Possible Cause for High-Grade Nearsightedness Discovered

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics has identified gene mutations associated with severe, high-grade myopia (nearsightedness). Researchers at Duke Medicine found these mutations in the SCO2 gene that metabolizes copper, which is important to regulate oxygen levels in eye tissue. When there is too much oxygen, the eye’s development can be altered.

"This is the first time a gene mutation for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic high-grade myopia in Caucasians has been discovered," said senior author Terri Young, M.D., MBA, professor of ophthalmology, pediatrics and medicine at the Duke Eye Center, Duke Center for Human Genetics and the Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School (Duke-NUS). "Our findings reflect the hard work and collaboration of our international research team."

"Our findings, plus information from the literature, suggest that copper deficiency could predispose people to develop myopia," Young said. "While this wasn't directly tested in this study, it's possible that our diets - which are deficient in a number of minerals and vitamins - play a role, and it may be something as easy as taking a supplement with copper that helps thwart the development of myopia."

Other factors besides gene mutations are likely responsible for myopia development. Additional myopia research will continue.

Nearsightedness is one vision condition that is often corrected through LASIK eye surgery. However, laser vision correction is not appropriate for all patients who have myopia, especially high-grade. The FDA has approved certain lasers to treat varying levels of myopia, even up to -.12 diopters; however, some doctors may recommend a different type of procedure for patients who don’t meet the right vision requirements.

If you have any degree of nearsightedness and would like to know if you are a good candidate for LASIK, contact Spivack Western Slope in Glenwood Springs to schedule a LASIK Consultation: 970-928-9752 or spivackwesternslopelasik.com.

Moo-ve Into Better Vision with LASIK

Did you know that July 18, 2013 is Cow Appreciation Day? In honor of this unique observance, here are a few fun facts about how cows’ eyes differ from human eyes:  

• Cow eyes are larger
• Cows cannot move their eyes like humans; they must turn their heads
• Cow eyes glow at night
• Cow eyes are oval shaped
• Cows have only black irises

At Spivack Western Slope, we’re not in the business of treating cow’s eyes; however, we are in the business of correcting the human vision problems of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism through LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK won’t make your eyes glow at night like cows, but it just might free you from the need for contacts or glasses. The LASIK procedure actually changes the shape of your cornea so light can be focused onto your retina properly, resulting in clear vision, even 20/20 vision, for many patients.

If you’d be interested in learning more about how you might be able to moo-ve into better vision with LASIK, contact Spivack Western Slope today to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. Call us today at 970-928-9752 or visit us online at spivackwesternslopelasik.com.

Financing LASIK

Nearsightedness. Farsightedness. Astigmatism. These are the refractive errors that cause people to need corrective lenses. The hassles of keeping track of glasses and contacts and buying new lenses and contact solutions should be enough to encourage everyone to consider LASIK eye surgery. However, what stops many glasses-wearers in their tracks is the cost of LASIK.

In 2011, the average cost of LASIK in the United States was $2,146 per eye. Of course, fees for LASIK vary greatly from surgeon to surgeon depending on where you have the surgery performed and what types of technologies are used. But generally people can expect to pay approximately $3,000-$5,000 for top-notch LASIK vision correction in both eyes.

The good news is that financing is usually available for LASIK. Most reputable LASIK surgeons team up with financing companies like CareCredit® to help their patients afford LASIK through 0% interest or low-interest monthly payment plans over a specified number of months or even years. The monthly payment amount can be set to meet your budget. Often the LASIK practice will help you fill out and submit all of the necessary forms.

Using Flex Plans for LASIK

If your employer offers a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to set aside pre-tax dollars to use for your LASIK procedure. Make sure you know the limits of your specific plan: Most FSAs require you to use the money within a specific timeframe. Also, make sure you are a definite candidate for LASIK surgery before signing up through your FSA. If you find out you cannot have LASIK surgery, and you have put money into your Flex Account for that specific procedure, you will probably lose that money.

When you consider how much you spend every year on glasses, contacts and related items, LASIK eye surgery may actually be a money-saver. You have to decide: What is your visual freedom worth?

Dr. Spivack at Spivack Western Slope can determine if LASIK can give you 20/20 vision and discuss your financing options. To schedule your free LASIK consultation, visit spivackwesternslopelasik.com or call 970-923-9752.

What Really is 20/20 Vision?

It’s widely known that LASIK eye surgery can give some patients 20/20 vision. But what does 20/20 vision really mean?

According to the American Optometric Association, “20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance.”

There are varying degrees of vision based on what research has shown that a “normal” person can see. Other examples include:

·         20/10 vision means that you can see at 20 feet what can normally be seen when standing 10 feet away (your vision is better than normal)

·         20/40 vision means that you have to stand 20 feet away from something to see what you should be able to see at 40 feet away (your vision is worse than normal)

·         20/100 vision means that what should be normally seen at 100 feet away requires you to stand 20 feet away to see it (your vision is poor)

·         20/200 vision is considered legal blindness in the United States

Having 20/20 vision does not mean you have perfect vision because other factors, such as peripheral vision, depth perception, color vision, eye coordination and focusing ability play into your overall visual attributes.

If you have less-than-ideal eyesight that causes you to need glasses or contacts to correct your nearsightedness (good close-up vision/bad distance vision), farsightedness (good distance vision/bad close-up vision) or astigmatism (impaired distance and close-up vision), LASIK may help correct your refractive error and put you into the “normal” 20/20 vision range. LASIK surgeons take into consideration many of your unique attributes before recommending LASIK surgery, including your overall eye health, corneal thickness and medical history. 

To find out if LASIK might be able to give you 20/20 vision, contact Spivack Western Slope in Glenwood to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. Call 970-945-2020 or visit spivackwesternslopelasik.com.

Give Dad the Chance at Better Vision

Father’s Day is June 16 this year. Your good ‘ole dad probably has dozens of neckties, fishing lures and golf pants in his closet, so why not give him a gift that may help him view his work and play in a whole new light?

LASIK eye surgery has given millions of Americans the freedom from wearing contacts and glasses to correct their nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. And while LASIK doesn’t always produce the exact same results for every patient, advanced LASIK technology has made this procedure a possibility for more people than ever. No LASIK center can absolutely guarantee 20/20 vision after LASIK, but many patients do experience these types of results.

Of course, you can’t just go out and buy LASIK for dad, or even yourself for that matter, without first having a LASIK Consultation. An eye surgeon must evaluate a patient’s health first to make sure he or she is a good candidate for the procedure. The surgeon will look at the thickness of the cornea, perform corneal mapping, tear film and pupil size evaluation and assess the patient’s overall medical health.

What you can do is schedule a LASIK Consultation for dad with us at Spivack Western Slope in Glenwood Springs. Dad may need a bit of a push to pursue vision correction, and Father’s Day could be the perfect opportunity. We’ll take good care of him – we promise!

If you think your dad might benefit from LASIK eye surgery, contact us today at 970-945-2020 or spivackwesternslopelasik.com to schedule his LASIK Consultation. If he’s approved for the procedure, we have LASIK financing options to help make LASIK affordable for virtually any budget.