Advanced Vision Specialists

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Sitting at my desk in my modern Chicago office after a long day of cataract surgery, I close my eyes for a moment before reviewing my cases for tomorrow. I’m transported back to my recent surgical experience in Italy. As I walked slowly through the waiting room over in Italy, past the patient and family, where I was fortunate to be able to witness a surgery not yet approved in America, I took the time to absorb their restlessness and body movements, clearly showing their anticipation, anxiety, and fear before their surgery began. I thought about how fortunate they were to be able to have one of the most advanced surgeries performed, which promised to restore their vision and allow them to begin seeing life as though they had a brand new pair of eyes. The ability to offer this type of cutting-edge technology in medicine is exciting and very fulfilling to a doctor, as well as being able to offer hope for patients, when it seems all else has failed. Not knowing when and if this procedure would be approved by the FDA in America was frustrating, because it meant that I wouldn’t be able to offer the very best possible options to my own patients back in the states, but for now, I was in my glory. While back in Bari, Italy, I was surrounded by many family members seated at the kitchen table. We were enjoying the various, wonderful foods of southern Italy, consisting of panzeroti, focaccia, fave, chicorrie, bruschetta, and mozzarella balls. After this feast was quickly devoured, it was followed by an incredible glass of homemade vino. The conversation was lively, animated, and loud, as all Italian family gatherings are. The discussion led to a request. Could I examine my cousins and their friends who have eye problems? I sensed their pride in their tone of voice as they asked. “Of course”, I replied. How could I say no? This is the Italian way. I was fortunate that a very nice lady doctor in the next small town, Valenzano, allowed me to use her office to examine my family. As I entered the large office with marble floors and walls, I noticed it was sparsely furnished, but had enough chairs to accommodate my family and their friends. I was greeted enthusiastically by the young female doctor, who began proudly instructing me on how to use her equipment and began showing me around her office. The equipment was state-of-art and had a surgical center incorporated into the office. After examining my family members and their friends, I could see a sense of pride in my cousins, that they were able to be examined by a family member with an American medical degree. This resulted in their trust to accept my recommendations. I was filled with a sense of humility and accomplishment, as I reflected upon my grandparents’ lot in life during the 1920s and ‘30s. A warm smile and a sense of contentment washed over me, as I pictured my nonni and genitori and all of their hard work and sacrifice. But the sacrifice was made by all, in an effort to provide a better life for their families and children. The men would leave their wives and children behind.

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