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As seen in "Hometown News from June 12, 2009

Click here to read the article online

By Jeanne Willard, Staff writer

DAYTONA BEACH - Cataracts left Edward Petrocelli nearly blind in his left eye and with very little vision in his right eye.

Following cataract surgery at the Filutowski Cataract & LASIK Institute in Daytona Beach, the Port Orange resident said he can see well enough to drive without wearing glasses.

"I got lucky," Mr. Petrocelli, 57, said. "I got 20/20 (vision) right off the bat."

His vision had deteriorated so much that he'd almost forgotten the beauty of nature before his November procedure.

"The grass is so green," he said. "The sky is so blue. I can't believe how bright it is."
Although Dr. Konrad Filutowski has successfully performed cataract surgery for many years, he is now offering a state-of-the-art option that improves vision beyond the standard results.

Called Clear Upgrade, which stands for Custom Lens Exchange and Refractive Upgrade, the option provides additional testing, services and procedures resulting in the best possible vision without glasses.
"We have developed a unique program which is an upgrade to cataract surgery," Dr. Filutowksi said. "It's a set of above and beyond services."


Although most people experience a significant improvement in vision following standard cataract surgery, he said, it's not unusual for patients to continue to need glasses.
Through extensive testing and technology, Dr. Filutowski can choose a customized high-tech lens that maximizes vision and in some cases can correct astigmatism. A multifocal lens can provide both near and far vision.


LASIK, included in the upgrade, is used to "fine tune" the results, he said. The upgrade includes a comprehensive lifestyle questionnaire, he said, to determine the best solution for each patient.

While basic cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and private insurance, the Clear Upgrade option costs an extra $1,300 per eye, plus the cost of a premium lens, if needed.

Mr. Petrocelli said the premium fee was worth it to him, especially with his new- found freedom to ride a motorcycle without wearing glasses.


Ormond Beach resident Hildegard East, 70, said her vision was so impaired by cataracts that she had to stop driving. "My vision was so distorted I almost caused an accident," she said. Ms. East opted for the Clear Upgrade two months ago. During the procedure, which was not painful, she said she experienced the sensation of being underwater. "The employees are wonderful," she said. "It's nothing to be afraid of." Ms. East said she is very satisfied with her results. She's back to driving with confidence and can also see close up. "I can read a computer without glasses," she said. I can read the mail without a magnifying glass. I'm glad I had it done."


A board certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Filutowski has personally performed 28,000 cataract procedures and thousands of LASIK surgeries during his 20 years in practice.
Filutowski Institute physicians have performed 41,000 LASIK procedures in its two accredited surgery centers located in Daytona Beach and Lake Mary.


Although cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among the aging population, Dr. Filutowski said, it's a problem that can be readily solved.
His staff likes to tell people that they have good news and great news, he said. "The good news is that the reason your vision has decreased is because of a cataract and we can fix that," Dr. Filutowski said.


"The great news is that we can make you see better than you have seen in years or in your lifetime, without glasses."
The Daytona Beach Filutowski Institute is located at 110 Yorktown Drive. For more information call (386) 788-6696.