Updegraff Vision Blog

Updegraff Vision -- A Thank You From Dr. Stephen Updegraff

We just sent our year end e-newsletter and realized it only goes out to 10,000+ friends of the practice who have subscribed to our enews updates, soooo, we are posting our Seasons Greetings to our blog.  You can view it by clicking here. 

At Updegraff Vision Precision LASIK and Cataract Center we are grateful for our many, many wonderful patients.  In 2009 our practice celebrated our 50th anniversary!! Some of you knew us when we were Updegraff Ophthamology and have seen us grow to Updegraff LASIK Vision to Updegraff Vision and now Updegraff Vision Precision LASIK and Cataract Center.

In our Seasons Greetings e-news we include a thank you, a reminder about flex spending dollars, the "greatest gift", a very entertaining blog post from one of our patients, our "green" appointment reminders, and the next Updegraff Vision Ambassador drawing item.  Enjoy!! 

A fun blog post from a lens implant patient

When considering LASIK, lens implants, cataract surgery or any other type of surgery for your eyes, it is important to do your homework and do your research.  We encourage patients to speak to each other about their experience with our practice.

Every now and then we receive a "fun" blog posting from a patient.  This posting is from one of our lens implant patients regarding his experience with our practice.  His writing style is very detailed and entertaining.  We think you will enjoy this posting.  Click here to read his body of work!

Updegraff Vision proudly supports the Pediatric Cancer Foundation

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. –The weekend of October 23-25th marked the 12th annual tournament bringing together anglers and celebrities fighting the battle against pediatric cancer– Top anglers teamed with celebrities to raise money for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF)  October 23-25 at the 12th annual Grand Slam Celebrity Fishing Tournament, presented by Nestle Purina PetCare.  Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs will once again be the honorary host for the event.  

Stephen Updegraff, MD, has supported the PCF’s mission for many years.  The Pediatric Cancer Foundation exists to raise money to fund pediatric cancer research. The focus is to fund research to find less toxic, more targeted treatments which will lead to the elimination of pediatric cancer worldwide.

The festivities took place at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort Hotel in St. Petersburg and has long been considered the premier fishing tournament on Florida’s West Coast.  Celebrities and avid fishermen gathered in their quest to snag the biggest fish while raising money to “reel in a cure” for childhood cancer.

The tournament is a favorite among master fishermen, sponsors and celebrities.

Event highlights
The Steve Yerrid Kids’ Fishing Derby – Held at the Vinoy Basin on Friday morning, October 23, children with cancer and their families will learn to fish, have the chance to put their lines in the water in search of the ultimate catch and eat lunch with tournament celebrities.

The Fishermen’s Ball – This invitation only tropical reception was held Friday evening, October 23, at the Vinoy.  Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, tropical music, along with a live and silent auction that boasts numerous sought-after items.

Inshore fishing – On Saturday, October 24, the action on the water began as boats loaded with celebrities, fishing guides and fishermen participated in two full days of inshore angling. Competitors departed from the Vinoy Yacht Basin, with fishing taking place in Tampa Bay tributaries for redfish, snook and trout. Inshore boats typically carry two anglers, a celebrity and professional fishing guide.

Awards – Inshore anglers competed for beautiful trophies that were awarded during a cookout Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. at the Vinoy.

Sponsorship and angler entries for the tournament are available FOR NEXT YEAR by contacting PCF at 813-269-0955. Coastal Conservation Association officials provided scoring, and their organization benefitted partially from event proceeds.

About the Pediatric Cancer Foundation
With its national headquarters in Tampa, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer through The Sunshine Project, the Foundation’s collaborative research program. By employing doctors and researchers from the country’s top institutions, The Sunshine Project is fast-tracking the development of new drugs and therapies that will ultimately lead to the cure of childhood cancers.  For more information please click here.

Modern Day Cataract Surgery

Many individuals are not aware that in addition to LASIK, Dr. Updegraff has been performing lens implant and modern day cataract surgery for more than a decade. 

Dr. Updegraff has performed in excess of 10,000 cataract procedures.  When it comes to Modern Day Cataract Surgery, Updegraff Vision Precision LASIK and Cataract Center delivers superior care using the most advanced techniques and technologies. Bausch and Lomb has certified Updegraff Vision Precision LASIK and Cataract Center a Crystalens® Center of Excellence.  Dr. Updegraff uses the latest IOL technology including accommodating lenses like the Crystalens as well as multi-focal lenses.

Dr. Updegraff performs cataract surgery using IV sedation for relaxation.  He removes the cataract (cloudy lens) of the eye through a small incision and does not use stitches, needles or an eye patch. With more than a decade of experience with lens implants, Dr. Updegraff's focus is on ensuring a safe, painless and quick visual recovery for patients

Our mission is to provide the most precise and advanced techniques and technology so you can achieve the safest and best visual outcome to improve your lifestyle.  If you would like to learn more about Modern Day Cataract Surgery or lens implant surgery, I encourage you to visit our practice.  You can call 727.822.4287 or email us at contact@lasik4me.com to schedule an appointment.  Or, fill out a form by clicking here and we will contact you.

Dr. Updegraff to Receive Distinguished Citizen Award

The Boy Scouts of America will be honoring Stephen Updegraff, MD, FACS with The Distinguished Citizen Award on October 15^th, 2009. The Distinguished Citizens Award ceremony recognizes leaders who have made a substantial impact in the community. Proceeds from the banquet help the Boy Scouts' "urban emphasis" program making the benefits of Scouting available to young boys who may lack the resources to participate otherwise.

Dr. Updegraff grew up attending church at the First United Methodist Church in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. It was there he became a member of Boy Scout Troop 236. His commitment and dedication to scouting earned him the rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle Scouts are expected to set an example for other Scouts and to become the leaders in life that they have demonstrated themselves to be in Scouting. What Dr. Updegraff learned at a young age helped to shape his personal character and sense of community purpose in ways few other programs can achieve.

Stephen A. Updegraff, MD, FACS, is the Medical Director of Updegraff Vision Precision LASIK and Cataract Center (formerly Updegraff LASIK). To learn more about Dr. Updegraff, to "meet the staff", or to learn more about Updegraff Vision, please visit www.lasik4me.com.

Stephen Updegraff, MD -- St. Pete Times Article misleading

If you saw the recent article on Tampabay.com or in the St. Pete Times, please note that it is misleading to the hundreds of thousands of patients contemplating a refractive surgical option to their contacts or glasses.  The title and content, as well  as the poorly designed consumer reports article insinuate that LASIK only works 50% of the time.  As I shared in my interview, a LASIK surgeon could not exist with such a high "failure" rate since most of us rely primarily on "word of mouth" for future patients.  Even the earliest FDA clinical trial results (which do not take retreatment into account) reveal 100% 20/40 or better with one treatment.

The alleged findings do not comport with what we see daily with our patients.  The message being sent is not only flawed date, but it is wrong.  If a patient is an excellent LASIK candidate, their choice should be contacts, glasses or LASIK.  Blaming natural aging changes, that occur when you wear glasses or contacts, solely on LASIK is truly ludicrous. 

In the current economic climate, patients are realizing the "savings" that one can achieve with LASIK over the long haul - no glasses, sunglass prescriptions, contact lenses, and multiple doctor visits for prescription changes.  I find it odd that neither you nor the Consumer Reports "expert" explored this.

Granted, I am a LASIK surgeon, but I am an eye MD first, and I know I speak for other surgeons in saying the safety and satisfaction of our patients is first and foremost in our thoughts and actions.  It is an insult to my training and profession to be portrayed otherwise.  I invite you and the "experts" from Consumer Reports to observe our pre-operative screening and see a variety of patients from 1 day post op to 10 years post op.

LASIK Myths Addressed by Dr. Stephen Updegraff

With so much available information -- and misinformation -- about LASIK (laser vision correction) no wonder people are confused. The many myths about LASIK create more confusion. Dr. Updegraff looks at some common myths and gives you the facts.  Click here for the FREE, printable version of LASIK Myths.

Myth: LASIK is not "real" surgery.

Truth: LASIK most definitely is surgery. Patients undergoing LASIK must view the procedure with the same respect as for any surgery to ensure the best outcome. While LASIK is not dangerous when performed by a qualified eye surgeon like Dr. Updegraff and on a good candidate, some risks do exist, as they do for all surgeries. 

Myth: LASIK complications are common after laser vision correction.

Truth: Many clinical studies and reports show that the risks for LASIK are very low. Many complications can be treated and resolved in the early stages. Simple side effects, such as temporary dry eye or night glare, resolve without further treatment after several weeks or months. Expert ophthalmologists such as Dr. Stephen Updegraff who perform extensive diagnostic testing prior to LASIK will rule out high-risk individuals who are more prone to developing long-term complications.

Myth: LASIK is so new that long-term complications are not really known.

Truth: Laser vision correction technology was first developed in the 1980s and became widely available in the United States in the mid-1990s. In fact, the first LASIK procedure was performed in the United States in 1987. Dr. Updegraff performed the third LASIK procedure in the United States and the first LASIK proecedure in Asia.  Twenty+ years later, there have been no reports of any long-term ill effects from LASIK.

Myth: It doesn't matter who performs your procedure, since the laser does all the work.

Truth: This is perhaps one of the most dangerous LASIK myths. While the laser is a truly innovative tool essential to the LASIK procedure, it is only a tool. The surgeon's degree of skill is absolutely essential to properly creating and manipulating the corneal flap during this delicate procedure and in using the laser. The best LASIK surgeons screen potential patients rigorously to avoid performing the surgery on a poor candidate. Post-operative patient care is also central to a good outcome.

Myth: After LASIK, you won't need glasses or contact lenses ever again.

Truth: Each patient is an individual and experiences unique results from LASIK. We are all biological beings who heal differently.  Some achieve 20/20 vision and end their dependence on corrective eyewear. Others find reading glasses are still needed. Additionally, as we age, naturally occurring conditions such as presbyopia can impair vision, even for those who have previously undergone LASIK vision correction.

 

Bay News 9 - a look at LASIK warnings

Bay News 9 - a look at LASIK warnings

Technologic Advancements in LASIK

In this podcast, Dr. Updegraff discusses wavefront guided, blade free LASIK (All Laser Precision LASIK) and why this technology is the standard of care at Updegraff Vision.

Lens Implants and Modern Day Cataract Surgery

In this podcast, Dr. Updegraff discusses the use of high technology lens implants in modern day cataract surgery.