Flexible Spending Accounts and Laser Vision Correction

If you have a flexible spending account and are considering laser vision correction, now is the time to take advantage of it! 

A flexible spending account (FSA) allows an employee to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover qualified out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.  Qualified expenses include laser vision correction.  These contributions are not subject to payroll taxes, which can result in substantial savings.  Here’s how it works.  Employees are either given an FSA debit card which they can use to pay directly for services using their FSA funds, or they pay out of pocket and then submit a receipt to their employer for reimbursement from their FSA account.

Currently, there is no legal limit to what employees can contribute to their FSA and 78% of large employers set it at $5,000 or higher.[i]  Starting in 2013, when the Affordable Care Act kicks in, the maximum annual FSA contribution for each employee will be capped at $2,500.[ii]  This cap goes into effect based on the calendar year of your particular plan.  Here’s something else to think about:  An earlier version of the Affordable Care Act plan called for eliminating FSA’s altogether, and this could come up again.[iii] 

There is also a deadline for making contributions to an FSA plan.  For most plans that deadline is between October and December for the following calendar year.  This means you would have to contribute in 2012 in order to have access to the funds in 2013. Be sure to ask your plan’s administrator, which would typically be your human resources director, what the deadline is for your particular plan.  Another important aspect of an FSA is the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule.  This means unused money left in the account at the end of the calendar year for the plan is forfeited.  This is especially important for those of you who are considering using flex spending dollars for laser vision correction.  If you deposit money into your FSA account for LASIK or PRK, and are not a suitable candidate, you will either lose that money or be forced to find creative ways to spend it on healthcare.  Therefore, it’s best to have a consultation to determine your candidacy for laser vision correction, or any elective procedure, before making a contribution to your FSA plan. 

The good news is our consultations at Mandel Vision are FREE and extremely informative!  So, you have nothing to lose by scheduling your laser vision correction consultation with Dr. Mandel.  Better yet, you could save yourself a very costly mistake!  Call our office at 212-734-0111 today to schedule your free consultation.  

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[i] http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2012/06/19/obamacare-calls-flexible-spending-account-use-it-or-lose-it-rule-into-question/

[ii] http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=2057abe8-8a16-49e3-bb5d-1ddfe62e6705

[iii] http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleaebeling/2012/06/19/obamacare-calls-flexible-spending-account-use-it-or-lose-it-rule-into-question/

Extreme LASIK:  Taking the Fear Out of Laser Vision Correction

Fear is one of the most common barriers patients face when considering laser vision correction.   Now, thanks to former Navy Captain and ophthalmologist, Steven Schallhorn, MD, patients can feel more secure.  Dr. Schallhorn performed LASIK on military personnel from the Army, Airforce, Marine Corp., and Navy using the same advanced blade-free, Femtosecond and Wavefront guided technology used at Mandel Vision.  In an effort to determine the safety and efficacy of LASIK, he then subjected these patients to some of the most extreme and harsh conditions possible including high altitude, extreme G forces, underwater pressures and blowing sand. 

The results of the clinical trial were crystal clear.  The visual results were excellent and the LASIK flaps were stable, even after being subjected to the most extreme environments. The LASIK flaps even proved to be stable in animal models that were exposed to forces equivalent to those produced during ejection from a plane traveling at 400 knots.[i]  Another concern, particularly for Navy Seals who participate in many night maneuvers, is night vision following LASIK.  Dr. Schallhorn found that night vision actually improved[ii], following LASIK with Femtosecond technology.  This is critical, as many of these maneuvers put these soldiers in life and death situations.  LASIK has enabled soldiers previously ineligible for special forces, due to the need for contact lenses and glasses, the opportunity to realize their full potential in the military.

Additionally, after careful review of Dr. Schallhorn’s data, NASA, which previously banned any laser corrective eye surgery, approved LASIK for its astronauts.[iii]  This decision, made despite the physically demanding, extreme zero-gravity conditions that astronauts endure, was not taken lightly.  Poor vision was the number one factor that previously disqualified many NASA applicants.[iv] LASIK, yet again, has opened the door to allow many more aspiring astronauts the opportunity to realize their dreams of space travel. 

Patients can take comfort in the knowledge that LASIK is deemed safe in even the most extreme environments.  AMO, one of the leading ophthalmic laser companies, says it best:  “Consumers looking for proof that LASIK is safe, effective and advanced enough for them need look no further; LASIK has proven it has ‘The Right Stuff’”.[v]

Click on the links below to view the documentary, produced by Patient Education Concepts, entitled:  LASIK on the Frontlines.

8 minute version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q-pbmLr46Q

28 minute version:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awBS2sxNCqU

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[i] Tanzer, David J.Laser Vision Correction in the US Military. Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today. June 2008.

[ii] Ciccone, John. LASIK:  On the Frontlines. ASCRS EyeWorld. February 2012.

[iii] Rundle, Rhonda L. Want to Work in Space? Squinters Can Now Apply.  WSJ, Sept. 21, 2007, Vol. CCI, No. 69.

[iv]Ibid

[v] AMO, Inc., ©2007.  NASA Approves Advanced LASIK for Use on Astronauts  

Mandel Vision® Spring 2012 Health Tips

1. Hooray! Spring is here! Unfortunately, this means the dreaded Spring allergies are here as well. 
With Spring here and all of the beautiful flowers that come with it, comes the promise of the dreaded Spring allergy season. Seasonal allergies are usually due to allergens that bind to mast cells in the eye, which then release histamine. The histamine causes most of the allergy symptoms. Allergic symptoms include itching, redness and tearing. Symptomatic relief can be obtained using antihistamine drops (Naphcon A, non steroidal anti- inflammatory drops (Acular) or steroid drops (Alrex). However, these deal solely with the symptoms, so they only offer temporary relief. To get to the root of the problem, we usually try to prescribe a mast cell stabilizer that prevents histamines from being released. Taken a week or two before the allergy season is in full swing, these drops can really make a difference between a truly annoying allergy season and one that is very tolerable. Combination drops like Patanol, Bepreve, Optivar, Elestat, Alaway or Zaditor all provide protection by acting as both an antihistamine and a mast cell stabilizer, together. Zaditor and Alaway are available over the counter, while the others require a prescription.

2. A Simple Way to Remember to Take Your Medication: 
Remembering to take medication is not always easy, especially if you take more than one medication, and you take them several times a day. A patient shared something with me that can make the whole routine easier and, most importantly, can increase compliance for better results. If you have a smartphone or an iPad, you can download the App: RxMindMe.


3.Why do I need an annual eye exam? 
This is a question I hear almost every day, which is typically followed by: "If I see so well, my eyes must be healthy." Even with excellent vision, you may still have undiagnosed medical issues with your eyes. Many conditions affecting your eyes are painless, and can only be found through a thorough medical eye exam. One example of a painless eye disease is glaucoma, which if untreated can be vision threatening.

Most patients who had a laser vision correction procedure were originally myopic (nearsighted). People who are myopic may have an eye that is anatomically elongated. Unrelated to your previous laser vision correction procedure, eyes that are elongated have a higher chance of retinal problems such as retinal tears, holes and detachments. If you ever experience flashes, floaters or shadows over your vision, go to your ophthalmologist immediately. Even if you do not experience any of these symptoms or they are unchanging, yearly exams may reveal a small retinal tear that could easily be treated, which could prevent the more serious complication of a retinal detachment.

A recent retrospective study confirmed that myopic or previously myopic patients have a higher incidence of open angle glaucoma. This is a painless condition that is easily treated if diagnosed early. Years may pass with undiagnosed glaucoma before a patient notices any visual symptoms. At this point, significant, irreversible damage may have already occurred.

First, don't panic! Most patients do not experience either of these conditions in their lifetimes. However, a simple, comprehensive eye exam is your best insurance against these conditions.

The eyes are really a window into your body. It is the only place where a doctor can actually visualize the tiniest blood vessels in your body, the arterioles and venules. This can reveal the first diagnosis of systemic medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

We hope you found this newsletter informative. Please contact us if you have any questions we can answer for you. You can reach us via email at: drericmandel@mandelvision.com or call us at 212-734-0111. You may also visit our website at:www.mandelvision.com. 

211 East 70th Street • New York, NY 10021 • 212-734-0111 • www.mandelvision.com