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| Her vision was just too important to just waste away |
Not being able to see affected one woman's life too long for her to be complacent. She took action and did what most people with glasses are afraid to do, corrective eye surgery.
Issaquah, WA (BBBVS) - Shawn Hinshaw's eyesight was so bad that her make-up mirror was constantly smudged with nose prints. She had to hold the makeup mirror as close as possible to put in her contacts or apply makeup each day .
"I started wearing glasses and contacts over twenty years ago. Without them I see a distorted fuzzy blob in the mirror where my reflection should be. I've managed ok but in the back of my mind I've always been afraid that something unexpected might happen – like my glasses breaking or having a contact pop out in a dangerous situation - like while driving." As it turns out her concern for safety was a valid one.
"I take care of children for a living and safety has always been a real issue with me. I don't feel secure having to depend upon accessories for normal vision". Shawn spoke with her eye doctor about her concerns. Then she did something that would change her life forever. She underwent laser vision correction surgery. In a matter of minutes her eyesight changed from 20-400 to 20-20.
Just a year after her surgery, while Shawn was working in her home based child care in Seattle, WA, the unexpected did happen. An earthquake rocked through the area - leaving Shawn on her own and responsible for six children. "Instinctively my first thought was to find my contacts and emergency pair of glasses – it's a great peace of mind knowing that I don't have to worry about that anymore!"
Two million people in the US are projected to join Shawn in the next year. The popularity of this procedure has created a huge demand for quality information regarding vision correction services. Several local ophthalmologists have teamed up to sponsor the Better Business Bureau's educational video Corrective Eye Surgery: reading between the lines - a detailed consumer's guide to corrective surgery options and procedures. The well reviewed 30 minute video is filled with facts and interviews from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and is a must for anyone interested in today's vision correction techniques.
"While we are seeing great results in most patients, and corrective eye surgery is very safe - it is very important that people do their homework, choose their doctor carefully, and have realistic expectations," Dr. David Chaffin comments.
Shawn consulted with several ophthalmologists before she chose her doctor. "I went on a mission to research and evaluate the different procedures, doctors and environments before I made the decision to have the surgery."
"There is no question that the more informed patients have the best results - they know what to expect and how they will benefit from the procedure. We encourage people to get as much information as they can and the BBB video is a great tool for consumers. That's why we decided to sponsor this program in local libraries," Dr. Sanford Moretsky of Arizona states.
"I wish that I knew this video was around when I was doing my research - it's a great resource," Shawn comments.
The sponsorship program is the first of it's kind among local BBB members. It marks a change from taking complaints and dealing with problems to a new era of helping provide the public with quality pre-purchase consumer education.
"People depend upon their doctors for quality health care but patients in elective procedures need to realize that they're consumers first and foremost. They need to put as much effort into evaluating their corrective vision options as they do making an important purchase like a new car or home," Dr. David Chaffin states.
Shawn is thrilled with her new view on life. "Dealing with glasses and contacts every day was something I became accustomed to simply because I had no other choice. Lasik has changed everything. Not only do I feel confident and secure but I now enjoy activities like swimming, water skiing and camping that I shied away from before!"
ABOUT THE BBB
The Better Business Bureau is a non-profit organization funded by BBB member companies. The mission of the BBB is to promote the highest ethical marketplace relationships through self-regulation, education and information. In 2005 the BBB received nearly 90 million requests for information.
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Contact Information:
Donald Burkholder
BBB Video Series
(800)597-1686
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