Complete Eye Care guides patients through cataracts

When patient Rex Evans first came to Dr. J.D. Bonner at Complete Eye Care, he was in pain and couldn't determine the reason.

"It turns out I had shingles of the right eye," Evans said. "Dr. Bonner was in the middle of moving offices, but he still took care of me and worked with other doctors to solve the problem. He did an excellent job."

Evans recently underwent cataract surgery by Dr. Bonner and says, "Thanks to my recent cataract surgery, I can see better now than I ever could before."

Cataracts can be a frightening or worrisome matter to deal with, but thanks to Dr. Bonner and the rest of the staff at Complete Eye Care, patients are able to find solutions and peace of mind. Dr. Bonner, a board-certified ophthalmologist, opened Complete Eye Care and has been at the Soddy-Daisy location since May 2005. In addition to performing cataract surgery he sees patients at the local practice, and said he's glad to do what he does.

"Decreased vision from cataracts is reversible with cataract surgery," Dr. Bonner noted. Oftentimes, cataract surgery will decrease your dependency on glasses, and may alleviate the need for glasses altogether." Intraocular lens options (the lens implanted in the eye to treat cataracts) include lenses to correct astigmatism and multi-focal lenses for those desiring vision at both distance and near.

Evans said at Complete Eye Care all his questions were answered and he was given top attention from his first appointment to his surgery and follow-up exams.

"Everything they did just made me feel so much better and well cared for," he said.

When it comes to routine care following cataracts, anyone with eye pain or a sudden decrease in vision needs to be seen right away, said Dr. Bonner.

"You don't want to ignore any new symptoms, and if you have any questions, we want to hear from you," he said.

Dr. Bonner is one of the few physicians in the area offering LenSx, laser-assisted cataract surgery, to his patients. The LenSx laser offers a level of accuracy exceeding that of manual surgery methods. The laser images the patient's eye to plan a procedure that's unique to them. A bladeless, computer-controlled laser then helps surgeons perform the surgery with exacting, individualized precision not attainable with traditional surgical methods.

Complete Eye Care's vision is to be the premier eye care facility for good eye health and the optical shop that patients look to for complete eye care. Dr. Bonner and his patients agree that patients and their families receive nothing less than first-class service, which includes compassionate, ethical and thorough medical care every step of the way. The staff is committed to providing personalized and comprehensive eye care for individuals and the community through the use of the best quality services and technology, Dr. Bonner added.

Luther Masingill trusts his eyes to Dr. Bonner

'We've been through everything together'

Another patient is wellknown radio personality Luther Masingill. He's been a long-term patient at Complete Eye Care over the years.

"We've been through everything together," Masingill said of his history with the practice. "I decided to stay with Dr. Bonner when he took over the practice. He's taken care of everything that's come up for me from glaucoma to my cataract surgery."

Masingill added that before he became a patient of Dr. Bonner, he gave the doctor fair warning that whatever job he did, good or bad, all of Chattanooga would know about it.

"He's done great work, naturally," Masingill said. "Everyone at the office always takes care of me and makes sure I have everything I need at every appointment, whether it's new eye drops or just answering my questions."