Press Release

Jaime Santamaria, M.D. Awarded Certification in Cataract/Implant Surgery by the American Board of Eye Surgery

Fort Meyers, FL—September 2002

Ophthalmologist, Jaime Santamaria II, M.D. of Perth Amboy, NJ was awarded Board Certification in the sub-specialty field of cataract/implant surgery. This certification program was established by the American Board of Eye Surgery (ABES) in conjunction with the Professional Examination Service of New York City, as a means to identify those ophthalmic surgeons who maintain a high level of surgical excellence.

The main board certification by ABES in cataract/implant surgical procedures, Dr. Santamaria was required to submit a detailed record of 50 consecutive cataract/implant surgical procedures. This record allowed examiners to assess surgical procedures, the indications for surgery, the appropriateness and type of surgery performed, the frequency of surgical complications and finally the visual outcome and improvement following surgery.

During the certification process, Dr. Santamaria's surgical skills and knowledge were evaluated by ABES. In addition to the procedures described in connection with certification, an onsite observer monitored three consecutive surgical procedures and obtained a video tape of each procedure as it was performed. The onsite observer completed a detailed checklist of observations made during each procedure. Following the completion of the surgical taping, the video tapes were returned to the ABES national office, copied and forwarded to surgical examiners (certified ophthalmologists trained to rate the tape). This review process was designed to ensure confidentiality and anonymity, thereby eliminating any possible bias and ensuring the objectivity of the examiners.

Upon successful completion, Dr. Santamaria received certification by the American Board of Eye Surgery in cataract/implant surgery. Dr. Santamaria joins the other 350 physicians nationally who have achieved certification in cataract/implant surgery since this program began in 1989.

Mrs. Diane Blum recently underwent a life-changing procedure called clear lens extraction with intraocular lens placement.

October 19, 1999

LASIK (laser in situ keratomielusis) is the more standard procedure to decrease or eliminate a person's dependence upon glasses or contact lenses. Some patients, for a variety of reasons, are not candidates for LASIK. Mrs. Blum is one of those exceptions. She underwent this procedure, performed by Dr. Santamaria, in both eyes.

A clear lens extraction is performed identically to the cataract surgery performed on millions of Americans every year. The only difference is that in cataract surgery the eye's natural lens has clouded and is replaced with a clear synthetic lens. This procedure usually gives patients reasonably clear vision without glasses. If a patient is not a candidate for LASIK, clear lens extraction is a fine alternative. In LASIK surgery, a flap is placed back to its original position. Clear lens extraction corrects the refractive error (myopia or hyperopia) by replacing the person's lens with a synthetic lens of the person's own prescription.

Clear lens replacement is a relatively simple and painless procedure, which ordinarily takes less than 10 minutes. Eyedrops are used to anesthesize the eye, and a 3mm incision (about 1/8 inch) is made in the outer clear cornea. The capsule surrounding the lens is carefully opened and a small instrument, called a phacoemulsifier, uses ultrasound energy (sound waves) to break up and remove the clear lens. An intraocular lens with the person's prescription is then placed into the capsule that originally held the natural lens. This lens centers in the capsule and is designed to last a lifetime. Because the incision is so small, sutures are usually not required. Many patients see improvement immediately. No injection or patch is required.

Mrs. Diane Blum had a very special need. She lost half of her vision due to a vascular brain lesion. She was very hyperopic (farsighted). The 9 diopters of hyperopia disqualified her for LASIK surgery. She was unable to wear contact lenses, and her very thick glasses greatly curtailed her side vision. They were also a cosmetic blemish to this beautiful lady. From the minute her first eye was done, her whole life changed. It showed in her face. She was thrilled to be able to see immediately without the aid of her unattractive glasses. What was unusual about her clear lens extraction, is that her prescription was so large it required the placement of two intraocular lenses. The calculations for the prescription of these intraocular lenses required the use of a specially designed computerized formula.

Dr. Santamaria is on staff at Harkness Eye Institute at New York Presbyterian Medical Center and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia University, New York. He has been performing cataract implant surgery since 1978 and refractive eye surgery ( to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses) since 1985. He routinely performs LASIK surgery. This is the first time, however, that he has performed a clear lens extraction.

Diane Blum's surgery was performed at the Surgical Center of Central Jersey, which is a Wills Eye Hospital surgical network facility. The surgical Center of Central Jersey is on Route 1 in North Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Santamaria has offices in Edision, NJ on the south side of the Menlo Park Mall, as well as in Perth Amboy, NJ.