at Clemson Eye. “Today, and often present from birth,” explains the procedure can be done Dr. Brian Johnson of Clemson Eye. with much more predict- “A normal cornea is rounded like a “I can able outcomes when a soccer ball, and refracts light evenly. A thread laser is used.” cornea with astigmatism is shaped more like a football, which means when light Local Leaders in Laser enters the eye it is not refracted evenly Cataract Surgery and only part of the object you’re view- tiny needles Doctors at Clemson Eye ing is in focus.” were the first to perform “With the recent introduction of laser cataract surgery in laser technology to cataract surgery, without glasses the Upstate. They have we can now correct a patient’s astig- the most experience and matism during the same laser cataract or a magnifying expertise in the procedure procedure,” says Dr. Johnson. “It is in this region. quite revolutionary.” “Laser cataract glass”. surgery benefits patients Modern Lens Implants because it results in much In addition to having their astigmatism more precise incisions, corrected, cataract patients can opt for Beverly Sweitzer, Clemson Eye, Easley Clinic patient less stress on the eye and a modern lens implant to correct their less damage to the eye’s nearsightedness or farsightedness, or delicate tissues,” says both. As a result, cataract patients in Dr. Parisi. their 50s through to their 90s can be free Modern laser cataract of glasses – or much less dependent on surgery involves a tiny 2.2 them – after their laser cataract surgery. mm stitch-less laser inci- Beverly Sweitzer, is one such sion and the replacement patient. She lives in Easley, SC, and is of the diseased, cloudy lens an avid quilter. with a clear lens implant. “I recently had laser cataract surgery With recent LenSX® laser with a ReSTOR® lens implant done FDA approval, Clemson by Dr. Johnson at Clemson Eye. It Eye surgeons create was easy and painless. And I was very incisions that are up to 10 happy because the next morning I could times more precise than thread these tiny needles I use to sew manual incisions. See quilt patches together. I didn’t need Images I and II. glasses or the magnifying glass I used to During the 15-minute surgery, patients have to use. I’m just delighted that since are comfortably awake and experience my surgery, I no longer have to wear clear vision during a quick recovery. glasses,” says Mrs. Sweitzer. Cataract Patients “The results are consistently better for our patients when advanced intraocular lenses are implanted using the laser Benefit from Advances procedure. More of these patients have close to 20/20 vision after their laser cataract surgery,” says Dr. Don Glaser, in Laser Surgery also of Clemson Eye. “The Toric® lens corrects for both Will you develop a cataract in your doctors at Clemson Eye want Upstate Image I: Bladed incision. distance and astigmatism, and multifo- ® lifetime? Unfortunately, chances are residents to know cataract surgery is cal lenses, such as ReSTOR , allow you you will. one of the safest and most commonly to see from close up to far away. With Cataracts are a clouding of your performed out-patient procedures in the these types of advanced lens implants, eye’s natural lens. They slowly develop United States. With recent innovations you can read, cook, bathe, work, drive, over time as proteins in the lens start in technology, laser cataract surgery has shop and play independent of glasses in to clump together, blocking light and made cataract surgery more safe and pre- most instances,” adds Dr. Glaser. causing blurry, dull vision. cise than ever before, with less eye stress More than 24 million Americans have and better visual outcomes for patients. Eye Exam is Critical a cataract. They typically start to develop If you think you may have a cataract, Image II: Laser incision. by age 60, and affect the vision of more Innovation Brings Major the doctors at Clemson Eye encourage than 70% of Americans over age 80. But Advances in Cataract Surgery you to book an eye exam with an eye they can start earlier, as one is six people If a cataract is impairing your vision, Astigmatism Correction doctor immediately. In terms of costs age 40 and above have a cataract. then surgery is really the only treatment. During Same Procedure and payment, Clemson Eye accepts If left untreated, cataracts cause pro- The surgery involves removing the Perfect vision is the goal in most cata- most insurance plans, Medicare and gressively impaired vision and eventual cloudy lens of the eye, and replacing it ract surgeries. However, it is reached in Medicaid. Basic cataract surgery is blindness. In fact, they are the leading with an artificial lens called an intraocu- only 55% of traditional blade cataract covered by most plans, and if you’re cause of blindness worldwide. When lar lens implant (IOL). surgeries. This is usually due to the a Clemson Eye patient, you have the surveyed, Americans who did not have “Until a few short years ago, eye uncorrected astigmatism left behind and option of 24-month, 0% financing. their cataracts treated said “they feared surgeons manually used a blade to open possible measurement prediction errors. Drs. Parisi, Johnson, and Glaser ® eye surgery”. the eye and capsule supporting the lens. “Astigmatism is a defect in the cornea are American Board and LenSx This increased the chance of variable or lens that leads to blurry vision, Certified Ophthalmologists. They have June is Cataract Awareness Month outcomes,” says Dr. Joe Parisi, chief trouble reading, squinting, eye strain, performed over 30,000 cataract and Given it is Cataract Awareness Month, ophthalmologist and medical director headaches and tired eyes. It is common refractive surgeries.

Left to right: Dr. Glaser, Dr. Parisi and Dr. Johnson. Call our full service clinics in the Upstate! 622-5000 Anderson • Clemson • Easley • Greenville • Spectrum Lasik

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