When a Cataract Surgeon Becomes a Patient

My Experience as a Patient

I’ve spent decades helping patients achieve clear vision but always struggled with what to do for my own eyes. I wore contact lenses because thin corneas and high astigmatism—almost 3.00 D in my left eye and 2.50 D in my right—made me a poor candidate for LASIK. When presbyopia hit, I tried monovision contact lenses. It worked for a while but stopped being effective. I experimented with multifocal contact lenses, but I experienced dysphotopsias and dry eye, and the lenses never quite worked for my active lifestyle. I ended up wearing glasses in the clinic and OR and contact lenses for my personal life. I was frustrated with my vision and determined to find a solution that worked for me. 

I am performing an increasing number of Light Adjustable Lens (LAL; RxSight) surgeries. After performing the procedure on my cousin, an interventional cardiologist, and my neighbor, their satisfaction with the outcome made me consider it for myself. When I left my group practice in January to start my own cornea/cataract/refractive practice, I found myself with the time and opportunity to finally focus on my own eyes.

I’ve known Robert J. Weinstock, MD, for years. We share a passion for advanced technology, use the same bimanual cataract surgery technique, and perform laser cataract surgery. I knew Rob had extensive experience with the LAL, and I asked him to perform the procedure for me during a visit to the East Coast from my home in Seattle.

Rob graciously accepted and invited me to his home in Tampa, where I underwent LAL surgery in the span of 2 days. I am left-eye dominant, so I chose an LAL with a target of -0.25 D for my left eye and an LAL+ with a target of -0.50 D for my right eye.

Both surgical procedures were seamless, painless, and quick (Figure A). Rob’s precision and attention to detail combined with the advanced technology we both trust resulted in an outcome that exceeded my expectations. The postoperative experience was equally smooth, although the visual recovery wasn’t instant. I had some blur that improved slowly over the evening, but at bedtime my vision still wasn’t super clear. However, at Rob’s office the next morning, my vision was 20/30. At that point, I knew my results were going to be excellent.

Surgery and postoperative recovery in the sec-ond eye followed the same course. I experienced the same sensations and felt at ease.

After my first light adjustment 2.5 weeks later (Figure B), the clarity was stunning. I had a second adjustment, and my two lock-in treatments were 72 hours apart. The light adjustments are bright but quick and painless, and I drove myself home afterward. I was diligent about wearing the UV protective glasses, especially outside. After the lock-in treatments, my vision is crisp and stable, allowing me to enjoy everything from ocean swims to everyday life without the hassle of glasses or contacts.

Performing Surgery on a Fellow Surgeon Is Rewarding

Performing surgery on a fellow surgeon, especially one as skilled and knowledgeable as Audrey, is a unique experience. There’s an added level of pressure knowing the patient understands the nuances of surgery and relies on their vision for their livelihood.

From the moment Audrey texted me about performing her LAL procedure, we were aligned. Given her high myopia and astigmatism and desire to avoid dysphotopsias, LAL was the obvious choice.

I enjoyed getting to be part of the postoperative visual recovery process—it’s not every day you get an hour-by-hour play of what a patient’s vision is like after LAL surgery. We surgeons know visual recovery is variable, but my experience with Audrey’s surgery is a reminder that every eye and healing process is unique.

The best part of this experience was seeing how LAL surgery transformed Audrey’s life. The clarity she enjoys with freedom from contact lenses and glasses is the outcome we strive for in every patient. I’m a hyperope and still wearing contact lenses, but Audrey’s results have made me excited for when she returns the favor for me.

The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Bryn Mawr Communications or Modern Optometry.