JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville's own Florida Eye Specialists is leading the way to reviving 20/20 vision to its patients with a simple surgery. It is a procedure that includes using UV lights to repair one's eyesight.
As people grow older, it is not uncommon to experience vision loss. More than half of Americans experience the effects of cataracts by the age of 75. Cataracts can have of number of effects including: cloudy or blurry vision, sensitivity to light and poor night vision.
Dr. Ravi Patel and his team at Florida Eye Specialists conducted more than a thousand cases in their first year, 2023.
"We're actually one of the top five practices in the country with the volume of light adjustable lenses that we do," Patel told First Coast News. "The gift of sight is priceless and it's something that we truly all cherish. And to be able to provide that is truly rewarding and very fulfilling for us as a practice."
The local ophthalmologist said their services will expand to St. Augustine, Mandarin and Fernandina Beach.
The new procedure replaces the eye's cloudy lens with a lens that can be adjusted with ultraviolet light to make vision more precise. Experts said people who have cataracts are generally good candidates for the procedure. Patients can now customize their vision to their liking, something Patel said was not possible 30 years ago.
He mentioned the surgery is quick, taking less than five minutes.
"When I started practice and now the thought of customizing patients' vision after the fact is, is just, it's mind blowing and amazing technology," Patel said.
With any medical procedure, one should speak to their own doctor to weigh the risks. One way experts suggest to maintaining healthy eyes is limiting the screen time spent on electronic devices.