The article, “Phacoemulsification of the White Cataract” was published in the magazine, Ophthalmology Management, which is received by 20,000 ophthalmologists in the United States and internationally.
Khorram is the medical director of Marianas Eye Institute, and the CNMI’s only ophthalmologist, and has been listed in “Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists.”
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, which leads to blurred vision.
Some people avoid treatment for so long that the cataract actually becomes completely white, resulting in near total visual loss.
The white cataract is one of the most challenging cataracts to remove, and few physicians in the United States have extensive experience with them.
After removal of a cataract, vision can return to normal.
Khorram explained that here in the CNMI, many people do not access eye care in a timely manner.
So the cataracts stay in the eye for a long time and become totally white.
“In the United States, it is rare for an ophthalmologist to have to operate on a white cataract, but here, I perform this surgery on these challenging white cataracts almost every week,” he said.
Operating on a white cataract is much different that operating on regular cataracts.
If a surgeon is not aware of the pitfalls of the white cataract, and tries to use the same technique on a white cataract, significant problems can arise.
“In the article, I drew upon the things I’ve learned through my experience with these cases, and outlined the procedure I have developed and refined through the years,” explained Khorram. “By sharing my technique with other eye surgeons, I hope to help my colleagues in other parts of the world avoid problems during the surgery.”
“The white cataract has specific pitfalls that are not present when operating on other types of cataracts,” Khorram added. “My technique involves identifying and systematically addressing the six major pitfalls that I have identified.”
In the article published by Ophthalmology Management, Khorram wrote of slaying the “six monsters” that can cause difficulty during the surgery.
“Cataract surgery is very delicate, and performed through a microscope. The white cataract has higher risks, and for this reason I encourage my patients to not wait until the vision is so cloudy before undertaking the surgery,” he said.
The article was well received, and ophthalmologists from around the world sent letters and comments expressing their appreciation for the clarity of the article and the practical nature of the information.
“It didn’t really cross my mind to write this article until I was at a conference and commented on the number of white cataracts that I operate on. Other ophthalmologists started asking me questions about my technique, and I realized I ought to share the information with a wider audience. I’m glad my colleagues in other parts of the world have found my technique helpful,” said Khorram.
Khorram performs cataract surgery most weeks, and hundreds of people in the CNMI have had their vision restored by the Marianas Eye Institute doctor.
“It’s a pleasure serving the community,” he said.
Marianas Eye Institute provides total eye care.
Both Khorram and Dr. Roberson, the clinic’s physicians, have received national recognition for their work in eye care.
They provide the complete eye care at Marianas Eye Institute, including one-hour glasses, contact lenses, treatment of medical eye problems, and of complex eye disease such as diabetic retinopathy.
Marianas Eye Institute also provides laser and surgery for the treatment of eye disease.
The doctors can be reached at Marianas Eye Institute on Beach Road across 13 Fishermen Monument in Garapan, at 235-9090, or through www.MarianasEye.com.
“August is cataract awareness month, and we’re taking this opportunity to educate the community on the ease with which cataracts can be treated,” said Russ Quinn, CEO of Marianas Eye Institute.
“Blurred vision is not something that has to be tolerated. Most people with blurred vision simply need glasses, but in cases where more advanced care is needed, we’re happy to provide high level of care at Marianas Eye Institute,” he added.
Marianas Eye Institute has been called “one of the best-equipped eye clinics in the Asia-Pacific region” by Retinal Physician magazine.
“We’re are proud that our clinic has received recognition for its advanced technologies. This article written by Dr. Khorram, and warmly received by other ophthalmologists around the world, is another way of fulfilling our mission, ‘Excellence with Love,’ ” said Quinn.
