WHO GIVES THE BEST EYE CARE IN THE WORLD

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

There are many questions posted here by people with very complex eye problems or things that are very difficult to diagnose. I'm often asked WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD FOR THESE EYE PROBLEMS.

Each year academic eye surgeons are polled about their opinion of the best programs in the USA (which put them on a par with anywhere in the world). Here is the 2008 list as published in the October 15, 2008 Ophthalmology Times>

BEST OVERALL OPHTHALMOLOGY PROGRAMS:
1. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of U of Miami
2. Wilmer Eye Institute of John Hopkins University
3. Wills Eye Hospital/Thomas Jefferson University
4. Duke University
5. Jules Stein Eye Institute/UCLA
6. (tie) Beckman Vision Center/U Cal San Francisco  AND WK Kellogg Eye Center U of Michigan
8. U of Iowa and Emory Eye Center/ Emory University
10. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard

This does not mean that every complex or difficult problem needs to trek to these centers as there are literally hundreds of other fine centers, hospitals, clinics and outstanding ophthalmologists in private practice.

Nevertheless because this comes up so much I wanted to post this list. I'm pleased that the program that I trained in (Emory Eye Center) is listed in the top ten in all lists: Best overall Program, Best Research Programs, Best Ophthalmology Residency and Best Clinical-Patient Care Programs.

JCH MD

[walkietalkie]

Not sure what KG means by ‘dress well’. I think most people will not venture out of their house in pajamas! Anyway, I can’t comment or compare physicians behavior as I am always seen by the same doctor, a real cool fella. Once I overheard conversation of other patients that this doc is blessed with both IQ, AND EQ. I think all of us could use that, not just doctors.

So Dr Hagan, it’s not true that "these forums are a magnet for unhappy people with persistent problems."

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

When we systematically looked at 6 months of initial postings concerning any aspect of cataract/IOL surgery EVERY POSTING WAS UNHAPPY.  Now some of the responders were okay and not every question posted initially is unhappy but the overwhelming majority were. In fact if you look at the history of MedHelp.org as posted on the "about us" it says that Cindy Thompson and John de Sousa founded it because they were unhappy about the lack of information and support available to them with serious family illnesses.

JCH MD

[Lerbea]

These forums are not a magnet for unhappy people they are a magnet for patients with problems in regards to their opthamology care. I am one of them and lucky I did find this forum.

[russell903]

One area of research that I feel is very necessary, relates to floaters.  One of the retina specialists I saw indicated that floaters are not just an age related 'no serious problem'  concern, but an indicator of some retinal disorder, but as yet unknown.  Once the PVD/floaters become evident, certain other issues arise-eg, epiretinal membrane, created from cells that come off the PVD, as I understand.  However, as long as most ophthalmologists disregard floaters as a minor nuisance, the problem will remain on the neglect list.  Ask anyone with severe PVD/floaters if they think little of them in their daily routine, and I'd bet 90% or more would be moaning about the devastating life influence they have.  To be clear, I'm not talking about those small string like bodies in the eye, I'm talking about massive bodies likened to vaseline globs moving about in the eye, distorting the images constantly.  Retina specialists who check them and say 'no retinal tears, no detachments' cannot assuage the patient and their stress.  A call for more research on PVD/floaters!  More ways to reduce their impact on our sight!  Russll903

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

You've brought this up and its the last time I will comment on it. There is a finite amount of money and research expertise in the world and a staggering array of diseases that will blind or almost blind people. Given these imperatives spending these precious resources on something that 99.9% of the time does not threaten vision no indicate serious eye disease and that almost everyone will eventually is not a high priority.

JCH MD

[2ndsight]

what Dr Hagan says is true however I am sure if any research turned up a "cure" for floaters, even by accident, there would be a big market with medical companies and practitioners cashing in. Just think weight loss or plastic surgery.

On the subject of the unhappy patients posting here, especially about cataract surgery, I think there are a couple of purposes served. People need to know the risks of surgery which a lot of their surgeons are not disclosing to them. Also patients need to be able to communicate about the possible solutions to their problems. Eyesight is a sensitive issue which can provoke a lot of anxiety and sometimes it helps to know someone else has had a similar experience.