Doris Jean and Gary Arnold finish each other's sentences and enjoy the cozy little bickering that 46 years of marriage brings. So it should come as no surprise to anyone that the couple -- he builds homes and she sells them -- had eye surgery the same day.

Both received bifocal lens implants recently; she at 8 a.m. and he at 8:30 a.m.

Not only that, Doris Ann was Dr. Charles Cozean 's 100th bifocal lens transplant patient. Gary said, "I'm only number 101."

Nine months ago, Cozean implanted his first bifocal lens. In the 1980s, he helped develop the first generation of lenses which were not FDA approved although they were used. The FDA-approved lenses he first implanted last August were second generation.

With the bifocal implant, patients don't have to adjust their glance to accommodate the variations in the lens the way someone who wears bifocal glasses has to do. The lenses are equipped with rings that help them focus.

"It's what the business end of the Hubble telescope looks like," Cozean said.

Although he was not involved in the development of the second generation, he is among the first ophthalmologists in the country qualified to implant the lenses and has worked with lens manufacturer Alcon Laboratories to train and test the ophthalmologists who are qualified to do the implants. He is currently the only ophthalmologist in the Cape Girardeau area qualified to implant the bifocal lenses.

Cozean has also been named one of America's top ophthalmologists for 2006 by the Consumers' Research Council of America. The council is an independent research company based in Washington, D.C., that evaluates professional services throughout America. He will be included in "Guide to America's Top Ophthalmologists" 2006 edition.

The Arnolds received the third generation of bifocal implants. Lenses from the third generation have an ultraviolet light blocker, just like natural lenses do, Cozean explained.

"Cataract formation is the result of all the light blocked over a lifetime," he said. "When we take out the lens and put a clear lens in without the ultraviolet light blocker, we're not getting the total job done."

Doris Jean calls her implants "the most amazing thing I have ever seen." For several years she has not been able to see out of her right eye. She said she hasn't put a contact lens in that eye since last July. Two weeks ago she had the implant.

"Now I see most anything," she said. "It's not perfect, but I'll get there."

It takes about four weeks, Cozean said, for patients to notice an improvement. Vision continues to improve for about six months.

Doris Jean has had a brain tumor, which was removed, as well as glaucoma in addition to the cataract.

"I wasn't sure how she was going to respond," Cozean said. "She's doing remarkably well."

Like his wife, Gary Arnold first walked into Cozean's office wearing glasses. Now he doesn't need them. For years, Gary said he had dry eye, a condition Cozean said is symptomatic of rheumatoid arthritis. The condition made him sensitive to light.

The Arnolds say they're delighted with the way their surgery turned out. Their improved vision keeps them active in their careers. Both say they enjoy their work, and like living in Cape Girardeau. They appreciate the business atmosphere, the schools, the university community and the medical community, Cozean in particular.

"Most people here are happy," Doris Jean said. "Anything you want to do here, you can make it."

"You can even get new eyes here," Gary said.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160