An avid golfer, Brad Schneider spends many weekend hours out on the course with his friends.
Three years ago, the Henderson County Kentucky judge-executive noticed subtle changes in his eyesight during his golf game.
“I began to notice I had a challenge with distance vision. With each progressing year, it got harder for me to follow my golf ball,” he said. “When you are out playing with your buddies and you can’t find the darn ball because, 40 yards away from you, you lose sight of it, it’s not fun.”
During a comprehensive eye exam last year, Schneider’s optometrist discovered cataracts developing in both eyes. Cataracts form when proteins clump together and create a cloudy or blurry spot on the lens of the eye.
“We noticed that changes in my prescription glasses — which I’ve worn since I was eight years old — weren’t really helping the vision in my left eye anymore. And, in fact, it was getting cloudier,” Schneider said.
Schneider learned that increasing the prescription on his glasses would not be a long-term solution for his vision.
“Cataracts were the culprit,” he said. “That diminished vision, the cloudiness, was not going to improve without cataract surgery.”
Eye Trauma May Lead to Cataracts
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. The good news is surgery can remove cataracts and correct vision problems caused by cataracts.
Most cataracts form as a natural part of aging. The trauma from a collegiate baseball injury in the mid-1980s may have accelerated the development of a cataract in Schneider’s left eye, according to his doctor.
One day during batting practice for the University of Evansville Purple Aces, Schneider turned to bunt a baseball coming out of a pitching machine. The ball tipped off his bat into his left eye.
“The blow tore my iris and my eye filled with blood, blinding me for a few days,” Schneider said. “It was scary, but the blood finally dissipated, and my vision returned. To this day there’s a tiny, loose flap on the edge of my left iris, a remnant of the injury.”
Up to 65 percent of eye traumas lead to cataract formation, resulting in significant short- and long-term vision loss. Studies show traumatic cataracts may occur acutely or develop slowly over time.
“Normally, age 58 is not when you really notice the effects of cataracts, but that injury sped up the timeline a little for me,” Schneider said.
Choosing Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Lenses
Cataracts affect more than 20.5 million Americans aged 40 and older. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 39 million Americans will have cataracts by 2032.
Surgery is the only treatment option to medically remove a cataract and address the effect on your eyesight. Doctors perform nearly four million cataract surgeries annually in the U.S.
Schneider elected to undergo cataract surgery on both eyes at EyeCare Consultants Surgery Center, an ambulatory surgery center in Evansville, Indiana.
“It really gave me confidence that this could be something that would make the rest of my life much more enjoyable, and if I followed their instructions on recovery, […] I would really be pleased with the outcome,” he said. “And that is absolutely what happened.”
During cataract surgery, a doctor replaces the cloudy lens of a patient’s eye with an artificial lens. This intraocular lens (IOL) is a clear, plastic lens that becomes a permanent part of the eye.
Several IOLs are available, depending on your visual needs and lifestyle.
- Monofocal IOLs help with distance vision, but you may still need glasses for reading or if you have astigmatism. Medicare and other insurance plans usually cover these.
- Astigmatism-correcting Monofocal Lenses correct your astigmatism as well as your cataracts during one simple procedure. Most people only need glasses for reading after surgery.
- Multifocal or Extended Depth of Focus Lenses can help you see both near and far, so you may be able to go glasses-free after surgery.
Schneider chose extended depth of focus IOLs for his eye surgery, even though his health insurance did not cover the cost. He hoped this would eliminate the need for glasses after the procedure.
Surgeries Yield Positive Results
Schneider’s first cataract surgery was on Nov. 30, 2023. Three days later, his vision began to clear in his left eye after the initial swelling had subsided.
“I stepped out the back door, and the vision out of my left eye almost startled me how good it was at that point,” he said. “I remember looking up at the trees in our backyard and not only could I see the leaves at the very top of the trees, but I could [also] see the points in the leaves at the top of the trees. That was not an experience I’d ever had without glasses, and it was revelatory. It really was. It took me aback, and I couldn’t wait to get the right [eye] done at that point.”
Two weeks later, the cataract was removed successfully from Schneider’s right eye.
Having worn prescription eyeglasses since he was a child, Schneider now no longer needs them. Just six months after cataract surgery, he said his vision is the best it has been in adulthood and his golf game has improved.
“Let’s just say that I do a good job of following my drives into the trees much better now than I used to,” he laughed. “Still going to the trees, but I can find it now.”
Choose an ASC for Cataract Surgery
If you are planning to undergo cataract surgery, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) have offered safe, high-quality outpatient medical procedures for decades.
Schneider, now 59, said he would recommend surgery to anyone who has vision problems caused by cataracts.
“I would recommend having cataract surgery. It’s changed my life.”
Schedule a Comprehensive Eye Exam
Now is the perfect time to focus on your vision and schedule a comprehensive eye exam. Your eye doctor will check your prescription, test your vision and look for eye conditions like cataracts or glaucoma. If you need additional treatment or surgery, your eye doctor will explain your options and create a customized plan for your eyes.
This article is designed for educational purposes only. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health concern or disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health concern, you should consult your healthcare provider.