Health

Health: Seeing Clearer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― In health, are you tired of wearing glasses or contacts? LASIK surgery is not your only option. Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl has details on a new way to see clearly.

Kathy Welsch loves spending time reading to her kids. It's easier than ever now that she's seeing clearly.

"I can see everything better than perfect," said Kathy.

Not long ago, that wasn't the case.

Like millions of people, Kathy needed glasses or contacts to see anything at all. She has not seen on her own since 4th grade.

After years of thinking about it, she decided to undergo vision correction surgery. She planned to get LASIK but wasn't a candidate because her corneas were too thin.

So she turned to a new alternative, a lens that's implanted into her eye.

"I think this is just an amazing lens," said Dr. George Pronesti with Kremer Laser Eye Center in King of Prussia.

It's called the Visian Lens. Dr. Pronesti said it isn't just for those who can't get LASIK.

"Even people who are candidates for LASIK sometimes choose to have the Visian. The quality of vision's great, it takes five minutes to put in," said Dr. Pronesti.

The thin, pliable lens is like a permanent contact lens.

"A small incision is made in the eye and the lenses are slipped into the eye and tucked behind the iris and it sits behind the pupil. You don't feel anything, you're completely unaware of the lens," said Dr. Pronesti.

Immediately after the surgery, Kathy was able sit up and read the clock in the operating room.

She said it was quick, easy and painless.

Now, after having both eyes done separately, her vision is perfect and she's getting rid of her and glasses and contacts forever.

"It is amazing, it is amazing," said Kathy.

The Visian lens is slightly more expensive than LASIK. It costs about $7,000 for both eyes. It's not usually covered by insurance.

Doctor Pronesti said there are very few risks associated with the procedure.


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