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Posted on July 20, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
Patients are often surprised during their LASIK and PRK consultations by the following tidbits:
1. TWO lasers are usually used to perform LASIK. The first is the Intralase that is used to create the corneal flap. The second is the CustomVUE laser that corrects the unique imperfections of an individual’s eyes.
2. LASIK and PRK only take a few minutes to perform, and it is done in the office surgical suite.
3. Most LASIK patients can drive themselves to their follow-up visit the day after their surgery!
4. Eye Doctors of Washington charges a flat fee for LASIK and PRK. We don’t charge you more for the more advanced Intralase and CustomVUE technology.
5. LASIK and PRK do not prevent the natural changes that occur over time within the eye. That means you may still need reading glasses in middle age and develop cataracts later in life.
6. Having LASIK or PRK now doesn’t preclude you from having cataract surgery in the future. And having cataract surgery now doesn’t preclude you from having LASIK or PRK in the future.
7. You can fly in a plane right after your LASIK or PRK surgery. The changes in pressure will not affect your eye surgery.
8. LASIK is affordable! With the myriad promotions that Eye Doctors of Washington runs and interest-free financing, we’re confident we can help you make it work.
Posted on June 25, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have suggested that individuals who struggle with math, handwriting, and motor skills may have eye cells that don’t work properly. The magno cells of the eye “respond to rapid movements, transmitting signals from the eye to the brain.” If there is a problem with the magno cells, the researchers say, then the eye cells may be the cause of the person’s difficulties, not his or her brain. The study showed that children who have difficulties with math have low visual perception, and those who excel in Math have excellent visual perception. Our eyes process information from our environment through these magno cells. If something small goes wrong with them, it may have significant consequences that result in learning disabilities.
Posted on May 28, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog
The US military is using the Visian ICL to provide clear vision for soldiers in some of the most extreme conditions. If it can help soldier in combat, imagine what it can do for you?
Posted on May 27, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog
Did you know that non-ocular diseases can be detected in an eye exam? Brian tumors, diabetes, cancer, cadiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis can all be discovered in a routine eye exam. Other conditions noted may be high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and numerous metabolic disorders such as Wilson’s Disease and Fabry’s Disease.
Brain tumors may cause blurred vision, double vision, a loss of peripheral vision or swelling of the optic nerve, and severe diabetes may cause blindness. Blood vessels in the back of the eye can be photographed and analyzed to determine an individual’s risk of heart attack or stroke. In addition, multiple sclerosis affects the brain, and when it affects the part of the brain that controls vision, it may result in eye pain, blurred vision, and a lack of coordination between the two eyes. Lastly, cholesterol deposits may be seen on the eyelids of someone with high cholesterol, and high blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the eyes to rupture.
So even if you think your eyeglasses prescription is just right, be sure to vision an eye care provider at least every other year. To schedule an appointment with one of the doctors at EDOW, you can book an appointment online.
Posted on May 20, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
While most of us wear sunglasses to make it more comfort
able for us when we’re outside, we should all be wearing sunglasses to protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause the development of cataracts, increase your risk of macular degeneration, cause benign growth on your eyes, and can actually sunburn your eyes (called photokeratitis).
Sunglasses with a wrap-around frame offer the most coverage but they should block 100% of UV rays. In fact, if you’re wearing sunglasses that don’t offer UV protection, you may actually increase your potential for damaging your eyes. Those dark sunglasses cause your eyes to dilate, opening them up to more UV exposure. And since UV rays easily penetrate cloud cover, you should wear your sunglasses outside on overcast days as well.
Unfortunately, by the time we realize we need to protect our eyes, most of the damage has been done. Approximately 80% of the UV ray our eyes will be exposed to occurs before the age of 18. So get your kids some cool shades to protect their eyes for the future!
Posted on April 27, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog, Latest News
“When I was having a lot of problems with my eyesight, my optometrist whom I really respect, Dr. Barry Ephraim, referred me to Dr. Clinch with Eye Doctors of Washington. I was very impressed with Dr. Clinch and all of the staff there. They were professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. They were also punctual about appointment times– I never had to wait for long periods of time. Dr. Clinch took a lot of time to explain all the details of my cataract surgery to me and to answer all of my questions. My surgery went smoothly, and both Dr. Clinch and the staff of the surgery center called to check on my recovery. Immediately after surgery, I could see clearly. It really was amazing! I would definitely recommend Dr. Clinch to anyone who needs eye surgery.” -Carolyn
Posted on April 8, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog
“As a former science and technology intelligence officer needing cataract surgery, I thoroughly researched specialists and interviewed a variety of patients to assess outcomes – short and long term – before entrusting my eyes to a surgeon. A few of the exalted names showed misplaced praise for political or tutorial skills (i.e. ‘Chief of Department,’ ‘Sr. Professor of Surgery’) rather than the crucial traits needed for a favorable result: dedicated, meticulous, doing…not teaching, and never promising what cannot be delivered. Reports of the finest experiences and outcomes, from patients and even physicians, kept bringing up the same name: Dr. Thomas E. Clinch in Chevy Chase, MD — and his professional, efficient staff. That decision was the right one, for the results were better than I ever hoped or imagined. When others had told me ‘nothing could be done,’ Dr. Clinch showed how very wrong they were.”
S. Eugene Poteat, Alexandria, VA
Posted on April 7, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog
Here is a recent testimonial from Dawn, a patient of EDOW:
“Dr. Clinch (pictured) corrected my vision to 20/15 for distance and reading via mono-vision LASIK and I love it! After meeting with 2 other predominant Washington Metro Area LASIK surgeons, I was torn on whether to correct both eyes to 20/20 or go with mono-vision because that would affect my future need to use reading glasses. After consulting with Dr. Clinch, I decided on mono-vision and I don’t regret the decision at all. The surgery was over a month ago and I’m quite happy that the only glasses I use are non-prescription sun glasses on bright, sunny days. Everyone that I came in contact with at the Eye Doctor’s of Washington – from setting up the consultation to the post-op check-ups – was extremely pleasant and professional. I will continue to recommend EDOW to family and friends.”
Posted on April 6, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog
We recently received the loveliest testimonial from our patient, Neil:
“I’ve been a patient of Dr. Clinch for over a year. Though my prescription was relatively slight, I had grown tired of needing glasses for anything farther away than a book or computer monitor, and decided to start looking into LASIK. I know many people who have had the procedure done, all with great results and full recommendations. After being referred to Dr. Clinch and the Eye Doctors of Washington, I began my meticulous research into the establishment, the doctors, their training, past accomplishments, and the success of their procedures. Needless to say, everything I found was top-notch and certainly more than adequate to gain my trust and allow me to set up my first office visit.
The office is staffed with wonderful people that really do care about their patients. During my initial visit, I learned that my vision wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated; it was actually the same prescription I was given ten years ago with the exact same lenses and frames. Because it was so slight, Dr. Clinch surprised me by suggesting that I only have one eye done and see how I adjusted, saving me 50% of the cost of the procedure. This little gesture solidified my confidence in my decision for an eye-care professional as it showed me that the office wasn’t really interested in taking my money, but rather in actually doing what would be best for me. I scheduled the procedure for April 2009, and the results were dramatic and amazing. Having LASIK performed on my “bad” eye left me with 20/40 in one and 20/15 in the other (improvement over 20/60). Even with the recommendation, I was a little concerned about only correcting one eye. Dr. Clinch reassured me by stating that if I didn’t like it or didn’t adjust well, I could always come back and have the other one done.
I gave the initial procedure a year to fully heal and to see how I would adjust to the disparate eyes. Though I saw at 20/15, I never fully adjusted to having one amazing eye and one OK eye, so I scheduled a follow up to have the second eye corrected. To my surprise, the office staff recognized and remembered me, considering I hadn’t really been there all that often and despite their numerous patients. Exactly like the first procedure, everything went perfectly. Two weeks out and both eyes see 20/15 without the slightest effort. I couldn’t be happier with my decision, nor could I be more impressed. To put my gratitude into perspective, I drive about an hour one-way each time I visit the EDOW simply because the the doctors, the staff, the procedures, and the results simply cannot be matched. I cannot stress enough how great the entire experience was; definitely worth every penny!”
Posted on March 31, 2010 in EDOWs' Blog
Fun Facts About Eyes:
The eye of a human can distinguish 500 shades of the gray.
The cornea is the only living tissue in the human body that does not contain any blood vessels.
Sailors once thought that wearing a gold earring would improve their eyesight.
People generally read 25% slower from a computer screen compared to paper.
Babies’ eyes do not produce tears until the baby is approximately six to eight weeks old.
The reason why your nose gets runny when you are crying is because the tears from the eyes drain into the nose.
Some people start to sneeze if they are exposed to sunlight or have a light shined into their eye.
It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open.
Your eyes blinks over 10,000,000 times a year!
Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
Horned toads squirt blood out of their eyes when they’re angry.
5% of animals don’t have eyes.
As seen in the picture above, a scallop has 35 blue eyes.
Honeybees have hair on their eyes.
Who knew?!
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