CHEEKTOWAGA, NY –– According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 1 billion people worldwide and nearly 114 million people in the United States are struggling with the frustratingly natural eye condition presbyopia, which causes the majority of them to turn to the dreaded solution - reading glasses or bifocals. Typically occurring in those over 40, presbyopia reduces the ability of the eye to focus on near objects making it difficult to read up close and to perform near tasks without the dependence on reading glasses or bifocals. There has never been a viable medical solution to this prognosis besides utilizing optical lens to prevent the condition from impacting everyday life, until now. The advanced surgical procedure to treat this condition. KAMRA inlay, has helped thousands across the world restore their near vision and reduce the constant frustrations of reading glasses. Western New York’s Atwal Eye Care is the only ophthalmology practice in New York State to offer this state-of-the-art medical technology.

The KAMRA inlay involves a device implanted in the cornea of one eye (the clear lens in the front of the eye) to improve near vision in patients with presbyopia, and was just fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April 2015. But the technological procedure has been used successfully and safely in Europe and Canada, and more than 20,000 have been implanted. It is the first implantable device for correction of near vision in patients who have not had cataract surgery. The procedure is performed in less than 15 minutes and is accompanied with a quick recovery, with vision restored in less than a day and full recovery in less than 3-4 weeks.

Presbyopia reduces the ability of the eye to focus on near objects. This condition occurs when the crystalline lens of the eye loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. Presbyopia may seem to occur suddenly, but the actual loss of flexibility takes place over a number of years. Presbyopia is not a disease and it cannot be prevented. In the past, presbyopic patients had to rely on reading glasses or monovision to improve their near vision, but both alternatives have significant compromises, while KAMRA inlay has none.

Individuals usually need reading glasses to perform everyday tasks gradually in their mid to late 40’s. Those who have had to depend on glasses for the first time in their life are some of the unhappiest patients, since they can never truly get used to wearing glasses after not having to for the first part of their life, while dealing with keeping track of them and never being able to find them when needed.

“Over the years, patients searched for a solution for reading glasses. I would often get questions about effective treatments to improve near vision,” said Dr. Ephraim Atwal. “The KAMRA inlay offers an excellent option for the correction of presbyopia with minimal compromises and inconveniences that come with other treatment options. We are proud to be the first Practice in New York State to offer and to actually perform this procedure. The patient’s results have been remarkable and they couldn’t be happier with the results.”

The KAMRA inlay sits in the first few layers of the eye known as the cornea. Smaller and thinner than a contact lens, the inlay is a mini-ring with an opening in the center. By using this pinhole effect, the inlay focuses light coming into your eye. This restores near vision while maintaining distance vision without blurry zones.

“For those who are experiencing presbyopia symptoms, such as trouble reading small print on cell phones and prescription labels, I recommend making an appointment to see an eye doctor,” continued Dr. Atwal. “An eye doctor can provide a proper diagnosis and discuss long-term treatment options, such as KAMRA inlay, which provides a natural range of vision from near to far.”

To find out if the KAMRA inlay is right for you, ask your eye doctor the following questions:

• Do I have presbyopia or some other condition?

• What are my presbyopia treatment options?

• Are there options other than reading glasses and contact lenses?

By being the first practice to provide the KAMRA inlay in New York State, and one of the first in the initial group in the United States, Atwal Eye Care continues its commitment and tradition of being a medical innovation leader in Western New York and across the state. The practice has been on the forefront of providing its patients state-of-the-art technology medical solutions for the past 25 years, and has routinely been the first practice either in the region or across the state to invest in new technological procedures and devices so that local patients have the best and most advanced medical care available.

For more information on presbyopia and KAMRA inlay, or to make an appointment for a consultation, contact Atwal Eye Care at (716) 892-2020 or visit www.AtwalEye.com.

About Dr. Ephraim Atwal and Atwal Eye Care:

Atwal Eye Care has been part of the WNY Community for 30 years and is a complete eye care provider offering a full range of eye care services, including routine eye exams, and medical/ surgical eye care. There are 7 offices in the area, with 8 Ophthalmologists and 12 Optometrists to serve your eye care needs. Dr. Amar Atwal and Dr. Ephraim Atwal are the principles in the practice and have performed over 80,000 laser vision correction procedures and cataract procedures.

Atwal Eye Care specializes in Laser Vision Correction offering “Bladeless All Laser LASIK”, with the Allegretto EX 500 Excimer Laser and the Ziemer Z6 Femtosecond Lasers, and the latest Cataract Procedures including Laser-Assisted Cataract procedures with Multifocal Lenses. Atwal Eye Care treats common eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye and diabetic eye disease. Atwal Eye Care / Buffalo Eye Care Associates also offer lid procedures as well as cosmetic procedures.

As a leading eye care professional in Western New York, Dr. Ephraim Atwal has performed over 10,000 refractive procedures including LASIK, and Laser-Assisted and traditional cataract surgery. To make an appointment, or for more information, please call (716) 896-8831.