LASIK & AMP; Botox Side Effects

Posted on January 26th, 2012 by fashionmaven |

So, I’m in my 40′s, feel great, in decent shape, good health, wonderful family, awesome boyfriend, super network of friends…so what’s there to complain about, right? Just two little problems…declining vision and wrinkles!

I’m truly grateful for all I have including my glasses, contacts, crows feet and marionette lines yet what if I could have it all? LASIK surgery and Botox. Problems solved.

Here’s my thinking…get Botox first. Relax the wrinkles on my forehead, furrowed brow lines, crow’s feet, and the marionette lines around my mouth. That way when I get LASIK the first thing I’ll see is how incredibly young I look. Brilliant.

With that in mind, I decided to check into the side effects of Botox. Risks directly related to eye problems (there are others side effects too so be sure to check them all out) include double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes. I already have dry eye! Yikes. This information deepened my furrowed brow lines because I started worrying about how these side effects might impact the LAISK piece.

I called my friends at The Laser Centers (TLC) and they shared some very good information: If you don’t follow your postoperative instructions from your facility and/or eye doctor, you could potentially get droopy eyes. Patients are cautioned not to lie down after Botox. After LASIK, patients are told to take a nap. So TLC would never do LASIK and Botox on the same day.

After Botox, patients should be up and moving so that the Botox doesn’t settle. If it settles in one place, such as near the eye lids, it can cause a droopy eye lid which leads to an incomplete blink and can result in dry eye. TLC hasn’t found any problems with Botox and LASIK as long as patients do not have both procedures done on the same day. Additionally, TLC screens patients for incomplete blink and/or dry eye and if Botox (or something else) is the cause of those conditions, they remedy those causes before proceeding with any vision correction surgery.

What’s the next step? Understanding LASIK surgery risks. After that, making a decision. Botox and LASIK? Botox only? LASIK only? I’m not sure yet, but I feel like I can make a better informed decision. Hope it helps you too.

Fashion Maven

P.S. Check out Rebates and Special Offers on vsp.com for exclusive member savings on LASIK!
P.P.S. Watch our very own Jill N. go through her five part LASIK surgery journey.

File under: eye health, LASIK, Special Offers, Technology, vision benefits, VSP Blog News | Tagged: , , , , , , ,
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What are computer vision glasses and why should you consider them?

Posted on January 24th, 2012 by David C |

A couple of months ago when I got my eye exam, I opted to get a second pair of glasses for computer work, as well as for other “digital media” as they call it (e.g., tablets, smartphones). Since I spend practically my whole day on a computer and iPad, I thought it might be a good idea to give these glasses a try. But what are computer vision glasses?

That’s the cool part; they’re designed for optimal vision about an arm’s length in front of you. That’s farther away than reading glasses but quite a bit closer than regular distance glasses.

If you’re like me, and I know a lot of you are, you sit at your computer, or look at your smartphone, and have to squint to see the words on the screen. You probably even hunch forward to get a closer look. I’ll admit I used to catch myself just a few inches away from the screen. That’s just not good for your eyes—or your posture.

I used to try and wear my regular glasses when working, but I could tell they were too strong. At the same time, with no glasses at all, I would hunch forward. Computer vision glasses allow me to sit with proper posture and see the screen clearly—they’re even helpful with my phone. They’re great!

So are computer vision glasses right for you? If what I wrote above sounds frighteningly familiar, I’d highly recommend talking with your eye doctor. My new glasses have really made a difference in comfort throughout the day.

If you do get computer vision glasses, here are a few tips to help you maximize your VSP benefits:

  • Check to see if you have a Computer Vision Care plan with your benefits. If you don’t, read Fashion Maven’s post about using your base plan for more than just regular glasses.
  • If you like your current glasses but are a candidate for computer vision glasses, you may want to get computer vision glasses at your next visit.
  • If you’re like me and can never seem to have enough glasses, get your computer vision glasses at the same time as a new pair of regular glasses. Most members get 30% off unlimited additional pairs of prescription glasses purchased on the same day with the same provider who performed the exam.
  • If you have already used your benefit but want to invest in a pair of prescription computer vision glasses, you can still get 20% off your complete pair.

Check your benefits by logging into VSP.com. You can also call customer service at 1-800-877-7195.

File under: CVS, Frames & Lenses | Tagged: , , ,
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USA Today: Stem cells may aid vision in blind people

Posted on January 23rd, 2012 by David C |

A recent study by UCLA showed possible improvement of two individuals who underwent stem-cell therapy. Both patients had untreatable conditions for the eyes but noted improvement after four months. Read the full story in USA Today or in The Wall Street Journal.

File under: eye health, Macular Degeneration | Tagged: , , ,
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Celebrity chef’s revelation of diabetes brings additional awareness

Posted on January 20th, 2012 by Alex |

Nationally recognized chef Paula Deen, who is featured on popular cooking shows seen on the Food Network,  told the “Today” show on Tuesday that she has Type 2 diabetes. Although Deen was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes three years ago, her recent revelation on national TV has brought additional attention and awareness to the subject of diabetes.

Because diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among adults, VSP Vision Care has long been committed to increasing consumer awareness of the important role regular eyecare plays in the prevention, early detection and management of diabetes through numerous efforts.
The national VSP Eye on Diabetes campaign, now in its third year, travels to states around the country providing education, awareness and free comprehensive eye exams and glasses to those in need. In 2012, we will be heading to Mississippi, Ohio, California and Pennsylvania.
VSP also has a Diabetic Eyecare Program to help people with diabetes manage their conditions. VSP eye doctors work with patients and can identify changes in the eyes that can lead to diabetes-related blindness. When changes occur, VSP doctors can coordinate care with the members’ primary care physicians to help ensure they receive the care they need.
Almost 26 million people in America have diabetes, and that number is expected to grow sharply over the next 20 years.
Comprehensive eye exams serve as a preventative tool for diabetes because they provide the only unobstructed view of the bodies’ blood vessels. By examining changes in the blood vessels, optometrists can detect early signs of diabetes years before a patient displays symptoms or is diagnosed by a medical physician. This is why scheduling an annual eye exam is so important for maintaining not only your eye health but overall health as well.

Stay tuned to the VSP Blog and Twitter (@VSPVisionCare) for updates on the national Eye on Diabetes campaign. For more information on diabetes and your eyes, please visit the Diabetes Discovery Center.

File under: diabetes | Tagged: , , , ,
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Guys need glasses that won’t break when they sit on them

Posted on January 19th, 2012 by David C |

Let’s face it – we can all be a little rough on our eyewear sometimes. Take my dad for example. I’m pretty sure he sits on his glasses or smashes them in his shirt pocket at least two times a week. Yes, this might seem like a lot, but I’d venture to say he’s not the only one. The question is, “is there an eyewear solution for guys like my dad?”

The short answer is, “YES!” Thanks to a titanium and nickel technology called Flexon, there are frames that can bounce back from those kinds of incidents and be as good as new. Flexon is a memory metal that is 10 times more flexible than your average metal frames. You can literally fold or twist the frames, and they will resume their original shape.

To learn more about Flexon frames, click here.

File under: Frames & Lenses | Tagged: , , , , , , , ,
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Jill’s Laser Vision Correction Journey – Part 5

Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Jill N |

So now what?

Did you cringe? Did you make it through the last video? Wasn’t too bad right? Well fortunately, neither were the next few days. I tried to do my best to capture what I was feeling, seeing and experiencing during the days immediately the following surgery. What I find a bit hilarious is that my first day after video diary did not come out quite as clear as I had thought it would. Check it out and you’ll see why!  I apologize for that but hopefully you all understand :)

By the way, the after care I received by Furlong Vision is a great example of the quality of care you can expect to receive through one of the VSP Laser VisionCare facilities – by far one of the best experiences I have had during an outpatient procedure. Dr. Furlong called my husband within 3 hours of us leaving the office to check in on how I was doing, and when I ran out of drops a few days after, I left him a message and he called us back in less than 15 minutes with a prescription already sent to my local pharmacy ready to fill.

And the fact that my eyes were done by the same man who Jim Harbough, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers football team, trusted to do his LASIK (I found that out after the fact), was just icing on the cake.

Missed my first four updates? You can check them out here:

Part 1: The VSP Laser VisionCare program

Part 2: My Consultation

Part 3: The decision

Part 4: The Surgery

As always, please comment or send me an email at prteam@vsp.com with any questions you might have about this process!

File under: LASIK | Tagged:
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VSP joins the “March for the Dream” in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Posted on January 16th, 2012 by Alex |

As America celebrates the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, VSP employees are proud to join marchers celebrating in Sacramento, the hometown of the company’s headquarters, as part of the MLK365 “March for the Dream.”

The event is expected to draw more than 20,000 attendees, including local residents, elected officials, and business, civic and community leaders representing many diverse ethnicities and backgrounds who are joining together to “March for the Dream” in remembrance of the visionary leader of the civil rights movement in the 1950′s and 1960′s. Marchers will start from three different locations around the city and end at the Sacramento Convention Center in downtown to celebrate as a community while enjoying a variety of diverse activities and performances. One of VSP’s mobile eye clinics, Eyenstein, will be inside the Convention Center as part of the celebration and available for tours. Participants in need who visit Eyenstein will also have the opportunity to receive a free gift certificate redeemable for a comprehensive eye exam at a local VSP doctor’s office and glasses, if needed.

As part of its participation in the “March for the Dream,” VSP continues its commitment to supporting diversity causes and embraces diversity as an integral part of its corporate culture. For more information on diversity at VSP, please click here.

Stay tuned for live updates during the “March for the Dream” on Twitter (@VSPVisionCare), and keep your eyes out for some great pictures on the VSP Blog for a glimpse inside the event.

How are you remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today?

File under: VSP in the Community | Tagged: , , , ,
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Cathy G. makes a difference with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Posted on January 13th, 2012 by Lee Anne P |

Cathy G. (left) and November

At VSP, we encourage our employees to make a difference in our communities. Cathy G. shares her personal experience volunteering as a  Big Sister to November.

What encouraged you to get involved in the Big Sister’s Program?
There were a few reasons. First, I had worked at the Sacramento Food Bank for a few years and wanted to broaden my volunteer experience. Second, at the time I was working at Eyefinity (another VSP Global company) and a co-worker mentioned her Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) experience and thought it might be a good fit for me.

Lastly, since I didn’t have siblings or children of my own I thought it would be a great way to get a glimpse into what that might have looked like. As it turns out, it’s been an amazing almost 9-year ride with my Little Sister November.

What has been the most meaningful experience with your Little Sister November?
How much time ya got? Each encounter with November is meaningful. It probably sounds corny, but it’s true. If I had to single out one it would have to be when she nominated me for Big Sis of 2011. She had to submit an essay about our match and what its meant to her through the years.

There was a BBBS fundraiser event, for which VSP was a sponsor, and the Big Sis and Big Bro nominees were invited to enjoy a disco party with dinner and silent auction in order to raise money for the organization so that kids can continue to be matched with mentors. November, her mom, and I headed out to the Radisson where the winners were to be announced. I had no clue that November and her mom already knew I won. In fact, I was joking around with November about “who I had to Tanya Harding” to get the award! I was trying to ease her nervousness by joking around not realizing that I was the only one in the dark about it all.

When the announcement was made we both went up on stage and she read the essay to the crowd. She’s such a good writer; I was so touched and humbled by her words. I sobbed like a baby thrilled that I made a bit of an impact in her life. I know she’s made an impact on mine, and I’ll cherish it forever.

How do you feel about her graduating out of the program?
I’m excited for her to turn 18 and move on to a new chapter of her life. As far as our match goes, it may have officially ended with BBBS but our relationship remains intact. Our time may not be as scheduled but the plan is to continue to see each other when possible and chat as we do today in between our visits.

What do you hope that your little sister has learned from your relationship?
My hope is she’s learned to keep an open mind and that people are mostly good. She’s strong enough to do the right thing, one good turn deserves another, and she’ll always have me to lean on.

Why should people get involved and become a Big sister or Big brother?
If there’s anyone out there that is remotely interested in becoming a “Big,” my hope is that our story will encourage them to take the next step. It’s been an amazing way to give back, you learn so much about yourself and get to guide someone through their life using your past and present experiences. Here’s the best way I can put it. This past summer, November asked me if I planned to get another “Little Sister.” My reply was, “No way, why would I want to mess with perfection?”

Grab some tissues and read November’s complete essay here.

Want to make a difference in a child’s life? Volunteer today! Check out Big Brothers Big Sisters.

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Wondering what lenses to choose? Consider UNITY™ Performance Optics

Posted on January 12th, 2012 by Jace D. |

With a new year upon us, many of you may be about to take your annual trip to the eye doctor for an exam and to pick out new eyewear. While most of us give a lot of consideration to our choice of frames, how much thought do you put into choosing lenses and lens options like anti-reflective coatings?

Jessica G., a VSP employee and lens and frame fanatic, shares her thoughts on her new UNITY™ Performance Optics lenses and anti-reflective coatings below:

When I picked out my latest pair of Jil Sander frames, I took the opportunity to give UNITY lenses and anti-reflective coatings a spin. While I’m not an optical expert by any stretch, I am pretty picky about my eyewear. Very little irritates me more than dirty or smudged lenses, but my new UNITY lenses pass the test with flying colors. With a few swipes of my cleaning cloth, oils and dust wipe right away.

And the visual clarity? Flawless. Having worn glasses for almost thirty years, I can recognize usability and high quality when I see (through) it. Glare from my computer screen is minimal and nighttime driving suddenly seems less risky (thanks to the reduced ‘halo’ effect from oncoming headlights).

I couldn’t be more satisfied. My biggest optical decision now is what frames to use my 2012 eyecare benefits toward…I know they’ll be holding UNITY lenses.

Did you know that VSP members can save up to 50% on UNITY single vision and progressive lenses when you use your VSP benefit? Find out more here.

Looking for more info on what lens options to consider? Check out our Lenses and Technology Center.

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Tyreke Evans talks Jimmer, Kings, and more in exclusive interview with Yahoo! Sports Radio

Posted on January 9th, 2012 by Alex |

Tyreke Evans drives to the hoop - Photo Credit: Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images

NBA star Tyreke Evans recently spoke about his return to the court following the NBA lockout, the current state of his Sacramento Kings and vision drills that help his game during his interview with Yahoo! Sports Radio on Sunday. Want to know what he thinks of his new teammate, former BYU phenom Jimmer Fredette, or his new head coach, Keith Smart? Curious about what his favorite sports vision drill is? Learn more by listening to Tyreke’s interview below.

If you catch the sports vision drill Tyreke used to do with his brother, email it to prteam@vsp.com and you’ll be entered to win an item autographed by Tyreke!

 

 

Click the gray arrow to play the interview:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

About Tyreke Evans and VSP Vision Care:
VSP Vision Care is proud to be the exclusive eyecare and eyewear provider for Tyreke Evans. Tyreke plays professional basketball for the Sacramento Kings and was named 2010 Rookie of the Year. He’s the fourth rookie ever to average 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds per game. The only other players to accomplish this were Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Not only is good vision a critical component for being successful in sports, it’s also an important part of every day life. Be sure to follow VSP Vision Care on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with Tyreke’s Activities.

File under: eye health, sports, Tyreke Evans, VSP in the Community | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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