Helen Quality control officer and former presbyopia patient
Helen Forestieri, 53 is a mother of three kids. She has been relying on reading glasses for more than 10 years.
Helen underwent the IntraCOR procedure in October this year. This is her story.
When and how did you first notice that you were losing your near vision?
I first noticed that I was losing my reading vision after trying to focus on the small print of a newspaper and not being able to read anything. Everything was blurred.
When were you diagnosed with presbyopia?
I was diagnosed with presbyopia about 10 years ago after visiting my optometrist, who referred me to a specialist.
Why did you choose to undergo the IntraCOR procedure?
I chose to undergo the IntraCOR procedure because I was fed up with not being able to leave the house without dragging my reading glasses around with me. Everyday tasks such as grocery shopping or opening the mail would take me twice as long as they should, because I would have to first find my reading glasses before being able to read the small print.
What was your experience with the IntraCOR procedure?
It was a very comfortable, relaxing, satisfying and rewarding procedure. It was simple to go through.
How has your restored vision improved your quality of life?
I feel a lot more independent now that I don’t have to rely on my reading glasses. Every day things are a lot easier to do when I don’t need to reach for my glasses all the time. This has dramatically improved my quality of life.
Since having the procedure, how would you describe your eyesight now?
Living with presbyopia means you’re dependent on reading glasses for everyday activities. Now I no longer need to worry about using my glasses for up-close work. I can now read very clearly both at a distance and at arms length.
What did you think of the IntraCOR procedure?
It was a very simple and painless procedure. Before I knew it, the procedure was over and I was able to go home. The procedure is such a small price to pay to have your reading vision restored.
What is your advice to those living with presbyopia?
My advice to those living with presbyopia is, don’t hesitate. Ask your ophthalmologist about the IntraCOR procedure and if it’s right for you. If you’re suitable for the procedure you should find that your quality of life post-procedure will vastly improve.
Craig Company director and presbyopia patient
Father of two, Craig Brown, 48, manages a commercial/industrial refrigeration company in Sydney. He is dependent on his near vision and distance vision to effectively perform his role.
Craig has struggled with presbyopia for years and is due to undergo the IntraCOR procedure on Tuesday, November 23, 2010. This is his story.
When and how did you first notice that you were starting to lose your reading vision?
I first noticed that I was starting to lose my reading vision about four years ago. I had to hold things further and further away in order to read them. It got to the point where my arms just weren’t long enough. My vision has degenerated so quickly over the past two years that it became a source of frustration for me.
When were you diagnosed with presbyopia?
I visited an eye specialist about two years ago, and he diagnosed me with presbyopia.
How has your failing near vision affected your quality of life?
The loss of near vision affects the quality of my life in a number of ways. I spend a great deal of time looking for my glasses, losing them, buying them, chasing them. I find when I sit down for a meal, that if I don’t have my glasses on I can’t even see what I’m about to eat. At work, I have to ask my apprentice to read things out for me if I don’t have my glasses handy.
Why did you choose to undergo the IntraCOR procedure?
I chose to have the IntraCOR procedure because I was frustrated at my constant dependence on reading glasses. I run a business, and my duties include both clerical and working on intricate machinery, and my loss of near vision has made performing these duties very difficult.
What do you think of the IntraCOR procedure?
I’m pretty excited and am looking forward to living without my reading glasses.
Andrew Production Manager and former presbyopia patient
Father of two, Andrew Davis, 46, works as a Production Manager at an import company in Ingleburn, Sydney. He requires near vision and distance vision to effectively perform his role.
Andrew had struggled with presbyopia for years until recently undergoing the IntraCOR procedure. He now has better than 20/20 vision. This is his story.
When and how did you first notice that you were starting to lose your reading vision?
About two years ago, I began noticing that it was getting harder and harder to focus when reading and the words on the page would become blurry. I was finding it increasingly difficult to read anything up close, and was having a lot of trouble focusing on close objects.
When were you diagnosed with presbyopia?
I was diagnosed with presbyopia about two years ago after visiting an eye specialist and complaining about not being able to focus properly when reading.
Why did you choose to undergo the IntraCOR procedure?
I chose to have the IntraCOR procedure because my loss of sight was starting to affect my quality of life. My work requires me to be able to see long distance as well as up close. I was frustrated with constantly having to put my reading glasses on, have my eyes adjust to them, only to have to take them off again. Then after removing my glasses it would take some time for my eyes to readjust. It felt like my eyes were constantly trying to readjust to different distances, and more often than not, I’d end up with headaches at the end of the day.
What do you think of the IntraCOR procedure?
The IntraCOR procedure wasn’t unpleasant at all. I was given an eye drop as an anaesthetic before undergoing the procedure. The procedure was very quick and after a short period of time I was allowed to go home. Within a few hours, my close-up vision was fantastic. I could read clearly without my glasses for the first time in years.
How has your restored vision improved your quality of life?
My restored vision has significantly improved my quality of my life. I no longer get headaches or feel as though I’m straining my eyes. I can now read up close without having to use glasses. It’s such a relief to have my near vision restored. I can now fill out orders at work, read a menu, send a text message, and do all of the things that I used to do before I started to lose my reading vision. I’m rapt.
Since having the procedure, how would you describe your eyesight now?
Since having the procedure, I haven’t needed to use my reading glasses. I can read smaller than newspaper print without my reading glasses.
What is your advice to those living with presbyopia?
My advice to those struggling with presbyopia is to talk to an ophthalmologist about the IntraCOR procedure and to see if it is suitable for them.