Civil Engineer is Back on Track with New Odyssey Cataract IOL Lens

A successful journey to an IOL lens 

In April of 2023, the vision in Aram’s left eye began to get worse. As it happens, Aram is married to his optometrist, Dr. Tamar Kaloustian. After she changed his prescription glasses five times, Dr. Kaloustian said it was time to pay a visit to Dr. Kerry Assil, with whom she had a working relationship.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) says nearly 4 million Americans undergo cataract surgery for vision correction every year. Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the clouded lens of the eye and replace it with an artificial lens. 

“I do a lot on the computer, and I couldn’t see how I used to,” says the civil engineer. “I could feel the difference between my two eyes.”

After a thorough examination, Dr. Assil told Aram that he was testing a type of IOL called the Odyssey, which he was testing for manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. 

“I asked him how many Odyssey implants he had done,” explains Aram. “I decided to wait until he had more data.” While waiting, Aram studied his options. There are many types of intraocular lenses to choose from, including: 

• Accommodative lenses that correct vision at all distances.
• Monofocal IOLS that correct distance vision.
• Light-adjustable lenses that can be adjusted after implantation.
• Extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses with one long focal point that expands your corrected range of vision.
• Multifocal lenses with multiple focal points.
• Toric IOLs for patients with cataracts and astigmatism.

Two months later, it was time to replace Aram’s natural eye lens and establish clear vision.

The moment of eye lens replacement surgery 

Dr. Assil, a corneal specialist, had now had time to build numerous data points on the new, innovative Odyssey lens by Johnson & Johnson.. Dr, Assil sits on the J&J board of directors and he and his partner, Dr. Gaur, were the only opthamalogists granted early access to the lens to use the lens for patients in the United States. The Odyssey multifocal IOL improves both near vision and distance vision. It also has fewer potential side effects and downsides. According to Dr. Assil, patients receiving the Odyssey report fewer visual haloes and light sensitivity post-surgery compared to other lenses.

The new lens differs from a conventional monofocal IOL which only focuses light for far away vision. People who receive monovision lens implants usually still need to wear glasses to see close objects.

Made of ‌silicone and acrylic, Odyssey intraocular lens implants leverage J&J’s existing TECNIS Synergy™ technology. With millions of implants over the last quarter century, TECNIS Synergy has been demonstrated to be safe and remain crystal clear within the eye over time. This type of lens also protects the eye against harmful ultraviolet rays.

Aram’s actual surgery was a non-event. 

“The surgery was simple, in by 5 a.m. and out by 8 a.m.,” says Aram, who will have the right eye done when the cataract gets bigger and impairs his vision. “I was relaxed, and Dr. Assil talked to me during the entire operation.”

A focused life after surgery

Aram used eye drops for a limited time after receiving his Odyssey lens. The only minor inconvenience he’s noticed is halos when looking at lights during the night. However, this does not impact his driving and is expected to go away after a few months once his brain adapts to the new lens.

Meanwhile, back at the civil engineering office, things are going well. 

“I can see better than the young guys in the office,” Aram beams. “And when I’m outside I can see the antennas on the mountains, details on the leaves, and everything in between.”

Of course, Aram speaks quite highly about Dr. Assil and the Assil Gaur Eye Institute’s accomplished team of doctors and staff members. 

“I’m a picky engineer,” he says, adding that he’s pleased he did not receive a monofocal lens. “I can’t speak highly enough about the Assil Gaur Eye Institute.”

As a bonus, Aram no longer requires reading glasses or any type of eyeglasses.

Why trust the Assil Gaur Eye Institute with your IOL implant surgery?

With 30 years of experience assisting patients with eye health, Dr. Assil is one of the most experienced cataract surgeons in the United States. He has performed over 70,000 eye surgeries and authored over 100 textbook chapters and articles on refractive and cataract surgery.

Assil Gaur Eye Institute has assembled a team of top ophthalmologists from around the country who offer their patients the highest quality of specialist eye care in the United States. 

In keeping with the founding principles of AGEI, eye surgeons keep their clinics comfortable and familiar, much like how family-run medical practices used to be.

In addition to refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery, the ophthalmology experts at AGEI are nationally recognized for their eye care and treatment options for a full range of conditions, including eye conditions such as hyperopia glaucoma, retinal detachment (and other diseases of the retina), cornea conditions, contact lens, floaters and flashes, dry eye, presbyopia, correct astigmatism (a refractive error), farsightedness, myopia, macular degeneration, nearsightedness, toric lens, and ‌other vision correction procedures (refractive surgery) such as LASIK surgery, PRK, and many more laser procedures.

Today, AGEI is nationally recognized for its compassionate, patient-centric health care, commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology, and dedication to supporting its patients' and the community's health and well-being. Please call (866) 945-2745 or make an appointment online.

We are conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.