Patient overcomes hesitation to “see” benefits of cataract surgery

Audrey Hoese (pronounced “Hayes"), of Greenfield, is one of those people you can't help but strike up a friendly conversation with. The active 80-year-old fills her days volunteering for the Greenfield Parks and Recreation Department serving senior meal program lunches and helping out with community events like "Breakfast with Santa."

While volunteering at a recent Greenfield City Hall Health Fair, Hoese wasn't shy about directing attendees to Eye Care Specialists' information booth. "I tell everyone, if they need an eye doctor, they should go see the doctors there. They are wonderful—I can't say enough. I must know at least 10 people who have been there, and they are all so happy."

Hoese's reason for referring began when her optometrist suggested she see Dr. Robert Sucher, co-founder of Eye Care Specialists, for a cataract evaluation. Hoese had worn glasses for distance vision and astigmatism since age 20, but was starting to have trouble with glare and driving at night.

Upon being diagnosed with a cataract, Hoese was hesitant to pursue treatment. She recalls, "Dr. Sucher was very understanding and told me to take a year or so to consider it. I knew a few people who had cataract surgery, and I wasn't afraid, I just had to get used to the idea. But, after a year, it was getting more difficult to drive at night, and I was ready."

Six days after proudly walking her granddaughter down the aisle for her wedding (she had lost both parents), Hoese had her first cataract removed. Three weeks later, she had her second eye done. "It was the best surgery I ever had! I had no complications and no pain whatsoever. I felt fine by the time I went home from surgery, and I was surprised at how easy it was. If I had known, I would have done it sooner!"

Post-surgery, Hoese has an even better reason to be thrilled. After a lifetime of needing glasses to drive and do most tasks, Hoese now only wears a light prescription for reading and to correct for a slight astigmatism. The former frequent cruise-goer (23 in 10 years) and Rec Department group traveler enjoys her new-found freedom to see the sights. She happily exclaims, "I am able to drive and take my walks without glasses—it's wonderful!"

6 Reasons Not to Delay Cataract Surgery

1. Cataract removal with lens implantation has been around for 50+ years and is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in Americans over age 65. The overwhelming majority of patients improve their vision—often to levels they haven't seen in years,” notes Norman Cohen, MD.

2. Improving vision can impact quality of life. One study found that even with only modest levels of visual improvement, participants could read, write, use the telephone, watch TV, and play cards better. They also reported less psychological distress (such as worry and frustration). “Removing a cloudy cataract and improving vision can also increase the amount of light and color which enters the eye, thus positively impacting cortisol, melatonin, and mood levels,” states Robert Sucher, MD.

3. “A recent study showed that people who have their cataracts removed and replaced with implants have half the car accident risk of people who don’t have surgery,” cites Dr. Daniel Ferguson.

4. “You'll decrease your risk of falling by up to 78%, according to one study,” reports Dr. Mark Freedman. Of the nearly 1,000 hip fractures that occur in the U.S. each day, 18% are caused by visual impairment (oftentimes due to cataracts).

5. Medicare covers 80% of the allowable cost of cataract surgery. If you have supplemental insurance, a majority (and perhaps all) of the remaining cost is usually covered as well.

6. There's minimal surgical and recovery time. "Our practice utilizes the latest technology, including ultrasonic cataract removal, so that the operation itself takes only 10-20 minutes. After surgery, patients go home and can resume most all normal activities within hours, and vision noticeably improves within days," Dr. Brett Rhode explains.

CATARACT SYMPTOMS

Poor vision is not a fact of life. Schedule an eye exam if you notice:

 Foggy, fuzzy, blurred or double vision

 Sensitivity to light and glare

 “Starbursts” around lights

 Difficulty driving at night

 Holding items closer to view

 Needing brighter light to read

 Fading or yellowing of colors

 Lens prescription changes that don’t help

FREE BOOKLETS & INFORMATION

Eye Care Specialists’ doctors are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration. They frequently lecture to the public and fellow physicians and have written their own series of booklets on these conditions. Call 414-321-7035 for FREE copies or to schedule an appointment for a thorough eye screening (usually covered by insurance or Medicare) at their offices on 7th & Wisconsin Avenue, Mayfair Road across from the mall, or 102nd & National. They also offer information at www.eyecarespecialists.net.