Cataract Surgery Creates ‘Phenomenal’ Difference in Vision [Sarantis Theodosopoulos]

In this video, Sarantis Theodosopoulos of Brookings shares his transformative experience with cataract surgery. He explains how declining vision affected his daily life, why he chose Brookings Health System, and the significant improvement he noticed immediately after the procedure.

  • Pre-Surgery Vision Challenges: He struggled with poor vision, needing glasses and contacts since childhood, and had increasing difficulty seeing at night.
  • Choosing Local Care: Convenience and trust in a local ophthalmologist, Dr. Knudtson, made Brookings Health System the ideal choice.
  • Positive Surgical Experience: Minimal waiting, attentive staff, and clear communication made the surgery process smooth and comfortable.
  • Immediate Vision Improvement: The difference between pre- and post-surgery vision was striking, described as “phenomenal,” with clearer color and night vision.
  • Life-Changing Results: Post-surgery, he no longer needs glasses or contacts and experiences improved day-to-day functionality and independence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cataract surgery is a procedure that removes the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens. It restores clarity and improves vision affected by cataracts.

Cataract surgery is typically recommended when clouded vision begins to affect daily activities, such as reading, driving or recognizing faces. Eye care professionals can evaluate the severity and recommend the best timing.

Most patients are awake during the procedure with local anesthesia. The surgeon removes the clouded lens and inserts an artificial lens. Pain and discomfort are minimal, and the process is quick and outpatient-friendly.

Many patients, like Sarantis, notice immediate improvement after the first surgery. Vision clarity, color perception and night vision often show significant enhancement within days.

Brookings Health System offers convenient, patient-focused care with experienced surgeons like Dr. Knudtson. Patients benefit from prompt attention, supportive staff and a streamlined surgical experience close to home.

Video Transcript

My name is Sarantis Theodosopoulos. I've lived in Brookings since 1972, which has been about 50 years. I own some businesses and some property.

How was your vision before cataract surgery?

I'd been wearing glasses since I was three years old. My vision was pretty poor. My vision got quite a bit worse, I wore glasses and contacts every day for two years. And now, I don't even have readers or anything. And then at night, it was really getting harder and harder all the time, squinting at headlights and things like that. Where, now, this is where it really shines, I can see so great at night, it's unbelievable.

Why did you choose Brookings Health System for your procedure?

I just kind of started doing little research, and my eye doctor recommended Dr. Knudtson, as well as anybody else, and if not better because you're in town, you don't have to travel. And I knew right away soon as I met Dr. Knudtson that I was gonna have it done here. I just felt really comfortable. Everything with my business is the same day and I don't have to travel. And I didn't have to have a driver, you know, travel very far for me. So, it was very nice, very convenient.

How was your experience with Dr. Knudtson?

He was very, very easy to talk to, very caring, he gave me one-on-one, and it was really good.

What did your appreciate about the surgical staff?

Not much waiting time, which I really liked, because I'm self-employed, so I like to be in and out. My second surgery I was...I didn't even have the chance to sit down, I was already greeted and taken back into the prep room or the surgery room or whatever, to get ready. So, it was really, really good. I was in and out really fast. I was really surprised with the prompt care that I had right away.

What do you remember from the surgery?

So you're mostly awake except kind of at the finish. Really, you don't feel any pain or discomfort. It's kind of a weird feeling. Like I said, "You could see, and then all of a sudden you can't see, and then all of a sudden you see great." So it's...yeah, it's pretty amazing.

What did you notice after your first surgery?

My right eye first and then my left eye. So, a week later I noticed the difference right away, right out of surgery. I could see so much better without glasses, as soon as I got out recover from surgery. To explain to you how it really felt is like looking through a yellow lens on one eye and a clear lens on the other. And it was just phenomenal, the difference you see between the two eyes. It was...it's really hard to explain. It's like looking at a yellow wall or a piece of glass, clear glass. So, it's really phenomenal.

How has cataract surgery changed your day-to-day life?

It's amazing. I'm still trying to get over not putting my glasses on or my contacts on in the morning, but it wasn't hard to get used to that. I just feel like I'm a different person just because I don't have glasses, I don't have contacts. It's just...it's amazing. It's...really glad I had it done. I wish I would have done it 20 years ago, or sooner, or whatever. I hope people can have this done and change their lives over.

What did you appreciate most about your experience?

And it was very convenient, it was fast. I didn't have to...I didn't waste a lot of my time. I had great care while I was having it done, so, I just think it was a great deal. I'd really like to...I would do it again here if I had to.

Would you recommend Brookings Health System for cataract surgery?

Oh, absolutely. Yes, it was a great experience. My eye doctor says, "Well, do you need, you know, do you need some readers to get...?" I said, "No, just let me enjoy the moment, I got no contacts, no glasses. I'll just...I'm fine the way I am."

Are you one of Brookings Health System's grateful patients who would like to give back to us? Learn more about how you can give back at brookingshealth.org/MyThanks.

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