07/27/2007

Acufocus Procedure Helps those with Problems Reading

Kathy Sona is 49 years old... and like many her age, she is having more difficulty reading..

Kathy Sona says, "Trying to read and not being able to clarify the words.. they are somewhat blurred."

The problem lies in a lens just behind the pupil..

Dr. Vance Thompson explains, "around the age of 40 to 45 it starts to get stuck at a distance so when people try to read, it won't read."

It's called presbyopia.. or "old vision", explains Thompson.

"The dream has been to develop a technology to develop a good near when people need reading glasses, but not take away from distance vision."

Thompson, already a leader in laser and implant work across the United States has studied and assessed the "Acufocus implant".. a technology developed to change the way many will see for the rest of their lives.

The procedure is simple.. a laser makes a flap in the cornea.. the Acufocus implant is placed over the pupil.. the flap is then replaced.

The Food and Drug Administration must still approve the surgery .. but Kathy was eligible for the trial procedure.. at no cost.

The technology is in the 2nd of three stages before approval from the F.D.A. but Dr. Thompson says the procedure is the final frontier in repairing a previously unrepairable vision problem.

"To have been involved in the development and now see the results that are so positive.. to me this is one of the hugest advancements that we're seen in eye surgery."

To watch the KSFY News video, click here.

Aaron Lindman, KSFY