It's taken me 6 months to find (take) the time to post this review...but I guess maybe that's good because now I can state more definitively on my experience and outcome.
I've had fairly extreme strabismus since birth. A few bouts of past misinformation, coupled with quite a bit of fear led me to living with the condition for 55 years before finally deciding to get a serious consultation. The incentive came about following a routine optometrist exam with a new provider who inquired whether I'd ever looked into having it corrected. After I explained that what I had been told in the past had dissuaded me, i was advised that if I had any true interest, that there was someone here in VT who was very experienced with working on cases such as mine. Shortly after, I met with Dr. Soares and found the staff, and especially Dr Soares, to be very personable and seemingly confident in abilities.
Following a thorough exam and consult, the conclusion was made that he could help, if I wished. We promptly made a tentative surgery date (the week of my 55th birthday which was several months away), not so much because I was enthusiastic about having it done so much as I wanted to set something up before I lost the nerve to do so. With it on the calendar, i then tried not to think about it so as to not chicken out and change my mind.
Time flew and the date arrived before I knew it. Surgery went well and while the few days post surgery weren't the most comfortable (not much pain, mostly just irritation), the bigger issue turned out to be an interim period where the brain had to compensate and "rewire" itself to compensate for the new alignment now applied to both eyes. For the first week, walking and balance were majorly impacted and difficult. At first, despite Dr Soares' prior warnings, I'd wondered if maybe I'd made a mistake and would regret having gone through with it! However, within a few days I could see progress and my balance and the initial double vision were beginning to stabilize. As the days turned into weeks, the bloodshot appearance faded and overall function progressively improved. Looking in the mirror now gave me newfound confidence as no longer staring back at me was the disfigurement I'd lived with for so long. I feel kind of like I'd been given a new lease on life and am most grateful for what they were able to do.
While there are still a few minor lingering side effects from the surgery, which i expect to continue to dissipate over time, but even if they don't, I'd still say that the experience was 100% worth it and I have no regrets.
Definitely give Dr Soares and staff a chance to help if you ever find yourself considering this or other possible eye care and / or surgery. read more