Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Dillman marks 30 years in city

DANVILLE — A cataract surgery pioneer who continues to lead the way by helping to develop and teach some of the most advanced procedures available is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the practice he founded.

Dr. David Dillman, of Dillman Eye Care, is embarking on three decades practicing ophthalmology in Danville.

He opened the practice Nov. 2, 1981, and said he didn’t know a soul in Danville back then. Earlier, he had graduated cum laude with his bachelor of science degree from the University of Notre Dame, received a medical degree from Indiana University, did an internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis and then an ophthalmology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

After a year-long stint practicing at the Olmsted Medical Center in Minnesota he was recruited to practice in Danville, though he had no connections here otherwise.

During that time period two hospitals served the Danville area — Lakeview (now Provena United Samaritans Medical Center) and St. Elizabeth (no longer in existence). Dillman said it was a “Hatfield and McCoy” environment, with the two hospitals vying hard to better the other.

“Lakeview Hospital had a very impressive recruiting department to bring new doctors to Danville,” Dillman said.

One of the incentives offered to new doctors at the time were home loans with favorable interest rates. The rate he received was 13.5 percent, which was much lower than the standard at the time of around 18 percent interest.

Dillman jokes about the rate now, but said it was a good deal then.

“By today’s standards, that (interest rate) would be unthinkable,” Dillman said.

He purchased two suites in a new medical office building adjacent to Lakeview. They had just gravel on the floor and he designed them specifically for ophthalmology.

“In a very short time we outgrew that and I bought a third suite and in a short time we outgrew that and I realized I couldn’t just keep buying suites,” Dillman said. “It just wasn’t practical.”

So in November 1986 the practice moved into the newly built location at 600 North Logan Avenue, where the business continues to thrive.

During Dillman’s first decade of practice he did general ophthalmology, which encompassed a little of everything in the field of eyes. Then in 1991, he limited his practice to just cataract and refractive surgery, which made sense considering his passion and expertise in the areas. Though, Dillman is humble about is roots.

“I was in the right place at the right time in the world of cataract surgery,” Dillman said.

In the early 1980s a cataract procedure called phacoemulsification was just beginning to make waves in the field of ophthalmology.

“That was a technology that in the early ’80s was extremely controversial,” Dillman said. “Mainly because it was a radical departure from the traditional way of doing cataract surgery.”

Dillman became involved with “phaco” in 1985, during a period when less than 5 percent of surgeons were employing the procedure.

“I got in on the ground floor of ‘phaco’,” Dillman said. “By the mid to late 1980s, its popularity started to blossom and in the 1990s it just skyrocketed. When I started it, it was controversial, but now it is pretty much standard of care.”

Because of his early involvement in “phaco” and due to his advocacy for the procedure, Dillman has traveled extensively to lecture on the subject and has taught at least 200 courses around the world. In the end, he helped to develop better technologies and techniques in ‘phaco’.

Dillman also has written articles on the subject and textbook chapters and has appeared in instructional videos. He also co-authored a textbook on refractive surgery, another procedure altogether.

His expertise on phaco has led more than 300 ophthalmologists to come to Danville to observe him in action, viewing Dillman performing the surgery.

He performs around 1,000 cataract surgeries a year now, but has performed 25,000 during his three decades of service.

Proud of the 30-year benchmark the practice is celebrating this year, Dillman also is looking ahead.

The practice added two new doctors to its staff this past summer, which will broaden Dillman Eye Care’s spectrum of services.

Dr. Andrew Dvorak is an ophthalmologist who also will perform cataract surgery and many of the services Dillman discontinued in the early 1990s. He will treat patients with macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma and performing procedures like eyelid surgery.

Dr. Monica Kalia is a general optometrist who will focus on diseases of the eye and family eye care. She has a special interest in children and pediatric conditions, such as eye muscle issues.

“Together, they’re going to bring new ideas and new energy,” Dillman said.

Lori Keith, head of the refractive surgery division and marketing, said the arrival of the two new doctors has already added much more to the practice. Before, patients with certain issues would be referred away, but now they can do most anything in-house.

“Patients are not going to have to leave Danville to get the care they need,” Keith said.

Keith, who has worked at Dillman Eye Care for 26 years, also spoke about the office atmosphere after decades of employees working together.

There are 20 employed there, including Dillman, with at least 10 being there for at least a decade. Of those, seven have been there at least 15 years, with a few being there more than 20 years.

“It’s more like a family,” Keith said. “We care about each other and our patients. When you get up each morning you’re glad you’re coming here to work.”

Keith said much of that is because of Dillman himself, who is not only a talented surgeon, but a good person.

“It all resonates from him,” Keith said.

Dr. Alan Carlson Rolls Out 14th Annual VISX Laser Certification Course

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, SEPT. 05, 2011 – Alan Carlson M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology at the Duke Eye Center and Chief of the Corneal and Refractive Surgery Service, successfully rolled out the 14th annual VISX Laser Certification Course at the Duke Eye Center, in cooperation with the Duke Center for Vision Correction.
This certification course has the distinction of being the longest running in-house program in the country for training and certifying surgeons to perform photorefractive keratectomy (PPK) and LASIK eye surgery.
The yearly certification course begins with a five-hour didactic session that involves the review of over 250 slides, accompanied by in-depth quizzes to help ensure the participants gain a firm understanding of every detail involved. After the lecture session, participants will undergo the extensive “wet lab” experience which helps to impart detailed information on PTK and PRK techniques, along with application of LASIK.

All the procedures and activities in the certification course are performed with strict adherence to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
Dr. Carlson said: “I feel truly privileged to be able to do this; I think this yearly event is part of my calling. I believe it is a responsibility to pass on my knowledge and share my expertise with as many surgeons as I can reach.”
The certification course provides participants with an outstanding opportunity. The chance to obtain special training on the concepts of laser eye surgery from one of the most reputable eye surgeons in the country, using the state of-the-art equipment at the Duke Eye Center in North Carolina.
Dr. Carlson, a leading eye doctor who specializes in laser eye surgery and cataract treatment, is one of the only two surgeons in North and South Carolina qualified to certify other doctors in the field of refractive surgery. He has performed over 46,000 surgical procedures, including 16,000 LASIK eye surgery procedures. With a wealth of experience in this field, he has been recognized as a key opinion leader in cataract surgery, as well as refractive and corneal surgery. This experience led to his selection as one of the top six surgeons among university laser surgeons in the United States, and has precipitated his inclusion in the prestigious Best Doctors 2011 - 2012 awards list.

Dr. Alan Carlson, Professor of Ophthalmology on faculty at the Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina is one of the most well respected ophthalmologists working in the United States. Dr. Carlson has written over 100 articles, book chapters and instructional videos dealing with the treatment and prevention of complications from eye surgery. You may visit www.alancarlsonmd.com, for more information and to schedule a consultation. Dr. Carlson can also be reached at 919-681-4089.

Fischbach Family Medicine and Ophthalmology faces legal action

COLUMBIA — State regulators have initiated legal action against an Aiken medical facility, after unsuccessful efforts to collect a $16,500 civil penalty for infectious-waste violations that allegedly happened two years ago.

Efforts to reach Fischbach Family Medicine and Ophthalmology through four telephone numbers that had been associated with it were not successful Thursday.
On Aug. 25, a spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said the agency filed a summons and complaint for the $16,500 penalty. DHEC spokesman Adam Myrick said officials were waiting to get on the legal docket for the summons.
The clinic’s doctor had filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which prevents the agency from collecting business debts, according to Myrick in a June e-mail.
A records request for correspondence between the Fischbach clinic and DHEC show regulators have been trying to address the citations.
In May, DHEC issued a letter to the clinic that announced a June enforcement conference to discuss the alleged violations of state Infectious Waste Management Regulations. But the clinic declined to meet with DHEC regulators, Myrick said.
Records on file with the South Carolina Secretary of State indicate the clinic is in good standing, and an agency spokes­woman said neither the Department of Revenue nor the court system has submitted any documents to the contrary.
In June 2010, shortly after the DHEC Board received notice of the Fischbach case and others across the state, a clinic employee who answered a reporter’s phone call had said the mishandling charge stemmed from a nurse’s efforts to transfer the waste without knowing the proper way to do so.
State records show that in April 2009, the landlord for the 721 Richland Ave. W site complained by telephone to DHEC that the clinic staff had left behind infectious waste after moving to 410 University Parkway.
DHEC inspectors checked the site the next day and noted several violations. Among them was a citation that said the facility had not taken care to keep the public and the environment from being exposed to the waste.
The Aiken facility is probably not the only one in the state that has eluded DHEC’s civil penalties for alleged violations of environmental regulations, but as for who the other entities are and the grand total of what is owed, Myrick said it would be difficult to tabulate and would consume considerable staff resources.

FHN to close optical shop Oct. 1, will not affect ophthalmology dept.

With increased competition and a focus on other health care programs, FHN continues to make changes locally. As of Oct. 1, they will be closing their optical shop.
This action does not affect the ophthalmology department. In fact, FHN recently welcomed Dr. Hanny Isawi to the ophthalmology team. Cataract surgeries and other eye health programs will continue as they have in the past.
This is just another change to help improve the focus on health care at FHN. The decision to close the optical department came after consideration of the other options for eye care in this area.
Increased health care costs not only affect the consumer, but also health care providers. FHN continues to focus their mission on health care to see where it fits in their overall goal to provide the best health care to their patients.
Mark Gridley, FHN Vice President of Physician Affairs, said the decision was based on making sure people had other options in this area for their eye care.
“There are many fine options for eyewear in the greater Freeport area,” Gridley said. “We are comfortable that our good partners in these businesses, for whom glasses and contact lenses are a primary focus, will do a great job supplying these items for all FHN patients and customers.”
Gridley went on to say that eyewear is not part of FHN’s core mission and that cost-savings realized from this action will help FHN meet escalating costs in its core health care services arising from national and state-wide challenges, such as dramatically rising medical malpractice insurance and ongoing reductions in Medicare and other state reimbursements.
Ophthalmology Specialist
Isawi, an ophthalmology specialist, has joined FHN and is seeing patients at FHN Specialty Care — Harlem Avenue in Freeport.
Isawi is a graduate of Freeport High School and earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He interned at the University of Pennsylvania — Presbyterian Hospital and served his residency at Penn State Hershey Eye Center in Hershey, Penn.
“I am excited to be coming home to Freeport to help people achieve and maintain their best vision and eye health,” Isawi said. “Your vision is an irreplaceable resource, and today’s technology makes it possible to help patients suffering from cataracts and other eye diseases.”

Eye donation is a noble gesture: Prof. Sukul,

ALIGARH: Prof. R.R. Sukul, Director of the Institute of Ophthalmology, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University said that the Institute is making sustainable efforts to bring back eyesight to the unfortunate people suffering from permanent blindness.
He said that as a part of its drive against the blindness, the Institute is organizing an eye donation fortnight programme under the aegis of J.N. Medical College from 25th August to 8th September. Prof. Sukul said that since its inception six years back, the Eye Bank of the Institute has brought back eyesight to large number of people through corneal transplantation. He said that there are several reasons for the spreading blindness prominent of which are cataract, glaucoma and other corneal problems. He said that the blindness rate in India is 0.5 percent comparing to 1.3 percent before launching of National Blindness Control Programme in 1976. He, however, said that the awareness level among people about eye donation is very low in our country.
Prof. Sukul observed that people generally fill-up the eye donation form but do not donate their eyes. The family members dither from accomplishing the deceased’s will. He said that a mass level awareness programme is needed to make people aware of the positive aspects of the eye donation. He said that the cornea of deceased remains live till six hours after the death and the doctors get it preserved and used later to provide eyesight to the needy.
It is a noble gesture and the people need to rise above all dogmas pertaining to eye donation. Prof. Sukul said that Eye Bank of the J.N. Medical College is observing Eye Donation fortnight to raise awareness among the people so that they may come forward to donate their eyes. He said that that all services at the Eye Bank are provided free of cost and further details may be had from Prof. Sukul on his mobile no. 9412272009 and Incharge of Eye Bank Dr. Adeeb Alam Khan on 9837252564.

Eye on Ophthalmology

Shunts and Stents for Glaucoma

Steven Vold, MD

Do drainage devices implanted into the eye improve glaucoma surgery's outcomes compared to trabeculectomy, the current gold standard in filtration procedures? That depends on the type of glaucoma and patient being treated. Tube vs. trabeculectomy research seems to indicate that tube shunt surgery represents a viable option when compared to standard filtration surgery.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Ophthalmologist was skillful at humor, music and medicine

La Jolla ophthalmologist Max Smith was best known for two things: his “never met a stranger” attitude and his ability to pluck a mean string bass. Wearing Band-Aids to protect his surgeon’s fingertips, Dr. Smith was the musical backbone of a trio of doctors who performed in medically themed musical comedy sketches throughout the state for 20 years.
“Max was a humorist with a story for every occasion, and with his wife and son, provided the music for us,” said former ophthalmology partner and performer Art Edwards. “We performed for hospitals and medical conventions and in the La Jolla Village Vaudeville shows put on by the Soroptimists in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Max was important in the group because he gave a lot of time to practice and help us.”
Dr. Smith died after a brief illness on Aug. 7 at his La Jolla home. He was 82.
Particularly interested in helping patients with diminished eyesight lead more independent lives, Dr. Smith was instrumental in establishing the Partial Vision Center at Mericos Eye Institute. He served as associate director from the institute’s opening in 1982 until 1987.
Max Smith was born Feb. 26, 1929, in Laramie, Wyo., the second of five children to Sam Smith and Frume Vinacour. He received his bachelor of science degree in 1950 from the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy.
In 1951, he enlisted in the Army during the Korean War, serving three years as a lieutenant and platoon leader before returning to his studies. He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Colorado in 1957.
In 1959, he began his medical career as a general practitioner in Rawlins, Wyo., doing everything a small-town doctor was expected to do, from delivering babies and setting fractures to sewing up cuts and operating. In the mid-1960s, when the opportunity arose, he did his surgical residency in ophthalmology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Dr. Smith moved to La Jolla in 1968 and served as chief of surgery at Sharp Memorial Hospital. That same year, he formed his ophthalmology practice in La Jolla.
“He was a wonderful physician, a skillful surgeon and a crackerjack entertainer — a cross between Marcus Welby and Henny Youngman,” said former patient Wendy Blair. “No one was ever rushed out of Max Smith’s office.
“I think he must have scheduled story time into each appointment.”
Dr. Smith is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Gloria Sebastian, of La Jolla; sons Rodger of Sacramento, Mark of Rancho Santa Fe, and Daniel of Scripps Ranch; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services were private. Donations in Dr. Smith’s memory may be made to the Partial Vision Center at Mericos Eye Institute.

caroline.dipping@uniontrib.com (619) 293-2823

Long Island LASIK Surgeon Dr. Eric Donnenfeld Launches New Website

Prominent Long Island LASIK surgeon Dr. Eric Donnenfeld is excited to announce the launch of a new website and online marketing strategy designed to expand his practice’s presence on Long Island and throughout the surrounding areas. Dr. Donnenfeld is recognized as one of the most experienced refractive surgeons in the Tri-State area. By expanding his online presence, Dr. Donnenfeld hopes to bring his expertise and skill in the field of laser vision correction to more vision-impaired people throughout Long Island, New York.

LASIKLI.com, Dr. Donnenfeld’s new website, features a simple yet intuitive design that provides quick access to a variety of useful resources for people seeking laser vision correction procedures on Long Island. By browsing the site, visitors can learn more about Dr. Donnenfeld’s exceptional credentials and experience in the field of ophthalmology and the leading-edge treatments he offers, including LASIK, PRK and cataract surgery. In addition, prospective Long Island cataract surgery and LASIK patients can learn more about the state-of-the-art technology used at Dr. Donnenfeld’s practice.

Dr. Donnenfeld makes it extremely easy to schedule a consultation. Simply fill out the online form on his site and Dr. Donnenfeld’s team will contact you to set up a one-on-one consultation to discuss your vision correction options.

About Dr. Eric Donnenfeld

Dr. Eric Donnenfeld, MD, FAAO, FACS, is recognized as one of the most experienced laser eye surgeons on Long Island and has performed more than 37,000 vision correction procedures over the course of his career. He graduated from Dartmouth College and received a Degree in Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School. Dr. Donnenfeld received additional training in ophthalmology as a resident at the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital.

Dr. Donnenfeld is a member of several prominent medical associations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He has also received numerous honors, including being named National Refractive Surgeon of the Year and one of the Top 50 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the World by the prominent publication Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today.

If you are interested in receiving cataract surgery or LASIK on Long Island, please contact Dr. Eric Donnenfeld at (516) 593-7709 or online at www.lasikli.com.