Magill Vision Center

KERRY SOLOMON, MD
During a career that has
spanned more than 20 years,
Dr. Solomon has been ranked
as one of the country's best
ophthalmic surgeons and has
been the recipient of dozens
of awards. He was also listed
among "America's Best
Doctors" for cataract and
refractive surgery
in 2004 and 2005. Dr.
Solomon
is currently a professor of
ophthalmology as well as
director of cataract, refractive
and cornea services at the
Storm Eye Institute. He is
also director of the Magill
Research Center and medical
director of the Magill Vision
Center for Vision Correction.
According to Kerry Solomon's
bio on the Medical University
of South Carolina (MUSC) Web site,
"Practicing medicine is about
loving what you do, treating
every patient like family and
knowing that if you do your
best, you can change people's
lives for the better." He should
know. He changes lives every
day. — Barbara Patrick

It made perfect sense to me. I had that same feeling when I had Lasik surgery to correct my nearsightedness and astigmatism 10 years ago. When I opened my eyes after a short nap, I could see clearly for the first time in decades. It seemed nothing short of a miracle.

Sam, as she likes to be called, was only 15 but could sense the change it made in my life.

She began thinking of the day when she, too, would have perfect vision thanks to modern technology.

Her dream has come true. After researching the options, Sam decided to have her vision corrected at the Medical University of South Carolina's (MUSC) Magill Vision Center, an institution that is literally on the cutting edge. She made an appointment for Nov. 19, 2007, and began the process, which included a thorough eye exam by her optometrist, Dr. Mason Smith. She had to give up her contact lenses forever and wear her old glasses for two weeks prior to the surgery.

The morning of the Lasik procedure, Sam was nervous but ready to move forward. I picked her up for the drive to the Magill Vision Center in Mount Pleasant.

"It's a really pretty place," she told me. "It's all wood and marble and very elegant."

She was right. The office was grand but comfortable and professional. The front office staff was courteous and efficient in taking care of the last-minute details.

As Sam relaxed in a recliner–the first stop–Clarissa explained the procedure and gave her a kit with eye drops, detailed instructions and a pair of very cool shades that must be worn following the operation. Then it was time to meet Dr. Kerry Solomon for a final pre-op exam. Everything looked perfect, he said, and asked if we had questions.

"How many of these surgeries have you performed?" I asked.

"I don't know," he replied. "Probably about 10,000 or maybe 20,000."

No doubt. Dr. Solomon was one of the first to bring the Excimer laser to the Lowcountry well over a decade ago.

"Have you had a good day?" Sam asked.

He laughed and said he was having a great day. Sam was ushered into the surgical suite, while her brother and I waited outside. A short time later–perhaps 15 or 20 minutes–it was all over. A final check and she was released and told to go home for a nap.

"I can already see better, even with all the drops in my eyes," she told us. The next morning, during her first post-op exam, Dr. Solomon gave her the good news. Her eyes looked great and her vision was now 20/15, vastly improved from 20/400.

MUSC's Magill Vision Center offers a variety of corrective surgeries. Samantha's procedure was custom Lasik, using the latest bladeless technology. For more information about the Magill Vision Center, visit www.MagillVision.com.

Barbara Patrick