Eye Doctor Sees Again

When long-time Reading optometrist, Dr. Rolland Blanchard, began having problems with his distance vision, particularly at night, he knew exactly what the problem was because he had diagnosed it thousands of times in his own patients - catarats, a clouding of the natural lens of the eye.

Nearly everyone eventually develops cataracts because they are a normal part of the aging process. And, as in most people, Dr. Blanchard's cataracts developed over a period of years. It wasn't until his vision became noticeably cloudy and he started seeing halos around lights at night that he knew it was time to do something about it.

Fortunately, Dr. Blanchard also knew that modeern cataract surgery is very effective in restoring lost vision when performed by an expereinced eye surgeon. And he knew just the person - Dr. Will Horsley, an opthalmologist, colleague and friend of his for more than 20 years. In fact, Dr. Horsley had successfully performed cataract surgery on dozens of Dr. Blanchard's patients, including his own mother.

Even though Dr. Blanchard had been through cataract surgery with many of his own patients, he was still amazed at the dramatic results in his own eyes. Colors were more vibrant, whites were whiter, his depth perception was restored and eerything was so much sharper. He could see better than he had been able to see since he was a youth.

According to Dr. Horsley, modern cataract surgery is truly a "miracle" treatement. The surgery itself takes just 10 to 15 minutes and only topical anesthetics (eye drops) are used along with some sedation if needed. No needles are used, making the entire procedure very comfortable and recovery is rapid. Dr. Horsley uses a tachnique called "topical temporal clear corneal with folding lens implant." During this process, the cloudy natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced by a permanent plastic lens.

Most patients can see from he eye that was treated when they leave the surgery center two or three hours after the procedure is completed. The only restrictions immediately after surgery are those imposed by the sedative, requiring the patient to have someone drive them home. The next day, most patients can return to regular activities, with clear vision usually returning in seven to ten days and complete healing in three to four weeks. Gone, says Dr. Horsley, are the days of eye patches, multiple medications and the three months of severe restrictions and recovery.

Dr. Blanchard now knows first hand why so many of his patients are elated with the results of cataract surgery and why it is considered the most successful sugery in the history of medicine.

Dr. Horsley practices in Medford and Stoneham and was a founder of The Viewpoint Laser Center. Prior to opening the Center, he was affiliated with the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.