Dr. Joseph Christenbury’s patient had a simple request. In an effort to put away his glasses for good, he was hoping to be approved for a LASIK procedure. However, thanks to the latest technology in intraocular lenses, Dr. Christenbury gave the patient an unexpected alternative with amazing results.
After assessing the 66-year-old male for LASIK surgery, Dr. Christenbury discovered the patient had cataracts in both eyes. While that made a LASIK procedure impossible, the patient proved to be a prime candidate for cataract surgery, which Dr. Christenbury suggested as the best possible option.
“So I talked to him about the process of cataract surgery,” Dr. Christenbury recalls. “I explained how we could remove the cataracts and implant advanced technology lenses, which would not only greatly improve his distance vision, but could also meet his goal of not needing reading glasses anymore.”
Collectively, Eye Consultants of Atlanta prides itself on staying abreast of the most up-to-date ophthalmology technology. As a result, Dr. Christenbury recommended one of the latest types of intraocular lenses available, which provides patients with an unmatched continuous range of vision, so they can clearly see near, far, and all points in between. Additionally, they cause less glares and halos, have notable contrast quality, and can correct astigmatism.
The patient agreed, and the procedure was scheduled. The process found Dr. Christenbury performing a typical cataract surgery, which includes making the standard incisions in the eye, removing the cataract, and cleaning up the area. Next, he put the new lens in the capsular bag generated after the cataract removal before sealing the incisions. The brisk operation took approximately 20 minutes.
The next day, the patient’s vision was already 60 to 70% better. After fully healing three weeks later, his distance vision wound up being 20/20, and his near vision was nearly 20/20 as well. Needless to say, the patient was thrilled.
“With some multifocal lenses, the quality of the distance vision isn’t quite as crisp,” Dr. Christenbury says, “but this patient’s quality of distance vision in addition to the near was extremely good. He was just raving about how clear he could see. The technological advancements of lenses offering a wide range of vision are incredible.”
According to Dr. Christenbury, now is the best time in history to have cataract surgery. Just a decade ago, there weren’t vision correction options with cataract surgery. A provider performed the procedure, implanted a new lens, and the patient was stuck with whatever type of glasses he or she needed. Today, not only are the cataracts expelled, but the outcomes, he says, are similar to those of the LASIK procedure with remarkable corrected vision.
“Innovation in ophthalmology is growing at a more rapid pace than it ever has,” he says. “It’s a really exciting time to be an eye surgeon, because we have so many tools that can cure cataracts and correct vision for some or all distances for patients with great efficacy.”