Lasik surgery has been around for years, but recently the FDA approved a restored lens procedure that’s doing what Lasik can not.
The Medical College of Georgia is now using the new technology.
Reading a recipe and cooking without glasses is a luxury Cherry Witteman was living without, until she got sick of it.
“With me I just couldn’t see so I couldn’t read, whereas before I could see distance, could see print, didn’t have any problems because I wore glasses but the glasses weren’t working, ” said Cherry McPherson Witteman, who had restored lens surgery.
She considered Lasik surgery, but since she had cataracts and would eventually have to have surgery for that she was a perfect candidate for restored lens surgery.
“Patients with cataracts get double benefit. They get rid of their cataracts and the need for glasses but patients with difficulty changing focus for up close vision would also benefit from this lens,” said Dr. Bala Ambati, Director of Cornea Services at the MCG Dept. of Opthamology.
That’s because unlike Lasik which only corrects either distance or near vision, the restored lens replaces the eye’s old lens and corrects both at the same time.
“The lens is constructed with multiple rings within the body of the lens that are able to split light into a distance focal point and a near focal point, ” said Dr. Ambati.
Cherry had her right eye done last week and her left eye on Wednesday and says the difference it life changing.
“For the first time, I can wake up at night and I can see in the room and I can get up in the morning and I can see. I don’t have to go look for my glasses, ” said Witteman.
Dr. Ambati says the risks are very low like other eye procedures, and for someone afraid of pain, no problem.
“Iwas quite hesitant about it and there’s absolutely nothing to it, ” said Witteman.
Nothing except clearer results.
The positive vision changes are permanent since doctors are replacing the lens. But, the procedure won’t prevent other problems like Glaucoma.
