Courtesy photo

Dr. Tom Barowsky, assisted by Melissa Hubbard, OR tech, uses the new Infiniti Vision System for cataract surgery.

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Cataracts are a common problem as people age. They disturb vision and are the leading cause of vision loss among people over 55. Fortunately, ophthalmologists have learned much about the causes of cataracts, which are easily treated with common procedures that are safe and effective. As a matter of fact, nearly 500 cataract procedures were performed locally last year at Sampson Regional Medical Center, and recent upgrades in the operating room make it a state-of-the-art cataract surgery facility.

Just recently, Sampson Regional Medical Center (SRMC) purchased a new eye surgery machine, the Alcon Infiniti Vision System. Used to perform cataract surgery and lens implants, the Alcon Infiniti Vision System boasts many improvements over the equipment previously used. The machine allows more custom control of energy levels for cataract surgery, which means less energy can be used during the surgery. It also provides increased flexibility during surgery with more control over the lens removal procedure.

“I have more control to select the surgical method best suited for each individual patient,” said Dr. Thomas Barowsky, a local ophthalmologist.

Dr. Barowsky of Caroline Eye Care Professionals, received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin Medical School and completed his residency at Case Western Reserve University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Barowsky is Board Certified in Ophthalmology. He practices at Carolina Eye Care Professionals in Clinton, where he treats all conditions of the eye including glaucoma, no-stitch/no-needle cataract surgery, and general retinal disease. He also provides diabetic eye care and performs eye lid surgery.

According to the ophthalmologist, features of the new machine shorten the actual time it takes to break up the cataract and remove it from the eye. In turn, the surgical time for the patient is less, which is healthier for the eye and results in more rapid recovery of vision following surgery. Other aspects of the machine make it more user friendly for the surgeon and promote greater patient safety. The smaller, lighter-weight hand piece, for example, provides greater hand control for the surgeon and less operator fatigue on long surgery days.

With the new machine in place, patients at SRMC receive the same level of care and quality they’d expect from the best eye surgery centers for state-of-the-art cataract surgery services. “Having this kind of facility in Clinton with a well-trained and friendly surgical support staff means patients can receive top-notch cataract surgery care in their own backyard,” said Dr. Barowsky. “Patients can avoid the inconvenience, congestion, and hassle of larger centers elsewhere.”

SRMC is a progressive healthcare facility located in Clinton. The medical center has served the medical needs of the people in Sampson County since 1950. The 146-bed facility offers a full range of medical services, from outpatient surgery, radiology, and nuclear medicine to cardiopulmonary and pediatrics. SRMC provides comprehensive hospital and community-based services that preserve and restore health, provide comfort, and maintain dignity for all who seek care.