Sylvia says ‘lazy eye and cloudy vision be gone’ with Odyssey IOL replacement!

The path to Assil Gaur Eye Institute (AGEI)

The year before undergoing cataract intraocular lens surgery, Sylivia’s vision began to deteriorate. Her cataracts grew to the point of making her sight blurry and nighttime vision difficult.

At that point, Sylvia was under the care of an optometrist, who saw that her cataracts required an eye surgery specialist. Sylvia’s doctor directed her to AGEI for treatment.

“My optometrist said, ‘I wouldn’t send you anyplace but there,’” remembers Sylvia. “I put my trust in Dr. Assil and his team.”

A complex cataract lens replacement surgery

Sylvia had cataracts as well as astigmatism in her left eye caused by amblyopia (lazy eye), so her cataract surgery had a few extra steps to it. In addition to her intraocular lens transplant, Dr. Assil also performed a limbal relaxing incision (LRI) for astigmatism correction in her left eye.

The eye’s lens is usually clear and transparent, allowing light to pass through and focus on the retina. From there, the visual signal travels to the brain and allows us to see. With a cataract, the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, gradually reducing clear vision.

What is amblyopia?

Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a type of poor vision that usually affects only one eye. It occurs when the brain and eye don't work together properly, and the brain can't recognize sight from one eye.

It's estimated that about 2-3% of the U.S. population has some degree of amblyopia.

What is a limbal relaxing incision? 

Corneal astigmatism is a common eye condition where the cornea or lens has an irregular shape, causing blurred or distorted vision. Astigmatism is the cause of 13% of refractive errors.

Also called corneal relaxing incisions, LRIs are designed to reshape the cornea and reduce astigmatism, thereby improving overall vision. They’re often performed at the time of cataract surgery.

During the LRI procedure, tiny incisions are made at the edge of the cornea near the limbus (the border between the cornea and the white part of the eye). Next, the patient look into a light while a femtosecond laser makes precise incisions in the cornea using the template specifically designed by Dr. Assil.

These incisions are strategically placed to alter the curvature of the corneal sphere, depending on the amount of astigmatism. The overall procedure makes your eye more spherical and reduces astigmatism.

The length, depth, and location of the incisions are carefully calculated to correct astigmatism. Surgeries for astigmatism have very few side effects.

The intraocular lens transplant 

Dr. Assil recommended a new, innovative state-of-the-art lens to correct Sylvia’s vision. He worked directly with manufacturer Johnson & Johnson during the lens development and sits on the company’s board of directors. Dr. Assil was granted early access to the lens to beta test for his patients in the United States; this allowed the doctor to improve on the traditional toric IOL for residual astigmatism.

“This state-of-the-art multifocal IOL provides an excellent range of vision: near vision and distance vision. It also has less potential risks such as fewer visual haloes and light sensitivity post-surgery compared to other lenses,” states Dr. Assil.

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

During Sylvia’s brief cataract surgery, her cloudy lenses were removed and Dr. Assil implanted the Odyssey IOL to restore clear vision in her right eye and performed the LRI in her left.

“For the first time in 15 years I don’t have to wear any kind of eyeglasses,” marvels Sylvia. “The amazing Dr. Assil corrected 100% of my vision.”

Life after surgery 

After a year of grappling with poor vision, Sylvia is joyous with her new ability to clearly see the world around her‌. And what would she say to someone considering AGEI?

“I put all my trust in those people,” she says. “I’d 1,000% recommend them. Plus, the staff is really helpful and accommodating.”

Why trust AGEI with LRI and lens exchange 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, astigmatism (using a toric lens), farsightedness, myopia, nearsightedness, 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.