ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A new intraocular implant technology has been approved by the FDA, and a new surgical center in Rochester is one of the first in the country to offer the new lens.

Becky Collea enjoys working from home outside.

What You Need To Know

  • A new intraocular implant technology has been approved by the FDA

  • A new surgical center in Rochester is one of the first in the country to offer the new lens

  • The lens can also be used to treat cataracts

  • Pricing and eligibility can be discussed with the surgical coordinators at Cornerstone

“I love the outside, I love the weather,” Collea said. “I’d live in Florida year round if I could.”

She does not enjoy sunlight in her glasses.

“If I want to sit in the sun and read a book, I can’t wear sunglasses,” Collea said. “And it’s hard with the glare on the book to read.”

She’s worn glasses her entire life, but not anymore.

“My near vision is terrible,” Collea said. “Try putting on eye makeup without glasses, and then putting on glasses to see what you’ve done to yourself.”

She went to Cornerstone Eye Associates’ new surgery center for a special intraocular implant recently approved by the FDA.

“I’m very excited,” Collea said. “As the doctors at the eye doctor's office termed it, it’s the Tesla of lenses that I’m receiving.”

The Tecnis ‘Synergy’ Implant comes from Johnson and Johnson, and Becky is the first in Rochester to receive the new technology.

“We find it an honor and a privilege, though we find it an honor and privilege to do any kind of eye surgery,” Dr. Omar Hanuch, an eye surgeon at Cornerstone Eye Associates, said.

Hanuch, who performed the operation, says the lens offers an expanded depth of focus not seen in any other lens.

“Having a lens that delivers stability of the vision, with good intermediate and near vision without compromising the distance vision,” Hanuch said. “It gives you that quality that we look for.”

And Becky is happy to be the first.

“I’m nervous but excited,” Collea said. “I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to get this lens.”

Two weeks later, she returned for the second implant. And a week after that, Spectrum News 1 caught up with her at her home glasses free.

“It’s amazing to see all the flowers and not having to worry about finding my glasses to come outside and garden,” Collea said.

She can now also spend more time outside with her pet pig, Oliver, without having to worry about that pesky glare.

“I haven’t been able to read without glasses in probably 20 years, and it’s amazing,” Collea said. “The colors are so bright, it’s better than when I was wearing glasses.”

The operation was such a success, she can’t believe her eyes.

“It’s amazing to have perfect eyesight again,” Collea said. “You don’t realize how much you miss it until you don’t have it. And then you go through this procedure, and it’s just amazing.”

The lens can also be used to treat cataracts, and pricing and eligibility can be discussed with the surgical coordinators at Cornerstone at 585-328-0153.