Quality, Local Cataract Surgery [Nicki Brooks]

I'm Nicki Brooks. I am from Brookings, South Dakota, longtime Brookings resident. I like to play Mahjong, golf, do some volunteer work for church and community, spoil grandkids and puppies.

Why did you choose Dr. Knudtson?

Dr. Knudtson was recommended to me by Dr. Tesh, my long-term eye care provider. So, the natural progression was to just go to Dr. Knudtson, and he was highly recommended by Dr. Tesh, and he and his wife belonged to our church, so I have known him at the country club and the church.

Why did you decide it was time for cataract surgery?

They said I would know, and I suspected. When I went to my primary care provider, Dr. Cecil, he said, "And by the way, get those cataracts fixed this year." And Dr. Knudtson had already said, we don't wanna put it off much longer. So...

Why did you put off cataract surgery?

You know, anytime the word surgery is there, and anytime it involves eyes, you get nervous. My mother had a blindness problem caused by diabetes, and so, you always think, well, yeah, I don't know if I want anyone messing with my eyes. But, you know, I knew it had to be done. I'm squinting. A little trouble seeing at night.

What was your impression of Dr. Knudtson?

Well, he's very professional and easy to talk to, and he spots problems really fast, and I like him.

How were you treated by the staff?

Fabulous. Yeah. Everything was on time. Everything was explained to me. Great nurses, great people to take you back to the room. Great follow-up. Dr. Knudtson came in afterward, and I couldn't ask for a better experience.

How did the staff help schedule your surgery?

That was perfect. I knew I was going to my daughter's in Nebraska for at least two months, and when I saw Dr. Knudtson, he said, well, he's scheduling...or his staff said he's scheduling out this far. And I said, oh, I'll have to wait then until the first part of the year to get this done. And all of a sudden they said, you know what? We can make it work, Nicki, around your schedule to be gone. And they did. Amazing.

How was the day of surgery?

The day of surgery was actually great. Everything was on time, everything was comfortable. All the fears went out the door.

How soon did your vision improve?

Right away when I went home and turned on the TV and said, wow, I didn't know I had high def.

How has cataract surgery affected your everyday life?

Well, I'm gonna have less squint lines because I realized I was going like that. So, it's much better. I mean, it's just clearer and less headaches, I think, from squinting. You know, you don't realize that you're trying to compensate for foggy eyes.

Why was it important to have care close to home?

We are so lucky. It's just invaluable to have it less than 5 or 10 minutes away from wherever you are.

What did you appreciate most about your care?

I appreciate the efficiency and the personal care. I love being called by my first name. It was timely, efficient, personal, and good.

What advice would you give to someone putting off cataract surgery?

Well, I'll tell them what everybody kept telling me is that, Nicki, there's nothing to it. It's so easy. It will be the easiest surgery you ever had. And so, cut it out, you know. It was easy, and it was fast, and it was painless. And that's what I'd tell them.

Why do you recommend Brookings Health System?

Well, I would recommend it because why would you have to travel to get quality care? We have quality physicians. We have good surgeons. I don't know why you would travel all the time for health care when we have the Brookings Health System and the clinic here.

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