Cataract Surgery: Making the Needed Connections

Terri Mische of St. Cloud has a love for biking, walking, reading and helping her community. Up until recently, Terri had served as director of Alumni Relations at St. Cloud State University for the past 15 years. In her role, she primarily worked with alumni in Minnesota, offering them opportunities to stay connected with their college, current students and other alumni through off and on-campus activities.

Like many people, Terri needed glasses and contacts to get through her everyday work and hobbies. However, as time went on, Terri found herself having to use a magnifying glass to read and was not able to see across the room without her glasses. It was then she knew she needed to go to the CentraCare Eye Center to see if something had changed with her eyes.

At this appointment, Terri learned she had cataracts. Cataracts are a natural part of aging, and most people will eventually develop them. Cataracts are the No. 1 cause of blindness worldwide. They form when proteins in the eye break down, causing the lens to get cloudy. Fortunately, the condition can be easily and safely treated with the latest technology at CentraCare Eye Center.

CentraCare Eye Center offers patients three types of cataract lenses, depending on their lifestyle and budget:

1. A basic lens that will treat the majority of basic nearsightedness and farsightedness but will still require glasses for reading or up-close activities. If patients have a astigmatism, they also may need a thin pair of glasses for distance vision.
2. A premium lens that also corrects for astigmatism but will still require glasses for reading and near activities
3. A premium lens that corrects for both distance and up-close tasks, minimizing or even eliminating the need for glasses

Terri said she appreciated that "My eye doctor explained all my options and broke things down, recognizing that it can be hard to follow along if the information is very complex. Most of all, he made me feel comfortable and at ease."

After gathering the needed information, Terri went on to get the cataracts corrected in both eyes, choosing to go with lens option three.

Terri is now able to wake up and see across the room and see faces without the use of glasses or contacts.

Terri said she is very thankful for the CentraCare Eye Center, the technology and the CentraCare staff who helped her gain her eyesight back, allowing her to stay connected with the community.