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Friday, December 2, 2011

Interested in LASIK? Don't miss out on huge savings, plan now!

Interested in LASIK? Plan now for 2012 and receive huge savings! Set tax-free money aside in your Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account for LASIK in 2012 and save up to 30%*.

What is a FSA (flexible spending account)?
Taking advantage of the Flexible Spending Account offered through your employer can save you up to 30%* off the cost of LASIK. FSAs allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical expenses including LASIK.

What is a HSA (Health Savings Account)?
A Health Savings Account is similar to a Flexible Spending Account except they are specific to those who are enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance policy and the funds do not expire after a year if not used like a FSA.

How to take advantage of the savings?
Schedule your FREE Consultation now to find out if you're a candidate before your open enrollment period so you can determine how much to set aside in your tax-free account. At Specialty Eye Institute, we also offer flexible financing options for your procedure. To learn more about LASIK visit www.specialtyeyeinstitute.com.

*Actual FSA/HSA savings will vary based on your individual tax situation.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Today is World Diabetes Day - What you should know about Diabetic Eye Care

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults between ages 20 - 74. Today is World Diabetes Day, a day to bring awareness to the more than 25 million people in the United States living with diabetes. 


How does diabetes affect your vision? 
In diabetes, the blood sugar can get too high which can damage the blood vessels in your retina. This damage is known as diabetic retinopathy. 


The retina is a very thin layer of tissue covering the back inner wall of the eye. The retina converts light images into nerve impulses, which are sent along the optic nerve to be transmitted back to the brain to interpret. The macula is the central portion of the retina responsible for clear, detailed vision which is needed for activities such as reading and driving. The retina plays a very important role in eyesight. A damaged retina can leak fluid and will interfere with your sight, causing blurred vision and making it difficult to do close work, such as reading.


Who gets diabetic retinopathy?
Anyone who has diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you'll get it. Nearly half of all people with diabetes will develop some degree of the disease. 



What are symptoms?
During the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there are typically no symptoms. In fact, symptoms may not appear even after severe damage has already been done to the eye. Routine eye exams by a licensed ophthalmologist will detect diabetic retinopathy during its early stages, when treatment is most effective.



How can it be prevented?
Retinopathy can possibly be prevented by having a dilated eye exam at least once a year, even if you have good vision. More frequent exams may be needed if you have eye disease. Tight control of blood glucose and blood pressure also has a tremendous impact on preventing this disease. 

How is Diabetic Retinopathy treated?

  • Laser treatment
  • Medication
    • Steroids
    • Avastin
    • Lucentis
    • New treatments being developed in clinical trials
  • Surgery

Tell us how you take control of your diabetes instead of letting it control you!