A fresh look on life
(Originally published by the Carroll County Times.)
By Erica Kritt / Times Staff Writer

FINKSBURG - For the first time in 16 years, Kate Bayer can see the true color of the walls of her room.

The teen had painted her room in bright colors but didn't know the full extent of the colors because she has cataracts.

Cataracts are a clouding in the lens of the eye that makes most objects appear blurry and unclear. They are common among the elderly, but Kate has had the problem since birth. Her brother, father and some cousins also have the disorder.

"She's never been able to pass a vision test," said her mother, Tina Bayer.

The 16-year-old from Finksburg had surgery to put a new lens in her right eye last August, and she had the procedure on her left eye in December so that she could pass her driving test.

Kate had adjusted to the cataracts, but the impact her limited eyesight had on her life really hit her when she went to get her learner's permit. After four attempts to pass the vision test, Kate went home empty-handed, but the incident raised all kinds of questions for Tina.
Seeing the effect the disorder would have on her daughter's life, Tina approached doctors about correcting Kate's vision.

"It was definitely going to impair her lifestyle," Tina said.

Two doctors referred Tina to Ivan Garcia, an ophthalmologist at Omni Eye Specialists, which has six locations around the state, including one in Eldersburg. Garcia specializes in cataract and corneal surgery.
For most patients, the way to treat cataracts is having their lenses replaced with monofocal lenses.

"She would have lost her ability to focus near and wouldn't be able to read without glasses," Garcia said, if Kate went with the monofocal lenses.

But in the past couple of years, a new type of lens has been available that has a multifocal capability and gives patients the ability to see near and far with less dependence on glasses.

After much debate, the family decided on the multifocal lenses, which are more expensive and weren't completely covered by insurance.
"She is a young patient, so you want to give her something that will give her the most ability," Garcia said. "This is the way Kate is going to be the rest of her life."

The procedure, which Kate said took less than 30 minutes, came with a lot of preparation.

"Measurements have to be precise," Garcia said.

One reason the procedure can cost so much is the equipment used for the measurements and corneal maps is expensive and a single lens costs approximately $1,000 wholesale, Garcia said.

For four months Kate was discovering the world around her with her right eye.

"It was really weird. One eye was seeing really good and the other wasn't," she said.

After each surgery, Kate had some discomfort and had to protect her eye from sunlight, water and any objects hitting her.
Waiting until December to do the second surgery ensured that Kate would have enough time to recuperate, taking advantage of a two-week break from school.

Garcia said Kate's recovery went remarkably well and she now has 20/20 vision in her right eye.

"She has never seen this good in her life," he said.

Tina and Kate both agree that Kate's vision is near perfect. With the surgery complete, Kate has her learner's permit and is able to see the traffic signs and read a road map, without glasses.

"I'm amazed at what she tells me she can see," Tina said.

Reach staff writer Erica Kritt at 410-857-7876.