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Today was an exciting day here at EyeCare 20/20.  We were fortunate to host the Olympic Bronze Medal USA Bobsled team of Erin Pac and Elana Meyers.  They were in town for two reasons. 

First, they were here to let the public get a look at their Bronze Medals, sign autographed pictures, and talk about their Olympic experiences.  About 100 people came in to take advantage of this unique opportunity.  We posted photos of the event on our Flickr site.

Second, Elana was in town to join Erin as a member of the LASIK for the Gold team.  Before an athlete can qualify for LASIK for the Gold, we have them get some preliminary testing at home so that Dr. Silverman can review the results.  If everything looks OK, they are scheduled to come to New Jersey for additional testing and undergo LASIK surgery.  Unfortunately, this additional testing showed that Elana was not a good LASIK candidate, and the surgery was canceled.  I think we were all as disappointed as Elana!

The Daily Record was on hand to interview Elana and Erin and to take photos of the event. Click here to read today’s front page story: http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20100406/COMMUNITIES/100405144/1005/NEWS01/Olympic-bobsledders-say-thanks-to-E.-Hanover-eye-doc—even-though-one-can-t-get-surgery

In recognition of April’s designation as Sports Eye Safety Month, EyeCare 20/20, along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, urges all athletes to wear appropriate protective eyewear.

“Athletes need to choose protective eyewear because eye injuries can be devastating – not just career ending, but life changing. Eye injuries are one of the leading causes of visual impairment in children,” said Cary M. Silverman, M.D.- Medical Director of EyeCare 20/20 in East Hanover. Children can end up with injuries ranging from abrasions of the cornea and bruises of the lids to internal eye injuries such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding. Unfortunately, some of these athletes end up with permanent vision loss and blindness.

Athletes can now choose from various types of sturdy, lightweight, effective and fashionable eyewear. And when they have polycarbonate lenses and have been properly fitted by an eye care professional, eyewear does not hinder performance and can prevent 90 percent of sports eye injuries.

Basketball, football, hockey and baseball aren’t the only sports that contribute to the thousands of eye injuries suffered each year. Soccer, tennis, golf and water sports also are dangerous to the eyes. Each of these sports require a different type of protective eyewear, so see an Eye M.D. or other eye care professional for eyewear appropriate for your sport.

The long-term benefits of playing sports are clear, but sports are the leading cause of eye injuries in children. Most sporting leagues don’t require their young athletes to wear eye protection, yet when they do, the occurrence of eye injuries is greatly reduced. So, until mandatory eye protection comes to your child’s sporting league, its up to you to lobby for and protect your young athlete.

Some professionals, including NBA All-Star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, have already gotten the message – sports eye protection doesn’t hinder performance, it protects eyes and careers.

It’s a fact! If you play sports, you can get hurt. Whatever your game, whatever your age, protect your eyes with appropriate protective eyewear.

Meet United States Olympic Bobsledders Erin Pac and Elana Meyers at EyeCare 20/20 on Monday, April 5 from 12:00-2:00 p.m.   Pac and Meyers maneuvered a 400 pound sled down the fastest bobsled run in the world and won Bronze last month in Vancouver.  Reaching speeds in excess of 90 mph on a track that overturned countless sleds in both the men’s and women’s fields, Pac’s steady hands and sharpened vision brought her and teammate Elena Meyers their first taste of Olympic hardware. Bobsled pilot Pac attributes part of her success to the LASIK surgery provided by Cary M. Silverman, M.D. Pac’s teammate and brakeman Meyers will be undergoing her LASIK surgery on April 5.  The athletes will be signing free autographs and taking pictures with fans.  The public is welcome.  Food and beverages will be provided for this celebratory party for Team EyeCare 20/20.

“The track in Vancouver is ridiculously fast so of course clear vision was more important than ever,” said Pac.  “It was the thrill of a lifetime to stand on the Olympic podium and I’m so grateful to everyone at EyeCare 20/20 for the help in making my Olympic dream come true.”

EyeCare 20/20 did its part to help Team USA in the 2010 Winter Games through the LASIK-for-the-Gold campaign. EyeCare 20/20 gave free LASIK surgery to USA athletes to assist their pursuit of gold with the addition of “new eyes”. Team EyeCare 20/20 claimed seven medals in Vancouver, including: Chad Hedrick (speedskating – silver and bronze), Molly Engstrom (hockey – silver), Katherine Reutter (short track - silver and bronze) and Curt Tomasevicz (bobsled – gold).

“It was an amazing feeling as I sat up and for the first time since the third grade, I could read the clock on the other side of the room without the aid of my glasses or contacts,” said Gold Medalist and member of the 4-man Olympic Bobsled Team, Curt Tomasevicz. “I’m thankful for the life-changing procedure performed by Dr. Silverman and his staff. I hated the discomfort of my glasses and I hated having to rely on my contacts, especially in a sport where perfect vision is vital.”  

The athletes traveled from all across the country to EyeCare 20/20 for treatment because of the practice’s recognition as one of the premier LASIK facilities in the country. “The medals represent years of hard work, discipline and focus and I am thrilled beyond belief,” said Speedskater Katherine Reutter.  “It took a whole team of people to help me realize my dreams and Dr. Silverman and everyone at EyeCare 20/20 were a part of that team.  At the Olympics, I no longer had to worry about contacts, solution or even glasses.  I saw better than ever and I’m pretty excited to be looking clearly at a brand new pair of Olympic medals!”

With the Winter Olympics now over and Summer Olympics around the corner, Dr. Silverman is continually adding Olympians to his already long list of professional and collegiate athletes that have enjoyed this visual enhancement.  The list of athletes now includes ten Olympians or Olympic hopefuls. “I’m just doing my part to help Team USA claim gold.  I love the Olympics and it’s been an honor helping these dedicated athletes be their best,” said Silverman.

Olympic hopefuls who had LASIK surgery also include these four who hope to continue their success in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Arielle Martin of US BMX is the current UCI World Cup SX Champion. The 2008 USA Cycling BMX National Champion, Jill Kintner who went on to win the bronze medal in BMX racing in the sport’s Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing. US National Table Tennis player and Current US National Mixed Champion Samson Dubina, as well as Pole Vaulter Melinda Owens.

Erin Pac earned a bronze medal along with teammate Elana Meyers in the Women’s 2-man Bobsled.

Speedskater Chad Hedrick, who officially retired after the Olympics this weekend, earned a silver in the Team Pursuit and a bronze in the 1,000m.

Curt Tomasevicz, a member of “Team Night Train” earned a gold medal in the Men’s 4-man bobsled breaking a 62 year long drought in the sport for the United States.

Molly Engstrom and the ladies of US Women’s Hockey earned a silver medal while in Vancouver, adding to the bronze medal she won while in Torino in 2006.

Women’s Speedskater Katherie Reutter will be heading home to Champaign, Illinois this week with a silver medal in the 1000m and a bronze in the women’s 3,000m relay.

Luger Dan Joye, who made his second Olympic appearance in Vancouver, finished in the top ten along with teammate Christian Niccum, with a 6th overall ranking worldwide and first in the U.S.