Dr. Alyssa Banda
Patient Story
Optometrist Dr. Alyssa Banda Finds Freedom from Glasses with EVO ICL at Diagnostic Eye Center
Dr. Alyssa Banda, a dedicated optometrist at Diagnostic Eye Center, has devoted her career to helping others see the world more clearly. Yet her own journey to better vision was marked by challenges due to an autoimmune condition called Sjögren’s syndrome. This condition caused intense dry eyes, fatigue, and dry mouth, which left Dr. Banda unable to tolerate contact lenses and dependent on glasses she had worn for nearly 20 years. “I would reserve contacts for special occasions, but even a few hours of wear would leave my eyes burning for weeks,” she recalls.
Dr. Banda had worked at Diagnostic Eye Center before, during, and after her optometry training, witnessing countless patients’ success stories with refractive surgery thanks to Dr. Andrew Salem’s skill. While many of her colleagues had experienced the life-changing benefits of LASIK or PRK, Dr. Banda knew her dry eye condition made her ineligible. Everything changed, however, with the arrival of the EVO ICL™ (Implantable Collamer™ Lens), which is free of dry eye side effects—a revolutionary option for someone like her. Inspired to learn more, she soon became the first staff member to undergo the EVO ICL procedure at Diagnostic Eye Center.
Dr. Banda’s excitement grew after she learned her favorite childhood star, Joe Jonas, had recently chosen EVO ICL. She was drawn to the procedure’s reversible nature, which, unlike LASIK or PRK, offered her a sense of security. “The prospect of seeing without glasses felt like a distant dream, yet here it was within reach,” she says.
The day of her surgery brought emotions of hope and excitement, and the procedure itself was quick and remarkably straightforward. “I remember seeing the clock across the hall just after surgery—it was surreal,” she shares. By the end of the day, she was already seeing 20/20, with her vision continuing to sharpen in the weeks that followed.
This newfound clarity had a profound effect on her life and confidence. She could now interact with patients without the barrier of glasses, fostering deeper connections with them. Just one month post-surgery, Dr. Banda attended a friend’s wedding, overjoyed to participate fully, free from the worry of dry eyes or contacts. In a heartfelt message to Dr. Salem, she expressed her gratitude, knowing her life had been forever changed.
Today, Dr. Banda’s personal experience fuels her passion for helping patients who feel discouraged by traditional vision correction options. “I’m so fortunate to work alongside such a skilled surgeon,” she says. Her journey not only inspires hope in patients but also allows her to share the possibility of a life unhindered by glasses and contact lenses. Thanks to the EVO ICL, Dr. Banda now embraces each day without limitations, fully enjoying both her work and her life to the fullest.
The doctors at Diagnostic Eye Center have reviewed and approved this content.
