Family Credits Doctor for Providing Vision and Care for a Patient Most in Need
December 15, 2005
Contact: Todd Harper
Phone: 317-630-7808
Pager: 317-310-5972
Indianapolis, December 15, 2005 - It's now been a year since Indianapolis resident Lantine Alston first came to the Wishard Eye Clinic with the hope she would be able to see again. At 66 years of age and with Down syndrome and poor hearing, Alston has faced an uphill battle her entire life, but the one thing she could always count on was her eyesight.
A progressive decline in vision brought on by cataracts resulted in Alston struggling to be able to do even the simple things in life such as eating and participating in recreational activities, and it also crippled her own enjoyment of life.
"She wasn't seeing a lot. She would feel for her food and you could see white spots in her eyes," said sister and caregiver Bobbie Shannon. Shannon said that after determining her sister needed help, she was referred to Dr. Chi-Wah "Rudy" Yung, Chief of Ophthalmology, Wishard Health Services, and medical director of the Wishard Eye Clinic. Shannon said since her sister has Down syndrome, finding a doctor to treat her took time, but the wait was worth it.
"When we found Dr. Yung and my sister had the cataract surgery, it allowed her to see things as small as a fly on the ground," Shannon explained. "It is truly amazing the improvement she has shown in her eyesight."
Patients with underlying illnesses such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension are encouraged to have regular examinations to screen for eyesight irregularities. Doctors also encourage patients who have had a noticeable change in vision to immediately come in to be examined.
Dr. Yung said patients who have a family history of eye disease such as glaucoma should have at least one eye examination when they turn 40 despite their good eyesight. Patients with other systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension should also consult anophthalmologist to have a baseline eye examination to screen for any ocular involvement. He said in Alston's case, her vision loss became so significant that it was having a profound impact on her life, especially since she also has poor hearing. She was living a world almost devoid of senses.
"This is a patient I believe most exemplifies the kind of care we provide as a healthcare provider, and what we can do for patients," he said.
The Wishard Eye Clinic is located on the fifth floor of Wishard Health Services' Regenstrief Health Center. The clinic offers comprehensive eye care and specialty eye care that includes cataract, retina, glaucoma, pediatric and strabismus, oculoplastic surgery and uveitis services. The clinic has state-of-the art equipment including Humphrey visual fields, fundus camera and angiography, corneal pachymetry, YAG laser, Argon laser and a recently acquired an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine, which uses a beam of light to measure the thickness of the retina to detect certain eye disorders. The clinic serves more than 10,000 patients every year.
Patients usually are referred to the Wishard Eye Clinic by their primary care physician, the emergency department or a specialist. Patients can also call the clinic directly for an appointment at (317) 630-7518, but are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician first.
For more information about finding a primary care physician, please call Health Connection at Wishard at (317) 655-2255.