Employee Recognition

Jack Kress, a long time patient of Dr. Stephen Scoper and Virginia Eye Consultants, shares his appreciation not only for the Doctors, but also for our staff! A special recognition goes to Kelly Wittwer:



"If all the employees here were like Kelly Wittwer, the parking lots would be full just to meet her! She makes you feel good and appreciated. Kelly Wittwer is refreshing!"- Jack Kress


Thank you very much to Jack for sharing such kind words. Kelly, along with many members of our Virginia Eye Consultants staff, is a elite group of people who love what they do and the difference they make doing it!

Interested in sharing your story or special thanks? Email Sara Peterson at: Speterson@vec2020.com

Patient Testimonial: Kristen Gurekovich

Imagine viewing life every day as if you were looking through a foggy window. The figures are blurred and nearly impossible to make out. You squint as you strain to focus in on the image. With 20/400 vision, this perception was a reality for Kristen. For as long as she can remember, Kristen has had poor, unclear vision.

Fortunately for Kristen, she was able to wear contacts throughout her youth so she wasn't often troubled from the problems that arise from wearing glasses during sports and other physical activities. "To be honest," she claims, "LASIK or PRK was something I wouldn’t have thought to have if I had not been interested in becoming a pilot." In high school, Kristen first became interested in aviation. She continued to pursue this interest in college, graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.

Kristen quickly learned that designing and constructing aircraft was never going to fully satisfy her true passion. "I have the kind of personality that likes to 'do'. I found myself craving more action and even more involvement." It was around this time that she became determined to make her dream a reality. "At this point, I had made up my mind. I was going to be a pilot, and I wouldn’t let my poor vision be an obstacle."

She set out to clear her largest hurdle by researching vision correction practices along the East Coast. "Ultimately," she claims, "I chose to fly from New London, CT, to Norfolk, VA, because of the level of comfort I felt with Virginia Eye Consultants. Your sight is so important. You never want to take any risk with your vision."


Upon arrival, the first thing she noticed was the friendliness of the staff. "I’m from the North, so I really noticed a sense of southern hospitality. The staff even offered me food on several occasions!" Kristen says.



Kristen recalls her PRK experience on December 9, 2010. "Dr. Scoper did my PRK procedure and walked me through each step. It took about ten to fifteen minutes per eye, and I felt no pain."


Fast-forward a little over a year and Kristen is thrilled to report that she has maintained 20/15 vision since the procedure, is now completely free of contacts and glasses and has recently been recommended as a Student Naval Aviator and will attend Officer Candidate School this spring. "My favorite thing about my new vision, besides the fact that I am now able to become a pilot, is that my daily routine is much quicker. I literally don't have to sweat the small stuff. Oh, and it's much less expensive!"

Congratulations, Kristen, and may you soar to new heights in all that you do.

Dr. Stephen V. Scoper, MD: ToberDexⓇST Guest Lecturer in Long Island, New York.

This past Thursday, February the 16^th, 2012, Dr. Stephen Scoper was a guest lecturer at a Physician’s meeting in Long Island, New York that discussed therapeutic strategies for blepharitis. Dr. Stephen Scoper discussed his experience in both diagnosing and treating interior and posterior blepharitis.

A majority of the lecture revolved around the scientific paper entitled: Ocular Distribution, Bactericidal Activity and Settling Characteristics of TobraDexⓇST Ophthalmic Suspension Compared with TobraDexⓇ Ophthalmic Suspension. Dr. Scoper was the lead author of this publishing that was responsible for gaining FDA approval for TobraDexⓇST.

Dr. Stephen Scoper walked the other Physicians through the details of the paper with the following conclusions:

• Suspension settling characteristics of ToberDexⓇST are outstanding, resulting in dose uniformity, because of the Xanthan gun vehicle with more bioavailbility.
• In-Vitro studies showed improved bactericidal activity leading to longer retention time and faster bacterial eradication.
• Human pharmacokinetic clinical studies showed equivalent concentrations of drug in the aqueous, despite ToberDexST having only half the dexamethasone.

In conclusion, these finding show that ToberDexⓇST is an excellent treatment for acute blepharitis.

Patient Testimonial: Barbara Cobb

Barbara Cobb suffered from an extreme form of dry eyes- a condition that can leave many of us feeling uncomfortable, frustrated, and helpless. Barbara, thrilled with her results by Virginia Eye Consultant's Dr. Lago, has this to say about her experience:

"Suffering from dry eyes for longer than I can remember, I began to think there was no hope-no relief. I had been going to a Physician for many years that made my dry eye condition manageable, but not better. My Physician tried everything from tear duct surgeries to numerous drops, still there was no relief. I figured this was it; this was as good as my vision would get.

As fate had it, I came to Virginia Eye Consultants to get my cataracts removed by Dr. Stephen Scoper, but was unable to move forward until my dry eyes were under control. Dr. Scoper had referred me in-house to Dr. Dayna Lago, who in my opinion is the greatest! I just can't tell you how much I appreciate her and all she has done for me! My eyes feel better than they have in many years: there is no more discomfort...my eyes shine! I can see so well, my eyes feel so good...this is truly magical! By Dr. Lago controlling my dry eyes, I was able to undergo my cataract surgery with Dr. Scoper. The whole experience is worth mentioning to everyone! Dr. Lago has improved my life greatly. Virginia Eye Consultants come highly recommended."

Here at Virginia Eye Consultants, we pride ourselves on making a difference and providing quality care that changes lives. A special thanks to Barbara Cobb, for sharing her story! Interested in sharing yours? Email Sara Peterson at: speterson@vec2020.com

The Virginia Opera's Little Red

Funded by the Virginia Opera's Board of Directors and our very own Dr. Stephen Scoper; the Virginia Opera show cased an amazing rendition of a childhood classic: Little Red. The Performance was held Tuesday morning at the Lower Norfolk Academy by the Virginia Opera's in school touring Opera.

As the children flooded the auditorium, you could see the uncertainty as to what they were going to expect. However, as soon as the big bad wolf came on stage and started to sing, you could see a change in the children's faces. Immediately they began to light up, and as the performance progressed, laughter filled the rooms. At the end of Little Red, the children were encouraged to ask the performers questions...hands shot up, waving, flagging, and asking great questions. Mission accomplished, the children were both entertained and inspired! Mrs. Nancy Scoper, wife of Dr. Stephen Scoper, shared her enthusiasm and support as she was amongst the audience during Tuesdays viewing.

Dr. Scoper, being a fan of the fine arts himself, believed it was important to share and expose our youth to the complex and riveting culture we know as the Opera. Sharing the same mission was Educational Program Director, Laura Wigginton. Laura explained to the audience that each performance is carefully selected with consideration on a number of things: entertainment, morals & lessons, and most importantly: stories our children know, love and can relate to.

Per Laura, the artists are all apart of the Virginia Opera's Emerging Artists Program, who are responsible for memorizing their parts before collectively coming together for rehearsal just prior to their opening shows. The nature of the play, whilst educational and entertaining, also displayed wonderful team support, compassion and excitement for each performers craft.

I think it's safe to say the children and adults in the audience, myself included, were given a refreshed image to the fine arts. On behalf of Dr. Stephen and Nancy Scoper, and Virginia Eye Consultants, we would like to give a special thank you to the Virginia Opera for making in school touring performances possible!

For more information on the Virginia Opera and upcoming performances, be sure to check out their web page at: Vaopera.org

The Virginia Opera's: Little Red

John Arida: Pianist/Tour Music Director

Julia Ebner: Little Red

Megan Marino: Mother/Grandmother

Cairan Ryan: Wolf/Woodsman

Meet the Staff Monday's

Each Monday we will be high lighting a staff member of our Facility, it'll be a friendly face to look forward to at your appointment!

We are proud to introduce: Kelly Wittwer, an employee of Virginia Eye Consultants for over half a decade. Enthusiastic, upbeat, and dedicated to the best quality care, Kelly paves the way as a COMT and Clinical lead.

Make sure you check back next Monday to meet another staff member here at Virginia Eye Consultants!