Think of some of the ways you invest your time and money. A meal at a high-quality restaurant with a good friend lasts about an hour — yet you consider it an investment in friendship and pleasure. A good movie lasts a little over two hours — yet it’s an investment in enjoyment.
 Consider some longer lasting investments. You may pay a high price for a good quality suit, but if you wear the suit only two times, the cost-per-wear is half what you paid. If you wear it a third time, the cost-per-wear is one-third what you paid. Over several years, the price of the suit will be down to pennies-per-wear.
 Your vision is an investment that benefits you each time you open your eyes — and the cost-per-use goes down with every day of your life.
 The newest generation of intraocular lenses, accommodating lenses, represents a breakthrough in lens replacement during cataract surgery.
 “The new premium lens bends with your eye muscles to accommodate the range of your vision,” Dr. Tolia says. “They give good vision for all distances — far, intermediate and near. That’s why we call them Lifestyle lenses.”
 At one time Medicare limited cataract patients to simple lens replacement, without allowing them to pay anything extra for any other expenses. That has changed, Dr. Tolia says, letting more people in their 60s and beyond benefit from premium lenses. This gives some family members the opportunity to give “the gift of sight” to their elders. Tolia Eye Clinic offers terms and financing options that you can discuss with Carolyn.
 In studies, Crystalens® accommodating lens patients achieved these results following surgery:
• 98.4% of Crystalens patients are able to read the newspaper or a phone book without glasses
• 100% of Crystalens patients are able to see their computers, dashboards and anything else at arm’s length without glasses
• 98.4% of Crystalens patients are able to see 20/40 or better after surgery, so the clock across the room or that street sign are clearly within sight without glasses
 The new procedure requires more explanation, more understanding, more tests and a little patience on the part of both the ophthalmologist and the patient. Not everybody is a good candidate for premium intraocular lens surgery. For example, if you have glaucoma or diabetes, you may not be a good candidate. If you have a cataract in only one eye, the surgery may not work well. It is best if surgery on both eyes takes place within a short period of time.
 “The selection of a candidate is an important decision to be made jointly between the ophthalmologist and the patient,” Dr. Tolia concludes.

 Dr. Tolia received his Master of Surgery of Ophthalmology at the University of Bombay. In 1974, he moved to Odessa where he trained with Dr. John H. Sheets, a pioneer in cataract surgery with lens implants. In 1986, Dr. Tolia opened Tolia Eye Clinic. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons.
 Tolia Eye Clinic is located at One Professional Plaza, 6005 Eastridge Rd., Ste. 100, Odessa. Call (432) 362-2020 to make an appointment.