For over 33 years I was condemned to wear first glasses, then hard contact lenses, soft lenses, extended wear lenses and finally daily wear lenses. The aggravation of cleaning glasses or contacts became intolerable. When daily wear lenses became available I was very excited. Unfortunately, they too were an aggravation and a considerable expense. While having the ability to replace them daily, they still became a nuisance for me because of wearing make-up, not being able to sleep with them in, experiencing dry eyes and being able to see near or far, yet not in-between. As with all contact lenses, I was also always aware of the risk of eye infection while inserting them and taking them out.

Dr. James Salz, a personal friend, told both my husband and I about the new PRK laser surgery that he is doing at the American Eye Institute. We were very excited to say the least. Jim invited us in for some testing, explained the procedure in complete and uncomplicated detail, showed us a video on the procedure and assured us that we were excellent candidates for the surgery.

Having been in contacts for so many years, I was already in monovision. Jim made the decision to take my dominant eye (which had been used for reading) and make it my distance eye. My distance eye would become my reading eye. By reversing the way that I used my eyes, I did not require two surgeries.

In a manner of minutes I was glasses and contact "free"' Recovery was a breeze and now at the end of my third month I'm thrilled to be able to say that I can see in a distance, up close and most importantly in-between!

I can not say enough about the results of the surgery. Jim Salz will always be a friend, but for introducing me to the PRK surgery, he has also become a hero.

Thanks Jim!

Glasses, glasses, glasses! No more glasses after 45 years. I'm free at last of bifocals; reading glasses; driving glasses and sun glass clip-on's, I'm free!

Dr. Jim Salz, our friend, explained to both my wife and I, the new PRK laser surgery being conducted at the American Eye Institute. My wife, being in contacts, required that only one of her eyes need treatment. I, of course, required both eyes---SO WE WENT FOR IT. We had all the pre-laser testing together, had surgery together, recovered together and we are free together. I was to wait almost 90 day's to have the procedure repeated on my other eye. When surgery was completed and with three day's of recovery -NO GLASSES. I can read, write and drive without strain. I can pass a drivers test with no glasses. I'm free!

It had gotten to the point, while wearing my bifocals, that I had a difficult and sometimes impossible time reading the menu at a dimly lit restaurant or even adding up the bill correctly. So one week after surgery we had dinner in a dimly lit restaurant. I can read and add up the bill with no glasses-I'm free! Our guests for dinner, Dr. and Mrs. Salz, laughed and took pictures.

Let it be known, miracles do happen. Dr. Salz and his associates are the best in the world in our book and I'm free for the first time in 45 years. If you have the opportunity to be free, explore PRK surgery and with the grace of God you can experience your freedom from glasses.

Thanks to all the doctors, scientists, engineers and nurses who have devoted so much time and effort into PRK treatments. Without them we could not be free.

Sincerely,

ED