Winter 2014 Newsletter
Transcription
Winter 2014 Newsletter
10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:23 AM Page 2 Insight into WINTER 2014 eyesight Dr. Jerald Bovino receives prestigious Howe Medal About the Howe Medal The University at Buffalo, Department of Ophthalmology and the Buffalo Ophthalmologic Society are proud to recognize Dr. Jerald Bovino as one of the extraordinary members of our profession with the Lucien Howe Medal. Dr. Bovino has truly had a remarkable and distinguished career in ophthalmology. A native of New York City, Dr. Bovino received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Queens College. He graduated tops in his class from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine. Dr. Bovino completed his internship in internal medicine at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City, and served as Lt. Commander in the United States Public Health Service, where he was named Medical Director of the New York Outpatient Clinic. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at St. Luke’s Hospital–Columbia University, where he was appointed Chief Resident in Ophthalmology. During his residency, he received the William Warner Hoppin Award from the New York Academy of Medicine. He completed his fellowship in retina and vitreous surgery at the University of Iowa. In addition to his stellar career in ophthalmology, Dr. Bovino is also an accomplished mountaineer who has climbed Mt. Ranier, The Grand Teton, Mt. Blanc, the Matterhorn and Mt. Kilimanjaro. He is a multi-engine, instrument and jet-rated pilot and a certified SCUBA diver. During the 1990s, he successfully produced four full-length Hollywood movies. For the past 12 years, he has anchored “The Jerry Bovino Show” on Aspen Television where he was voted Aspen’s best TV host. Dr. Bovino has been married to Ester Preuss for more than 40 years. They have two children, Rachel and David, and five grandchildren. Congratulations to Dr. Jerry Bovino, our 2014 Howe Medal recipient. In 1874, Lucien Howe became a pioneer ophthalmologist in Buffalo, New York. Two years later, he founded the Buffalo Eye and Ear Infirmary and in 1879, became Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Buffalo. His contribution to combating eye disease was the passage of the “Howe Bill” in the New York State legislature (and subsequently in other state legislatures), which required prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum. In addition, in 1906 he wrote Muscles of the Eye, which remained the leading English text on that subject for the next quarter century. Howe became president of the New York State Medical Society in 1906, president of the American Ophthalmological Society in 1919 and chair of the section on ophthalmology of the American Medical Association in 1924. In an effort to promote excellence within the profession, he established four prizes in ophthalmology. Those were meant to stimulate research and discovery. The prizes were established in four organizations: New York State Medical Society, American Ophthalmological Society, American Medical Association, and luckily for us, the University at Buffalo, in conjunction with the Buffalo Ophthalmological Society. These prizes became known as Howe Medals and have recognized the truly great in our profession. Howe had attended Harvard Medical School and in 1926, he funded the laboratories of ophthalmology at that university with a gift of $250,000. Howe became the first director of the laboratory and was active in its organization at the time of his death in 1928. Such luminaries as Dr. Carmen Puliafito, Dr. Elizabeth Olmsted and Dr. Jackson Coleman have won the award. Like these past recipients, Dr. Jerald Bovino is considered a credit to Ophthalmology, and to the Howe Medal. 10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:25 AM Page 3 Message from the Chairman James D. Reynolds, MD Orchard Park expansion completed Our fully-renovated facility at 301 Sterling Drive in Orchard Park houses the latest in technology, new ophthalmic equipment and a floor-to-ceiling refurbishment for greater patient comfort. There are now 14 areas for patient examinations. Designed for patient ease and relaxation, everything in the facility is new, including waiting room furniture, carpeting and overall decor for a home-like atmosphere. These Ross sub-specialists are now serving residents in the Southtowns: • Umberto Albanese, MD (Retina) • Sandra Everett, MD (Cornea) • Sandra Sieminski, MD (Glaucoma) • Gareth Lema, MD, PhD (Retina) • Matthew Pihlblad, MD (Pediatrics) • Nehal Patel, OD (Optometry) • Laura Buchanan, OD (Optometry) We present our winter 2014 issue with something of interest for all. Our cover story is the awarding of the prestigious UB Howe Medal which was given to honor the career achievements of an ophthalmic pioneer, Dr. Jerald Bovino. It is a great honor for UB to hold one of the four legacies of Dr. Lucien Howe, a great man and visionary. The brief history of the origin of these four awards is also provided. We choose to highlight our research efforts by focusing in on the achievements of our Vice Chairman and Director or Research, Dr. Steven Fliesler. As you can readily see, Dr. Fliesler is a rare talent and a dramatically productive researcher. He is at the pinnacle of his amazing career. Clinically, we spotlight our acquisition and utilization of exciting new technology, wide-field retinal imaging, which promises to revolutionize retinal diagnoses. Dr. Yoganathan will be giving a series of lectures to local eye care professionals on the dramatic meaning of having this technology available in Buffalo. We also highlight the talent of one of our most experienced and gifted ocular trauma surgeons, Dr. Sandy Everett, through the eyes of a patient. The patient’s story and Dr. Everett’s successful surgical repair make excellent reading. Coincidentally, we also note in a separate piece the mission work of Dr. Everett at The Ross. Finally, we introduce our new faculty, fellow, and residents. We are excited for their arrival and have high expectations. Dr. Buchanan is a very welcome addition to our comprehensive faculty. Hopeful ways PO Box 1037 Getzville, New York 14068 USA Email: [email protected] www.HopefulWays.org EIN # 46-3069446 Ross Eye Institute Hopeful Ways and the people of Nicaragua thank you for the generous donation by the Ross Eye Institute in support of the Hopeful Ways Nicaragua Eye Care Mission Project. The donation included: • 1 Surgical microscope • 2 optometrist chairs e after Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemispher few social Haiti. The country has few resources, and the government has programs. The people are friendly and welcoming, and they struggle daily to provide food and shelter for their families. care Your donation will help to provide much needed, and free eye services to these impoverished people. Please contact me if there are any questions, and we appreciate support. Thank you. Jim Carlins President, Hopeful Ways Inc. 716-909-8942 [email protected] Enjoy! 2 your Drs. Everett and Imbrogno recently visited Nicaragua on a vital eye care mission. The Ross worked together with Hopeful Ways to get much needed equipment for day-to-day use there! 10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:25 AM Page 4 Residency and Fellowship Programs at The Ross: an update Dr. James Reynolds Recent graduates move on from their residency degree at New York Medical College in 2009 while on a Navy scholarship. He completed his transitional internship at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and then worked as a primary care physician with extra training in diving and radiation health for several years in Charleston, SC before returning to Buffalo to start his residency at The Ross. The Ross Eye Institute, in conjunction with the University at Buffalo, is pleased to have graduated three outstanding surgeons from residency: Dr. James Chelnis, Dr. Walter Kunz and Dr. Domenic Turco. And Dr. Vincent Imbrogno has graduated from the Cornea, External Disease, Refractive Surgery Fellowship. Cynthia Tung, MD received her undergraduate degree at Cornell University and her medical degree at the University of Rochester. She successfully completed an internship with Unity Health System in Rochester, NY and an Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Chelnis is pursuing extended training in the field of Oculoplastics and Reconstructive Surgery in Tennessee, while Dr. Kunz continues with Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery in Oklahoma. Drs. Imbrogno and Turco have taken on private practice positions in Western Pennsylvania. All four surgeons bring their experience at The Ross out into the field where they will care for thousands of patients in the upcoming years. Dr. Tung is currently in the Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery Fellowship at the Ross Eye Institute and will spend this academic year involved with complex anterior segment disease, corneal diseases and trauma. Today: residency, fellowship and guest surgeons from around the world Overall, residency training continues its strong tradition with a full-time faculty boasting a range of specialists from cornea, glaucoma and oculoplastics to pediatrics and retina. This multitude of subspecialties allows patients to have broad access to fellowshiptrained surgeons—all under one roof. And we welcome four new physicians into our program! This year we bring in another diverse class in helping continue the mission of training, care and research. Their arrival represents a homecoming of sorts, following years of academic training in different parts of the country. This is the third year of the cornea fellowship, which has sent its graduates on to academic centers and private practice. Centrael “Sonny” Evans, MD received his undergraduate education at Brigham Young University and is a graduate of Emory Medical School. His areas of interest include global medicine, having published an analysis of pediatric cataract surgery in Africa. He is also highly interested in medical education and process improvement. This past year, we welcomed international guest surgeons, including Dr. Waheed Ibrahim from Nigeria. Dr. Ibrahim was sponsored by the International Council of Ophthalmology, coming to Buffalo to work with Dr. Deepa Yoganathan and Dr. Gareth Lema, The Ross’ vitreo-retinal surgeons. He enjoyed a four-month observational sabbatical while other research fellows worked in the pediatrics division with Dr. Matthew Pihlblad. Jamie Schaefer, MD received her undergraduate degree at Canisius College. After graduating from St. George’s University School of Medicine, she spent a year at the University of Florida with the Center for Vision Research with primary focus in the field of glaucoma. Before returning to Buffalo, she completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center, Long Island, NY. Steven Stockslager, MD completed his undergraduate degree at SUNY Buffalo and earned his medical 3 10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:26 AM Page 5 A year of acomplishment for Dr. Steven Fliesler “When one of our own receives high accolades for work in the field of research, it benefits the entire organization,” says Dr. Steven Fliesler, PhD, Vice Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and Director of Research for the Ross Eye Institute Vision Research Center. The UB Distinguished Professor Award 2014 has been a year of accomplishment for the Research Center, and specifically Dr. Fliesler, both in the University at Buffalo community and within ARVO, the most respected national organization for ophthalmological research. By policy, at no given time can more than 5% of the total active UB faculty carry the UB Distinguished Professor distinction. National recognition through ARVO “Every time a person gets elected to a national office or serves on a committee in a major professional society like ARVO, the university name goes along with them,” said Fliesler. “When considered for allocation of resources or service on a study section at the NIH, that name recognition makes a difference.” Dr. Fliesler has been actively involved with The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) since 1976, which led to his Silver Fellow designation in 2009. This past May, he struck gold, being named an ARVO Gold Fellow based on his service activities for the eye research community through ARVO. SUNY Chancellor’s Award Fliesler’s service on the ARVO Annual Meeting Program Committee (which he chaired for the past 3 years, until May) and chairing the publications committee are among the activities that accrue in ARVO’s point system for fellowship designation. The UB Distinguished Professor Award honors UB professors who have achieved distinction and are national or international leaders in their fields. In a ceremony on October 8, Dr. Fliesler was awarded this exclusive honor. The annual SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence was conferred upon Dr. Fliesler at a special ceremony at North Campus on October 8, 2014. Dr. Fliesler was honored for Scholarship and Creative Activities. The annual Chancellor’s Award is a system-wide honor bestowed upon a very select group of faculty. This award recognizes a body of published work that is highly recognized both in terms of number of publications and impact in the field. The publications committee assesses ARVO journals such as Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the major eye research journal in the world. The committee also conducts workshops that cover some aspect of publishing...”nuts & bolts” material that is not taught in school. Under Fliesler’s direction, the committee recently decided to help underwrite the costs of publishing articles from people in 3rd world countries such as India, Bangladesh and other countries where such costs may be prohibitive. ARVO welcomes Dr. Zhang Dr. Fliesler has one year remaining as chair of the publications committee. Sarah Zhang, fellow researcher at The Ross, is the chair elect and will enhance her career while succeeding Fliesler in May of 2015. 4 10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:27 AM Page 6 ARVO Board of Trustees The VA grant award is $450,000 for three years; such grants are only available to people who hold a VA staff appointment. Fliesler holds dual appointments at the Buffalo VA and via The Ross, at the University of Buffalo. The DoD grant award is $941,946 for three years. These awards are in addition to Fliesler’s current, four-year, $1.92 million grant award from the National Institutes of Health. Fliesler was recently elected to a 5-year term on the Board of Trustees by the retinal cell biology (RC) constituency he represents. The board guides the entire functionality of ARVO, lobbies Washington on behalf of the eye research community, develops community outreach functions, and more. More news from the Research Division VA and DoD Grants awarded Dr. Fliesler was recently notified that he will be receiving funding both from the Veterans Administration (a VA Merit Review grant) and the Department of Defense (a DoD Vision Research Program Translational Research Award). These highly competitive awards will support Fliesler’s studies on the effects of blast overpressure exposure on the retina. Husband and wife team Drs. Sarah Zhang & Josh J. Wang have been with The Ross for two years. Zhang has had some important papers accepted for publication this year. They collaborated with Fliesler on a major review article that’s already been cited in Cell, the world’s leading research journal. “It’s a new area of research for me,” said Fliesler. “We’re studying the effects on the retina of conditions that simulate those to which soldiers are exposed in war zones, such as roadside bomb explosions. Often, soldiers who experience this type of trauma initially have little or no problem seeing. However, weeks to months later, their vision becomes compromised. Our preliminary studies point to subtle, but progressively worsening, molecular and cellular changes in the retina that underlie these visual deficits.” Dr. Xiuqian Mu has also had a very good year, publishing three papers, including one with Fliesler that recently appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Gareth Lema, MD, PhD has recently joined the faculty. He has a PhD in physiology and biophysics and an MD degree from UB, did his ophthalmology residency training here, then did a vitreoretinal fellowship in Rochester, returning as an assistant professor on The Ross faculty. Lema spends about 20% of his time doing research. WORK PUBLISHED in 2014 • Pihlblad M, Chelnis J, Schaefer D. Eyelid Desmoplastic Trichilemmoma: 2 Case Reports and Review. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. September/October;30(5):e136-e138. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24777258> • Pihlblad M, Demer JL. Hypertropia in unilateral isolated abducens palsy. J AAPOS. 2014 Jun;18(3):235-40. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24924275> • Madigan WP, Reynolds JD, Strominger M, Wagner RS. Management of congenital fourth cranial nerve palsy. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2014 Mar-Apr;51(2):70-2. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24661367> • Zhang SX, Sanders E, Fliesler SJ, Wang JJ. Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein responses in retinal degeneration. Exp Eye Res. 2014 Aug;125C:30-40. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24792589> • Chen C, Cano M, Wang JJ, Li J, Huang C, Yu Q, Herbert TP, Handa JT, Zhang SX. Role of unfolded protein response dysregulation in oxidative injury of retinal pigment epithelial cells. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2014 May 10;20(14):2091-106. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24053669>. • Boriushkin E, Wang JJ, Zhang SX. Role of p58IPK in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-associated Apoptosis and Inflammation. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2014 Jan;9(1):134-43. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24982747> • Flynn E, Ueda K, Auran E, Sullivan JM, Sparrow JR. Fundus Autofluorescence and Photoreceptor Cell Rosettes in Mouse Models. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 55(9):5643-52. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25015357> • Sapkota D, Chintala H, Wu F, Fliesler SJ, Hu Z, Mu X. Onecut1 and Onecut2 redundantly regulate early retinal cell fates during development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Sep 30;111(39):E4086-95. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1405354111. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25228773> • Gao Z, Mao CA, Pan P, Mu X, Klein WH. Transcriptome of Atoh7 retinal progenitor cells identifies new Atoh7-dependent regulatory genes for retinal ganglion cell formation. Dev Neurobiol. 2014 Nov;74(11):1123-40. doi: 10.1002/dneu.22188. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24799426 • Li R, Wu F, Ruonala R, Sapkota D, Hu Z, Mu X. Isl1 and Pou4f2 form a complex to regulate target genes in developing retinal ganglion cells. PLoS One. 2014 Mar 18;9(3):e92105. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092105. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24643061> • Reynolds, JD. Insights into ROP. American Orthoptic Journal 2014; 64:43-53. (The Ross contributors in bold): List of REFEREED journal articles that have been published by REI primary faculty in 2014: • Conley SM, Stuck MW, Burnett JL, Chakraborty D, Azadi S, Fliesler SJ, Naash MI. Insights into the mechanisms of macular degeneration associated with the R172W mutation in RDS. Hum Mol Genet. 2014 Jun 15;23(12):3102-14. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24463884> • Rowan S, Weikel K, Chang ML, Nagel BA, Thinschmidt JS, Carey A, Grant MB, Fliesler SJ, Smith D, Taylor A. Cfh genotype interacts with dietary glycemic index to modulate age-related macular degeneration-like features in mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 Jan 23;55(1):492-501.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24370827> • Gu X, Fliesler SJ, Zhao YY, Stallcup WB, Cohen AW, Elliott MH. Loss of caveolin-1 causes blood-retinal barrier breakdown, venous enlargement, and mural cell alteration. Am J Pathol. 2014 Feb;184(2):541-55. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24326256> • Sane M, Selvadurai A, Reidy J, Higgs D, Gonzalez-Fernandez F, Lincoff N. Transient visual loss due to reversible ‘pending’ central retinal artery occlusion in occult giant cell arteritis. Eye (Lond). 2014 Aug 1. doi: 10.1038/eye.2014.181. [Epub ahead of print] <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25081291> • Gonzalez-Fernandez F, Sung D, Haswell KM, Tsin A, Ghosh D. Thiol-dependent antioxidant activity of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. Exp Eye Res. 2014 Mar;120:167-74. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24424263> • Trakadis YJ, Alfares A, Bodamer OA, Buyukavci M, Christodoulou J, Connor P, Glamuzina E, Gonzalez-Fernandez F, Bibi H, Echenne B, Manoli I, Mitchell J, Nordwall M, Prasad C, Scaglia F, Schiff M, Schrewe B, Touati G, Tchan MC, Varet B, Venditti CP, Zafeiriou D, Rupar CA, Rosenblatt DS, Watkins D, Braverman N. Update on transcobalamin deficiency: clinical presentation, treatment and outcome. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2014 May;37(3):461-73 <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24305960> • Malikowski TM, Bosch JB, Min S, Duffey ME, Patel SP. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in corneal endothelial transport. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014 Apr 21;55(4):2652-8. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24667858> • Bansal S, Myneni AA, Mu L, Myers BH, Patel SP. Corneal sensitivity in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Cornea. 2014 Jul;33(7):703-6. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24858016> 5 10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:28 AM Page 7 Wide-field photo technology aids in rapid, accurate diagnosis within the retina The Optos Optomap imaging system is a diagnostic tool used by Doctors Gareth Lema, Umberto Albanese, Deepa Yoganathan and Jack Sullivan, retinal specialists at the Ross Eye Institute. For example, one common use is to discover peripheral ischemia, or retinal tissue that doesn’t have good blood circulation. When they identify poor circulation in the peripheral retina, they can often target that area with a laser to stop that tissue from stealing oxygen and nutrients from the good working tissue found in the center of the retina. Early detection of retinal conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma is enhanced with ultra-wide digital retinal imaging. Optomap imaging provides Ross ophthalmologists with the clearest photographs of the retina using this pioneering technology. “By identifying the pathology in the periphery, we can help preserve someone’s sight,” said Yoganathan. Over 80% of the retina in one image An optomap takes only seconds to perform, is not painful, and typically does not require dilation. The Ross is among the first in Western New York to have the technology, which has been upgraded since its introduction in 2000. Traditional methods of examining the retina typically reveal only 10-15% of the retina at one time. The ultra-wide imaging system captures more than 80% of the retina in one panoramic image. “This technology offers a 200-degree wide field image of the retina, which is the widest possible out of any camera,” said Dr. Yoganathan. Vital tool for diagnosis and treatment The Optos is more than a camera, explained Yoganathan. The red and green lasers create the image. Separating the red from the green laser helps identify melanoma. Numerous clinical studies demonstrate the power of optomap as a diagnostic tool. “Use of this technology improves accuracy in diagnosis and increases treatment options,” said Dr. Yoganathan. And using the optomap, specialists like Yoganathan can monitor the progression of disease in patients with cycle cell, or vein occlusions. “Those patients also have peripheral circulation problems, and it helps us to categorize them more accurately,” she said. Dr. Yoganathan at the Buffalo Ophthalmology Symposium in May. Dr. Yoganathan has found this technology vital in diagnosing her diabetic patients. 30% of her patients have diabetes, with occult—or hidden—peripheral disease related to diabetes. “Patients sometimes have undiscovered pathology in the periphery that is easily identified by this wide field imaging device,” said Yoganathan. “During the early, non-proliferative stage, these patients may need a follow up with us in 6-12 months. There have been times that the wide-field digital images show peripheral ischemia, and we treat them with a laser that day.” The Ross Eye Institute is committed to offering patients the latest in diagnostic technology, and the Optos wide-field imaging device is one example of the tools that are available to its ophthalmologists. 6 10/14 8PG_Ross Newslter_winter_Layout 1 12/5/14 10:28 AM Page 8 Patient Spotlight: Lindsay Harmon It happened on New Year’s Day 2010, around 1 a.m. After leaving a tavern on Main Street with a group of friends, Buffalo resident Lindsay Harmon, 29, got into an argument with a woman she didn’t know. Lindsay describes what happened next. “She got into my face, and I started pulling my girlfriends away saying ‘let’s go, let’s go’ and I heard a gentleman say, ‘she’s got a knife!’ “I was pulling my one girlfriend away and felt what I thought was a punch to the right side of my face and my eye. I ducked down on the ground and everyone scattered. I started touching my eye, looking at my hand... and all I saw was blood. I started screaming, ‘I can’t see, I can’t see!’“ Lindsay’s recovery was aided by a tremendous support system and the availability of abundant specialty care. “My friends and family were terrific,” said Lindsay. “My one friend moved in, and she would help me with eye drops, cleaning and anything I was told to do. She would drive me to The Ross or to pick up prescriptions when I could not drive. Lindsay had been stabbed in the right eye, right cheek, and left arm with a steak knife, causing very serious injuries. A friend of hers called an ambulance, which rushed her to the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). “Dr. Everett was so great... she basically reattached my eye. Had (the knife) gone any further, I would have lost the eye and maybe had serious problems with infections, which could have been life threatening. They took care of me every step of the way.” Lindsay was seen very shortly after she arrived in the ER. She was evaluated and treated with the goal of closing the globe. An eye shield and bed rest was mandatory until she could be taken to the OR. Dr. Everett confirmed Lindsay’s suspicions. “She was lucky that the knife did not penetrate further causing a traumatic cataract or a retinal detachment,” said Everett. Lindsay required surgery to close the wounds, which was performed in the wee hours of the night. Sandra L. Everett, MD, a surgeon at the Ross Eye Institute, performed surgery, assisted by Susan Smith, MD and Matthew Pihlblad, MD. Fortunately for Lindsay, Dr. Everett is a cornea specialist with significant previous trauma experience. Lindsay is convinced she would have lost her eye if she hadn’t been attended to right away. “And I’d have lost vision if I had not followed (Dr. Everett’s) home treatment to the letter.” “She was persistent in using medications correctly, and keeping her appointments allowing for close follow up,” added Everett. Aside from multiple lacerations of the right eyelid and upper cheek, the official diagnosis ominously indicated the severity of the injury: Today, Lindsay is back at her job as a collection agent, and her vision is about 20/25 - 20/30. She wears glasses, but only for protection—she uses no corrective lenses. What remains from the surgery is one tiny speck on the eye. Ruptured right globe. The corneal laceration and scleral laceration totaled about 18 mm, quite large considering the eye is 23.5 mm long on average. What followed was close observation for infection, and monitoring for a retinal detachment. Lindsay looks back at the attack reflecting on a strength she didn’t know she had. “I am glad it was me and not one of the others,” she said. “I’m strong enough to handle it. It changed me, grounded me. It also brought my friends and family closer, to a new level. “ At first, Lindsay visited The Ross once a week, then once every two weeks, then once a month. Once the eye patch was removed, she describes her progression of sight as “double vision at first, then looking up, not straight on, then foggy... then after a while, I started to see clearly.” During her recovery, she stayed with her father. It was a year before she could see well enough to function normally. Lindsay has referred family and friends to The Ross and to Dr. Everett. “She’s not only my eye doctor, she’s my good friend,” she said. “Lindsay is a warm and caring individual,” said Everett. “She and I became close due to her harrowing experience.” 7