What do you do when your eyesight can no longer support the lifestyle you love? This was the question facing Shelby County resident Melody Ouellette last year. A successful real estate agent with Keller Williams Metro South, Ouellette enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, quilting and reading, but began to notice a significant deterioration in her eyesight as she approached her late 40's. Everyone's battle with glaucoma and cataracts is unique, but Ouellette's wasn't necessarily a surprise. "My optometrist is Dr. Heather Webb at the Walmart vision center in Alabaster and she was also my father's optometrist," said Ouellette. "My daddy had glaucoma and had to do the drops and both of my parents had cataracts in their 70's. I began wearing corrective lenses at age 21. At that time, Dr. Webb noticed an enlarged optic nerve and told me it may be indicative of a glaucoma trait. "Dr. Webb closely monitored it eventually referred me to VisionAmerica and Dr. Paul Batson for visual field testing." Over the years, Ouellette began to notice a significant change in her vision. A trip to Dr. Webb's office in June of 2018 revealed why.
"Dr. Webb said one of the reasons for the change in vision quality was that I had a cataract in my right eye," said Ouellette. "She sent me to Dr. Batson in October of last year and by that time, I had developed a cataract in my left eye as well. The cataract in my right eye was much worse than the left, but both were large enough to be surgically removed." As any doctor knows, surgery is a much bigger deal for some patients than it is for others. For Ouellette, the thought of surgery triggered anxiety and fear. "Dr. Batson sent me to Dr. Karen Shelton and she confirmed it was time for the cataracts to come out," said Ouellette. "I was scared to death. The cataract in my right eye was so obnoxious. It was the most aggravating and distracting thing in the world. I got to where I could not drive at night and it felt like I was trying to look through wax paper. That's how foggy my vision was. "My right eye also had a pressure issue and it would be time to start drops if I didn't do something soon," continued Ouellette. "My father did the drops and was eventually diagnosed with dementia so applying the drops became difficult to manage, but Dr. Shelton recommended a stent so I would not have to do the forever drops." The Hydrus Microstent is a highly flexible, biocompatible 8-mm long device delivered ab interno into the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. It has been clinically proven to reduce medication usage and intraocular pressure (IOP) through a unique Tri-Modal mechanism of action. (Click here to read more!) Once the decision to proceed with the Hydrus was made, Ouellette also needed to choose what kind of lens she would receive during cataract surgery. "Dr. Shelton asked me to walk through an average day and I told her it was important for me to be able to see distance," said Ouellette. "I hadn't been able to see distance in so long and I felt like it was the most important thing. She walked me through the differences in the lenses and there were a couple of upgrade options. I went with the (Tecnis) Symfony for the benefits it offered. It is a high-performance lens that minimizes the halos on the lights and I would have a lot of clarity both day and night." Over the course of three weeks in March of 2019, Ouellette underwent surgery to remove both cataracts and had a stent placed in her right eye to relieve pressure. She immediately noticed a significant difference in her eyesight. "I left the surgery center with a cover over my right eye and I had better vision with that protective cover than I did before the surgery," said Ouellette. "I could actually read the road signs. "I had missed so much detail in many things we take for granted every day," she continued. "I didn't realize how little I could see until I could see. It is like a miracle. I can see the leaves on the trees. I can see color and detail. I can see the vibrant details in nature and it shakes me up. "My new sight opened my heart and mind," said Ouellette. "I have two daughters who look similar and, at age 48, I couldn't tell them apart when I was looking at them without corrective lenses. It was heartbreaking. "Now, I have 20/15 vision in both eyes," she continued. "Prior to the surgery, 20/60 was the best I could ever see with corrective lenses. My eyesight is a miracle for me. I feel like it's divine intervention." Reflecting on the entire process, Ouellette notes the unique journey that took her from struggling to see to near-perfect vision. "Dr. Webb sent me to VisonAmerica because of the technology they have and I am in awe of it," said Ouellette. "The Symfony lens is amazing! Dr. Shelton told me my insurance would only pay for one lens, but the cost wasn't an issue because we only had one shot it. For $3,600.00, the blind can see. That's a pretty good deal! "The way VisionAmerica and their entire staff operates is fantastic. I felt the physicians, as well as the staff, were genuinely concerned about me. Dr. Batson referred me to Dr. Shelton because she specializes in the exact thing I needed and that was wonderful. He wanted me to be able to see the way I was intended to see. They worked with Dr. Webb as a team to achieve the best possible outcome for me. "I'm back to sewing and quilting," said Ouellette. "I thought those things were gone forever and they aren't. When they told me I now have 20/15 vision, I cried and danced in the hallway. I still cry every time I share my story because it is something exciting and truly worth celebrating." If you have questions or would like more information about premium lenses, please reply to this email! We would love to help in any way possible!
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11/6/2023 12:31:47 am
Opting for prescription lenses in existing frames is a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. Instead of purchasing new eyeglass frames, you can simply replace the lenses in your current ones. This service is typically offered by optometrists and optical shops. They will craft lenses that match your prescription, ensuring clear vision while retaining your favorite frames. It's a convenient solution for those who love their existing eyeglasses and wish to maintain their personal style while addressing vision needs.
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AuthorThe staff and doctors at VisionAmerica are committed to providing relevant information for you, your patients and your practice. We hope you find the information in our blog post helpful. Archives
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