Save Money with Section 179 – Deadline December 31st

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Laser Locators

Most people think the Section 179 deduction is some mysterious or complicated tax code. Essentially, Section 179 of the IRS tax code allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year. That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. Today, Section 179 is one of the few incentives included in any of the recent Stimulus Bills that actually helps small businesses. Although large businesses also benefit from Section 179 or Bonus Depreciation, the original target of this legislation was much needed tax relief for small businesses – and millions of small businesses are actually taking action and getting real benefits.

When your business buys certain items of equipment, it typically gets to write them off a little at a time through depreciation. In other words, if your company spends $50,000 on a machine, it gets to write off (say) $10,000 a year for five years (these numbers are only meant to give you an example). Now, while it’s true that this is better than no write off at all, most business owners would really prefer to write off the entire equipment purchase price for the year they buy it. In fact, if a business could write off the entire amount, they might add more equipment this year instead of waiting over the next few years. That’s the whole purpose behind Section 179 – to motivate the American economy (and your business) to move in a positive direction. For most small businesses (adding total equipment, software, and vehicles totaling less than $139,000 in 2012), the entire cost can be written-off on the 2012 tax return.

All businesses that purchase, finance, and/or lease less than $560,000 in new or used business equipment during tax year 2012 should qualify for the Section 179 Deduction. If a business is unprofitable in 2012, and has no taxable income to use the deduction, that business can elect to use 50% Bonus Depreciation and carry-forward to a year when the business is profitable. The equipment, vehicle(s), and/or software must be used for business purposes more than 50% of the time to qualify for the Section 179 Deduction. Simply multiply the cost of the equipment, vehicle(s), and/or software by the percentage of business-use to arrive at the monetary amount eligible for Section 179.

Contact Laser Locators today to talk with their team about how 179 can help with your purchase. We also offer creative financing options throughout the United States and Canada.

Source: www.section179.org

Macular Degeneration and Acetyl-L-carnitine

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Laser Locators

Macular Degeneration is a condition in which the central part of the back of the eye loses blood circulation. It is considered a natural aging process. There is a breakdown of retinal pigment epithelium cells in the macular region. As the disease progresses, central vision diminishes. It is believed that this breakdown may be due to a lack of nutrients being supplied to the region. Additional studies have found a genetic link to this disease. Treatment can range from better nutritional management, sometimes to include a tablet containing the primary minerals and vitamins that are found lacking in many macular degenerated patients.

According to the American Health Assistance Foundation, macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in Americans 60 years of age and older. The disease may destroy your sharp, fine-detail, “straight ahead” vision required to do tasks such as reading and driving. Acetyl-L-carnitine alone or in combination with other nutritional supplements may reduce the risk of a person developing macular degeneration. Speak to your doctor before using acetyl-L-carnitine supplements for any health problems.

Acetyl-L-carnitine, one of the many forms of carnitine, is found naturally in your body. The nutrient transports fatty acids to cells’ mitochondria for the generation of metabolic energy. The antioxidant property of acetyl-L-carnitine may protect the eye’s retina from free radical damage. Free radicals are the damaging compounds in your body that may even cause cell death.

A study conducted by Italian researchers and published in May 2005 in “Ophthalmologica” found that supplementation with a proprietary blend of 200 mg acetyl-L-carnitine, 780 mg omega-3 fatty acids and 20 mg coenzyme Q10 daily may improve and subsequently stabilize visual functions in patients affected by early age-related macular degeneration. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted for 12 months in 106 patients with macular degeneration. According to researchers, this combination of nutrients may also improve the area of the eye’s fundus covered by drusen, yellow or white deposits in the retina of the eye

Metabolic therapy, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10 and acetyl-L-carnitine may be the first choice for treating age-related macular degeneration, according to a Hungarian study published in December 2007. According to researchers, both clinical visual field and visual acuity in people with macular degeneration may show improvement after three or four days of treatment with this metabolic therapy. The efficacy of this combination of nutrients has been proved clinically.

Acetyl-L-carnitine supplements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety and purity. Over-the-counter acetyl-L-carnitine supplements may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. A study published in June-July 2011 in “Revue Neurologique” found that acetyl-L-carnitine treatment may cause side effects such as diarrhea and fish odor syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with an offensive body odor.

At Laser Locators we carry the top name surgical and diagnostic ophthalmic equipment manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, Lumenis and more for preforming all of your precise ophthalmic procedures. Contact us at www.laserlocators.com or call 1-877-924-2020 and let one of our expert equipment locators help you today.

The sun and cataracts

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Laser Locators

Just like when you have a smear on your sunglasses, having cataracts can feel like the same thing. Ageing is the main reason for the clouding of the eye lens, but excessive UV radiation is another major contributor. The World Health Organization estimates that cataracts account for almost 15 million blind people worldwide. About 20{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974}, or 3 million, of these are most likely caused by UV radiation.

The lens is not solid, instead it is a soft capsule filled with water and protein fiber. The protein fibers are normally crystal clear but can wear out with age. They can become opaque, and UV radiation can also alter the protein prematurely.

Cataract development can be variable amongst individuals regardless of gender or race. The process is generally slow and initially may affect only part of the lens. In some cases it develops from the lens’s rim and grows inside, and in another the lens begins to cloud from the center. In any case, the growing cataract will eventually severely impair vision and frequently lead to blindness.

In the early stages, a cataract is viewed as only a nuisance. But soon extra lighting, different eyeglasses and protection from glare is needed. UV radiation protection should help slow the process.

Once the cataract interferes too much with the daily life, surgery should be considered. Eye surgeons replace millions of cloudy lenses with substitutes every year, and this safe procedure returns better vision to as much as 90{0730eed075b45d9e50c00d6cd42dd08773e0164f29a45151808bf89051290974} of patients.

The Basics of Lasik

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Laser Locators

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and simply put is a procedure using an excimer laser that permanently changes the shape of the eye. A small flap is cut into the cornea and folded over to allow access to the part of the eye called the stroma, where the laser is used to reshape the cornea and the flap is closed.
The WaveScan Wavefront System used by many specialists in LASIK eye surgery works by creating a map that shows how your optical system, as a whole, processes light. This results in something similar to a fingerprint of each eyes unique vision profile, which allows patients to be treated for their own special imperfections during the LASIK eye surgery. WaveScan technology was originally developed for use in high-powered telescopes to reduce distortions when viewing distant objects in space. This technology has now been applied to laser vision correction, measuring imperfections in the eye never before measured using only standard methods for vision correction.
The VISX Star S4 laser, according to many of its proponents, brings a new standard of accuracy to laser vision correction with a combination of two different systems known as Variable Spot Scanning and 3D ActiveTrak. With a laser calibrated to .25 microns, this hybrid system offers amazing precision, and can treat many borderline conditions that were once beyond the scope of other technologies. Just for comparison, human hairs are 60-80 microns in diameter. The VISX Star S4 is capable of performing both a standard (non-wavefront) treatment and a CustomVue (Wavefront guided) treatment. The CustomVue treatment provided by the VISX Star S4 Laser utilizes information regarding the distortion of light as it passes through each person’s eye and attempts to reduce those that may be causing symptoms such as glare and halos.
CustomVue systems match a specially created profile (again, a kind of fingerprint of your vision to an ideal optical system. Once again using the VISX Star S4 laser, this profile data ensures precise, uniquely personalized LASIK eye surgery. If you are one of the particular LASIK patients who qualify for this kind of procedure, CustomVue allows the surgeon to eliminate microscopic flaws in your vision that cannot be corrected with either glasses or contact lenses.
The IntraLase laser is a technology used to replace the metal mechanical blade microkeratome traditionally used to cut the necessary corneal flap during a laser vision correction procedure. Rather than creating a flap with a blade, the IntraLase laser uses laser energy to make a quick, painless incision that is more precise.
For top name manufacturers you can trust, like Acon, Nidek, and Lumenis for precision Lasik surgical equipment contact us at laserlocators.com and let one of our equipment experts help.

Everything You Need to Know About Cataracts

Posted on July 17, 2012November 8, 2023 by Laser Locators

A cataract is a discoloration of the lens of the eye which causes the loss of its transparency causing visual disturbances. The chances of developing cataracts increases with age. Most people older than 65 can expect to have a cataract in at least one eye. Other contributors to cataract development include genetics, malnutrition, diabetes, infection or trauma to the eyes. Recognition of early symptoms of cataracts is essential for prevention of serious vision problems.

Experts have estimated that visual disability associated with cataracts accounts for over 8 million physician office visits a year in the United States. This number will likely continue to increase as the proportion of people over the age of 60 rises. When people develop cataracts, they begin to have difficulty doing activities they need to do for daily living or for enjoyment. Some of the most common complaints include difficulty driving at night, reading, participating in activities, or traveling to unfamiliar areas; all activities where clear vision is essential.

Cataract Causes
The lens is made mostly of water and protein. Specific proteins within the lens are responsible for maintaining its clarity. Over many years, the structures of these lens proteins are altered, ultimately leading to a gradual clouding of the lens. Over time, glasses and contacts may no longer work as well to help you see clearly. Contacting an ophthalmologist should always be the first step after noticing any vision changes or impairments. A thorough eye exam can determine the problem and what vision correction surgeries are recommended. Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed, safest and most successful surgeries in the United States that is covered by insurance.

Many people don’t even recognize the early signs of cataracts, they just know they do not see as good anymore. Some patients begin having early cataract symptoms as early as 40. However, cataracts may also develop in those much younger than 40. Most insurance plans pay for cataract surgery procedures using standard lenses, subject to deductibles and co-pays.

Intraocular lens or Smart Lens such as ReSTOR® or CrystaLens®, replace the old lens in an eye. Ultrasound energy is used to remove cataracts. An instrument called a phaco probe is used to remove the natural lens before being replaced with an artificial lens. These premium lenses can almost eliminate the need to wear glasses, both for reading and distance vision.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and takes just minutes to perform. The advanced technology has grown leaps and bounds and is being performed more and more each year. Most people notice an immediate improvement in their vision following surgery. People resume normal activities the day after surgery. In fact with the new technologies, your dependence on glasses can be greatly reduced or nearly eliminated.

Signs of Cataracts
Cloudy vision A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy.
Lens discoloration Your lens slowly changes to a yellowish or brownish color.
Myopic shift When you used to be able to see really well far away but needed reading glasses, then suddenly you don’t need reading glasses anymore, but your distance vision has gotten much worse.
Poor night vision
Glare and halos Cataracts can cause you to see glare or halos around the light sources.
Double vision
Vision changes Your prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses need frequent updating.

For top name manufacturers you can trust, like Acon and Zeiss for precision cataract surgical equipment contact us at laserlocators.com and let one of our equipment experts help.