At Doctors Vision Center we have a program called the “Doctors Vision Center Heroes Program.” Every month we highlight a staff member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to patients. This month’s story struck me as something I really want to share as it reminds us all to not take symptoms lightly and to go that extra mile.
It was a normal day at the eye doctor in Doctor Vision Center’s Wallace office – eye exams, glasses being fitted and contacts being dispensed. And while most eye exams are fairly routine, what most do not realize is how much our eyes can tell us about other health problems that may exist. This was never more true than when Courtney Henderson, a technician in the Wallace office, had a patient walk in complaining of a sudden decrease in visual acuity, or clarity in vision.
Courtney recognized that a visual field test was necessary which measures the one’s ability to focus on objects around them, more specifically the central and peripheral vision. At the office that day was Dr. Ted Watson who reviewed the results from the test and referred the patient to their primary care physician as often sudden loss of visual acuity or clarity in your primary field of vision can be a sign of various health problems such as serious hypertension, blood clots or the onset of a stroke.
In this particular case, it was the quick thinking of Ms. Henderson and working closely with Dr. Watson that made a difference. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with a stroke that was affecting the brain and was causing their vision to be impaired. Ms. Henderson, being a well-trained professional, quickly recognized that visual symptoms can often mean a bigger issue. Due to the teamwork and care that Ms. Henderson and Dr. Watson demonstrated, the patient’s life may have been saved and, without a doubt, much more serious problems were averted.
At Doctors Vision Center we take great pride in the quality of our technicians and doctors, and this certainly exemplifies the excellence and caliber of our staff in all 48 offices. We are fortunate to have staff that take leadership and pride in their work and service to patients. We take our patients and their conditions seriously, especially as the eyes are often a window into various health conditions and we always want to make sure we offer a full spectrum of care.
While incidents like this are often few and far between, it reiterates just how important regular eye exams are. Early detection of potentially serious eye complications can save someone’s vision and in some cases, their life.
William Hollis
President
Doctors Vision Center