Creating a bright future for patients
Earlier this year Robert Albers of St. Johns received a notice from the Secretary of State letting him know he needed to renew his driver’s license in person – and take vision test.
A lifetime of farm and factory work had taken its toll on his eyesight through welding blindness and drilling accidents. At age 86, he simply did not have the visual acuity he wanted to maintain his quality of life.
“I knew that eye test was going to be a problem,” says Albers. “I was having a hard time reading and needed to see a doctor. I noticed Dr. Cook’s ad in the local newspaper. I looked into her eyes and knew that if I had to see any doctor, it would be her.”
It didn’t take long for Brandy Cook, DO, of Sparrow Clinton Ophthalmology to diagnose Albers’ problem. Like so many senior citizens, he had developed cataracts.
“Cataracts are a result of normal aging,” Dr. Cook says. “As you age, the lens of your eye is constantly producing cells and these cells begin to layer. The cataract clouds the normally clear lens, causing difficulty with day-to-day activities such as reading, threading a needle, seeing in bright sunlight and driving at night with headlight glare.”
While cataracts are a common process of aging, they also can develop from eye injuries, certain diseases or medications and from long-term exposure to sunlight. Genetics can be a factor as well.
There are no medications, eyedrops, exercises or eyeglasses that will reduce cataracts or prevent them from forming. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. To determine whether a cataract should be removed, an ophthalmologist will perform a through eye examination.
“Most of my patients are age 65 to 85, but some are younger,” adds Dr. Cook. “With surgery, the majority of patients experience greatly improved vision.”
Cataract surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure in a hospital or on-site surgical center. This painless surgery is performed under conscious sedation. Tiny surgical instruments are used to break apart and remove the cloudy natural lens and a plastic, acrylic or silicone lens is implanted to the place it. The eye is measured prior to surgery to determine the proper power of the artificial lens.
“In Mr. Albers’ case, after surgery, his vision has greatly improved,” Dr. Cook says. “For the majority of patients, cataract surgery will give them back quality of life and even minimize the activities for which they must use glasses.”
Clinical benefits aside, Albers is thrilled with his renewed vision and he passed his driver’s test with flying colors.
“There was no pain and they made sure I was comfortable throughout the surgery,” says Albers. “I can really see again, and the colors are unbelievable. The world is so much brighter. As soon as my right eye was done, I came back in and had my left eye done, too. Now, I can drive without glasses!”
Cataract services are covered under Medicare with normal deductibles and copays, including the examination, surgery and one pair of glasses following surgery. Sparrow Clinton Ophthalmology also accepts most medical plans and insurances.
“We work with every patient to ensure they receive all the insurance benefits to which they are entitled as well as the best possible medical care,” Dr. Cook says. “Our goal is to improve each patient’s quality of life through preservation and restoration of vision. Our patients are our friends and neighbors – not just another number.”
Dr. Cook, a board-certified Ophthalmologist with a subspecialty in Neuro-Ophthalmology, focuses on diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, ocular emergencies/trauma and comprehensive eye examinations. Her surgical practice includes cataract surgery, eyelid lift surgery, glaucoma laser surgery, ectropion/entropion repair and ocular trauma.
Sparrow Clinton Ophthalmology, at 1002 N. US 27 in St. Johns, is accepting new patients. Please call 989.227.3460 for more information or to make an appointment.