Home » Blog » A Surgeon Becomes The Patient: Q&A on EVO ICL Surgery with Dr. Schoenberg

Posted by: Georgia Eye Partners in Education

When it comes to eye surgery, trust is everything. That’s why it’s especially meaningful when a fellow physician chooses Dr. Evan D. Schoenberg for their own vision correction. In this Q&A, ophthalmologist Dr. Tim Kao shares his personal experience as a patient, offering a unique perspective on what it’s like to undergo EVO ICL surgery. From the decision to move forward with the procedure to the life-changing results, his story highlights the expertise, trust, and patient-centered care that define Dr. Schoenberg’s practice.

Q: As an ophthalmologist, you have a somewhat distinctive perspective on refractive surgery. How did you arrive at the decision to undergo EVO ICL surgery?

A: I ultimately decided to have EVO ICL surgery after a long period of watching and waiting. I first learned about ICL surgery many years ago when I went in for a LASIK consultation and was told I couldn’t have laser refractive surgery due to my high level of myopia. ICL surgery was less common at the time and seemed a bit too extreme for me to pursue but I kept it in mind. Several years later, as an ophthalmology resident, I learned more about ICL surgery and how patients were enjoying excellent results that exceeded those achieved with laser refractive surgery. I liked that the procedure was reversible, did not alter the natural shape of the cornea, and had much less dry eye impact as compared to laser refractive surgery options. I considered the surgery again but the risks of glaucoma and cataract formation with the old ICL design, though low and manageable, still worried me. After the EVO ICL received FDA approval in 2022, I took another few years to monitor results. Seeing how the risks of glaucoma and cataract were approaching zero, and that patients still maintained excellent quality of vision, I finally felt comfortable proceeding with surgery myself.

Q: What led you to choose Dr. Schoenberg for your surgery?

A: I felt comfortable having Dr. Schoenberg perform my surgery for multiple reasons. First, he is a very skillful surgeon and I learned from an unbiased source that his results with EVO ICL are extremely good, ranking among the best in the nation. Second, he earned my trust and built good rapport by caring for me as a person. He did a great job of inviting my questions and made me feel comfortable sharing concerns. It became clear to me that he loves what he does and strives to provide the most excellent care he can to his patients. Third, I wasn’t the first ophthalmologist to undergo surgery with Dr. Schoenberg. It says a lot when other ophthalmologists repeatedly choose him for their own surgery.

Q: What stood out to you about Dr. Schoenberg’s approach or care?

A: Quality and collaboration would be the things that I appreciate the most about the care I received from Dr. Schoenberg. He made sure to get accurate preoperative measurements, which are extremely important for surgical planning and outcomes, then performed the surgery with excellent technique. Through the process, he was thrilled to collaborate with me in deciding on a refractive target and surgical plan for each eye. Finally, in the postoperative phase, he was genuinely interested in my results and progress. I’m so thankful for his expertise and the way he treated me.

Q: How was your surgical experience and outcome?

A: The surgical process was very smooth. I had both eyes done the same day and was very comfortable during and after the procedure without any pain. Minutes after the surgery, I could already read some signage in the recovery room. The next morning, my visual acuities measured 20/20 and 20/15 (better than perfect)!

I did experience some bothersome glare and haloes in my recovery. These began to reduce starting about 10 days after surgery then fluctuated in intensity with an overall slow improvement afterwards. I found that getting back to work and other activities that would occupy mind were very helpful in allowing my brain to adjust to the new light dynamics in my eyes. Keeping my eyes from being dry also reduced the symptoms. I’m now just 2.5 months out from surgery and still notice the glare and haloes but they are much less perceptible than before and don’t limit my functioning. I’m expecting the symptoms to continue to decrease over the coming months.

Through my recovery, my visual acuity has remained excellent and I have had no issues with intraocular pressure. I can see things that I couldn’t make out before even with corrective lenses. I’m essentially enjoying a perfect result! 

Q: Would you recommend Dr. Schoenberg to others considering surgery themselves?

A: Absolutely! Dr. Schoenberg is what you want in a surgeon, both in terms of technical expertise and character. He is motivated by his desire to help people achieve their best outcomes and will provide expert level guidance and care with integrity. I recommend him without reservation!