The University of Edinburgh, located in the United Kingdom, is known for a long held international reputation for excellence in medical and veterinary medical research. They are conducting a study to determine whether scanning blood vessels in the eyes can help detect heart disease. According to the NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, over a million people in the U.S. have a heart attack each year. About half of them die.

The researchers will use high definition scans of the eyes of more than 1,000 patients suspected of having heart disease. They will look for signs like changes in blood vessel width or suspicious branching, which may be linked to heart disease. Developing this type of method could avoid the need for invasive procedures such as biopsies and angiograms.

“We know that problems in the eye are linked to conditions such as diabetes and that abnormalities in the eye’s blood vessels can also indicate vascular problems in the brain,” says Dr. Tom MacGillivray, researcher at the University of Edinburgh, where he manages the image analysis laboratory at the Clinical Research Imaging Centre. “If we can identify early problems in the blood vessels in the eyes we might potentially pinpoint signs of heart disease. This could help identify people who would benefit from early lifestyle changes and preventative therapies.”

Dr. Stewart Shofner is “excited that eye exams may soon help detect heart disease.” Shofner Vision Center of Nashville, TN offers valuable Eye Resources on their website that explains common eye diseases and is helpful in determining why many people are experiencing eye discomfort or vision impairment. Shofner Vision Center is committed to providing information on the latest technologies and news that can improve one’s vision and overall health. Learn more about Dr. Stewart Shofner.

View Full Article

You are in your Ophthalmologist office in Nashville wondering why your glasses or contacts no longer work very well.  Your Doctor says; “You have Cataracts”.   Your first thoughts are “Oh No, I need cataract surgery and I am scared!!!”

But cataract surgery need not be scary.  Indeed, cataract removal allows you to see much better and is the most performed surgery in the United States.   The US Government spends nearly $4 Billion (Medicare/Medicaid) on this procedure each year.   Removal of cataracts is actually GOOD NEWS.   Removing cataracts allows you to see better almost immediately and insurance pays for the procedure (subject to deductibles and co-pays).

You can also choose an ”Intraocular lens” such as Restor or Crystalens  (“Premium Lenses”), which replace the old lens in your eye.  These premium lenses can almost eliminate your need for glasses, both for reading and distance vision.  The downside to Premium Intraocular Lenses is that insurance does not pay for them and they can cost $2,750 per eye or more (your insurance will pay for the procedure itself, just not these Premium lenses).   If you can afford these lenses, it is clearly worth the extra money to regain youthful vision without bothersome glasses.  Even if you cannot afford one of the “Premium Lenses”, removal of your cataracts is worthwhile because of the immediate improvement in your vision.

Dr. Stewart Shofner in Nashville is an expert at cataract surgery and can help you decide if a premium or standard lens works best for you.  As always, Shofner Vision Center provides patients with options to reduce or eliminate a patient’s dependence on glasses or contacts and NEVER pressures anyone to have surgery. Learn more about Cataract Vision Correction Surgery.

Many LASIK centers advertise “20/20 Vision Guaranteed” post LASIK surgery.   While LASIK surgery is statistically safer than wearing contact lenses (you are sticking a foreign body, a contact lens, in your eye), in some cases, 20/20 Vision doesn’t equate to the best outcome for the patient.

For those who are having some difficulty seeing well both up close and far away prior to LASIK surgery, sometimes “mono vision” is better.  Mono vision makes a slight adjustment in one of your eyes to improve your up close vision while still allowing you to still see very well with both eyes at distance.

Most of our patients prefer to see 20/20 or better after LASIK surgery performed by Dr. Stewart Shofner in Nashville, TN.  However, some patients choose “mono vision” so they can see better up close while still achieving good distance vision without having to wear glasses or contacts.  It all depends on what is recommended to a patient and more importantly what the patient wants.

Some LASIK centers require that patients pay extra for a 20/20 LASIK guarantee. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) puts it best;   “Be wary of eye centers that advertise, “20/20 vision or your money back” or “package deals.” There are never any guarantees in medicine.“  Many doctors advertising a 20/20 guarantee are good surgeons. However, they have resorted to aggressive advertising to promote themselves.
http://www.alexandrstudio.com/

Enjoy Thanksgiving!

The saying “your eyes are bigger than your stomach” is used to scorn people who appear to be putting more food on their plate than they can possible eat. Obviously, one’s eyes are not literally bigger than the stomach. The idea is that because someone is hungry, he or she overestimates stomach capacity, taking more food than can be eaten comfortably.

Often, your eyes are bigger than your stomach when you are extremely hungry, or when food looks particularly good. Especially when confronted with a Thanksgiving Feast, it can be tempting to take a heaping portion, rather than to take a moderate portion and go back for seconds if it seems necessary.

Shofner Vision wishes you a very Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving Day! A few tips to help you enjoy a healthy Holiday:

• Get Active – Be sure to walk or exercise even if you only have 20 minutes.
• Eat Breakfast – Don’t skip the most important meal of the day, it will take the edge off your appetite and prevent over-eating later.
• Lighten Up – Incorporate a few side dishes with less fat, sugar or calories. Ease up on the butter & gravy.
• Portion Control – White meat turkey, plain veggies, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie seems to be lower in fat and calories, but keep your portions small.
• Liquid Calories – Remember wine and other alcohol offers additional calories!
• Savor Slowly – Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal by chewing your food slowly, resting your fork and post pone or skip dessert for a couple of hours if possible.

In observing Thanksgiving Holiday, Shofner Vision Center will be closed Thursday, November 24th and Friday, November 25th.

Those of you who have “Flex” or “Cafeteria” Employee Benefit Plans (also called a “Pre-Tax” plan) at work will soon be given your elections for 2012.  Most company deductibles and co-pays are increasing to save on health insurance premiums, which go up by an average of 10% or more per year.  Make sure you understand how much you will be out of pocket for annual exams, prescription medications, dentists, glasses, contacts, etc.  Don’t assume you will not get sick. Also, find out if some over the counter medications, even aspirin, and flu shots can be reimbursed by your  “Flex Plan” costs if you have a Doctor prescribe them.   And LASIK in Nashville qualifies for most FLEX spending plan.

Tell your co workers, friends and family that it is a good idea to determine if they are a good LASIK candidate (our LASIK exams are complimentary and we never pressure anyone to have LASIK) before you include LASIK in your “Pre-Tax” Cafeteria Plan.   You can then have the surgery in 2012, paying for it with pre-taxed dollars. Dr. Shofner’s LASIK surgery is the most affordable in Middle Tennessee. (Thanks to patient referrals, we do not need to spend a lot on advertising).

Remember Your Flex Spending = Vision Savings for LASIK Surgery in Nashville, and also eye exams, prescriptions and much more! Contact your employer’s human resources representative for specific questions about your FSA plan. Each plan varies and it’s important to ask specific questions regarding coverage and benefits that best meets the needs for you and your family. Any LASIK questions or to schedule a complimentary LASIK evaluation in Nashville, please contact Shofner Vision Center at (615) 340-4733.  We are conveniently located by Baptist Hospital in Nashville, TN.

1. I am tired of sticking a finger in my eye every morning.
2. I am worried about my ability to see clearly during an emergency situation without my glasses or contacts.
3. I found out that LASIK is one of the safest medical procedures and is actually safer than wearing contacts, because contacts can cause eye infections.
4. The U.S. Military (including pilots) have embraced and advocate LASIK and PRK procedures.
5. A lot of my friends have had LASIK at Shofner Vision Center and were very pleased with their results and overall experience.
6. Custom LASIK is state of the art and reduces or eliminates some of the complaints caused by earlier LASIK procedures.
7. I am really tired of being delayed (late for work) while trying to put in contact lenses or locating my glasses.
8. I realized I am out of disposable contact lenses and recently broke my glasses.
9. LASIK can be more affordable than contacts or glasses over the long term and with awesome financing available, I can make easy monthly payments.
10. I heard that Shofner Vision Center offers complimentary LASIK Evaluations without any pressure, obligations or annoying follow-up phone calls. They keep it professional.

Do you have a reason that didn’t make our Top Ten list? Are you ready to make the next step in having better vision without relying upon glasses or contacts? Call Shofner to learn more, LASIK counselors are available for you to speak with every day. 615 340-4733

Many local magazines, newspapers, and websites promote “Best of” contests for a variety of businesses. Restaurants, spas and even LASIK surgery centers especially like to be involved in these contests for the publicity. Have you noticed how many categories some publications and websites offer? The abundance of categories generates greater fees for each company listed.

Why do businesses bother? For publicity! Participating businesses will actively promote themselves by displaying large signs that read “Vote for Us!” in the “Best of ? “. Businesses also actively seek voters by sending email broadcasts and even soliciting friends and family members for their vote. Many of the voters may not even be familiar with the establishment or their services.

There are many legitimate companies compiling rankings and ratings for restaurants, spas, retail stores, and a multitude of other businesses. However, as consumers, we must beware of these “Best of” lists. Many times, it’s more of a contest to determine which businesses spend the most money not only to participate but also to obtain votes. We believe a “Best of LASIK Contest“ in Nashville is NOT an appropriate means to attract patients. Shofner Vision Center is dedicated to excellence in delivering the most competitive, affordable eye care in the Nashville area without gimmicky advertising.

Firework Safety Tips:
For a safe and healthy Independence Day celebration, the Academy urges observance of the following tips:

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type.
• View fireworks from a safe distance: at least 500 feet away, or up to a quarter of a mile for best viewing.
• Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.
• Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.
• If you find unexploded fireworks remains, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.
• If you get an eye injury from fireworks, seek medical help immediately.

Be smart, use common sense, stay protected, supervise children closely, and enjoy your Independence Day.

Shofner Vision Center will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Our offices will re-open on Tuesday, July 5th at 8:00 a.m.

Friends & Family of Dr. Shofner Receive Special LASIK Prices!
Be sure to tell your friends and family about Shofner Vision for vision care services. They will be grateful when you tell them to mention our “Friends and Family” Special Prices for LASIK. Shofner is also offering 0% financing to qualified Shofner patients…for limited time only. Call and schedule your Free Evaluation today 615-340-4733.

Firing up the grill and fireworks go hand and hand around the Fourth of July Holiday. Rumor has it that applying petroleum jelly or butter on burns is simply an old wives tale!

Home Remedy:
Generally, minor burns smaller than a person’s palm can be treated at home. Major burns on feet, face, genitals, and major joints usually require emergency treatment.  For a minor injury, run cool water over the affected area and cover it with a clean, dry cloth.  Do NOT apply ice, it can worsen a burn. Petroleum jelly or butter is NOT recommended, as those products can hold heat in the tissue causing further skin damage.

Major Burn Concerns:
Consult your family doctor if a minor burn does not heal in a couple of days or if there are signs of infection, such as redness and swelling.   A common occurrence in emergency rooms is damage to eyebrows and the cornea of the eye from fireworks (sparklers can be dangerous).  “Children are the most common victims of firework accidents, with those fifteen years old or younger accounting for half of all fireworks eye injuries in the United States. For children under the age of five, seemingly innocent sparklers account for one-third of all fireworks injuries. Sparklers can burn at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause a third-degree burn.” (HealthNewsDigest.com, 2011)

Butter for Burns?

Be sure to tell your Friends and Relatives that NOW is the Best Time for LASIK by Dr. Shofner.  They will be grateful when you tell them to mention our “Friends and Family” Special Prices.

Be sure your glasses block UVA & UVB rays

Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement. The sun can not only tan your skin but can cause serious damage to your eyes. We suggest when you are outside this summer to wear protective UV blocking sunglasses which will help prevent age related eye diseases, especially cataracts (cloudy formations on the lens inside the eye), and photokeratitis (sunburn of the cornea, the surface of the eyeball).

However, If bright light irritates your eyes while wearing sunglasses, it could be a sign of a corneal abrasion, uveitis, cataracts or another eye problem; we advise you contact us quickly for a consult. (615) 340.4733