In the mid-1980s, Brad Schneider relied on his vision to study and to play baseball at the University of Evansville.
One day during batting practice for the 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.”
Nearly 40 years later, Schneider serves as the Judge-Executive, the head of county government, in Henderson County, Kentucky. About three years ago, he noticed driving home from work at night became challenging.
“The glare bouncing back off streetlights or high headlights was really a problem,” Schneider said.
During a comprehensive eye exam last year, Schneider’s optometrist discovered cataracts developing in his eyes. Cataracts form when proteins clump together and create a cloudy or blurry spot on the lens of the eye.
Most cataracts form as a natural part of aging. For Schneider’s left eye, the catalyst likely was his baseball injury, according to his doctor. Eye injuries can cause cataracts in up to 65 percent of cases, leading to both short-term and long-term vision problems.
“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. “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 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.”
Cataracts Cause Vision Loss
Cataracts affect more than 20.5 million Americans aged 40 and older. Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S.; however, surgery can remove cataracts and correct the vision problems they create.
Surgeons perform nearly four million cataract surgeries annually in the U.S. During the 10-15 minute 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.
Schneider elected to undergo cataract surgery on both eyes at the 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.”
Select an Intraocular Lens to Meet Your Needs
Based on his visual needs and lifestyle, Schneider selected extended depth of focus IOLs. Health insurance plans do not cover the additional expense of these premium lenses. Studies show 80-90 percent of patients who have this type of IOL do not have to wear glasses post-procedure.
“As somebody who’s worn glasses since they were a kid, it’s never been convenient,” Schneider said. “I am sure that people have great experiences with basic lenses. They’re covered under their health insurance. That’s terrific, but in this case, paying a little bit more paid off for me.”
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 — even driving at night.
“The improvement in my vision is really tremendous,” he said.
Choose an Ambulatory Surgery Center for Cataract Surgery
Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), like EyeCare Consultants Surgery Center, have offered safe, high-quality outpatient medical procedures for decades. Schneider said he would recommend surgery at an ASC to anyone who has vision problems caused by cataracts.
“Number one, it’s safe,” he said. “Having surgery on your eyes is scary for anybody, but the skill of surgeons now is amazing. They are experts. They do this many, many times a week.”
After positive outcomes for both eyes, Schneider, now 59, recommends cataract surgery for anyone experiencing difficulties seeing during their daily activities.
“Listen to your optometrist, and then take the time to visit with an ophthalmologist whose team will fill you in and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision,” he said. “I would recommend having cataract surgery. It’s changed my life.”
Schedule an Eye Exam to Protect Your Vision
Now is the perfect time to focus on your eyesight. During a comprehensive eye exam, your ophthalmologist looks at both your eye health and your vision. Your eye doctor will check your vision and test for common eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Our eye care professionals are committed to preserving and restoring your vision for the future. Find a center near you to schedule your comprehensive eye exam.
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.