My Complete Cataract Surgery Experience
By Lisa Dawkins
I’d like to tell you about the amazing experience I recently had concerning my eye care, how and when I came to choose CarlinVision for cataract surgery and why I’m glad I did. Several years ago I started having trouble seeing clearly, so I went to my regular optometrist. Even though my prescription strength had not changed very much, my eye doctor prescribed new glasses. This didn’t end up helping my vision or correcting the issues so, shortly afterwards, I visited a local ophthalmologist specialist who diagnosed cataracts at that time but didn’t feel mine to be severe enough to be causing as much of an issue as I described. The specialist did other tests but nothing was ever established as to why I was having very bothersome side effects of early stage cataracts. After two doctors, who found little to nothing, I began to wonder if the severity of the problems were simply all in my head. I tried ignoring it, but that wasn’t working either. I tried a second specialist and even tried returning to my original optometrist, but still received no answers or resolution.
I help take care of an elderly woman and one day, took her to her eye doctor at CarlinVision. While I was there, I was overwhelmed at the beautiful building, the wonderful, kind and noticeable efficiency of the staff. Everything seemed to run like clockwork! I was impressed, to say the least. I decided in that moment that I would schedule an appointment and take another chance on finding someone who could help me with my worsening vision.
On my first visit to CarlinVision, I was greeted by a warm and welcoming staff at the front desk, complete with coffee and mini-muffins on each side of the waiting area. Within just a few minutes, I was taken back to the examining room. I was given several tests, each by a technician who was pleasant and caring and seemed highly qualified at their jobs and the tests they performed. Every different test and piece of equipment has its own area. Every step along the way was private and I was asked to wait only briefly between tests. I would have been quite fine to wait longer, as the waiting areas located close by the exam and testing rooms were so comfortable and inviting.
Upon my first examination by the doctor, cataracts were immediately diagnosed; however, my doctor (Dr. Tyler) didn’t stop there. She performed other evaluations to determine that no other factors were to be considered before recommending that I have my cataracts removed. She answered all my questions as to why my issues might not have been adequately diagnosed previously. (For the first time in several years, I had confirmation that my condition was not, in fact, all in my head!)
Afterwards, I was given an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the surgery with a surgical counselor who was not only knowledgeable about my options, but also very kind and understanding. I had questions that might have sounded a little “quirky”, and maybe even “ignorant”, but she made me feel as though I was free to ask whatever I needed to ask. After leaving the office, I came up with additional questions that I had not thought of before. I called back and had my questions and concerns addressed quickly and to my satisfaction.
Once my options were agreed upon and authorization from my insurance company had been granted (which was all taken care of quite quickly and efficiently by the office staff), I was given complete instructions, as well as all prescriptions for the medications that I would need to take before and after the surgery. This was very helpful as it afforded me the opportunity to get the medications in advance so that I did not have to worry with this after surgery. I was able to acquire everything needed so that all I would need to worry with after the operation was simply to get better! The staff at CarlinVision seemed to have thought of everything for me!! That was comforting and took away a great deal of the usual dread and anxiety which accompanies a pending surgery.
When the day came for the surgery on my first eye, of course I experienced the normal immediate anxieties. CarlinVision has a separate surgery center for such procedures, so I had very little wait time as I might have had in an outpatient hospital facility. This helped the anxiety as well. The building was clean, warm and calm, rather than harsh, cold and rushed, as one might also experience in a hospital environment. The staff was, once again, very welcoming and highly efficient. My family came to be with me during the procedure and to take me home afterwards. They were provided with a separate waiting area, complete with light snacks. They made my family feel as much of an essential part of the process as anyone, which put everyone at ease and comfortable.
I chose not to be completely put to sleep during my procedure, and of course I was anxious about what that would be like. I couldn’t imagine what it might look and feel like for one’s eye to be operated on while awake and realizing everything!! Of course the nurses that prepped me could not possibly completely convey to me what the procedure would be like exactly, but they came as close to doing that as I think would be humanly possible. They made sure that I knew what to expect each step of the way just before each step happened. Even my surgeon, Dr. Roensch, came in to talk to me before the operation which further eased any anxieties.
The procedure was not painful at all. None of the prep before or immediately after the procedure was uncomfortable or unpleasant in the least bit, and I ended up needing no pain medicine in the recovering days that followed. The only thing that was slightly an issue was the “sticking” sensation under the bandages the first day of recovery; however, I was told in advance of the surgery to expect such, so even that was of little issue.
The day after surgery, I came back for my follow-up and all bandages were removed. I was examined by the doctor and told to continue taking the prescribed medications that would assist with healing. Within the following few days, I was amazed at how clear my vision was!! It was like a miracle to me. I was anxious to get the second eye done so that I could have this “miracle” in both eyes!!
Over a two month period, I was able to get the cataracts removed from both eyes and my vision and daily life improved immensely! Being able to see clearly is such a blessing! I’m afraid that I may still today be dealing with cloudy and blurry vision, light intolerance, etc., if it had not been for the wonderful, understanding and committed doctors, surgical counselors and staff at CarlinVision. I would highly recommend your practice to anyone who values expertise, understanding, efficiency, commitment and a dedication to patient satisfaction.