time to find out if your wish for better vision could come true. At Lipstock LASIK & Cataract Center we have helped thousands of people reduce or eliminate their need for glasses and contacts through LASIK vision correction in Richmond. Many of our patients feel as though our LASIK technology truly is “magic” because after just a few short minutes of laser treatment they are already starting to see better. Of course, every patient heals at a different rate, but after a good night’s sleep most LASIK patients are able to see without glasses the next morning.

It’s important to note that even successful LASIK patients may require reading glasses later in life from a condition called presbyopia. This affects most people after age 40 and is caused as the eye lenses become less flexible as we age making it difficult to focus on up-close objects. So, the sooner you have LASIK as an adult, the longer you may be able to enjoy a lens-free life.

If you wish you could say goodbye to glasses or contacts, find out if LASIK might be right for you. Schedule a free LASIK Consultation at Lipstock LASIK & Cataract by calling 804-288-1543 or visiting lipstocklaser.com to schedule your appointment online. You can also take our free online LASIK Self-Evaluation anytime, day or night, to find out if you might be in the ballpark for this procedure. 

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. 

Cool Facts About Dolphin Eyes Part 2

“Dolphins have built-in goggles. Dolphins have a secretion that covers their eyes and helps protect them from infection, wash away debris and lubricates to help them see better underwater.”

-          Joy Clausen Soto, Senior Dolphin Trainer at SeaWorld

One thing that LASIK patients often get excited about is the fact that they can actually wear regular goggles, snorkels and scuba masks and be able to see…just like dolphins! It’s nearly impossible to wear glasses with goggles, and contact lenses can be a real nuisance. And prescription goggles are just plain expensive!

LASIK may give water-loving adults the ability to don any old snorkel and hit the water. The idea behind LASIK eye surgery is that it is used to correct a person’s nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by actually altering the shape of the cornea so better vision can be achieved.

Some patients are able to see with 20/20 vision after LASIK, reducing or even eliminating their need for glasses or contacts. Some patients see even better than 20/20! Of course, no LASIK surgeon can guarantee that you will never need glasses after LASIK. This is especially true when the LASIK patient develops Presbyopia (the natural and gradual stiffening of the eye lenses over time). This condition usually begins around the age of 45 and can result in the need for reading glasses.

Unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate LASIK. Sometimes the corneas are too thin; sometimes there are medical conditions or eye diseases that make the surgery too risky. Only an experienced LASIK surgeon can determine if your eyes are right for LASIK.

LASIK may not give you dolphin-type goggle-eyes, but it might help improve your vision. To see if you might be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, please contact Lipstock LASIK and Catarct Center in Richmond to schedule a LASIK Consultation. Call 804-288-1543 or visit lipstocklaser.com today.