First Class Care Provides Comfort During Cataract Surgery [Lonnie Goodfellow]

In this video, Lonnie Goodfellow shares his experience with cataract surgery at Brookings Health System. He explains how he knew it was time for surgery, what the procedure day was like and how his vision improved after treatment. The video highlights how first-class care, clear communication and convenience close to home made his experience comfortable and reassuring.

  • Cataract surgery was quick and comfortable: Lasting about 10 minutes with light sedation.
  • Recovery was smooth and manageable: With eye drops and routine follow-up visits.
  • Vision improved significantly: With results of 20/15 and 20/20 after surgery.
  • Patients may notice brighter, clearer vision: Sometimes immediately after surgery.
  • Care close to home offers convenience: Especially for follow-up appointments and winter travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cataract surgery is a procedure that removes the cloudy natural lens of the eye (a cataract) and replaces it with a clear artificial lens. It is performed to restore clearer, brighter vision when cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities.

It may be time for cataract surgery when vision changes begin to affect daily life, such as difficulty driving, reading or seeing clearly even with glasses. An ophthalmologist performs a detailed eye exam to determine whether surgery is appropriate.

Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure. The eye is numbed with drops, light sedation may be given and the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The procedure itself often takes about 10–15 minutes per eye.

In early stages, stronger glasses or updated prescriptions may help manage symptoms. However, surgery is the only treatment that removes a cataract and restores clarity once vision impairment becomes significant.

Cataract surgery is generally very safe and commonly performed. As with any surgery, risks may include infection, swelling, inflammation or changes in vision, but serious complications are uncommon. Your ophthalmologist will discuss individual risk factors before the procedure.

Video Transcript

My name is Lonnie Goodfellow. I live in Brookings, some things that I like to do include: gardening, baking, reading, walking and working out, playing the piano, and visiting and spending time with family.

What brought you to Dr. Knudtson?

I had a routine eye exam a couple years ago with an optician in town, and it was discovered that I have cataracts in both my eyes. So I monitored them through care, and then after a few years, I decided I'd better see an ophthalmologist. So I made an appointment with Dr. Knudtson. They did an evaluation and determined that it was time for surgery so we scheduled it and got it done.

What was your impression of Dr. Knudtson?

Dr. Knudtson was so friendly, down to earth, very professional. He was very humble. Thorough, he answered all my questions. He was awesome. 

How were you treated by the staff?

The staff was phenomenal. The lady that came and got me for the surgery was so friendly and kind. They were a joy to be around. They were so clear with communicating what to expect with the surgery, and it was a great experience.

How was the day of surgery?

The day of surgery, I arrived about an hour early. The nurse put drops in my eye, got me ready for anesthesia. The anesthesiologist came in, asked some questions, and I waited about 20 or 30 minutes. And then they took me to the operating room. I was greeted by Dr. Knudtson and the staff. And then they put me under with a light sedation. And the surgery took 10 minutes. It was amazing. They took me back to the recovery room. After I came, too, they gave me a snack. And then after about an hour, I was ready to go so I got a ride home, and I rested for the rest of the day.

The second surgery was done one week after the first eye was done, and it was pretty much exactly like the first eye with the surgery. Same procedure, everything was easy as the first one was. 

How was your recovery?

Again, it was much better or easier than laser surgery. When I got home that night, I wore an eye shield on my eye. The next morning, I was able to take a shower as normal, no problem. And then for the next three weeks, I put eye drops in my eye four times a day. And then I had a follow-up visit the next day, the following week, and then in three weeks, and then in six months which I just had a couple of weeks ago.

How did cataract surgery compare to your previous LASIK surgery?

Cataract surgery seemed much easier, less involved, there was less recovery time. It was just a lot easier, I thought. 

How was your 6-month check-in?

It was great. One of the eyes was 20/15 and the other eye was 20/20. So when I went back the other day for my 6-month checkup, both eyes together for distance was 20/15. So that was a thrill just to know that, wow, I'm 20/15, 20/20 is great, but life is so much better. I don't have to wear glasses if I don't want to for distance, if I'm swimming, or it's raining out, or it's 20 below, the glasses, I don't have to worry about them getting fogged up. So I'm just so thrilled with the experience that I had.

What did you notice after surgery?

The one thing that I noticed immediately was, in addition to, of course, being able to see without glasses, was things are so much brighter. I'd go in my bathroom, and I'd look at my pretty carpet, and I was like, "Whoa, it's so bright and pretty." Just things are so much brighter. And I think probably, too, with driving, I always had trouble driving, and I'm still not a fan of night driving, but just everything is so much brighter. It was amazing.

Why did you choose Brookings Health System for your procedure?

Well, I live here and it's so convenient. I knew Dr. Knudtson. He was great. I knew him through my parents. And why would I want to drive an hour away to get surgery when I could do it here and have follow-ups here? And so that's why. 

Why was it important to have care close to home?

Well, if you live in South Dakota, you know why, because our winters are brutal. And if you've got to do follow-ups and it's during winter months, it's just not a good deal, and the convenience, you know, just the Brookings County area is so close. So it makes no sense not to, you know, make use of the health care. So why is it important? I mean, for many reasons. You know, life can be so hectic. It just makes life a lot easier to just be in Brookings and come here.

What did you appreciate most about your care?

They were very organized and communicated very clearly throughout the entire process. They're very caring, down to earth. You know, that's how people in South Dakota are. You know, you call for help for something in South Dakota, it's like, "Wow, they're so friendly. It's awesome," because I lived here for quite a while. But, yeah, just great care. The facility was first class. It's just a great place. 

Why do you recommend Brookings Health System?

I recommend the Brookings Health System because it's so convenient. We have so many good doctors in town. The facility is first class, and it just doesn't make sense to drive an hour away for health care when you can do it right in town.

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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