some time considering the level of progression and development in each. In fact, they were surprised at how it could have been missed at all. She returned home and spoke to her granddaughter, who told her unequivocally, “You’re going to my ophthalmologist.” Kristina made an appointment for Marjorie at North Valley Eye Care in Chico, and the two arrived one week later to have her eyes assessed. Just as the first optometrist in Chico had said, both conditions had progressed to the point where they required surgical intervention. Normally, the signs of glaucoma and cataracts are spotted early on and watched over time to find the optimal time for treatment, but Marjorie’s condition had already exceeded those limits. Her doctor treated her for dry eyes to help alleviate symptoms in the meantime, and scheduled her surgery for the following week. Marjorie arrived at North Valley Eye Care’s surgical center one week later and met with Dr. Isaac Barthelow. He explained the surgery to her and stated that he would both remove her cataracts and treat her glaucoma at the same time, something made possible through laser surgery. From entering the waiting room, to being released from surgery, the entire process took just one hour, and Marjorie doesn’t remember most of what happened in between—a lack of memory she seems rather fond of. They scheduled her second eye for one month later, and her granddaughter drove her home. “It took a couple days for the effects to become noticeable.” Marjorie said, “I noticed I could see a lot better, and I could read things easily again. I still had to wear my glasses for a bit, but everything was so much clearer. It felt so good!”
THE RIGHT KIND OF MEMORY LOSS
Marjorie “Nana” Berglund Originally from Valencia, California, Marjorie Berglund moved to Live Oak some years ago, staying with her granddaughter, Kristina, to help raise her great grandson. Experiencing eye issues from an early age, Marjorie began wearing glasses at the age of 14, as she found it difficult to see objects at a short distance. As the years passed, her eyes became worse, increasing her vision’s reliance on glasses, and eventually requiring bi-focals for clarity. “I couldn’t see well enough to drive at night.” Marjorie said, “I didn’t drive any further than the store in the evening. I used to get these dots in my eyes and I would see flashes of light. Objects would be blurry and there were halos around lights. I’d go to the movies and try to see the film, but even with a big screen it was blurry. I would have to close my eyes for awhile and then look up, which focused my eyes for a bit, but the blurriness would return shortly after.” Just prior to her move to Live Oak, she visited an eye doctor in Palmdale, California, who checked her eyes and advised that her prescription was sufficient—nothing was in need of changing, and nothing else was worthy of note. After arriving in Live Oak, she visited Chico to replace her glasses, and the optometrist found that she had both glaucoma and cataracts, something that should have been easily noticed during her prior office visit. Not only did she have both conditions, but the optometrist noted that she had had both for quite 26
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Marjorie returned to have her second operation one month later and, just as the first, it went off without a hitch. Within one week of the surgery, both eyes were functioning at a level that reminded her of her vision as a child. “Everything was so clear and was finally able to drive at night again!” Marjorie exclaimed, “It had been at least five years since I was last able to do that. Colors were so much more vibrant, and I could make out lines better. I could see further in the distance, and everything has just become so much easier. I couldn’t be happier!” Marjorie was quick to note that not only was the surgery a complete success, but that her doctors were extremely thorough in making sure that every possible issue with her eyes were addressed. “They saw a shadow behind one of my eyes,” Marjorie said, “and they’re still working on that. They said if it moves or gets bigger, they’ll do something. If not, it’ll be ok. It was just something they noticed that I haven’t noticed any effects from yet, but it’s so much better to know about something ahead of time rather than when it becomes a problem like my glaucoma and cataracts did.” Asked about her advice for anyone else experiencing eye problems, Marjorie replied, “Go to the eye doctor often, and find yourself one that truly cares. I would recommend the doctors at North Valley Eye Care and their medical group, because not only are they wonderful, but they’re also available in many locations including Marysville & Yube City. My experience was excellent, and I feel that I receive the very best treatment when I go to them. My friends tell me they receive the same when they visit!” IF YOU’RE LIKE MARJORIE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED CHANGES IN YOUR VISION, CALL NORTH VALLEY EYE CARE TODAY AT 530.891.1900.