Wearing thick, heavy glasses wasn’t a style choice for Abi Titus growing up; it was a necessity.
The Wayne, New Jersey, woman struggled for years to see clearly. Her high nearsightedness made distant objects blurry, and severe astigmatism distorted everything else.
“That’s always been a challenge in my life. I always had to go the extra mile academically [and in] all the things that I liked doing,” Titus, 21, said. “I’m squinting. I can’t see the board in class. I always have to sit in the front, and even then I have to take pictures of the board.”
Vision challenges in high school continued at the School of Engineering at Rutgers University — New Brunswick, where she’s studying chemical engineering.
“It was an ongoing conversation,” Titus said. “Am I going to get some kind of vision surgery so that I don’t have to be like this for the rest of my life?”
When the unexpected happened during a family trip to Niagara Falls last summer, it confirmed her decision to move forward with eye surgery.
“I was wiping my glasses, and they just snapped. And I didn’t bring any spares with me,” Titus said. “My vision was so bad that I couldn’t even make out shapes or outlines. It was just blurs of light. It was a disability when I didn’t have glasses, or I didn’t have a way of seeing. I was practically blind.”
Evaluation Determines Best Vision Surgery
Titus spent years researching vision correction surgeries on her own to find a solution for her eyesight. Among those procedures were LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) and the relatively new EVO Implantable Collamer® Lens (ICL).
A few months after the Niagara Falls trip, Titus met with ophthalmologist Adrian Jachens, MD, to talk through what was best for her long-term vision, because not every procedure was right for her eyes.
“We did a full evaluation, as we do with all refractive surgery consults, and that refractive surgery evaluation ruled out LASIK and PRK for her,” Dr. Jachens said. “Then, we agreed that ICL would work well for her because she was a good candidate for it.”
LASIK and PRK treat vision issues by surgically reshaping the cornea. By comparison, EVO ICL is a minimally invasive, reversible vision correction procedure where a soft, biocompatible lens is placed between your iris and natural lens.
Good candidates for ICL surgery are adults 21-45 years of age who are nearsighted, with and without astigmatism. Dr. Jachens explained that ICL offers distinct advantages compared to other surgical procedures.
“ICL doesn’t have the risk of dry eye that LASIK can give people,” he said. “If you’re having LASIK, your cornea is forever changed, it’s never going to be back to normal ever again. Whereas the ICL is always reversible. [Your doctor] could always go in and remove that lens and swap it with another one.”
ICL Surgery Results in 20/20 Vision
Choosing EVO ICL, Titus scheduled her surgery with Dr. Jachens for December 23 at River Drive Surgery and Laser Center in Elmwood Park, New Jersey.
“We call it a bilateral procedure because we’re doing both eyes, but they’re not done at the same time,” Dr. Jachens said. “They are two entirely separate surgeries from soup to nuts. The real terminology is same day, sequential.”
Titus was released to recover at home. At her post-op visit the next day on Christmas Eve, Dr. Jachens confirmed the surgery was a complete success. Titus now had 20/20 vision in both eyes.
“I was just reading and reading,” Titus said. “It was great!”
Dr. Jachens prescribed eye drops and instructed her to wear sunglasses for several days because of light sensitivity.
“My vision was returning quickly,” she said. “Overall, I was like, ‘Wow, I can see!’ I’m walking around. I’m functional. I can read. It was a merry Christmas.”
Finding Her Confidence With Clear Vision
Eight months after her procedure, Titus is filled with gratitude. Life without glasses has brought crystal-clear vision and a brighter outlook.
“This is such a privilege to be able to see — as someone who wasn’t able to see before,” she said. “I wake up every morning, and I don’t have to put glasses on. I wake up, and I can see outside my window.”
College life at Rutgers improved for Titus, too. With sharper vision, she found it easier to focus more fully on her coursework.
“I remember being in the hardest level classes in my spring semester and still being able to perform well,” she said. “There was a higher sense of ease because I could literally be sitting in the back of a lecture hall, and I could see.”
Living without glasses revealed more than just clear vision, Titus saw a new version of herself in the mirror.
“My confidence level went up,” she said. “You can see my face now. I can do eyelashes. I can do my makeup differently. The possibilities [are] endless.”
With her new eyes, Titus’ world is wide open for adventure. She’s finishing summer school, gearing up to get her motorcycle license and planning trips wherever the road leads.
“I’m just trying to make the most of literally living my best life,” she said. “Trying to make the most of my opportunities. Expose myself to new things. Learn new skills.”
Dr. Jachens celebrates Titus’ recovery and improved visual clarity through ICL.
“It’s really cool because I don’t think people that have relatively good vision can appreciate just how debilitating that sort of myopia really is,” he said. “I’m just happy that Miss Titus did so well.”
ASCs Put Patient Comfort First
Following her successful ICL surgery, Titus said she would recommend procedures at an ambulatory surgery center like River Drive.
“The team is much more receptive and much more willing to accommodate you,” she said. “They were very in tune to my needs, especially during the procedure.”
ASCs offer same-day procedures using advanced technology in a comfortable setting with easy parking, often at reduced costs, and with the convenience of recovering at home.
“Because this is intraocular surgery, you need a very sterile environment,” Dr. Jachens said. “The ambulatory surgical center experience is always going to be best for both surgeon and patient. Hospitals are not really equipped, nor do they have much experience with a procedure like this.”
Schedule Your Comprehensive Eye Exam
Your eyes deserve expert care. Getting a yearly, comprehensive eye exam with dilation helps catch issues like glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts before they affect your vision.
“If you’re not seeing well, or if you’re having any interesting or strange new symptoms, or if your eyes aren’t feeling right — itching, burning, scratching — all the way to blurry vision, flashes and floaters, call an ophthalmologist,” Dr. Jachens said.
If you are interested in reducing your need for glasses or contact lenses or require cataract surgery, we can help you explore options. Our board-certified ophthalmologists are accepting new patients. Find an eye doctor nearby to focus on your vision needs.
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.