Dr. Whitman Gave Me My Life Back!

I never dreamed that at the age of 51 that I would be legally blind in one eye. Once I realized this wasn't going to fix itself I went to the doctor (not Key-Whitman). An exam was performed and I was told I had a cataract as well as astigmatism. For whatever reason I did not feel good about this visit and after a lot of research I ended up at Key-Whitman.

They ran many different tests on my eye and explained to me that the cataract was very dense and that Dr. Whitman himself would have to do the surgery. All thru the process everyone was very friendly and did everything they could to help ease my fears. While I have no fears in life....I must say, I was scared to death to have this surgery done. All I could think about was what if I blink or cough or move. Well let me tell you, those fears were completely put to rest when I found out that they numb up that area so that it is impossible to blink or move your eye.

I'll summarize the day.....arrived and had eye dilated with a spray - pretty neat - no pain. Then moved onto a bed. IV started - that hurt just because I don't like needles. I asked if this was when I went to sleep....those were my last words as they put you to sleep to numb your eye. Then they "sort of" wake you up and ask you to try to blink or move your eye - this is to make sure the eye is numbed up. After that they put a drape over your good eye that has oxygen flowing out of it - nice touch. Yes, you are awake during surgery, but I was so amazed by a pink light show that I had no idea what was going on around me. You are in a very happy place during all this. There is no pain, you feel absolutely nothing and there was nothing to be afraid of - just sit back and enjoy the light show.

Even though I was having two procedures done (astigmatism fixed and cataract removed) it didn't take long at all. Next thing I remember is eating some goldfish and drinking something. I felt great - no pain, no grogginess. walked out on my own. Did go home and sleep for about 6 hours - oh and it was such a good sleep. Woke up took the tape off, put the drops in and thought WOW, I can see. Went for follow up the next day and read the eye chart with no problems!

Colors now pop, I can see to drive at night, I can read street signs and best of all.....I don't scare my kids to death anymore when I'm driving. Oh and by the way....I'm not wearing glasses anymore either.

In summary, I was such a big chicken about all this, but I must say the skill of Dr. Whitman is amazing. He gave me my life back - and that is a powerful statement. He's a rock star in my "eyes" now!!!!!!! As they say, just do it.

~ Robin Lyons