For Craig Evans, diminished vision had been a reality for so long that it was really the only thing he knew. 

“I had worn glasses since I was 4 years old, and I’d even needed them before then,” Craig says. “My first ones curled behind my ears so they would stay on — and they hurt. There’s no telling how many times over the years due to sports and horseplay that I broke my glasses, and each time, there was a very helpless feeling of not being able to see.”

Most of us who have difficulties with our vision can empathize with that sensation, that inability to see clearly without the assistance of glasses or contact lenses. While a familiar feeling, it isn’t an easy one to handle.

For years, Craig dreamt of being able to see without the help of glasses. But contact lenses weren’t a positive experience for him, and corrective surgery didn’t seem to be an option.

“I wanted LASIK, but I was too farsighted and was told I needed refractive lens replacement, which was cost-prohibitive,” Craig says. “I also was fearful of having any kind of eye surgery.”

But help was available.

A Different Type of Vision Correction

While many of us think of LASIK or a procedure called PRK when we think of vision correction, there are other alternatives more suitable in cases like Craig’s. A new product on the market — the AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL Trifocal Lens — turned out to be the ideal solution for Craig.

“The PanOptix is a newer option that was recently approved by the FDA,” says Michael Patterson, D.O., ophthalmologist at Eye Centers of Tennessee. “Used in conjunction with cataract surgery, this is an implanted lens that helps improve near, immediate, and distance vision. It can yield remarkable results for people who have had difficulty seeing without the help of glasses in the past.”

That was definitely the case for Craig, who saw almost immediate results. He underwent surgery on the right eye one week, followed by a procedure on the left eye the next week — becoming the first person in the region to have these lenses implanted.

“Since I was 4, the first thing I did each morning after opening my eyes was reach for and put on my glasses,” Craig says. “But not anymore. I went from 20/200 in one eye and 20/400 in the other eye without my glasses to seeing clearly and being able to read the small print without any glasses. The lyrics, ‘was blind, but now I see,’ ring true with me.”

An Exceptional Experience

Craig is impressed not only by the clarity of his vision following these procedures but also by the care he’s received from those at ECOTN.

“I want to thank Dr. Michael for his dedication to being the best ophthalmologist he can be through not only his care for patients but also his commitment to keeping up with the latest technology in order to provide the best results,” Craig says. “My entire experience was amazing. From the people who answer the phones to the techs to the opticians to those who assisted in the surgery, every single person showed great skill and care for me.

“If you’re needing an eye doctor for [vision correction], Dr. Michael and Eye Centers of Tennessee should be your first call.”

And ultimately, Craig walked away with the vision he’d always dreamed of.

“It is a whole new world,” Craig says.

Interested in finding out if you’re a candidate for PanOptix implantation? Contact us to schedule an evaluation!