Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. | Virginia Eye Consultants

2012-01-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

Testimonials

“I’ve had two corneal transplants, one in each eye. Prior to these transplants; I couldn’t see at night, I couldn’t drive, or see the head lights and street signs. I didn’t know where to go, unless it was a memorized path...and even then driving was scary. Dr. Sheppard gave me my sight, vision, and life back. I don’t even need glasses to watch the television! Dr. Sheppard has worked with me, until I could see again. It’s amazing, what he does is a blessing. No one knows how valuable something is, until it’s gone. I lost my vision, and Dr. Sheppard gave it back to me.”

-Perry Williams

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Good morning ladies and gentlemen! With the New Year quickly in motion, we are starting new traditions here at Virginia Eye Consultants. I, Sara Peterson, am reaching out to those interested in sharing your story! We can either set up a time to meet, or conduct the interview over phone or email: 757.622.2200 // Speterson@vec2020.com

For those whom are new to our practice, we are an elite group of Physicians and staff who love what we do, and most importantly, make a difference doing it. We treat a wide range of eye conditions such as:

Glaucoma
Cataracts
Infections
Keratitis
Keratoconus
Macular degeneration
Retinal degeneration
Diabetic health of the eye exams
Plaquenil screenings
LASIK evaluations
Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal transplant evaluations
Lid/ brow lift evaluations
And many more.

We also do in house operations and procedures such as:

Botox
LASIK
Injections for retinal/macula
Cataract surgery
YAG procedures
SLT procedures
Trabectome surgery
LenSX Cataract surgery
And many more.

Our surgical suite, Virginia Surgery Center, is equipped with state of the art technology, and is conveniently located upstairs.

One large step for Dr. Okeke, one giant leap for Virginia Eye Consultants!

2012-01-06T14:55:00.000-08:00

We are celebrating yet another advancement and achievement by our very own Glaucoma specialist, Dr. Constance Okeke, MD, MSCE. Dr. Okeke, being no stranger to both LenSx laser cataract surgeries and Trabectome glaucoma surgeries, has made new head way in combining the best of both technological advancements into one.

The ground breaking news started upon Dr. Okeke's arrival to Virginia Eye Consultants, when Dr. Okeke became the first certified Trabectome Surgeon to provide the surgical technique. The Trabectome is a manually invasive procedure for glaucoma, in which the eye's natural fluid balance is being restored. Dr. Okeke has secured the position as the only doctor in the area to take on the know-how and challenge of this advanced procedure.

Since then, Virginia Eye Consultants has obtained the newest technology in cataract surgeries with the LenSx laser- assisted cataract procedure. Our LenSx laser provides unparalleled precision and safety, redefining cataract surgery in its entirety!

Dr. Okeke has taken the initiative to integrate both technology and technique by combining a LenSx Laser cataract procedure along with a Trabectome glaucoma procedure, and the results speak for themselves! But rather than taking my word for it, take Dr. Okeke's:

"With the Trabectome, this advanced glaucoma procedure gives patients the opportunity to lower pressure using the newest technology. Combined with LenSx laser, the patients can improve their vision and treat glaucoma. The benefits of combining both glaucoma and cataract surgery with LenSx and the Trabectome offers more precision, improves the sealing ability, efficiency of the incision, and over all quality combined in one surgical procedure."

Often, we fear that once we commit to the newest technology, another 'newer or better' version appears. In the case of traditional cataract surgery combined with Trabectome vs. LenSx Laser cataract surgery, this is not the case! Both are effective, efficient, performed by a skilled physician, and prosper great results. In this progressive day and age, Dr. Okeke and Virginia Eye consultants never miss a beat.

"Even glaucoma and cataract procedures can continue to have new advances in technology that can allow for better outcomes." -Dr. Constance O. Okeke, MD, MSCE

VEC is the First Practice to Perform New LifeStyle Lens™ Procedure

2011-06-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

In continuing to develop a national reputation as a leader in ophthalmology, Stephen V. Scoper, M.D., is the first surgeon in the Hampton Roads area to implant the groundbreaking Higher Power Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL). Now patients with greater than 2 diopters of astigmatism can experience clear vision without glasses after cataract surgery.

The Toric IOL is the first LifeStyle Lens™ option offered by Virginia Eye Consultants that is designed for patients experiencing the blurriness of cataracts who also have pre-existing astigmatism.

"Virginia Eye Consultants is focused on providing our patients with the most advanced technology and leading edge innovations in eye care," Scoper said. "The Toric IOL gives cataract patients with astigmatism the opportunity to enjoy distance vision without depending on glasses or contacts."

If you are interested in learning more about the Toric IOL, or would like to see if you are a candidate for the procedure, call Virginia Eye Consultants at 1-800-321-3937 or click here to schedule a free consultation.

Dr. Scoper on the Hidden Dangers of UV Rays

2011-05-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

Dr. Scoper appeared on WAVY-TV 10 to talk about need for quality sunglasses and the hidden dangers UV rays pose to our eyes. Watch the video below or click here to read more.

VEC is Named Small Business of the Year

2011-05-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

Virginia Eye Consultants of Norfolk was named the Small Business of the Year by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce last week.

The practice, which started in 1963, specializes in eye surgery and has seen 20 percent growth in the past year.

With 90 employees, the business at 241 Corporate Blvd. is managed by Karen J. Spencer, chief executive officer; Dr. John D. Sheppard, president; and Dr. Stephen V. Scoper, vice president.

Virginia Eye Consultants was selected from five finalists from each of the Southside cities for the honor. The other businesses were Russell's Heating & Cooling of Chesapeake; Stealth Shredding Inc., which recently moved from Portsmouth to Chesapeake; Bennett's Creek Pharmacy in Suffolk; and B&T Kitchens of Virginia Beach, which also has a location in Norfolk.

"Each of the city award winners are exceptional companies with tremendous operations, customer service, employee involvement and the accomplishment of major goals and growth," said Jim Carroll, vice president of small business for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads Inc.

"The judging committee felt that Virginia Eye Consultants' operations, longevity and accomplishments were unmatched. This is an exceptional company with tremendous achievements and potential for even more in the future."

Congressman Scott Rigell (left) and Nelson Adcock, Chamber's Chair (right)

Jim Carroll, Vice President of Small Business for the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads, Inc.; Neal Crawford, President, Monarch Bank; Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President, Virginia Eye Consultants; Karen Spencer, CEO, Virginia Eye Consultants; and Jack Hornbeck, CCE, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Photo courtesy of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

Speaking Engagements at 2011 ASCRS Conference

2011-03-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

I have several speaking engagements scheduled at this month's American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) conference in San Diego, CA covering a wide variety of topics from allergy to infections to Restor IOL technology. His clinical research experience as principal investigator for numerous studies, Dr. Scoper brings a unique perspective into his discussions to educate our peers on advancements in ophthalmology.

Click here for more information on the 2011 ASCRS conference.

Save the Date: Friday October 25, 2010

2010-09-08T14:35:00.001-07:00

AAOPH Symposium
MANAGING THE OCULAR SURFACE COMPLICATIONS OF BLEPHARITIS: New Therapeutic Options for an Age Old Problem

Join our expert panel to learn more about the new paradigm for treating Ocular Surface Complications of Blepharitis, and the introduction of two new products for OSD management.

DATE:
Friday, October 25, 2010

TIME:

Registration and Reception: 5:45-6:15pm

Presentation: 6:15-7:15pm

Dinner Reception: 7:15-8:15pm

VENUE:

Adler Planetarium

1300 S. Lake Shore Drive

Chicago, IL 60605

Adler #: 312-922-7827

www.adlerplanetarium.org

Moderator/Speaker:

Stephen S. Lane, MD

Distinguished Speakers:

James McCulley, MD
Professor & Chairman of the David Bruton Jr. Chair in Opthalmology of the Southwestern Medical School

Victor Perez, MD

Associate Professor of Opthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Secondary Appointment in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Stephen Scoper, MD

Vice President, Virginia Eye Consultants
Associate Professor of Opthalmology, Easter Virginia Medical School

To Register, visit http://revophth.com.OSMgmtOct15

or call 877-451-6511

or email: LDiDomenico@Jobson.com

Transportation will be provided to and from the venue.

Virginia Eye Consultants Updated Event Schedule

2010-07-23T07:18:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

June 5, 2010

Optometrists of Southeast Missouri, OD Meeting and Educational Presentation

Springfield, MO

June 16, 2010

Ocular Infections and Inflammation, Educational Presentation

Hoboken, NJ

June 24, 2010

Department of Defense – Pataday, Alcon Labs

Dallas, TX

June 23, 2010

OD Network Building Seminar, Miller Public Relations

Dallas, TX

July 31, 2010

Sustane Blepharitis Advisory Fouum, Presentation, Alcon Labs

New York, NY

Clinical Research

June 19, 2010

Alcon Investigator’s Meeting

Dallas, TX

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper | ASCRS Corneal Clinical Committee | Symposium Speach at ASCRS in Boston, MA

2010-04-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper, Vice-President of Virginia Eye Consultants, was a symposium speaker at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery event this year in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 700 doctors in attendance, Dr. Scoper discussed treatment options for epithelial basement membrane dystrophy patients.

Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy encompasses several different names, but Dr. Scoper explained that it is marked by the synthesis of an abnormal basement membrane that grows up into the epithelium. These patients could have vision loss or recurrent erosions, he said. For both symptoms, he recommended superficial lamellar keratectomy (SLK) before cataract surgery as a treatment option. K-readings should be delayed until two-three months after SLK.

Dr. Scoper described another treatment regimen for recurrent erosions includes bandage contact lenses, antibiotics and lubrication. "We need to recognize these epithelial disorders before we do cataract surgery to get the best visual outcomes," Dr. Scoper said.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. – Guest Lecturer at CPE Optometry Program Seminar | Fort Worth, Texas | Alcon Campus

2010-03-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper, Vice President of Virginia Eye Consultants, was a guest lecturer at an optometric student conference in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 12th, 2010 at Alcon's Fort Worth campus. This is one of two conferences that Dr. Scoper has presented at (the first in late January) and over 100 students were in attendance.

CPE Optometry Program is a two day seminar for fourth-year optometry students. This program is an interactive lecture on topics of dry eye, allergy, contact lens, glaucoma and co-management of IOLs. Dr. Lebow was also a guest lecturer at the event.

Visit VirginiaEyeConsultants.com to learn more about Dr. Scoper.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. presents Premium IOL Course in Detroit, Michigan

2010-01-29T20:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Detroit, MI, presenting a comprehensive course to area optometrists on the co-management of Premium IOLs on Sunday, January 31, 2010!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Dr. Scoper will be presenting a comprehensive course for optometrists, training and preparing them to manage every aspect of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Upon completion of the course under Dr. Scoper's extensive experience, they will have confidence in recommending the Premium IOL technology to any of their patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients from Dr. Scoper's will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper | Guest Speaker at InSIGHT Educational Program | Durham, NC

2010-01-23T17:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper of Virginia Eye Consultants was a guest speaker at the InSIGHT educational program at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday January 23rd, 2010!

The program gave special insight into:

• The latest advancements in PCIOL technology
• Improving outcomes
• Enhancing patient selection
• Improving patient education
• Managing patients post op
• Accurate biometry with "hands on" session

Faculty and Speakers included in the session:

Steven Scoper, M.D., Virginia Eye Consultants
Joseph L. Parisi, M.D., Clemson Ophthalmology
Mary Lou Parisi, Executive Director, Clemson Ophthalmology
William G. Martin, M.D., OptiVue, Toledo, Ohio
Robin Vann, M.D., Duke Eye Center

Agenda:
8:00-8:30am – Registration and Breakfast
8:30-11:45am – Educational Session
11:45-12:30pm – Lunch with Panel discussion
12:30-2:30pm – Educational Session

On Friday January 22nd, 2010, Dr. Scoper also hosted a roudtable dinner with Dr. William G. Martin and Mary Lou Parisi at Án New World Cuisine in Cary, North Carolina. The dinner was hosted as a precursor to the InSIGHT program the following day.

We encourage all of our attendees to comment on their experience at InSIGHT! To do so, please use the comment box below this post.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. Premium IOL Presentation in Warsaw, IN

2010-01-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Indiana, presenting a comprehensive course to area optometrists on the co-management of Premium IOLs on Saturday, January 16, 2010!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, January 16, 2010
Registration begins at 8:00 am
Lunch Will Be Provided at 12:30 pm

Grossnickle Eye Center Optometric Conference
Westminster Hall, 9th Street
(between College and Chestnut Ave.)
Winona Lake, Indiana

Dr. Scoper will be presenting a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Integrating care with an experienced Premium IOL surgeon, they will have confidence in recommending the Premium IOL technology to their patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This COPE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

Please RSVP to Karen Platt, CMA, COA
800-527-3948 ext. 625
kplatt@gecenter.com

Funded by an Unrestricted Educational Grant from Alcon

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. Premium IOL Presentation in Arkansas

2009-12-04T14:26:00.001-08:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Arkansas, presenting a comprehensive course to area optometrists on the co-management of Premium IOLs on Saturday, December 5th, 2009!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Program 8:00am - 2:00pm

Hosted at the Embassy Suites Hotel (continental breakfast & lunch will be served)

Dr. Scoper will be presenting a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Integrating care with an experiencedPremium IOL surgeon, they will have confidence in recommending thePremium IOL technology to their patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This COPE-approved six hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, please contact Jayme Bartlett at jbartlett@boozmanhof.com.

Dr. Steve Scoper - Guest Speaker in San Francisco for Alcon Dinner Symposium - Treatment of Ocular Allergies

2009-10-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

Dr. Steve Scoper of Virginia Eye Consultants delivered a "Treatment of Ocular Allergies" presentation in San Francisco on Saturday, October 24th. His speech was part of the Alcon Dinner Symposium, where he also delivered a speech "The Missing Step to Achieve Better Premium IOL Outcomes" on Sunday, October 25th.

Alcon Dinner Symposium

"Treatment of Ocular Allergies"

Saturday, October 24th 2009

6:00pm

Farallon Restaurant

San Francisco, CA 94102

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. Premium IOL Presentation in San Francisco, CA

2009-10-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in San Francisco, CA delivering a presentation entitled "The Missing Step to Achieve Better Premium IOL Outcomes" at 4 PM on Sunday, October 25th, 2009, as part of the Alcon Speakers Forum.

Alcon Speaker's Forum during the 2009 AAO/PAAO Joint Meeting
"The Missing Step to Achieve Better Premium IOL Outcomes"
October 25, 2009, 4:00 PM
With Stephen V. Scoper, M.D.

Proudly Announcing: The ALLEGRETTO WAVE® Eye-Q

2009-10-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

Here at Virginia Eye Consultants we are always striving to offer our patients the most up-to-date eye correction technology available. This is why we are excited to announce the latest addition to our facility, The ALLEGRETTO WAVE^® Eye-Q Laser System.

The ALLEGRETTO WAVE^® Eye-Q customizes each treatment to the patient’s specific prescription and cornea while attempting to improve what nature originally designed. It is a safer, faster all-laser procedure, and is used in conjunction with our IntraLase laser, allowing us to offer a truly BLADE-FREE procedure. At Virginia Eye Consultants, we believe that excellent surgical results depend on distinctive patient care. Every patient has unique vision needs that must be addressed individually. Our system of care is exceptional in that you will receive first class treatment with industry leading technology.

The ALLEGRETTO WAVE^® Eye-Q allows us to further tailor specific vision care treatments to each individual patient. We are here to serve you, our patient. Our rich history and experience, our mastery of the very latest technologies and our reputation have resulted in earning us the highest commodity: the trust of our patients.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. in Richmond, Virginia for Ocular Allergy Presentation

2009-09-28T12:36:00.001-07:00

Dinner Presentation: "Ocular Allergy: Treatment Goals and Therapeutic Evaluation Update"

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 6:30pm

Flemings Steakhouse, Richmond, VA

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President of Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia, will be presenting a lecture on ocular allergy, entitled "Ocular Allergy: Treatment Goals and Therapeutic Evaluation Update" at Flemings Steakhouse in Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 6:30pm. The lecture will be targeted to ophthalmologists.

Flemings Steakhouse

9200 Stony Point Pkwy, Ste 131

Richmond, VA 23235

(804) 272-7755

To RSVP to the event, contact Deone Allen at (336) 451-1523.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. presents Premium IOL Course in Grapevine, Texas

2009-09-21T09:41:00.001-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Grapevine, Texas, presenting a comprehensive course to area optometrists on the co-management of Premium IOLs on Saturday, September 26th, 2009!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

Registration/Breakfast 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Program 8:30am - Noon

Hosted at the Hilton DFW Lakes

Learn More and Register by CLICKING HERE

Dr. Scoper will be presenting a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Integrating care with an experiencedPremium IOL surgeon, they will have confidence in recommending thePremium IOL technology to their patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

A breakfast and registration period will be at 8:00am, and the program will commence at 8:30am.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, CLICK HERE!

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. presents Premium IOL Course in New York City, New York

2009-09-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in New York City, New York, presenting a comprehensive course to area optometrists on the co-management of Premium IOLs on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Registration/Dinner 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Program 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Hosted at the BLT Prime Restaurant

Learn More and Register by CLICKING HERE

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

A dinner and registration period will be at 6:30pm, and the program will commence at 7:00 p.m.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, CLICK HERE!

The ABC's of Great Vision

2009-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day back to school for many children across the United States. Correct vision is crucial in today's fast-paced classroom, and without it, learning will become increasingly difficult. Recent studies suggest vision problems affect as many as one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-age children. Since many vision problems begin to develop at an early age, it is very important for parents to maintain a proactive role in securing proper eye care for their child. Untreated vision related issues can lead to more serious and complicated problems, as well as negatively impacting learning, personality and behavior.

Good vision is essential in a child's physical and educational development. Parents should be prepared by ensuring regular vision and eye health screenings to allow for the detection and treatment of any eye problems, if they exist.

If your child often complains of headaches, tearing, holds items unusually close or far away to view them, or tilts his head to the side to read schoolwork, it could be indicative of a vision related problem. One must never assume their child has 20/20 vision just because they've never complained about it. Frequently, issues go undiagnosed as the child doesn't realize that the world does not appear blurry to everyone else. The burden of responsibility here falls directly on the parents.

Amblyopia, or poor vision in an otherwise normal eye, commonly caused by crossed eyes or refractive differences, if left untreated can cause irreversible vision loss. The best time for detection and treatment of this is the preschool years. Effective treatment after 8 or 9 years of age is rarely achieved.

Strabismus, or misalignment of the eyes, can result in amblyopia if the eye is habitually misaligned. Early detection and treatment are crucial in correcting and restoring vision.

With a timely diagnosis, common refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, are all frequently corrected with proper corrective eyeglasses. Uncorrected refractive errors can cause amblyopia in some cases.

Ultimately, an examination by your child's ophthalmologist should be performed any time questions arise regarding eye health, regardless of the age of the child. As with many health issues, early detection and diagnosis of incorrect vision provides the best opportunity for effective treatment and correction. And the sooner poor vision is corrected for your child, the sooner they can enjoy a happy and healthy learning environment, free from vision related hindrances.

Dr. Scoper | Webcast Teleconference | Tuesday, September 1st

2009-08-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

Register TODAY for the Tuesday, September 1st installment of Dr. Scoper's interactive webcast teleconferences! This conference, "The Missing Step to Achieving Better Premium IOL Outcomes", will take place on Tuesday, September 1st, at 10:30pm., EST. Please attend and discuss this topic with Dr. Scoper and others around the country!

To register for this event, call 800-668-0651 or e-mail the following registration information to registration@aristamktg.com:

-Name
-Complete office address
-Office phone and fax numbers
-Phone number at the time of the teleconference
-E-mail address

For more about Dr. Scoper, click here!

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper | Speaker at St. Luke's Eyecare Network 2009 Summer Medical Conference

2009-08-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

Stephen V. Scoper, MD | Featured Speaker at St. Luke's Eyecare Network 2009 Summer Medical Conference at Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, Palm Harbor, Florida, on August 29th 2009

"Co-Management of Premium IOLs" Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, August 29th
Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club - Palm Harbor, Florida
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Presented by Stephen V. Scoper, MD
Panelists: James P. Gills, MD and Pit Gills, M.D.

Dr. Stephen Scoper of Virginia Eye Consultants will be presenting his "Co-Management of Premium IOLs" course at the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club on Saturday, August 29th 2009, in Palm Harbor, Florida! This is a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state of the art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back their practices.

This four hour continuing education course is pending approval by the Florida Board of Optometry.

For more information, please call:
Maddy at (727) 943-3112
Colleen at (727) 943-3111 x2475

visit www.virginiaeyeconsultants.com

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. to present on AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +3.0D & IQ Toric in Boca Raton, FL

2009-08-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Boca Raton, FL to make a dinner meeting presentation concerning ReSTOR and Toric Premium IOLs on Thursday, August 13!

AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +3.0D & IQ Toric:
Maximizing Outcomes & Successful Co-management with Optometrists

Thursday, August 13, 2009

7:00 p.m.

Held at Chop's Lobster Bar
101 Plaza Real S.
Boca Raton, FL 33432
561-395-2675

R.S.V.P. to Walter Fernandez at 305-632-4935

Dr. Scoper has an international reputation in his field as a board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in all areas of refractive surgery, from cataract surgery to LASIK. In 2003, he was the first eye surgeon in the area to be certified in the Crystalens multifocal lens for cataracts and continues to be at the leading edge of additional premium lenses, such as ReSTOR and Toric IOLs. Most recently, Dr. Scoper was the lead investigator for a new glaucoma medication and presented findings from the study at the annual European Glaucoma Conference in Berlin. He is also one of 10 physicians investigating a new intraocular lens material for refractive surgery. As well as being a vital part of Virginia Eye Consultants, Dr. Scoper is also an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. This combines his interest in treating patients with his love for teaching and research. For more on Dr. Scoper, click HERE.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. presents Premium IOL Course in Salt Lake City, Utah

2009-07-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Salt Lake City, Utah presenting a comprehensive course to area optometrists on the co-management of Premium IOLs on Saturday, August 8th!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

Registration/Lunch 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Program 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Hosted at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center

Learn More and Register by CLICKING HERE

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

A lunch and registration period will be at noon, and the program will commence at 1:00 p.m.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, CLICK HERE!

Don't Miss This Amazing Opportunity!

2009-07-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

You still have time to register for the first in Dr. Scoper's series of interactive webcast teleconferences! This conference, "The Missing Step to Achieving Better Premium IOL Outcomes", will take place on Thursday, July 30, from 8:30-9:30 p.m., EST. Please attend and discuss this topic with Dr. Scoper and others around the country!

To register for this event, call 800-668-0651 or e-mail the following registration information to registration@aristamktg.com:

-Name
-Complete office address
-Office phone and fax numbers
-Phone number at the time of the teleconference
-E-mail address

For more about Dr. Scoper, click here!

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. to speak for Premium IOL webcast

2009-07-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be presenting the first in a series of interactive webcast teleconferences beginning on Thursday, July 30!

"The Missing Step to Achieving Better Premium IOL Outcomes"

An interactive discussion on various topics related to Premium IOL procedures

Thursday, July 30

8:30-9:30 p.m. E.T.

The discussion topics presented by Dr. Scoper will be "AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL +3.0D: True performance at all distances"; "New Aspheric AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL: Precise astigmatism correction, now available in aspheric optics"; "Pre-operative measurements can make or break the deal"; and "Pearls for post-operative care: Aggressively managing ocular surface disease".

Dr. Scoper has an international reputation in his field as a board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in all areas of refractive surgery, from cataract surgery to LASIK. In addition, he is an expert in the new Visian ICL implantable lenses for people with moderate to severe nearsightedness and Toric implantable lenses to correct astigmatism. In 2003, he was the first eye surgeon in the area to be certified in the Crystalens multifocal lens for cataracts and continues to be at the leading edge of additional premium lenses such as ReSTOR. Dr. Scoper is also an associate professor of ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School and combines his interest in treating patients with his love for teaching and research.

To register for this event, call 800-668-0651 or e-mail the following registration information to registration@aristamktg.com:

-Name

-Complete office address

-Office phone and fax numbers

-Phone number at the time of the teleconference

-e-mail address

For more about Dr. Scoper, click here!

LASIK vs. Visian ICL

2009-07-07T09:53:00.000-07:00

Have you heard the buzz about LASIK and wondered if this might be the solution for your vision problems? There are many benefits, both short-term and long-term, that come with a LASIK procedure. Current statistics show that success rates of LASIK are as high as 98%! Along with that success rate most patients will receive 20/20 vision or better without further use of glasses or contact lenses. Those patients also report that their vision is better after having LASIK than it was prior to surgery with the aid of their corrective lenses! Dr. Scoper and the team at Virginia Eye Consultants use the most advanced techniques available to perform LASIK surgery in order to meet their goal of providing patients with the highest standard of medical care possible.

The actual LASIK procedure is extremely fast - less than 30 minutes to get both eyes done - and virtually pain free. Dr. Scoper uses completely blade-free technology to provide the safest, most accurate and predictable results possible. There are no needles or anesthesia involved, only the simple use of eye drops to numb your eyes and insure your comfort. Improved vision may be noticeable as soon as you leave the doctor's office following your procedure. Within a few days you will be able to return to your normal routine, go back to work, and start driving again. One of the most significant advantages to LASIK is that it can completely erase the need for glasses or contact lenses! LASIK will not only provide more comfort and convenience, it will save time that was lost having to put in contact lenses or search for your glasses, and LASIK can pay for itself with the money you'll save in ophthalmologist visits and corrective lens expenses.

However, LASIK is not for everyone. If you find out during your preliminary exam at Virginia Eye Consultants that LASIK is not the right choice for your eyes, Dr. Scoper may recommend something called the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL). Visian, a permanent contact lens that is implanted in front of your existing lens, is a wonderful choice for those patients with moderate to severe myopia (nearsightedness). Because the Visian lens is implanted in front of and does not replace the natural lens, it is possible to remove or replace it if your eyesight happens to change over time. Visian, like LASIK, also has the potential to erase the need for corrective lenses! Should patients find they would like additional correction, they will be able to use contact lenses and glasses in conjunction with the Visian lens.

The Visian lens has an excellent track record, being implanted in more than 55,000 eyes worldwide! Being made of 100% collagen copolymer, the lens is biocompatible with your eye and your body does not view it as a foreign object. The beautiful simplicity of this surgery is that once the lens is implanted in your eye, their is no maintenance needed to preserve your excellent vision! The results are miraculous and immediate.

Schedule a FREE consultation today at www.vec2020.com or simply call us in Norfolk at (757) 622-2200, or in Hampton at (757) 826-4702. Whether LASIK or Visian is the right choice for you, Dr. Scoper and Virginia Eye Consultants will help you succeed on the road to excellent vision!

LASIK and YOU

2009-06-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

Dr. Steve Scoper, vice president of Virginia Eye Consultans, has an international reputation in his field as a specialist in all areas of refractive surgery, including LASIK surgery. LASIK is a procedure that uses lasers to reshape the cornea. During this procedure, Dr. Scoper will use a two-step process to correct your vision. In the first step a thin layer from the protective part of the cornea is lifted to create a flap, allowing access to the rest of the cornea. Then the laser is guided through this opening and used to sculpt the cornea into the proper shape. Once complete, the corneal flap is put back into place and seals on its own without the need for stitches. Dr. Scoper uses the latest All-Laser IntraLASIK technique eliminating the microkeratome blade for a much safer and more accurate blade free procedure.

To be a potential candidate for LASIK surgery, you need to be at least 18 years old and have had no changes in your vision for at least 1 year. Following LASIK surgery you should have noticeable improvement within the first 2 hours. Improvement will be the most dramatic the day following your surgery when you are able to return to your normal routines!

The LASIK procedure has gone through many advancements, evolving from the older methods of ALK and PRK. ALK used a hand-held instrument called a microkeratome to perform the procedure, and could only correct nearsightedness. Because this surgery was done completely by hand there was room for a larger margin of error. PRK, the precursor to LASIK, appeared in 1987. This procedure does not involve making a corneal flap but uses an excimer laser to work directly on the outer surface of the cornea. PRK can correct nearsightedness, astigmatism, and some farsightedness. LASIK combines the use of the corneal flap from ALK with the excimer laser used in PRK. These new laser technologies now make it possible to correct a more extensive range of refractive error, including the elimination of using the less predictable performance of mechanical microkeratome and surgical blades to create the corneal flap.

This procedure has become increasingly popular in recent years because of monumental technological advances and drastically reduced recovery times. More than 1 million LASIK surgeries are performed in the United States each year. This number will keep growing as evolving technologies continue to improve all aspects of LASIK surgery: availability, reliability, and affordability. Dr. Scoper and Virginia Eye Consultants use the most advanced laser technology available to perform completely blade-free LASIK procedures, with optimum predictability and efficiency.

Are you ready to take the next step towards your amazing vision with blade-free LASIK? Visit us at www.vec2020.com and register for your free consultation today!

Restore your clear vision with ReSTOR

2009-06-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

Are you finding it harder to focus your eyes while reading or driving? Maybe your vision seems blurry or dim even though you just bought a new pair of glasses. You could write these off as signs of "old age", but they may be likely signs of cataracts. In fact, cataracts are the number one cause of poor vision in adults. A cataract is a clouding of the lens, which obstructs the light from passing through properly. The lens is responsible for focusing images that enter the eye, but the blockage of light causes these images to register as being dim, blurred, and can even effect the perception of color. The only way to properly identify cataracts is to be diagnosed during an eye exam, as cataracts cannot be seen from the outside.

Luckily cataract surgeries have a success rate of more than 95%! Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, has earned an international reputation as a specialist in every aspect of refractive surgery, including cataract surgery. Since the only way to treat cataracts is by replacing the lens, Dr. Scoper and the team of doctors at VEC have added the revolutionary ReSTOR IOL (intraocular lens) to their list of state-of-the-art cataract treatment options. ReSTOR is a fast and often painless surgery that involves replacing the natural lens with a permanent Intraocular Lens. The tapered shape of the ReSTOR lens allows for all-distance vision and often erases the need for glasses or corrective lenses. During the procedure the doctors will make a very small incision and insert an instrument to dissolve the lens that has become cloudy. After dissolving the old lens, the doctors will insert the new ReSTOR lens in its place. Because the incision in the eye is so small, stitches are not necessary and the eye heals itself.

This procedure has revolutionized the way cataract surgery is viewed and performed. The quick and virtually pain free process provides most patients with the ability to return to normal activities the day following their procedure! In fact, as many as 4 out of 5 patients have reported never having to wear glasses or corrective lenses again.

Are you ready to restore your clear vision with ReSTOR? Schedule your free consultation at www.vec2020.com and call us at (757) 622-2200!

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. in Knoxville, Tennessee for Premium IOL Course

2009-06-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Knoxville, Tennessee, to present a course to area optometrists for co-management of Premium IOLs on Saturday June 27th!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, June 27th

Breakfast / Registration 8:00am - 8:30am

Program 8:30am - Noon

Hosted at the Knoxville Marriott

Learn More and Register by CLICKING HERE

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

A breakfast and registration period will begin at 8:00am and the program will commence starting at 8:30am until noon.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, CLICK HERE!

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. in Indianapolis, Indiana for Premium IOL Course

2009-06-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Indianapolis, Indiana, to present a course to area optometrists for co-management of Premium IOLs on Saturday June 20th!

Co-Management of Premium IOLs

Training Opportunity for Co-Management of Multifocal and Toric IOLs

Saturday, June 20th

Breakfast / Registration 8:00am - 8:30am

Program 8:30am - Noon

Hosted at the Conrad Hotel – Indianapolis, IN

Learn More and Register by CLICKING HERE

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

A breakfast and registration period will begin at 8:00am and the program will commence starting at 8:30am until noon.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, CLICK HERE!

Dr. Scoper and all attendees of the course pose for a group photo

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. in Detroit, Michigan for Premium IOL Course

2009-05-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Detroit, Michigan, to present a course to area optometrists for Premium IOLs on Saturday June 6th!

Saturday, June 6th (morning) - Dr. Scoper will be presenting a 3 hour course to optometrists in Detroit about co-management of Premium IOLs.

For Saturday's course, Dr. Scoper will be presenting a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Integrating care with an experienced Premium IOL surgeon, they will have confidence in recommending the Premium IOL technology to their patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director.

A breakfast and registration period will begin at 8:00am and the program will commence starting at 8:30am until noon.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, visit http://events.signup4.com/ScoperDetroit

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper | Article: Premium IOLs & OD Comanagement

2009-05-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

In the May 2009 issue of Ophthalmology Management, Stephen Scoper, MD describes how allowing optometrists to match patients to premium IOLs improves both patient care and practice growth.
"I belong to a busy ophthalmic practice that performs more than 1,800 cataract surgeries a year, and we have developed a large optometric network to help us comanage these cases. This network worked well for us for years — and then premium IOLs entered the U.S. ophthalmic scene. Suddenly, our smoothly running network came close to disaster because optometrists had not been trained in how these premium IOLs were different. They did not understand the nuances of patient care that were different from a routine, standard IOL.
I knew that for the good of our patients, we needed to address the situation, so I immediately stopped comanaging the premium IOLs and developed a program to teach optometrists what I felt they needed to know. The result was patients who were much happier with their cataract surgery and the quality of life it gave them.
Over time, this presentation evolved into a 3-hour, comprehensive course with a 200-page notebook that I give to optometrists around the country: "Comanagement of Premium IOLs: Training Opportunity for Comanagement of Multifocal and Toric IOLs." And while I am well aware that the ophthalmic community does not have uniformly warm feelings on the topic of comanagement, I do believe that it enables you to run your cataract practice more smoothly and to deliver a superior quality of vision to your patients. Following is a summary of how my course works to educate optometrists; you may want to consider this model for your own practice.
Finding Ready Students
As I said, this course began with my own personal situation and my own network of optometrists. I discovered the need was there, so I now conduct the course in other towns for Alcon Labs. I approach busy ophthalmologists who already comanage and have an optometric network. I tell them about my course and encourage their networks to attend. Any comanaging optometrist from a given area can attend; I tell ophthalmologists, "You send your optometrist, because your competition is sending theirs!"
However, I also make sure there is no territorial fighting — in fact, I don't even permit my attendees to utter an ophthalmologist's name; this course is designed to let O.D.s learn about premium IOLs in a "nondenominational" setting, not to promote any particular ophthalmologist. But ophthalmologists encourage their optometrists to attend my course because they see it as a "win" for all concerned — for themselves, for the O.D.s and for their patients.
I have three goals for my course to make this happen. Number 1 is to give the optometrists the knowledge base they need for premium IOLs. Number 2 is to motivate them and generate some enthusiasm about offering this to patients so that they really believe they can give their patients a better quality of life. Finally, number 3 is to challenge the O.D.s to go out the next day and recommend premium IOLs to their patients — to actually put the information they learned in the course into practice.
Help Them Help You
Please understand that having optometrists put into practice what they have learned about premium IOLs will greatly benefit your patients. The reason is that optometrists frequently know the patients much better than we do, having followed them for years versus the maybe 6 to 10 minutes the surgeon spends with them during an initial examination.
For instance, a standard, monofocal IOL focused at near is an option we can provide our cataract surgery patients — some people are nearsighted and they like to have their glasses off to read at near, while they continue wearing distance glasses. I had such a patient, and not being familiar with her habits, I made a mistake. She was in her mid 70s with a refractive error of -2.50 near. She has read in bed at night all of her life.
So the patient is sent to me and I take away her nearsightedness and give her 20/20 vision at distance with no glasses for the first time, and I think I've done a great job. But guess what? She's distraught, because she can't see at near and doesn't understand that she does see well at near, she just needs to wear glasses. But I changed her whole life, because I didn't really understand what she wanted — she loves to read with her glasses off.
The optometrist who sent her to me should have told me that. He knows her better than I do. He should have said, "Dr. Scoper, leave her -2.50, that's her life, and she'll be happy." I use that example in my course to tell optometrists that they have a huge responsibility to make a recommendation like that when they know the patient.
What They Need to Know
In order to help optometrists play their part in making the patient's cataract surgery as successful as possible, I take great pains to educate them on the latest IOL technologies and options for patients. The latter I present as monofocal for distance/glasses for near; monofocal for near/glasses for distance; monovision (stipulating that this patient must be successful with monovision contact lenses); toric IOLs/monovision for distance/glasses for near; and multifocal IOLs.
Then, within these options, I explain the differences between lens materials, such as acrylic and PMMA. I also cover key concepts like blue light, diffraction and apodization. Presbyopic IOLs, of course, are what all the buzz is about in cataract surgery, so I give optometrists a thorough education in the relevant IOLs on the U.S. market: the ReSTOR (+3.0 and +4.0 Aspheric, Alcon Labs), the ReZoom (AMO), the Tecnis multifocal (AMO), the Crystalens 5-0 and HD (Bausch & Lomb). I detail the mechanism of action for each IOL, provide an overview of U.S. clinical trial results for each and also explain the contraindications for each lens.
Instead of the O.D. just telling the patient, "You have cataracts, so I'm going to send you to Dr. Scoper for surgery," I want them to think about which IOL option is going to be best for the patient. After all, optics and refraction are the core strengths of an optometrist's training and expertise, plus the O.D. has likely known the patient for years and is able to assess their needs with greater perspective. The O.D. should educate the patient about IOL options and make a recommendation to the surgeon.
In my patient-selection segment, I detail who are good candidates for each lens, and who are not — such as patients with unrealistic expectations or ocular pathology.
I also use my course to educate optometrists about comanaging the patient postoperatively. This section includes postoperative complications the optometrists need to know about and four "pearls" of postoperative care that I learned from Eric Donnenfeld, M.D. They are: Treat residual refractive errors; do YAG capsulotomies early; aggressively treat ocular surface disease; and look for cystoid macular edema.
While this course doesn't do everything to prepare O.D.s for comanagement, I think it is the most thorough first step in training currently available. Ultimately, of course, if an ophthalmologist comanages with a group of optometrists, that ophthalmologist has a responsibility to train them and make sure they are capable of comanaging.
The Business Model
Now for the delicate issue of billing in comanagement. I offer the standard 20% comanagement fee that has been used with cataract surgery, as well as with Medicare and other carriers for years, and that has also been used with LASIK. For instance, in most eye care centers that offer LASIK, the ophthalmologist gets 80% and the optometrist gets 20%. I do the same thing with premium IOLs.
Let's say the average charge in the United States is somewhere between $2,200 an $2,500 per eye over and beyond what insurance covers. The patient writes out a check for $2,500. The lens costs about $900 and that needs to go to the ambulatory surgery center. So you take off, say, $1,000 for that. Then there's a $1,500 profit generated; out of that, 20%, or $300, would go to the optometrist and the other $1,200 would go to the ophthalmologist.
Now, it's very important to understand that this is not a kickback. The optometrist is working for that 20%. They know more about the patient's lifestyle and they've got a good knowledge base and they spend time making a recommendation before surgery; then they do a lot in the postoperative care of that patient. So they are providing value for that comanagement fee, and that work translates to less time the patient spends in the ophthalmologist's office. It is a true pay-for-service arrangement.
It is very important, in my practice, that the patient makes three different payments. They buy the lens and pay the ASC for the lens; they pay me 80%; and they write a separate check to the optometrist for the 20%. It is crucial for me not to collect everything and then to write a check from my practice to the optometrist for that 20% comanagement fee. Otherwise, it looks like a kickback. The patients are paying for their care, and the patient has two doctors in this situation. While the idea of allowing optometrists to take a portion of our hard-earned cataract surgery money may seem painful, consider the growth your practice will enjoy from comanagement with optometrists educated about cutting-edge IOL technology. Probably more than 60% of the cataract cases I do are comanagment and I've been able to double my surgical volume because of it. Currently, I do about 1,800 cases a year.
Additionally, my premium lens conversion rate is about 25% of all cataracts I do, and approximately 10% of that is from optometrists taking the course and being able to present the benefits of premium IOLs before they get to the surgeon. The educational process that the patient goes through before meeting the surgeon is so important, so that all this information is not dumped on them suddenly. They can make a really informed decision when their optometrist educates them. And when all components of an eye care practice are on board regarding a new technology and are enthusiastic about it, patients are more receptive to it. In the case of premium IOLs especially, that results is a win for both the practice and patients."-Stephen V. Scoper, M.D.

To view Dr. Scoper's full article online CLICK HERE

For more information on Dr. Scoper's Comanagement of Premium IOLs Course CLICK HERE

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. in Hampton Roads Area for Premium IOL Course

2009-05-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

Co-Management of Premium IOL Course

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

6:00pm to 9:00pm

Virginia Eye Consultants – Norfolk, VA

Registration Required

3 Hours of CE

Dr. Stephen Scoper, Vice President and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, is inviting Hampton Roads optometrists who are currently co-managing cataract surgery and LASIK with Virginia Eye Consultants to attend the next Co-Management of Premium IOLs course on Wednesday, May 27th at Virginia Eye Consultants in Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. Scoper's 3-hour lecture presents a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Integrating care with an experienced Premium IOL surgeon, they will have confidence in recommending the Premium IOL technology to heir patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

Dr. Scoper will also be featuring specifics regarding premium IOL technologies as seen in the new ReSTOR ® Aspheric +3.0 multi-focal IOL, as well as the new AcrySof ® TORIC aspheric IOL for astigmatism.

CLICK HERE for more specifics on the advancements brought forth by the ReSTOR® Aspheric +3.0 IOL, as presented by Dr. Scoper in Orlando, Florida, on May 15th.

This course is available by invitation only and any optometrist in the Hampton Roads area who is interested in taking this course– but did not receive an invitation –should contact Dr. Walter O. Whitely, Director of Optometric Services at Virginia Eye Consultants. The lecture welcomes any optometrists who have been previously certified and would like a "refresher and update" in their understanding of premium IOL co-management, as well as earning 3 hours of Continuing Education credit.

Over 50 local optometrists have already been certified in the Hampton Roads area since the first course was presented over 2 years ago. With such a successful beginning locally, Dr. Scoper has since given the course in over 40 major cities in the US– certifying over 2,000 optometrists nationwide.

Dr. Scoper and all attendees of the course pose for a group photo

-----------Update 6/9/09------------

The following list is an up-to-date record of our currently certified ODs in the Hampton Roads area:

Kristy Adamczyk, O.D.

William J. Adams, O.D.

Fred Ashbrook, O.D.

Dara Barbash, O.D.

Deborah Barnett, O.D.

Russell Beach, O.D.

Sherri Becker, O.D.

Dylan Belt, O.D.

Albert Bohon, O.D.

Marylin Borza, O.D.

Laura Burke, O.D.

Nathalie Cassis, O.D.

Zoee Chan, O.D.

Jesse Chawla, O.D.

Thomas Cheezum, O.D.

Kristy Chmielewski, O.D.

Janel Chou, O.D.

Mitchell Corey, O.D.

Mark Crafford, O.D.

Gary D'Angelo, O.D.

Constance Davies, O.D.

Kurt DeVito, O.D.

John Dragon, O.D.

Mark Enochs, O.D.

David Farmer, O.D.

Christopher Fusco, O.D.

Jennifer Gadams, O.D.

Steven Gentile, O.D.

David Gilbert, O.D.

Lisa Gontarek, O.D.

Scott Gontarek, O.D.

Shari Graber, O.D.

Peter Guhl, O.D.

M. Jackson, O.D.

Daniel Jason, O.D.

Stanley Jason, O.D.

Rahim Kanji, O.D.

John Kauffman, O.D.

Donald Kelly, O.D.

Steven Laderberg, O.D.

Kenneth Lebow, O.D.

Marcia Leverett, O.D.

Celeste Lewis, O.D.

Bi Li, O.D.

Mary Beth Linnell, O.D.

David Lotz, O.D.

John Lowitz, O.D.

Dinh Luong, O.D.

Grace Luong, O.D.

Shalini Maharaj, O.D.

Amanda Martin, O.D.

Richard Martin, O.D.

Troy Morgan, O.D.

Nobe Nijjar, O.D.

Howard Ossen, O.D.

George Pegram, O.D.

Kim-Chi Pham, O.D.

Earl Pollock, O.D.

Kristina Ramsey, O.D.

Robert Resnick, O.D.

Deanna Ritenour, O.D.

Jeffery Robertson, O.D.

Andrew Rula, O.D.

Melanie Ruoff, O.D.

Julie Rybarczyk, O.D.

Naomi Sakoda, O.D.

Lynne Schleede, O.D.

John Seago, O.D.

Paul Seck, O.D.

Brent Segeleon, O.D.

Mark Seipel, O.D.

Gary Shoemaker, O.D.

Chris Stansbury, O.D.

Veronica Sullivan, O.D.

Robert Titcomb, O.D.

William Townsend, O.D.

Simon Tran, O.D.

Diane Wallach, O.D.

Lisa Wallace Davis, O.D.

Walter Whitley, O.D.

Michael Xu, O.D.

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper | Featured Speaker at Statewide Resident Wet Lab in Richmond, VA

2009-05-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, May 9th, Dr. Stephen Scoper was a featured speaker at a statewide resident wet lab in Richmond, Virginia. He lectured to residents from The University of Virginia, Medical College of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School about premium IOLs. Following the lecture, Dr. Scoper staffed the web lab all afternoon as the residents practiced cataract surgery.

Alcon Labs sponsored the event for all participating residents to experience a didactic and practical presentation by Dr. Scoper and two other surgeons. Focusing on the mechanics of phakic emulsification surgery, Dr. Scoper lectured on the techniques used in the procedure before the residents commenced in the wet lab exercises.

Dr. Scoper's lecture also featured specifics regarding premium IOL technologies, as seen in the Crystalens®, ReSTOR®, ReZoom™, TECNIS® Multi-Focal and AcrySof® TORIC Aspheric lenses.

Alcon is a frequent sponsor of courses lectured by Dr. Scoper.

Lecture: Premium IOL Technology: What Does the ReSTOR® +3.0 Mean to Your Patients?

2009-05-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 15th, Dr. Stephen Scoper lectured to Orlando ophthalmologists about exciting new technology concerning premium IOLs for patients undergoing cataract surgery. The lecture, hosted at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Orlando, Florida, focused on the advancements brought forth by the new ReSTOR® Aspheric +3 add intraocular lens. This lens was FDA-approved in January 2009.

Dr. Scoper presented his first lecture on the ReSTOR® +3 IOL at the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology on the first weekend of February, 2009. The ReSTOR® +3 IOL had been available in the United States for only 2 weeks at the time of Dr. Scoper's lecture.

As compared to the original ReSTOR® +4 add IOL, the +3 IOL has a focal point at 16-20 inches which is a more comfortable working distance for most patients. The ReSTOR® +4 IOL has a working distance of about 12 inches. The new +3 IOL also improves intermediate vision allowing "arms length" vision of the computer screen.

Dr. Scoper reviewed the binocular defocus curve (shown, left) which demonstrated the scientifically-proven effectiveness of the ReSTOR® +3 IOL, providing for a much greater range of vision for patients who participated in clinical trials.

(For a larger, detailed view of the binocular defocus curve, click the image above. View related slides by clicking the pictures below.)

Additionally, Dr. Scoper discussed the newly FDA-approved AcrySof® IQ TORIC to correct astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. This lens now has the aspheric surface desired to correct positive spherical aberrations– reducing glare and halos while increasing contrast sensitivity for patients. This aspheric technology has been available on the ReSTOR® multi-focal IOL for over two years and has recently been approved for the AcrySof® TORIC IOL.

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D. in Orlando, Florida for Premium IOL Course

2009-05-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release - May 14, 2009

Dr. Stephen Scoper, vice president and lead refractive surgeon at Virginia Eye Consultants, will be in Orlando, Florida, for a series of discussions and courses for Premium IOLs on Friday May 15th and Saturday May 16th!

Friday, May 15th (evening) - Dr. Scoper will be leading a discussion group for ophthalmologists in Orlando about Premium IOLs.

Saturday, May 16th (morning) - Dr. Scoper will be presenting a 3 hour course to optometrists in Orlando about co-management of Premium IOLs.

For Saturday's course, Dr. Scoper will be presenting a comprehensive course for optometrists, preparing them to manage all aspects of pre-operative and post-operative care for co-management of Premium IOL procedures. Optometrists who already have experience in co-managing patients for routine cataract surgery will be taken to the next level of expertise in providing state-of-the-art multifocal and astigmatic technology to their patients. Integrating care with an experienced Premium IOL surgeon, they will have confidence in recommending the Premium IOL technology to their patients with whom they have developed a trusting doctor-patient relationship.

A comprehensive notebook will be provided to course attendees with extensive handouts and forms giving a step-by-step guide to take back to their practices. Premium IOL patients will describe their experiences and be available to answer questions to reinforce the lectures and consolidate the learning experience.

This CE-approved three hour course will conclude with the presentation of a Certificate of Completion in the Co-Management of Premium IOLs signed by the Course Director. This course has been approved by the Florida State Board.

A breakfast and registration period will begin at 8:00am and the program will commence starting at 8:30am until noon.

To learn more and register for this event with Dr. Scoper, visit http://events.SignUp4.com/ScoperOrlando