The Canadians turn 21 (again) !!!

The Canadians turn 21 (again!)

@ Soft Belly

367 Little Bourke Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Breakthrough in LASIK Therapy!

LASIK

I'm sick of patients asking me if they should go for LASIK. More often that not, I'll reply with a non-chalant, "No.".... Why not? They ask.. Well with all surgeries, come the very real risk of permanent.. (YES, IRREVERSIBLE) eye damage. LASIK complications have been well documented*.

What is LASIK?

Laser -Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a type of refractive laser surgery to correct your vision to a reasonably good standard (not necessarily 6/6 aka 20/20). Patients who go in with the lowest expectations (i.e. As long as vision is better than without spects), achieve the most satisfaction.

In a Nutshell:

The procedure involves cutting a thin flap of cornea (the front most part of the eye) using a microkeratome (a small blade) or 'bladeless' (using lasers). The flap is lifted and the excimer lasers are used to obliterate a certain thickness of the central cornea. YES, you are awake the whole time! It makes your money really worth it.. you can appreciate the full experience of it... listening to the wondrous melody of the Lasers working on your eye.. while smelling wisps of your burnt cornea in the air. ..Thickness goes down, so does your ocular refractive power and viola! You can see better (I stress again not necessarily as well as with your spects /contact lenses on) now.

Potential Problems:

Having something seriously go wrong during LASIK is rare.. 1%? But Other proven problems include:

(Adapted from Wikipedia.Org: Click here to learn more)
Surgery induced dry eyes (this is bad, I have px coming in and spending $15 a week on Tear Supps - for life), probably because they've blasted away lots of corneal nerves, decreasing tears secretion.
Overcorrection or undercorrection (rare, due to minimal scarring, healing)
Halos or starbursts around light sources at night (Very common )
Light sensitivity (common)
Debris or growth under flap (rarer.. but it may happen)
Epithelium erosion (related to corneal health issues - may happen)
(Adapted from Wikipedia.Org: Click here to learn more)

Noticed that I EXCLUDED things that could go horribly wrong and damage your eyes permanently; this is to give you an idea of things you'll be living with if you do go for LASIK. Doesn't really matter though, most patients (92%-98%) surveyed are extremely pleased with LASIK results (regardles of permanently poorer vision and contrast sensitivity or haloes or dry eyes etc..)

So do I go for LASIK?... NO.

If I really REALLY wanna??? Go:

1. If your power is between +3.00D to -5.50D

2. If you're young (21-35* yr old) *Why do LASIK at 35 if you're gonna need reading glasses in 5 years time? The surgeon probably will do a compromise by giving you 'mono vision', allowing you to delay readers for another few years... giving you permanent Anisometropia (large diff in power between eyes... how are u gonna get spects for reading when that happens huh..)

3. If you're older...50 years old or older.. might as well wait a little while more before going for a Cataract Removal Op (Phacoemulsification).. the good ol' surgeon will probably insert a well corrected intra ocular lens (a 'contact lens' directly into the eye, where the remaining lens in your eye is). It's as good as LASIK! (well depends..) and it's reversible (as opposed to permanent LASIK changes).

--------For serious readers... Info on LASIK stops here--------

4... OR YOU COULD ALWAYS GET THE LATEST PRODUCT in the MARKET.

INTRODUCING THE LASIK @ HOME SET

Scal-Pal™ Scanning Adjusting Laparascopic Personal Laser

How it works: (Instructions directly from Lasik-at-Home.com)

Four Easy Steps
LASIK@Home couldn't be easier. Just follow these four easy steps and you'll be seeing clearly before you know it!

(images and text from lasikathome.com)

It's really amazing! And very affordable: only going at $99.95!!! - comparable to 1 year supply of (low oxygen) soft disposable content lenses!! Thanks to Dr. Amir Khadim, M.D., Ph.D.!!

About Dr Khadim: A pioneer in the field of LASIK surgery, Dr. Khadim performed more than two thousand LASIK procedures at the prestigious Bennett Eye Care Institute in New York City before leaving to develop LASIK @ Home.

Hehe.. Nice glasses Dr Khadim... (see his pic)

I highly recommend this radical new procedure to all patients who wish to try LASIK more cost effectively. Satisfaction guaranteed!!! (92-98% remember...with cheese)

Testimonials:

My LASIK@Home kit came in the mail just a few days after I ordered it. I was so excited that I used it that same night! My boyfriend helped me do it. It was all done in an hour and I didn’t feel a thing!
- Jennifer Douma, Attorney, Washington, DCFormerly nearsighted -3.25, -4.0 prescription (LASIKATHOME.COM)

Kyle Perry (Michigan State University) wrote at 4:01am on August 21st, 2007
I used the Do-it-yourself LASIK Scap-pal at home... twice... this morning!! It wokrked pevrcletly!!! (Facebook)

Still need convincing?? Click here to Join the Group on Facebook.

Maybe you wanna have a Coffee and Cream Soda while you're at it?

*hint: only one of the above products is a hoax (LASIKatHome vs Coffee Soda)

HIGHLIGHT THE FOLLOWING TEXT TO SEE THE ANSWER:

Yes, you guessed it.. it's the... LASIK @ HOME SET!
Yep.. the Coffee and Cream Soda is UNbelievable but it's a real and legitimate product!! I bought it from Dolphin Asian Supermarket at QV.

How do I know that it's a hoax.. Well.. at least I PRAY THAT IT's a HOAX.. Such a tacky product would definitely disgrace and cheapen the image of Opthalmology and Optometry and I sincerely hope that such a product would NEVER exist... at least in the next 15-20 years.

For those who, upon reading the above article AND truly wanted to buy the product..

DON'T Be a FOOL!!! Firstly, eye care should NEVER be treated as a Cosmetic Health Service.. This includes contact lenses and refractive eye surgery - they should also be treated as medical solutions for a given eye condition (in this case, ametropia).

How Do I know it's a Hoax?

Before I begin, let's revel in the fact that it's a hoax, not a SCAM. So no worries folks, noone is gonna lose real money over this crappy 'product'. But I must admit.. now that I know it's fake, I really begin to admire the work of the hoax-er haha. It's really brilliant, getting in a picture of a 'Dr Khadim' and making the prototype shell of a realistically looking medical device (looks like a tonometer). I hope they sell the T-shirts and Mugs for real hehe..

1. Most importantly: You cant order the set. I tried purchasing the set online but it simply doesnt work! You can't purchase it. They need you to fill in your refractive power before allowing you to buy the product (could be a hidden market survey, conducted to determine what are the most common powers interested in LASIK; so as to focus their marketing on this specific target group of potential customers.)

2. Secondly, the cartoon's really cute! (Dog and all).. LASIK is a surgical procedure and due consideration should be taken before undergoing such a major decision.

3. In the bottom left slide, the sentence *to be reviewed by FDA is a classic! Really funny one.. you don't need to conduct an FDA trial to know that it IS GONNA HURT if your eye is being burnt by excimer lasers... even that weak diazepam is gonna do you no good when your eyes are being burnt. You probably need a good local anasthetic.

4. FDA would NEVER APPROVE of allowing sucha dangerous product into the market.. what if children start running round with lasers in their hands?

5. Dr Khadim wears glasses?!? Well it's true that many ophthalmologists who do LASIK have not undergone the procedure themselves. As surgeons, its VERY important that they manage to maintain the best possible eyesight and the risk outweighs the benefits for them in this case.

6. This hoax is a good thing! It really increases awareness of LASIK..

My take home message to all:

LASIK is all about weighing the risk of eye health complications against potential cosmetic benefits. The risk is low but side effects are real. If you really want to do it, look for a reputable eye surgeon (although it's almost foolproof now, surgery is still.. well, surgeon dependent) and not some cheap over the counter / obscure internet website product.

Postcard from Melbourne: Life with the Lensmen

Yay! The prevous write up I did on the Lensmen caught the eye of Marketing Manager, Desiree. I was then invited to contribute an article to their e-newsletter. The article can also be found on their website: http://www.thelensmen.com/promotions/viewfull.asp?c=185226

The LensMen and the Eye Site

The Lens Men and THE EYESITE

ANNUAL ROCK N' ROLL

DINNER and DANCE '08

It has been a great 3 months for me this summer break! WHY? You may ask.. well... Because I totally abstained from studying. However, bumming and living off my parents seemed completely unethical and makes me look like the freeloader I already am.. so.. I decided to WORK. Yes.. WWWorkkkk...*sniff sniff*..

Working with ' The Lens Men and the EyeSite'

Working with the Lens Men has been an EYE-opening experience. Although my stay there was a short one.. I enjoyed every single day of it. I believe that, it was possible because of the family-like working environment, which encourages openess and staff cohesion.

I learnt A LOT from the optometrists.. Roger and Allain , and the Opticians too, namely Andrew, Andy and Collin, whom I worked closely with in The Eye Site. The shops were pretty well- equipped, with Binocular Vision Testing/Colour Vision Testing equipment and Hand held contact tonometers (without need for any form of anaesthesia) on top of the usual slit lamp/K. We optoms generally got lots of freedom and space to perform clinical examinations here.. safe to say.. this place is an optom's wonderland!

In Roger's and Andy's combined WORDS of WISDOM (loosely translated from Mandarin and Hokkien):
"We generally spend more time in our lives working than with our families.
When we get home, our family have gone to sleep.
When we wake up, they've either gone to work or to school.
We spend more time with the people in our shop than with our kin,
that's why we're family."
... and that is why, we work together and we play together.. The way I see it.. a family that works together.. STAYS together!

I got to see quite a number of different cases and in general gained more confidence as an optometrist.. (hey.. got 'shirt' (Andy Voice) one hor..).

Apart from being able to develop myself professionally..

http://www.thelensmen.com/promotions/viewfull.asp?c=184796

I also learnt.. *gasp* Retail Optometry. Retail Optometry is currently not offered as a full credit subject in our syllabus. However, I managed to learn some of it through The Eye Site Institute.

'Retail Optometry' is about finding the right product to satisfy the most basic or minimum need(s) of the patient, followed by informing them of better options, add-ons and healthier or more comfortable alternatives; and in the process educating the patient on the latest developments in the profession.

Most of which I picked up from the experienced Opticians whom I have worked with. Cool huh..

Work aside, we also had FUN!

Click the link below or here for more photos.

http://www.thelensmen.com/promotions/viewfull.asp?c=185074

I'd like to thank the LensMen and The Eye Site in particular for the wonderful experience we shared during this short period. Thanks for being so willing to teach and guide me.. and coming to my rescue especially when it comes to spectacle adjustments and Progressives!!!

Special Thanks:

I'd also like to thank OOB member, Mr Peter Koh and Dion Koh - for obvious reasons, Desiree - for allowing me to participate in so many eye screenings for the less fortunate and other charitable events (my Karma definitely benefitted immensely from this); Kenny, Priscilla and Meng Sin for their $upport; and Jass - for showing me exactly what a 'Purchasing Manager' does and always entertaining me with the troubles she faces in Maple Story.

Once again, a BIG THANK YOU (especially those I missed out.. cant list everyone ok?) and good bye to everyone .. TILL WE MEET AGAIN!

(which i believe would be soon.. not so easy to get rid of me ok! hehe.. )
Disclaimer (Dear Desiree Corner): The opinions expressed herein, are the writer's own. They do not present as fact and is purely for the entertainment of the writer and a productive means to combat boredom in Australia... topped with lots of cheese.

Andy's Corner:

ANDY TAN - English translation dictionary 1.0 (under construction)

1. 'shirt' - cert ; certificate e.g. Eh, I got 'shirt' one hor

(please submit more 'definitions' so that I can edit this space soon!)

Karaoke Mania! @ KBox

Biggest Opto Outing Ever!

This event is arguably the biggest Opto gathering ever! Grand total of 11 people!! So happening! First was dinner at Singapore Chom Chom, a poor, albeit novel imitation of the real Singapore Chomp Chomp is Serangoon Gardens. Dinner -1900 hrs

KBox

52 La Trobe Street Tel. 9663 9663

Darn! I thought I could escape K since coming here.. I was wrong!

Despite the happy outlook... I was DYING inside...

I was the only guy.. (Since 2000 hrs)

..Until Ben arrived! (2130 hrs)

(above) Full strength less Vivien... (2200 hrs)

My Aussie Premiere!

I finally 'broke' after 23oo hrs..

K is a great way to socialise:

Rachel: Come on girls, let's act Cool! :

Err.. why is Amy acting 'Ku' (cry) ?..

Let's try that again..

That's better... (but only Rachel acting cool)

Ah Ma also acting cool..

Jasmine and Rachel singing together..

By now.. most of us were very tired... Endurance K time...

By 0300 hours.. some of us were half dead..

...NOT!!!

Eventually we stayed on to 0400 hrs.. late into the wee hours of the morning! Reached home at 4.40 am... slept by 5.15 am.. Wow! Next day go clubbing!

Jasmine Bday Series 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Jasmine's postal surprise feat:

Greetings from Singapore!

I got a parcel! Neh neh neh boo boo...

'Who is this parcel from!?',

gushes a visibly excited Jasmine

'My first present in Australia!'

Jasmine as she eagerly opens her pressie..

The Cobbler

(intrepretation provided below)

*gasps* Now we all know who it's from!

Admiring the pressies.. All handpicked and thoroughly deliberated..

All items individually hand wrapped.. scientific explanations provided too!

The following are snapshots of our live recording of our Gossip Channel:

Today Afternoon

Our host, HaoNa, interviewing Jasmine on her feelings upon receipt of such a thoughtful gift.

(with resident Violinist, Rachel in background)

Our violinist cum Co-Host, taking stock from Jasmine's room. It turns out that her presents were exactly what she wanted!!! Obviously, the sender knows her well enough to understand her needs.

'It's the same!'

After sending the picture to our expert behind-the-scenes forensic team and psychologists, the team came up with the intrepretation of the photo you saw above.

Our experts wrote:

"This photo depicts an elderly man, who is in effect, a mender of soles (pun intended, Shakespeare). This is evident from the tools he is holding and the posture adopted. Apparently, this man has been doing the same job for years now. It reflects how dedicated he is to his job. Taking pride in his work and never afraid to admit his love for *shoes*.

Throughout his career, he has seen thousands of *shoes. However, for all these years, he has always been holding on to this one *shoe*. This is evident from the picture. (refer to pic for the next line:) Amidst the sea of *shoes, the Cobbler tenderly mends this one *shoe* that he has been holding on for years now..

Even into his twilight years.. this *shoe* remains an integral part of his life.

Always lingering somewhere close to his heart.

*Thank You*!

I have said, on her behalf, what she could not find the courage to say...

Note from Author: It's time to mend your soul!