KSBY's own Weatherman and TV News Anchor Richard Gearhart had LASIK LIVE on the popular NBC morning show. The life changing procedure got rid of his very thick glasses in a matter of seconds. "The procedure went perfectly!" says Dr. Michael Limberg. The Limberg LASIK team worked with Richard for more than 7 years.
Richard's prescription was extremely difficult. The team waited to make sure Richard would have crystal clear results. Richard proves that new LASIK technology can now treat almost all prescriptions including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even the need for reading glasses. Richard says the procedure was surprisingly quick and easy! The Morning Anchor is happy to report his vision is now 20/15, which is better than 20/20!
Medical Breakthrough for Macular Degeneration
The drug "Lucentis" was just approved for "Wet" Macular Degeneration. Until now, there was nothing we could do for these people and they would eventually go blind. Our resident retinal specialist says he is already seeing incredible results... patients moving up 11 letters on the eye chart every 6 weeks. This is the FIRST real treatment to actually improve a persons vision, previous medications could only slow it down. In fact, one patient of Limberg Eye Surgery was legally blind and after Lucentis he is driving again!!!
It's a pricey injection... but, insurance and Medicare will pay. Patients must be treated every 4-6 weeks to see these incredible results.
Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 50.
30% of people over the age of 55 have it!
Warning signs are distortion, wavy, blurry vision or a fixed dark spot.
A vision breakthrough... For people who suffer with swelling in the eye!
The first implanted steroid was done on the Central Coast by Limberg Eye Surgery physicians.
"Retisert" was just FDA approved. The implant is put into the eye to reduce swelling. Cataract patients, lupus patients, and rheumatoid arthritis patients are most at risk for this type of swelling. Until now, they had to undergo a series of eye injections every three months to maintain vision. This new implant offers a new option. Retisert lasts for three years. It's the size of a pen tip. The cost of the implant.... 18-thousand dollars! The good news is, in most cases insurance will pay.
Uveitis is an inflammation in the middle area of the eye that can cause light sensitivity, glare, redness, blurry vision, and pain. The condition can also affect the retina and optic nerve at the back of the eye. Eventually, uveitis can lead to glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, retinal detachment, and loss of vision.
Approximately 38,000 Americans develop Uveitis every year. It is most commonly seen in patients after age 40. Uveitis is responsible for about 15% of new cases of blindness.
Steroid eye drops are often useful in reducing inflammation and pain. However, chronic sufferers or patients with uveitis that affects the back of the eye, until recently, required routine injections of steroids around the outside of the eye. These injections last anywhere from six weeks to three months but must be repeated when the symptoms return.
In April of 2005, the FDA approved a new treatment for uveitis called Retisert™, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb. Retisert is a tiny implant containing steroid medication, that when surgically placed in the eye, slowly releases steroid medication for about 1000 days (about two and a half years). Studies show that Retisert can dramatically reduce inflammation and, in some patients, improves the quality of their vision.
Patients who receive Retisert still experience complications and side effects from long term use of steroids such as cataract development and the onset of glaucoma. However, these conditions are treatable. By placing the medication into the eye, patients with Retisert can avoid the pain and inconvenience of frequent injections.
For more information go to: http://www.uveitis.org/
Eye Opening Owl Story!
San Luis Obispo Ophthalmologist Comes to The RescueIn May 2005 the Pacific Wildlife Foundation of SLO Co. rescued a female great horned owl near death from starvation. A wonderful volunteer named Virginia (805-489-6345) began hand feeding it until the owl was fat, happy & ready to fly...except for the fact that it had a large
cataract (a very cloudy lens inside the left eye). The owl also had eye damage--apparently from flying into trees and other objects due to her vision disability.
The Pacific Wildlife Foundation wanted to release the owl back into the wild, but it would not be able to hunt and would die of starvation unless the cataract was removed. PWF called Dr. Michael B. Limberg of Limberg Eye Surgery, a corneal/cataract specialist, because there was not a local vet specializing in ophthalmology available locally.
On AUG 10th 2005 at 5:30 pm--with the help of Arroyo Grande vet Dr. Steven Paulick from VCA assisting with the anesthesia--Dr. Limberg removed the cataract.
Dr. Limberg restored her vision using a foldable AMO lens which he modified especially for the bird. This is the first time anyone can recall such a lens being used in this way.
The owl did well and was seing much better after the surgery, so she was transferred into a flight cage to sharpen her hunting skills.
Local NBC & CBS TV stations, papers, and radio all featured this story and the release of the bird which soon followed.Contact: Limberg Eye Surgery 805.595.EYES
The doctors and staff at Limberg Eye Surgery are thrilled to tell you about major breakthroughs in vision, facial rejuvenation, and the fight against fat!
If you are farsighted, we have some fabulous news for you!
The FDA just approved CustomeVue for people who are farsighted or have astigmatism. This is a real advance for about 60-percent of our patients. They can now have even crisper, clearer vision with better night vision. As you may know, Michael B. Limberg, M.D., is superior in LASIK experience, reputation and results! The Limberg LASIK team would like to offer you or a friend a FREE screening & comprehensive eye exam to see if you are a candidate. Call 805-595-EYES (3937) to schedule your one-on-one consultation.Also, remove wrinkles, freckles, age spots, rosacea and unwanted hair! Ophthalmic Facial & Plastic Surgeon, Noelene Pang, M.D., would like to offer you 10% OFF on our revolutionary Fotofacial-RF. The treatment is fast and safe with no downtime. Dr. Pang also specializes in BOTOX®, Restylane®, and Radiesse as well as endo-scopic face-lifts and brow lifts. Call 805-473-3530 to schedule your complimentary, private consultation.
Sharing the Vision… putting the EYE in I care!
Optometrist Dr. Thomas Rippner and his wife Sharon just returned from an amazing journey to share his vision… a vision of a world where everyone has access to eye care! He took 3 weeks off work... Leaving Jan 10... to go to Africa (part of a team of 20 doctors).
Michael B. Limberg, M.D. , Surgeon/Director, allowed Dr. Rippner to take the 3 week vacation and filled in to take care of his patients in his absence.
He took 10,000 glasses for people who have never been able to afford them… he personally carried 75 pounds of glasses!
He was greeted by huge lines of people with all sorts of medical needs.After patients heard about his great journey, we received *thousands* of pairs of used glasses which he will take on his next journey.
Read about Dr. Rippner's most recent trip to Guatemala in 2006 with ICare International.
Additionally, Dr. Rippner made many trips to Baja Calif through www.flyingsamaritans.org; he flew in private planes and landed at remote villages in Baja, mostly landing on dirt runways.
Want to read more...
There are 2 current volunteer eye groups that Dr. Rippner is working with: the primary one is www.vosh.org; the other is www.lolomafoundation.org; the latter concentrates mostly in the South Pacific around the Fiji Islands.We want to thank the generous people of the Central Coast who donated their old glasses to give people in need new vision!
Want to help?
If more people want to donate we will continue to collect used glasses… simply drop them off at any Limberg Eye Surgery location in San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, Cambria or Templeton and we will make sure they get to those in need.
CALL Limberg Eye Surgery at 805-541-1342
