Dr. Seth Baker explains, "Thanks to Dr. Monnett, and  LASIK surgery, everything in my life has been made easier!"

Story Reprinted from Florida Health Care News, Winter, 1999

"I wore contact lenses until a few years ago," relates cardiovascular specialist Seth Baker, DO, "but when I moved to Florida I developed allergies and had to return to wearing eyeglasses."

"The eyeglasses just got to be too cumbersome," he continues. "When I perform certain delicate procedures in my work, my glasses used to slide down my nose. I couldn't just push them back because I could not risk touching my sterile gloves to my glasses."

"At home, I enjoy all the activities you would expect of an active Florida lifestyle," Dr. Baker continues, "Having to wear and protect my glasses while swimming, golfing or running certainly hindered my enjoyment. I was continually having to risk breaking or losing my eyeglasses as I pursued my interests."

"The last straw," he states, "was when I was playing in the ocean with my son and daughter. I was facing the shore when a wave struck me in the back with such force that my glasses were lost. It was difficult finding an optometrist to provide eyeglasses on a Sunday afternoon; I was tired of dealing with that kind of inconvenience."

Being a medical specialist, Dr, Baker is accustomed to investigating and evaluating new procedures, and put his professional experience to work in finding a permanent solution to his vision problem.

"I became aware of the possibilities offered by a refractive procedure called LASIK (laser assisted insutu keratonileusis)," Dr. Baker reports, "and spoke about it with someone I trusted."

He consulted his friend and colleague Dr. Ralph B. Monnett, Jr., MD, a board certified ophthalmologist at the Monnett Eye & Surgery Center in Sebastian. Dr. Monnett at first advised him to wait until more clinical information about LASIK became available.

CAREFUL REVIEW

"I was impressed because Dr. Monnett did not jump right in when LASIK first became popular," explains Dr. Baker. "He waited to see if actual results for patients supported the claims, then was careful in acquiring his own training and qualifications in the procedure before making it available in his office. Being in the medical profession myself, that kind of concern for his patients' welfare is important to me."

"I like to make sure that my procedure we offer is thoroughly supported by practical experience and actual success," reinforces Dr. Monnett. "Patients should have realistic indications of what a procedure can and can not do. That information takes time to develop."

After Dr. Baker lost his glasses for the last time, he phoned Dr. Monnett and set up an appointment for the following Monday to determine whether he was a suitable candidate for LASIK, which the Monnett center was then offering.

PRECISE PROCEDURE

Dr. Baker's procedure was scheduled for the following Wednesday.

"If patients wear contact lenses, we ask them to return to wearing eyeglasses for a period of time before the actual procedure in order to achieve the best possible results," notes Dr. Monnett. "Dr. Baker used eyeglasses exclusively, so we were able to schedule his LASIK procedure right after determining his suitability for it."

"I have to admit I was a little anxious," confesses Dr. Baker, "I rely heavily on my eyesight in my profession, and despite everything I heard and expected, I was a little skeptical. I was also concerned that since I am a colleague, Dr. Monnett might think I was less apprehensive than other patients and did not need as much explanation or education."

"I need not have been worried. From the moment we began talking about using LASIK to correct my vision, Dr. Monnett was as attentive to me as he is with those outside the medical profession. He explained the entire procedure clearly. Any concerns I had were easily alleviated by Dr. Monnett's obvious familiarity with the procedure and by his compassionate and reassuring demeanor."

Dr. Baker put in a full day's work on Wednesday before his procedure with Dr. Monnett.

At the office, Dr. Baker received "eye drop" anesthesia and within minutes was sitting back in a comfortable chair and positioned under the surgical microscope. "With LASIK," Dr. Monnett instructs, "we preserve the fast healing epithelium, or surface layer of the cornea. A microkeratome is used to make an incision in the clear cornea, and the "flap" that is formed by this incision is laid back to allow the Excimer laser access to the corneal layers beneath it. We then treat the inner layers so the epithelium is not disrupted.

LASIK is so precise that the amount of corneal tissue removed is less than the thickness of a human hair. There is no impact on underlying tissue, so the safety and predictability of the procedure are very high.

"When the laser treatment is completed and the flap is put back into place, the flap quickly bonds with the epithelium, eliminating the need for stitches. This reduces the length and extent of the follow-up regimen in comparison to PRK. Patients often see more clearly immediately, with maximum acuity reached in a matter of 48 hours, if not sooner."

"I never felt a thing," marvels Dr. Baker. "The entire procedure was accomplished in moments in a very relaxed atmosphere. From start to finish I had an incredibly pleasant experience."

Dr, Baker reports that he enjoyed a noticeable improvement in his vision immediately following LASIK: "I walked into the center with minus three diopters of visual distortion, and the next morning I could see with 20/20 acuity. "MY VISION IS SO GOOD; I HAVE TO REMEMBER NOT TO TRY TO REMOVE MY GLASSES! THANKS TO DR. MONNETT, EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE HAS BEEN MADE EASIER. "