Eugene Diaz, left, shows ophthalmologist Dr. Soroosh Behshad that he is able to bicycle again post-cataract surgery.
Photo credit: Carlos Puma / Puma Images.
Just before Thanksgiving 2023, Eugene Diaz went to his ophthalmologist in his hometown of Corona for what he thought would be a routine cataract surgery.
But when the eye doctor had trouble removing the cataract, he stopped the surgery and referred the accountant to the UCI Health Gavin Herbert Eye Institute.
Diaz spent the holiday weekend fearing he would lose his eyesight and his livelihood. The cloudy vision in his left eye already made it nearly impossible to work on his computer.
The avid cyclist, a veteran of 200-mile double-century rides, was no longer able to ride his bike.
His loss of depth perception made even simple tasks like going down a staircase challenging. After the incomplete surgery, his vision problems got worse.
“It felt like a nightmare,” he says.
In good hands
Once he arrived at the eye institute in Irvine, Diaz knew he was in good hands. He had the most thorough eye exam of his life, including an ultrasound of the back of his eye, cornea mapping and measurements for new intraocular lenses. Then he met Dr. Soroosh Behshad.
“I was a little scared and not sure what to expect,” says Diaz. “But after he spoke to me for the first few minutes, I felt comfortable and ready.”
Behshad showed Diaz the new images taken of his eye and explained exactly what was causing his vision problems. He then described step-by-step what Diaz could expect during and after the surgery.
Coordinated expert care
Diaz was surprised and relieved when his procedure was scheduled for a few days later. He was further put at ease when Behshad explained that the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute has a full range of subspecialists experienced in the most complicated cases.
If Behshad couldn’t remove Diaz’s cataract with an anterior approach, a retina specialist would be on hand to help remove it with a posterior approach, ensuring the surgery would be successful this time.
A return to cycling
By spring 2024, Diaz had fully recovered with 20/20 vision in his left eye.
He’s back to work and, best of all, back on his bike and getting in shape to pedal the long distances he enjoys most.
Since he works in Irvine, he plans to continue getting his vision care at the eye institute.
Annual eye exams best prevention
Mindful of his own experience, Diaz advises people to get routine eye check-ups. He points out that his cataract had been developing long before his vision got so bad he had to seek help.
“Don’t take your eyes for granted,” he says. “You really need to have your eyes checked, or you won’t know if you have something wrong until you can’t see.”
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