January 5, 2012
At age 8, I could not see the large E on the eye chart at the optometrists. The next forty two years saw increased power in my lenses (up to -10.75), ultimately resulting in bifocals as well as reading glasses. Contact lenses were not an option because of dry eyes and allergies. At age 50, I reached a point where changing glasses all through the day and poor vision were a way of life. (at right, see picture of me before ICL!)
I recently moved close to where the Erdey Searcy Eye Group is located, and made an appointment for what I thought was just a yearly exam with Dr. Erdey. It was then that I learned of the implantable contact lens. I had the surgery within the next 6 weeks.
Within 48 hours of having the ICL surgery, my uncorrected vision was 20/20! This was the least intrusive of all the outpatient procedures I have ever had done. In addition, I have clarity of vision that I don’t recall having for many, many years. For days I have marveled at all that I can see. The ICL surgery has returned a quality of life to me that I never thought I would have again!
– Janet P. Smith
December 6, 2011
Three years ago at the age of 25, I had Dr. Erdey and his team perform the ICL (Implantable Contact Lens) surgery on my eyes, and I’m still smiling today from the incredible results.
Since I was ten years old I wore glasses and then later switched to contact lenses in my teens and wore them off and on through my early twenties. All the while, I experienced dry eyes and suffered from itchy, irritated eyes from seasonal allergies, which made it difficult to comfortably wear my contacts.
I’m also an outdoors woman and world traveler, and always struggled lugging around contact solution, my glasses, and extra contacts on camping excursions and long stays overseas. However, it was a necessary evil, for without them my essential high prescription left me completely vulnerable. Forget traveling or camping alone, I was blind without my lenses!
Both of these challenges, along with my young age and likelihood of my eyes changing down the road, added to my curiosity for a solution to my sight woes. I had been going to Dr. Erdey for quite a few years and he introduced the idea of the ICL procedure to me. We weighed my options as a candidate for ICL and Lasik and after realizing my strong aversion to a procedure that would leave my eyes changed and the procedure irreversible, it became very clear that the ICL was my best option.
We planned the surgery and I was excited for its arrival. The surgery was quick and quite painless. The same day of the procedure, I was able to see clearer than ever before, we called it HD (high definition) vision.
Since my surgery I have had the confidence, and less weight in my bags, to travel to eight countries spending over five to eight months in developing countries, volunteering on rural farms, and stretching my new lenses to their fullest while hiking the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas. Thank you Dr. Erdey and your whole team! I look forward to keeping you updated for years to come.
– Michelle King
Hello Dr. Erdey and staff!
Thank you so much for my new ICL’s! The morning after my surgery I woke up and for the first time in my memory I COULD SEE! The truth is…I said “holy sh** I can see”…!! Then out of habit I reached for my glasses (which of course I didn’t need) and said “sh**” again! The dogs and husband woke up at all the commotion and what a morning of celebration it was! I’m thrilled with the results, it’s life changing for me!!
– Dotty Bevis
Hi Dr. Erdey,
I have worn contact lenses or backup glasses for twenty nine years. My vision was poor enough that sleeping was the only activity I could do without my contact lenses in. After a friend of mine had laser correction surgery done, I wondered if I would be a candidate for the procedure. I planned a two week overseas vacation for October of 2011. How wonderful it would be to go on vacation and not have the burden of contact lenses! The Erdey Searcy Eye Group is well respected by the primary care physicians I work for, so I made an appointment for a consultation.
After an extensive evaluation, Dr. Erdey recommended implantable contact lenses as the best option for me. He and his staff carefully explained all the benefits and risks associated with the procedure. I liked the idea that the lenses would provide me with the highest quality vision and were completely reversible. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Erdey’s expertise with the procedure. The staff was competent and professional from start to finish.
I had my eyes done a week apart. The surgery was performed each time in under thirty minutes. My eyes felt slightly “gritty” for a few hours after the surgery, but there was no pain involved. By the second day, they felt completely normal. My vision is now perfect! Everything seems clearer and brighter, almost as though I see in high definition. When I wake up in the morning, I am able to see the time on my alarm clock! My only regret is that I did not do this year’s ago. I would recommend this procedure and Dr. Erdey without hesitation.
– Karen Miller (Gahanna)
More ICL testimonials from around the U.S.
View: 10TV 5PM News 3/2/2006
Dr. Erdey is among the first to implant the ICL following U.S. FDA approval. His patient, Laurel Santino, MD, an Obstetrician practicing in Lancaster , is interviewed.
View: 10TV 11PM News 3/2/2006
Dr. Erdey’s patient, Janet Knotts, who received the ICL eight (8) years earlier as part of the US FDA ICL Study, shares her long-term experience
View: NBC4 News 1998
Dr. Erdey’s patient, Lisa Carson, is the first in Ohio to receive myopia ICL in 1998
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