Eyes

Eyes

My vision quickly deteriorated last October, 2012.  I assumed that I had to change my glasses. It was that time anyway. It was eighteen months since my last eye test. The optometrists mentioned that while a correction to my eye glasses lenses has to be made, the cataract in both eyes has advanced considerably from their levels of more than a year ago and it might require surgery in the coming twelve months. "We will have to watch it but it is getting close," he said.  

Three weeks after ordering my new glasses, I received them. I could only see slightly better than the previous glasses and the degree of fog in my field of vision increased considerably. The eye glasses specialist advised that because of the type of advanced lenses I ordered, it will take about two week for my brain to adjust. I waited another three weeks but it was clear that my vision deteriorated quickly and the fog increased. By Christmas, I was having difficulty seeing clearly the television screen in our living room and increased challenges for driving at night. 

Linah, my wife, and I decided to look for an Ophthalmology. We hit the Internet research and medical evaluation sites.  One of the very useful sources was the Washingtonian top 100 doctors. Correlating all the research from multiple sources, we were able quickly, within a day or two, to narrow the list to ten top Ophthalmology in the DC greater area with cataract surgery practices. We then added other criteria, like years of practice, success rate per year, number of operations per year, proximity to where we live, etc. Our search results narrowed the list to five that meets our acceptable parameters. 

We decided to check one more source, Angie's List, before we contact these doctors.  Three of the five doctors on our short list turned out to have an A rating at Angie's List. They were all located within eight miles from where we live. Interestingly, all three doctors provided email contact information which remain a rare mode of communication among medical professionals in the greater DC area. Most doctors do not like using emails and only allow fax communications for document exchange and office telephones. 

We received responses from the doctors and contacted Dr. James Heltzer’s office to talk to the office manager. Our discussion was amiable and I sensed her caring.  I was scheduled for an appointment in Jan 22, 2013 even though I did not have a referral from another Doctor which is the normal channel for scheduling such appointments.  

On Jan 22, 2013, Linah and I went for the appointment.  We sensed from the beginning the degree of friendliness and openness of the staff. It is a very friendly work environment. Subsequent visits confirmed the same.  After few tests, it was determined that I have functionally lost vision in my left eye and my right eye was not too far behind.     The cataract was very advanced.  We met with Dr. Heltzer who reviewed the results and amiably answered all our questions. My wife and I were impressed with his professionalism, knowledge, and his surgical record.  We completed the scheduling of two operations one for the left eye to take place in March 12 and the second for the right eye to take place in March 26 for the right eye. We also scheduled multiple pre and post operations office visits.  He instructed me to stop driving at night since my vision is really impaired not only I cannot really see moving objects well in the dark but also my sense of depth is curtailed.  I am not allowed to drive at night until at least we clear a successful surgery in the left eye, i.e. few days after March 12. 

The surgery was a breeze. As the Dr. Heltzer explained he uses laser to open a one millimeter cut (imagine that!) in the top of the chamber were the lens sits. He then uses a hollow needle that is less than 1 mm in diameter to penetrate the chamber. The needle employees ultrasound to break down the old lens and to suck the pieces through the small pipe in the needle.  The same pipe is used to deliver the new eye which opens up and anchors itself. The type of lens not only opens the vision, it also corrects for medium to long distance vision and corrects the stigmatism which sharpens the vision, particularly in the medium to long range. 

After the unbelievably easy operation as an out patient, I had my first post-operation office visit.  Linah and I again observed that the medical staff, the administrative staff, and the doctor are very caring, supporting, professional, knowledgeable, and really willing to answer question and provide professional insight and advise. Their operational systems in the office seems to be efficient and well tuned to the needs of patients. 

My left-eye vision improved within less than 24 hours by seven lines.  I now could really see distance, colors are much sharper, and for the first time for over a year and half I could see the incredible difference between the retina display of iPad 3 compared to the normal display of the iPad 1.  What a revelation? Beautiful.

Not to be misleading, recovery requires changing many deep entrenched habits. For example:

1. Because the left eye was operated on, I have sleep on right side and back but not on my left side. Also, I need to put a shield on my eye every night to protect it.
2. I need to keep my fore head above the heart line to blood pressure variations
3. I cannot use my hand or water on the surgical eye...only use medication. Try this one for discipline. Showers became a challenge until my physicist son, Badr,  suggested why not use a divers goggles. A brilliant suggestion which worked very well.  
4. Cannot bend or do anything that can drop my head or stress by abdomen. 

I am enthusiastically waiting for March 26 to complete the correction of the right eye.