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CEENTA’s physicians take great pride in caring for all patients, with a common refrain being the absolute joy that patients experience when their senses are restored.
In some cases, this renewed sense of vision can lead to a renewed sense of purpose.
For Thomas Mussoni, a patient of CEENTA since 1983, his vision journey began at the age of 13 when he experienced a detached retina. He received care from our retina specialists for more than thirty years, and when faced with blurry vision in 2013 due to a cataract, he knew exactly who to call.
“Learning that I had developed a cataract in my only functional eye was frightening in a way that’s hard to describe; it wasn’t just about impaired vision, but about the possibility of losing independence altogether,” Thomas said. “The uncertainty weighed heavily, even as I tried to stay optimistic and focused on treatment. However, Dr. William Hammonds quickly recognized the issue, promptly scheduled surgery, and flawlessly replaced the lens. My vision was better than it had ever been in my entire life!”
Then the unforgettable happened. Four months after the successful cataract surgery, Thomas woke up with a dark shadow on the bottom of his only functioning eye and knew immediately that it was because of a detached retina. His care team told him to come for an exam within two hours of awakening, and he had retinal surgery that day.
Thomas is someone who notices signs as they appear, even those that seem more than coincidental. “At the first opportunity to go to Forest Hills Church in Fort Mill after the retinal surgery, every single song before and after the service was about eyes. A sense that all would be well was placed on my heart.”
This attention to detail reached its apex during his travels to Quito, Ecuador, where he noticed how prevalent cataracts were in the population. With a renewed sense of purpose due to his improved vision, he established SAIL (Save and Improve Lives), a nonprofit organization that coordinates cataract surgeries with Vista Para Todos.
As of this writing, over 950 cataract surgeries have been performed through these combined efforts. Thomas’s ambition does not stop there, as he is also working to expand access to wheelchairs, canes, and reading glasses for the Ecuadorian community. In addition, he has ongoing communication with U.S. Senator Ted Budd regarding his nomination to the vacant post of Ambassador to Ecuador.
Through it all, Thomas maintains that his philanthropic spirit is rooted in the care he received at CEENTA.
“[CEENTA] has treated hundreds of thousands of people over the years, and it is with hope that they know about the impact they have made that extends beyond the patient,” Thomas said.
“Both the cataract surgery and the retinal detachment repair were performed by the exceptional team at CEENTA, whose skill, calm professionalism, and care quite literally gave me my vision back. The experience reshaped my perspective—not just on health, but on resilience, patience, and the quiet joy of being able to see the world clearly again.”
CEENTA’s impact can be felt throughout the Charlotte region, and you can experience it for yourself. Patients seeking cataract consultations can schedule online, and retina appointments can be made by calling 704‑295‑3000.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor.
Learn how floaters could be a sign of retinal tears or retinal detachments with Matthew Wilde, MD.
See how femto laser-assisted cataract surgery compares to traditional cataract surgery with Shobit Rastogi, MD.
Learn about the most common risk factors for cataracts with Kashyap Kansupada, MD, FACS.
