Power soccer is fast, physical, and unforgiving. Players maneuver electric wheelchairs at full speed, reading the field, tracking teammates, judging distances — all in an instant.
For Joshua Porter, something was silently holding him back. And for a long time, nobody knew — not even Josh.
A Sport That Demands Clear Vision
Joshua has been playing power soccer for years. It’s more than a hobby — it’s competition, community, and a place where he pushes himself. The sport requires precision, spatial awareness, and split-second decision-making. Every drill, every pass, every goal attempt depends on accurately reading the distance between yourself, the ball, and the goal.
But Josh had cataracts — a vision problem that doesn’t announce itself. Vision declines so gradually that many patients simply adapt without realizing how much they’ve lost.
“Before, I’d always guess on the accuracy drill on where we’re supposed to aim,” Josh said. “But now that I can see farther, I can actually figure out the distance from the goal to where I am — or where I am to my teammates.”
That single shift — from guessing to seeing — changed everything.
The Curb
Josh had glasses before cataract surgery. They helped a little. Not enough for power soccer, where the action is fast and frames can’t stay on your face during a game.
“Even when he was playing power soccer with just glasses, we’d have to run out in the middle of the game because they wouldn’t stay on,” his dad Charles said.
Josh’s mom set up an appointment with an eye doctor. They got some glasses, and Josh walked out of the appointment into the parking lot.
“He came out,” Charles said. “What was the first thing you said to me, son? ‘Oh, I can see the curb.'”
“We’re like — you can do what?”
A curb. Josh could see a curb he hadn’t been seeing before.
“We realized: wait, he’s been driving a power wheelchair that’s 500 pounds, and he can’t see the curb.”
That was the moment that reframed everything. Not the diagnosis. Not the surgery decision. Just a curb in a parking lot — and what it meant that Josh had been navigating around them without being able to see them.
Finding Twin Cities Eye Consultants
The connection to Twin Cities Eye Consultants came through Josh’s power soccer coach, who happened to know the clinic. That’s how the Porter family found Dr. Johnson.
“It really went very easily once we realized this is going to be a reality,” Charles said. “We felt pretty confident we knew where to turn.”
Vision correction is a significant decision for any family — and when your son has been navigating the world in a 500-lb wheelchair without being able to see the curb, you need to trust the team you’re working with.
At Twin Cities Eye Consultants, the Porters found exactly that. “They were very personal and we felt like they really cared,” Charles said. “There was never a moment that we felt uncomfortable — we didn’t have all of our questions answered.”
The Lens That Changed Things: Trifocal IOL
Josh received a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) — a premium lens option that replaces the eye’s natural lens and provides corrected vision at three distances: near, intermediate, and far.
Standard cataract lenses restore distance vision. Trifocal lenses go further.
“Got the trifocal lens,” Josh said. “I could see like my face to where my hand is, and then eyes to the desk, and then eyes to anything farther than that.”
Near. Intermediate. Far. For someone who needs to read the controls of a power wheelchair, track a ball rolling across a gym floor, and see the curb at the end of a sidewalk — that range matters.
One thing many people don’t realize: cataracts are not exclusive to older adults. They develop across a range of ages and eye conditions, and the clouding happens slowly enough that patients often adapt without noticing how much they’ve lost. By the time it’s obvious, the vision problem has been affecting daily life for a while.
Life After Surgery
Josh plays power soccer on Sundays. He can see the goal. He can judge distances. He’s not guessing on the accuracy drill anymore.
But Charles’s story — the parking lot curb, the 500-lb wheelchair, the realization that his son had been driving it without being able to see what was in front of him — that’s the one that stays with you.
Cataract surgery gave Josh more than improved vision. It gave him independence, confidence, and the ability to engage fully with the world around him. For an active patient with unique daily demands, that’s exactly what vision correction should do.
Common Questions About Cataract Surgery
Does cataract surgery hurt? No. Numbing eye drops are used throughout, so most patients feel mild pressure at most — not pain. The procedure itself takes only minutes per eye.
How long does recovery take? Many patients notice clearer vision within 24 hours. Full stabilization typically happens over the following weeks as the eye heals.
What is a trifocal lens, and is it right for me? A trifocal IOL provides corrected vision at near, intermediate, and distance — most patients don’t need glasses afterward. Whether it’s the right choice depends on your eye health, your eye conditions, and how you use your vision day-to-day. A consultation at TCEC will help determine the best option for you.
Are there side effects? Some patients experience temporary light sensitivity, mild glare, or dry eye in the weeks following surgery. These typically resolve on their own. Your care team at TCEC will walk you through what to expect and how to manage recovery, including any prescribed eye drops.
Can younger or active patients benefit from cataract surgery? Yes. Cataracts affect people of all ages. Active patients — including those with physical disabilities or high-demand lifestyles — can benefit significantly from cataract removal and premium lens technology when cataracts are present.
How do I know if I’m a candidate? Healthy adults whose vision is being affected by cataracts are often strong candidates. A comprehensive evaluation at Twin Cities Eye Consultants will assess your eye health and help you understand your options for vision correction.
Watch Joshua and Charles’s Full Story
Hearing about cataract surgery is one thing. Seeing a real family describe it is another.
Watch Joshua and Charles’s full testimonial here:
Now I Can See the Game | Power Soccer Player’s Transformation
Is Cataract Surgery Right for You?
If you or someone you love is experiencing:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Difficulty judging distances
- Increased glare or reduced contrast
- Glasses or contacts that no longer seem to be keeping up
…it may be time to explore your options.
Twin Cities Eye Consultants offers advanced cataract surgery, premium intraocular lenses (IOL) options including trifocal lenses, and personalized care from experienced ophthalmologists who take the time to understand your life — not just your eyes.
Schedule your cataract consultation at Twin Cities Eye Consultants today.
Clearer vision may be closer than you think.
Twin Cities Eye Consultants — Serving patients across the Twin Cities with advanced eye care and vision solutions tailored to your life.
