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UP CLOSE WITH DR. MITCHELL continued from page 1 DOCTORS SURGEONS EYEWEAR The hugs, he says, are his favorite reward (though work in computer science from the University of Illinois chocolate might be a close second!) for “ I love giving and earned his M.D. from the St. Louis University School EYE CARE patients back more vision than they even realized they of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. During medical school, Paul were missing while making the surgery even easier met Angi, a student working on her master’s degree in than they were expecting.” psychology, and the rest, as they say, is history. They were UP CLOSE WITH While he hasn’t kept an exact count, Dr. Mitchell has married shortly after his graduation. performed well over 20,000 cataract surgeries to date. Dr. Mitchell served his internship at St. Mary’s Health “Some people have asked if I invented cataract surgery… Center in St. Louis and then returned to Chicago to complete no, no I didn’t,” he chuckles. “But I think I was the first a three-year residency in ophthalmology at the University Dr. Paul Mitchell in Georgia to do no-stitch cataract surgery, followed by of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary. With his surgical training No-Patch® cataract surgery and I have a patent on The completed, he was ready to settle down and begin practice. Mitchell Tip.” The Mitchell’s made a deliberate choice when Paul By the time he entered Highland Park High School, was recruited to come to Marietta, GA. They liked the area, met Dr. Mitchell. A self-admitted Paul had changed his mind about making toys a full the climate, the outstanding reputation of the Marietta lover of “gadgets and gizmos and An INNOVATOR in time career--he now knew he wanted to be a doctor. Eye Clinic, and thought it would be a good place to raise such,” Dr. Mitchell has more than As a high school junior, he was one of a select few a family. Now, over twenty years and two daughters later, fulfilled that childhood dream of cataract surgery, students in an early college admissions program at the they agree it is a decision they have never regretted. And it’s becoming an inventor – he patented University of Illinois. Only 16, he bypassed his senior a decision that his many patients over the years continue The Mitchell Tip for cataract surgery, Dr Mitchell has year of high school and entered college as a pre-med to appreciate. and is an innovator of methods and ADVANCED the student. techniques in the field. He received his B.S. degree in biology with additional Though his most notable methods used in inventions are for cataracts, not toys, Dr. Mitchell says he none-the- the RESTORATION UP CLOSE WITH DR. MITCHELL With the newer and more Will I be asleep during less maintains his playful hobbies, continued from page 3 sophisticated surgical techniques, surgery? building miniatures including trains, of vision. not initiated within hours, the cataract surgery allows the patient No, you will be awake. However, cars, boats, and planes, and “playing patient may have serious vision to resume normal activities within you will be given light sedation with” computers. loss. Please feel free to discuss any 24 hours. Today’s patient is not intravenously to curb any anxiety “Nobody could throw away concerns with Dr. Mitchell. limited by physical activity. The during the surgery. anything at my house without me How long before I can see patient is permitted to bend over, lift, Will I see what you are doing taking it apart and seeing if I could Originally studying to become a after the surgery? fix it. It made my mom angry once neurosurgeon, Dr. Mitchell changed and perform usual daily activities during surgery? MEET DR. PAUL MITCHELL You will still be dilated after the immediately after the surgery. No. I am working inside the eye because she really wanted a new course after his med school surgery so the vision will be a little Does my cataract grow back? and you are not able to focus At his swearing-in ceremony to vacuum,” laughs Dr. Mitchell. ophthalmology rotation, where he blurred, but most patients can see No. Remember, the cataract is during the surgery. You will only see become an American citizen, “Machines and I get along well. was captivated by the “gadgets and soon after the surgery. Corneal your own natural lens, turned lights, colors and patterns. Patients a young Paul Mitchell was I can look at a broken machine, gizmos” of the field, the intricacies swelling after surgery is common cloudy. Once your lens (cataract) often describe it as a kaleidoscope. approached by a news team. “What figure out its design, and fix it. When of the eye, and the satisfaction of and can cause your vision to be is removed, an intraocular lens How long will my lens implant do you want to be when you grow I was in college, just for the fun of restoring vision. The change is one slightly blurred, but clears fairly implant will take the place of your last? up?,” the reporter asked the boy, it, I learned how to build a computer he has never regretted. quickly. own lens. Some patients have heard The intraocular lens is made of who, with his parents, had left the from the transistor to the operating “I truly love what I do,” Dr. Will my glasses prescription the confusing term “secondary plastic and should last a lifetime! turmoil of Egypt for Greece, and systems. I like knowing how things Mitchell says with a broad smile. change after cataract surgery? cataract.” This refers to the posterior How soon can I have the then immigrated to the United work, and I love fixing things. That’ll “On our post-operative days my Yes, in most cases, we will be capsule (behind the implant) that surgery on my other eye? States. Without hesitation, Mitchell be my epitaph on my tombstone.” face is sore from smiling so much. able to prescribe you with a new can become cloudy. Initially the The second eye usually can be replied, “a toy inventor.” The pursuit of “how things work” Seeing patients the day after their That answer shouldn’t come pair of glasses a couple of weeks capsule is clear, but some patients scheduled one or two weeks after is what drew Dr. Mitchell to surgery is so much fun because we as a surprise to anyone who’s ever after your surgery. These glasses may develop a thickening of the the first eye. In rare cases, we will ophthalmology in the first place. get a lot of hugs.” are often much thinner than your capsule. This causes the patient’s wait a little longer. Most patients continued on page 4 previous glasses and may become vision to gradually become blurry actually look forward to having optional for certain activities. We and have halos, similar to the the second eye surgery! Developed for Marietta Eye Clinic’s exclusive use, Dr. Mitchell designed our ambulatory will discuss your lens options at symptoms of the cataract. A painless surgical center so patients can be confident that they will be getting length during your consultation. YAG laser procedure can easily and the best specialized surgical care available. With our own quality control, patients When can I return to work or permanently open the capsule to can trust that they will receive a pleasant and successful surgical experience. resume my normal activities? restore the vision. DOCTORS SURGEONS EYEWEAR Procedures performed at Marietta Eye Surgery include cataract, glaucoma, pediatric, retinal, refractive, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgeries. www.MariettaEye.com • Acworth • Cherokee • Douglasville • East Cobb • Marietta • Paulding • Powder Springs • Windy Hill 2 3

DOCTORS SURGEONS EYEWEAR EYE CARE A CLOSER LOOK Cataract Surgery DR. MITCHELL’S A MOMENT WITH ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN DR. MITCHELL CATARACT SURGERY In a recent interview, Dr. Mitchell addressed frequently asked questions about his cataract surgery practice. We encourage you to review and discuss these with Dr. Mitchell and his team, all of whom First in the northwest metro are available to answer any additional questions you may have. area to routinely perform small THE MITCHELL TIP What is a cataract and what makes it difficult for people to How is the cataract surgery incision cataract surgery with are the symptoms? realize how much vision they have performed? Dr. Mitchell is an innovator stable while they are phacoemulsification A cataract is not a growth – lost. Cataract surgery is a lens in the field of cataract being removed. Thicker rather, a cataract is when the What is involved in a cataract replacement, where we remove First in the area to do no-stitch normally clear lens in your evaluation? the cloudy lens and replace it with surgery, and has been agents provide better cataract surgery eye becomes cloudy. Cataracts A patient who has questions a clean plastic lens. We do this instrumental in advancing protection than those that usually occur as a result of regarding his/her cataracts or wants by using a laser to make small methods and techniques are thinner. They are also Developed the No-Patch the aging process, but certain a second opinion should make incisions inside the eye. We then use (Trademarked) surgery diseases (such as diabetes), an appointment for a “Cataract a thick, viscoelastic gel to stabilize routinely used in cataract more difficult to remove. trauma, or specific medications Consultation”. During that visit the eye. The lens is sealed in its surgery today. Awarded a US Patent for the can cause cataract formation as a complete medical and ocular own thin, transparent skin called well. history will be obtained. Testing a capsule. We open the capsule invention of a technique and Mitchell first presented As the lens becomes hazy and to determine the best possible and use the laser to soften the lens “Dr. Mitchell solved one Drawdy with his idea for instrument (The Mitchell Tip) used distorted, it prevents light rays vision will be performed. With the so we can scoop out the cloudy during cataract surgery of the real issues faced by the tip over lunch at a from properly passing through pupils dilated, Dr. Mitchell will contents, leaving behind the clear and focusing in the back of evaluate the eyes from front to capsule to use as a pouch for the surgeons during cataract Mexican restaurant. He First in the area to perform the eye. Early lens changes or back, assessing ocular problems new, clean plastic replacement surgery,” says Robin drew his design on a paper astigmatic keratotomy at the time opacities may not disturb the and determining whether cataract implant. Use of the laser ensures the Drawdy, an Equipment napkin. of cataract surgery vision. However, as the cataract surgery is recommended. If cataract highest possible precision, and the continues to progress, many surgery is planned, tests utilizing a incisions are small enough that they Specialist with Allergan, First in the area to use multifocal people develop: laser scanner or ultrasonography can heal without a stitch. of the tip for which Dr. The Mitchell Tip fits on intraocular lenses. •glare and halos with night driving that allows Dr. Mitchell to What are the complications of •blurred vision determine the power of the lens cataract surgery? Mitchell holds the patent. a handheld instrument, •difficulty seeing in bright sunlight implant needed will be conducted. While the risks of performing •increased nearsightedness “His ‘tip’ offers a more which forces water in three “As Dr. Mitchell’s •distorted or multiple images When should I have my cataract surgery have certainly gone down, complications could efficient and effective way directions simultaneously: reputation as a cataract cataract removed? Is my Optic Nerve cataract “ripe”? occur. Immediately after surgery, a of removing viscoelastics straight ahead and to Iris surgeon has grown and Today, patients are educated temporary increase in from the eye. It has made each side. As the water Cornea about the symptoms of cataracts intraocular pressure could occur, considerable difference for frees the viscoelastic, it is he has become more Pupil and how they affect vision. Now, which is treated with medication. A when patients with cataracts have patient could experience temporary specialized, he is asking Lens many surgeons.” simultaneously suctioned Retina problems performing their jobs, swelling in the central retina that and removed. The his patients to consult Iris hobbies, driving, or are unhappy could delay recovery of full vision. A viscoelastic is an agent invention allows for better How fast will my cataract with the quality of vision, they can This is treated with medications his partners for routine make the decision to proceed with and usually resolves within a few used during cataract protection of the cornea, develop? eye exams and other Cataracts may quickly worsen surgery themselves. They no longer weeks or months. Infection happens surgery to protect the which means patients can need to be told that they are ‘ready’ very rarely and can be treated non-cataract related over a period of months but cornea and keep the heal faster. most progress slowly, over or ‘ripe’! successfully, but recovery can take problems.” years. This slow progression months. However, if treatment is cataract lens fragments continued on page 4