Newsletter 
SEARCH ARTICLES
NEWSLETTER
Jordan Pysz / iFoundMyDoctor.com
Prior to cataract surgery, J.C. was legally blind in his left eye. With the Vivity replacement lens, he now has 20/50 vision in that eye and 20/20 vision in his right eye.
Few can claim that they have prepared meals for a US president, but J.C. Curry, who did a lot of the cooking for his wife’s Washington, DC, catering company, is among those who have had that honor. “We catered three events at the White House while we had our catering business, and there was another time when President Clinton just grabbed a burger off the grill at an event we were catering at one of the military bases up there,” J.C. remembers. “We catered a lot of events at the military bases as well as events for the FBI and Secret Service. One of those was a retirement party at the White House for the head of the Secret Service. We also catered a couple of lunches at the White House.” J.C. and his wife catered events in and around the D.C. area for about 20 years, then retired to Florida in 2006. For many years before and after retirement, J.C. was forced to work around a visual disability he was stricken with at age 4. “I grew up in one of the few homes in our small town in Georgia that had electricity, and one day, a band came to practice at our house,” J.C. recalls. “While the band was there, one of the band members struck a match and the tip of the match went into my left eye.” That incident robbed J.C. of the ability to see clearly out of his left eye. As J.C. aged, the vision in that eye worsened until he was virtually blind. More recently, the vision in J.C.’s right eye began to fade as well. The reason was cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that forms from a breakdown of fibers or clumping of proteins. As with J.C., cataracts typically result in blurred vision, an increased sensitivity to light and a reduction in the vibrancy of colors. The only remedy for cataracts is a surgical procedure in which the affected lens is removed and replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens, or IOL. Earlier this year, J.C. entrusted that task to ophthalmic surgeon Alexandra Kostick, MD, FACS, FRCSC, of Atlantic Eye Center. “I went to Dr. Kostick because my wife has been seeing her for a while,” J.C. offers. “So, when the vision in my right eye started to get really bad, I went to Dr. Kostick, and I’m thankful that I did.”
Common Procedure
Common Procedure Recognized as one of the most accomplished surgeons in the field, Dr. Kostick confirmed the presence of a cataract in J.C.’s right eye and a well-developed cataract in his left eye. She recommended surgery for both eyes. Cataract surgery is among the most common of medical procedures. More than 4 million a year are performed in the US alone. Scheduled on an outpatient basis, cataract surgery is typically done on one eye at a time, with a break of a week or two between procedures. Prior to surgery, the patient’s lifestyle, vision goals and eye health are discussed with the doctor. That leads to a conversation regarding which of the various IOLs will help the patient achieve the best possible vision following surgery. IOLs are available in many focusing powers to correct refraction issues. Standard IOLs typically correct distance vision, while multifocal IOLs can correct distance and near vision in much the same way as bifocal eyeglasses or contact lenses. The most advanced IOL is a trifocal called the PanOptix®, which corrects distance, intermediate and near vision. The PanOptix has become Dr. Kostick’s “IOL of choice” for patients wanting a multifocal lens, but J.C. was not a good candidate for that lens. “I found macular pucker in both eyes,” Dr. Kostick reports. “Macular pucker is an extra layer of tissue that grows across the back of the retina that can pucker or wrinkle the retinal tissue beneath it.” “It’s also referred to as an epiretinal membrane, which is an age-related change that a lot of people have and live with. But it’s something you need to take into consideration when choosing a replacement lens for cataract surgery.” J.C. wanted multifocal lenses, but citing his visual history, Dr. Kostick recommended a monofocal lens for his left eye. For his right eye, Dr. Kostick noted the macular pucker and recommended the Alcon IQ Vivity® IOL over the PanOptix. “The PanOptix is a great lens, but you have to have a normal eye in all respects for it to work to its full potential,” Dr. Kostick informs. “But for someone who has ocular pathology or had a previous refractive surgery, the Vivity will work well. “The only real difference in the two is that the Vivity doesn’t provide the same sharp near or reading vision that the PanOptix does. It provides some up-close vision, but patients receiving the Vivity may need to use some weak reading glasses.”
Miraculous Outcome
J.C. first visited Dr. Kostick last spring. Because the vision in his left eye was far worse, Dr. Kostick chose to perform cataract surgery on that eye first. The results of both procedures were life-changing for J.C. “When J.C. first came to me, the vision in his left eye was 20/200, which means he was legally blind in that eye,” Dr. Kostick reports. “After cataract surgery, however, J.C. has 20/50 vision in his left eye, which is a remarkable improvement. “The cause of the vision problems in J.C.’s left eye might have been due to a cataract that developed during his childhood because that cataract was very dense. As for the right eye, J.C.’s postop vision is 20/20.” J.C. says the problems with his left eye sometimes forced him to rely on others for help. Since cataract surgery, he has discovered a new level of independence, and for that he is extremely grateful. “It’s literally like night and day compared to what it was like before the surgeries,” J.C. says of his vision. “Sometimes I just close my right eye and look out of my left eye because I could never see anything out of that eye before, and now I can. “And what I see now is so sharp and clear; even colors are brighter. It’s like a miracle happened, and it’s all because of Dr. Kostick. She did a great job, and everyone in her office is so kind and polite. I’d absolutely recommend them because they really treat you well, like family.” A family-like approach is one of the cornerstones of Dr. Kostick’s practice. “Not only do we strive to make our patients part of our extended family, but we also strive to make them comfortable by creating a very caring environment,” Dr. Kostick says. “Our patients know they are going to be treated with a personal touch whenever they come here.” A strong reputation in the community is something else that the Atlantic Eye Center staff strives to maintain. “I think word of mouth is very important for doctors, and we pride ourselves on the referrals we get,” Dr. Kostick adds. “I can honestly say that my staff members go out of their way to ensure that people are cared for to our utmost capability.”
You Asking For Double?
When Terry Coker and her husband decided to leave Savannah, Georgia, for “someplace new” a year ago, they didn’t realize that by retiring in Palm Coast they were actually moving…
After Occlusion Leads To Cataracts, A Common Surgery Restores Clear Vision
Cat yoga still hasn’t caught on in quite the same way that goat yoga has, but there’s no blaming Judy Molinaro for that. After all, this one-time yoga instructor once…
Cataracts After LASIK? Here’s Your IOL
Among the billion or so people who were forced to either cancel or postpone plans to travel internationally because of the COVID-19 pandemic was Steven Kravitz, who missed a trip…
Cataract Surgery: You Make The Call
The Department of Defense recently discovered that improper storage led to the deterioration beyond repair of nearly $2 billion worth of US Army ground weapons and equipment. For the better…
Multifocal IOL Options For Cataract Patients
In the first 10 months of 2022, the Flagler Humane Society returned 465 pets to their rightful owners and found homes for more than 1,500 other lost or abandoned animals.…
Crystal Clear Vision After Cataract Removal
During the 30-odd years that they were together, the Quarternotes played their brand of adult dance music at weddings, parties and just about every fraternal hall on Florida’s Upper East…
Leave a Reply