Local man receives free eye surgery

A little after 9 a.m. Wednesday, Bloomington resident Vernon Dudley received eye surgery that allows him to see like a young man again. \nDudley’s surgery was part of a nationwide promotional event sponsored by Bausch & Lomb. One hundred patients were chosen based on recommendations from their local optometrists and began receiving cataract surgery Wednesday. While recipients’ cataracts were corrected free of charge, the procedure typically costs $5,000 because insurance will not cover its cost. \nBausch & Lomb manufactures the newest technology in eye correction surgery, crystalens. \n“This type of technology isn’t good or great, it’s amazing,” said R. Daniel Grossman, ophthalmologist at The Eye Center of Southern Indiana, where Dudley’s operation took place. \nDudley could not contain his excitement for the surgery. \n“On a scale of one to 10, it’s 100,” he said. \nHis family and friends were at the clinic for support. Dudley’s friend Steve Austin, who is also the president of a community service group Dudley is involved in, was there to watch Dudley get something back for everything he does. \n“The giving back just went 360 (degrees),” Austin said. “So that’s really nice to see.” \nCrystalens has the ability to restore a person’s eye back to perfect condition, Grossman said. When the muscles that focus the eye’s lens get too weak, many people get glasses or contacts. Crystalens is a new technology that moves in the eye and adjusts when the person’s brain triggers a new perception. \nDudley’s surgery only took 15 minutes for one eye to be completed. Afterward, he couldn’t wait for his eye dilation to go down so he could play golf. \n“I’m golfing in Myrtle Beach next week,” he said. “After my new vision, the people I’m golfing with better bring some extra money.” \nThe Eye Center of Southern Indiana was founded by Grossman, an IU graduate who said he loves helping fix people’s vision.\n“The surgery went perfect,” he said. “It just couldn’t have gone smoother, even though all the cameras and people were around.”\nThe out-of-pocket expense of about $5,000 for both eyes often deters people from choosing the crystalens option when they need to correct their vision, Grossman said. \n“You have one pair of eyes that you’re going to need for the rest of your life,” he said. “You spend money on vacations and other things, so you just have to decide if you want the luxury upgrade or a new sweater.” \nDudley’s eyes will take about 48 hours to return to normal dilation, and then his vision will be 20-20, Grossman said.