LASIK Blog by La Jolla LASIK Institute

November 3rd, 2010

Just a quick reminder that LASIK qualifies as a medical expense for tax purposes.

This means you can use your Flexible Spending Account (FSA or FLEX), Health Savings Account (HSA) or Medical Savings Account (HSA) to pay for LASIK. So use your 2010 FLEX dollars for LASIK today. Or plan for January 2011 now and enjoy a new year of great vision after your LASIK San Diego procedure.

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Can Pilots Have LASIK?

November 3rd, 2010

Airfrance A380 Airbus

Current and prospective aviators concerned about whether or not LASIK, PRK, and other refractive surgeries disqualify them from flying can rest at ease because these vision enhancing procedures do not jeopardize their dreams. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Naval Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BMED), the United States Air Force (USAF), and even the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) all find these forms of refractive surgeries acceptable procedures for their aviators. So, whether you fly a A380 to transport hundreds of people safely to their destinations, a F-22 to protect and serve your country, or the Endeavor to explore the entirety of space, you may be eligible for LASIK and PRK and still have your dreams of flying within clear sight! Always check with your current and prospective employer to verify their procedures and requirements.

USAF F-22

Space Shuttle Discovery

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Why Pirates Wear Patches

November 2nd, 2010

Is it possible that a couple of pirates on every ship in the era of the Spanish Armada had lost an eye in battle or is there another reason for pirates wearing patches?

According to Dr. Alfredo Sadun, Professor of Ophthalmology at USC and eye trivia buff, it turns out that just two pirates wore patches on each ship. While the rest of the pirates were doing battle to overwhelm the target ship, it was the job of the two patch-wearing pirates to run straight to the ship’s hold where the treasure was kept. Upon entering the pitch-black hold, (this is before electricity on ships) the pirates would throw off their patches and be able to see to find the treasure with their one dark-adapted eye and seize the treasure of the target ship.

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Bug Eyes

September 30th, 2010

I was browsing online yesterday and came across a stunning collection of eye macros. Sort of scary and wonderful at the same time.

Most of the featured eyes are insect eyes – from flies to grasshoppers to bees. Most insects have what are called “compound eyes” – they have anywhere from a handful to thousands of identical units called ommatidia, consisting of photoreceptors, support cells, pigment cells, and a clear cornea. The combined messages from each of these structures results in an overall picture that appears almost like a mosaic. You’ll notice that insect eyes bulge out, which gives them a far broader angle of view than most other eyes.

The spider eye and caterpillar eyes shown are comprised of “simple eyes” which are the opposite of compound eyes. “Simple eyes” have a cornea – the jumping spider pictured here has two larger “simple eyes” that can only see a narrow field of view, surrounded by smaller “simple eyes” for its peripheral vision.

The caterpillar has a specific type of “simple eye” known as “stemmata” which produces a rough image – it is more sensitive to light and dark. You’ll also notice that the caterpillar’s eyes are actually much smaller than they seem to be. The the large “eye spots” surround its actual eyes, making the eyes seem bigger to predators.

And, of course, my personal favorite, the human eye! One cornea, two eyes. Don’t forget to take care of them. At La Jolla LASIK Institute, I’m now doing yearly eye exams as well as LASIK for all of San Diego.