Posted by: Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Featured Patient
We would all like to enjoy perfect vision, without the need for eyeglasses or contacts, throughout our entire lives. Unfortunately, that is seldom how things turn out. Worsening eyesight is a natural part of growing older. Over time, the lens of the eye gradually grows less flexible and the muscles that control its focus grow weaker, contributing to a condition known as presbyopia. Moreover, advancing age also increases the risk of developing more serious eye conditions, like cataracts. However, it’s never too late to make a change, especially when you’re changing your vision for the better. Just ask Mary Ann, our July 2015 Spotlight Patient, who recently underwent laser cataract surgery with Dr. William Segal.
A mother of four with two teenaged grandchildren, Mary Ann started seeing Dr. Segal when she moved to Georgia with her husband after their retirement eight years ago. “I’ve worn glasses or contacts ever since I was in elementary school,” she explained. “I’ve seen lots of eye doctors in that time, but I absolutely love Dr. Segal. He was always so patient and so knowledgeable. I really felt like he knew me and cared about how I was doing.” Then, about a year ago at her annual eye exam, Dr. Segal noticed the first signs of growing cataracts.
Cataracts, which are caused by the gradual deterioration of the eye’s lens, are the most common cause of blindness in adults over the age of forty worldwide. In the early stages, a patient may notice only a small cloudy spot or an overall brownish tinge in the vision, but over time, the cloudy areas grow larger and more distorted, and the brownish tinge grows darker until it is difficult to read or perform other routine activities. In order to treat these cataracts, Mary Ann decided to have Dr. Segal perform cataract surgery and intraocular lens replacement and now she could not be happier with the results.
“I was a little concerned when I went in to get the first eye done,” said Mary Ann. “The idea of having surgery on your eyes is a little scary. But it was nothing! I felt absolutely nothing. The whole thing was over before I knew it and I walked out without any pain at all. It was amazing!”
During laser cataract surgery, Dr. Segal uses Alcon’s precision LenSx® laser, the newest and most advanced technology available, to remove the damaged lens so that it can be replaced with an artificial intraocular lens implant. After the procedure, the new permanent artificial lenses actually perform better for Mary Ann than her old eyes ever did, and she is able to read and work on the computer without glasses for the first time in her life.
“I used to have to mess with contacts every day and still had to keep reading glasses all over the house, but now I don’t have to worry about any of that. It has made a huge impact on my life and I feel absolutely wonderful!”
If you are interested in sharing your experience with Dr. Segal and the Georgia Eye family, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact us. Be sure to follow Georgia Eye Physicians and Surgeons, P.C. on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for more patient stories and tips for healthy eyes.
