Bridging The Distance

July 29, 2011

As a center for excellence in the Pacific, Retina Institute of Hawaii cares for many military servicemen and their families who are stationed in the surrounding islands. These patients are referred to RIH by military medical personnel from as far away as Okinawa and Yokosuka, Japan, Guam and from Hawaii itself.

Treating these patients can be challenging, mainly because of the sheer distance involved between the patient's home and our office. Fortunately, the miracles of modern medicine include state-of-the-art techniques that help us to overcome many of these obstacles. In spite of the thousands of ocean miles that lie between us, we're able to partner with military ophthalmologists on the bases to provide optimum care for our patients.

Brandon first came to RIH for treatment when he was 14 years old. His dad serves with the U.S. Air Force, and he and his family are stationed in Guam.

Normally a very healthy, happy child, Brandon began experiencing symptoms typically associated with retinal detachment (blurred vision and floaters). When his worried parents took him to their military ophthalmologist, he diagnosed that Brandon was indeed suffering from a retinal detachment in his right eye. Aware of the severity of the problem, the doctor had Brandon and his parents flown to our Honolulu office.

Once Brandon arrived, we carried out a thoroughexamination that revealed something troubling. His condition was the result of a rare, congenital eye disorder that was affecting both of his eyes. Obviously, his parents were very concerned about this unsettling diagnosis. With answers and commitment from Dr. Bennett and his team, Brandon's family was relieved from anxiety and hopeful for positive results.

We were able to set his parents' minds at ease by clearly outlining the problem and the course of treatment available. His treatment included surgery, which we were able to schedule and perform almost immediately, as well as the use of the drug Avastin, a medication that has been typically used to treat macular degeneration but is currently being investigated for use in other vascular disorders, including Brandon's.

At the time of this writing, Brandon sees 20/20 in both eyes and is no longer concerned about losing his vision. And his parents? Well, it's a parent's job to worry. Yet they are now confident that by partnering in Brandon's care with their ophthalmologist on Guam and Retina Institute of Hawaii, the health of their son's eyes is in expert hands.

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