Lifetime Commitment.  What do those words bring to mind:  marriage, partnerships, and children?  Probably not LASIK!  If you are considering having LASIK, a Lifetime Commitment should be on your mind.  What happens after your LASIK procedure?  At TLC Laser Eye Centers, you will have at least 6 follow up appointments; 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.  After your 1 year anniversary, you should continue having annual eye exams with your VSP/TLC affiliated optometrist.  This is important not only to evaluate your LASIK recovery but also to promote and ensure overall eye health. After all, the eyes are the windows to your body and soul!

If you’re still not convinced of the importance of an annual eye exam, it is also a requirement of the TLC Lifetime Commitment.  I know the choice to have LASIK is life changing.  So take solace in the fact that if an enhancement is deemed clinically necessary, your annual exams will help to qualify you for a free enhancement. You never know where life is going to take you, that’s why TLC’s Lifetime Commitment is honored at all of our centers across the United States and Canada.  See more details on TLC’s Lifetime Commitment.

The post TLC Laser Eye Centers and a LASIK Guarantee appeared first on VSP Blog.

Did you know approximately 285 million people around the world suffer from low vision and blindness including 19 million children? Or that 90 percent of the blind population resides in low-income countries? The most astonishing fact I learned from Vision 2020 is 80 percent of visual impairment could have been avoided with proper treatment and preventative methods. However, not everyone can afford an eye exam or glasses.

World Sight Day will be celebrated on October 11, the second Thursday of October, and is annually dedicated to spreading awareness about blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired. It is internationally recognized by eyecare companies and organizations active in preventing visual impairment or improving sight.

For another year Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is holding the World Sight Day Challenge to bring together the North American optical industry in an effort to raise money for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Specifically, the OGS is focused on helping people get eye exams and glasses to reduce uncorrected refractive error– the main cause of blurred vision which can be severe enough to cause visual impairment. The three most common refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. The forth is presbyopia which is linked to aging.

In honor of World Sight Day one of VSP’s partners, TLC Laser Eye Centers, has become a Silver National Sponsor of OGS. With over 70 locations, TLC is donating $5 to the OGS foundation for every completed laser vision correction consultation until October 11. The $5 will be donated towards eye exams and glasses for people in need. Patients also have the opportunity to match this small donation and make a big difference in the lives of those without access to vision correction.

More than 150 million Americans use eyeglasses or contact lenses as well as undergo refractive surgery to correct refractive error conditions. However, approximately 670 million people across the world are blind or visually impaired because they lack the resources to treat refractive error problems. The World Sight Day Challenge aims to help others remember it is not fair for anyone to live without the ability to see because they can’t afford eye exams or glasses.

The post VSP’s Partner TLC Laser Eye Centers ®Participates in the World Sight Day Challenge to Help Those Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired appeared first on VSP Blog.

On top of great savings, TLC Laser Eye Centers also offer FREE consultations to help determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK. Click here to book a free consultation today. Or, if you just want to learn more about LASIK, click here to request a free LASIK info kit.

An ideal LASIK candidate is at least 18 years of age, has a stable prescription, is in good general health, and has no eye diseases (such as cataracts or glaucoma). LASIK can correct most common vision problems, like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Ask your VSP doctor or book a free consultation with TLC Laser Eye Centers today to determine if LASIK is right for you.

Also, don’t forget to visit the Special Offers section on vsp.com to check out other great deals.

Gift Cards will be sent out quarterly. To qualify for the $100 Gift Card, patient must complete their procedure between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 and register for refund within 30 days after their procedure. Gift Card will be sent out after verification is made of procedure date of service and VSP member eligibility. 10% savings and $100 Gift Card valid for current VSP members only and cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers, previous surgery, insurance or vision care plan savings. Reproduction, internet distribution or resale is strictly prohibited.

The post Get 20/20 Vision and a $100 Gift Card from TLC Laser Eye Centers appeared first on VSP Blog.

Today’s post is a guest blog from Dr. Sturm of TLC Laser Eye Centers.

Ah, springtime. Warm sunshine, flowers blooming…and itchy, red, burning, and blurry eyes!  Strong sneezing that knocks your glasses off! So what about LASIK to avoid the frustration during allergy season forever?

A nationwide survey conducted by the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (AAAAI) (now that is a mouthful) found that 54.6% of all Americans test positive for one or more allergens.  90% of these people report allergy symptoms that affect their eyes.  Medical doctors typically prescribe antihistamines to help manage allergy symptoms.  Unfortunately, antihistamines reduce the quality and quantity of tears.  So, instead of wet, itchy eyes, you are left with dry eyes.  Both conditions make contact lenses wear uncomfortable, not to mention you are not seeing so well through those poor irritated eyes!  The most common recommendation made by eye doctors during allergy season is to discontinue wear of your contact lenses.  But then you are back to the sneezing that knocks your glasses off!  How are you supposed to enjoy the beauty of spring through all these frustrations?

One option is to take precautions when the pollen counts are high in your area. Check out how to do that. Another option is to get rid of your glasses and contact lenses forever and consider LASIK.  It might just be easier than getting rid of your allergies!  Check out TLC’s free consultation and more information on all the benefits of LASIK.

Also be sure to look at Rebates & Special Offers on vsp.com for exclusive member savings on LASIK!

The post Allergies and LASIK appeared first on VSP Blog.

Today’s post is a guest blog from Dr. Sturm of TLC Laser Eye Centers. In it, Dr. Sturm addresses some myths surrounding LASIK.

There are a lot of questions and myths surrounding the LASIK procedure. As an employee of TLC Laser Eye Centers, a national LASIK provider, there are two common myths I hear. The first is that the person thinks their eyes are “too bad” for LASIK.  Actually, LASIK is a great option for most prescriptions. For instance, Tiger Woods was very nearsighted; he could not even see his hand in front of his face without glasses or contacts. Twelve years later, he sees 20/20.

Another myth is that if you have astigmatism, you are not a candidate for LASIK. Poor astigmatism, it gets such a bad rap! If you have astigmatism, you might have been told that the common forms of vision correction, glasses and soft contact lenses are much more complex, and often more expensive. But astigmatism simply means your cornea is shaped more oval or cylindrical than round or spherical.  It is very common and affects most people to some degree. Astigmatism is treatable with LASIK!

An ideal LASIK candidate is at least 18 years of age, has a stable prescription, is in good general health and has no eye diseases (such as cataracts or glaucoma). LASIK can correct most common vision problems, like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. The best course of action is to visit your eye doctor to ask their opinion on your candidacy for LASIK. TLC also offers free consultations.

The best course of action is to visit your eye doctor to ask their opinion on your candidacy for LASIK.  TLC also offers free consultations.

There are many more myths about LASIK. Check out lasikthoughts.com and help TLC bust those LASIK myths!

Check out Jill’s six-part video blog journey through the laser vision correction process.

The post Dr. Sturm busts myths about LASIK appeared first on VSP Blog.

For a limited time VSP members can sign up to receive a LASIK Information Kit or schedule a free LASIK consultation and receive a LASIK gift card at TLC Laser Eye Centers nationwide.

The post Thinking about laser eye surgery? Find out if LASIK is right for you! appeared first on VSP Blog.