Partial Corneal Transplant Requires Fewer Stitches, Speeds Healing and Visual Recovery

Florida Today, October 9, 2007

Dr. Trespalacios performs a partial corneal transplant at Brevard Surgery Center in Melbourne.  A partial corneal transplant:  the diseased inner layer of the cornea is stripped out and replaced with donor cells.  See full story.

Dr. Rafael Trespalacios, presenter for "Posters on Demand" at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Program

April 27 - May 2, 2007 

Dr. Trespalacios awarded presentor for "Posters on Demand" at the annual ASCRS Program for 2007. See poster.

If you are a member of the media, please contact Charlie Krajewski at (321)984-3200, or e-mail cgkrajewski@brevardeye.com.

Testimonial from Dr. Trevor Nimmons on Implanted Contact Lenses (ICL)

My name is Trevor Nimmons. I am an osteopathic physician, board-certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic manipulative medicine. I am sharing my visual history and my experience at the Brevard Eye Center out of respect and gratitude for what Dr. Rafael Trespalacios and his team have done for me.

My near-sightedness developed at the age of nine. As a child, I had difficulty wearing glasses due to issues with self-esteem and concerns with what others might think. I wore contacts for the four years of high school and found the daily rituals of cleaning, inserting, and removing contacts to be cumbersome. I also found wearing contacts was often irritating to my eyes, and they would frequently move around or fall out. For the last 20 years I was wearing glasses all of my waking hours. I found glasses to be awkward and cumbersome again, and they often became bent and would not sit correctly on my face. When the glasses were not sitting properly, this would cause eyestrain and even headaches. At the same time, wearing glasses limited the activities I could do in and on the water, for example, surfing, swimming, and snorkeling.

After 30 years of corrective lenses and significant myopia, I decided to do something about it. I had done research on the various laser options for refractive correction, and I chose the Brevard Eye Center at the high recommendations of my colleagues and patients.

I first met the refractive patient coordinator and an optometrist for my initial evaluation and measurements. They were very thorough, informative, professional, and friendly. The equipment they utilized was state-of-the-art. I then had an appointment with Dr. Trespalacios and found him to be very professional, knowledgeable, and capable. He took the time to go over all my results, we worked together on a plan, and he answered all my questions. We concluded, based on my corneal thickness and degree of nearsightedness, that I was a perfect candidate for ICLs. I went home and thoroughly researched ICLs from the company that makes them and the procedure to insert them, all the way to outcome studies. The more I learned, the more excited I got to have the procedure done.

The surgery center at the Brevard Eye Center, the facility itself, and the staff are the best I have come across in my career. Being in a surgery center as a patient was a brand-new experience for me, and I was treated with respect by friendly, competent staff. I truly felt I never lost my identity as a person and I was very comfortable before, during, and after the procedure.

A few hours after my procedure, I could see 20/15 in both eyes with no pain or discomfort. My vision is sharp and clear for both distance and reading. I am amazed by the fact that I now have perfect vision without the need for glasses or contacts. The natural structure of my eye and cornea is basically unaltered, and the procedure I had could at any time be completely reversed.

In conclusion, I am extremely impressed with Dr. Trespalacios and the Brevard Eye Center. I now have perfect vision with no maintenance and I am living my life with no limitations in activities or confidence.