Publishers Letter
Welcome to another edition of M.D. News Magazine, serving the Phoenix Metro Valley. This month we are especially pleased to bring to you Dr. Sanford Moretsky and Dr. Craig Cassidy, two of the finest ophthalmologists in the Valley. Together, they offer the latest in skill and technology in laser vision correction to the Valley area. This team maintains a long list of medical professionals in the Valley who have had LASIK performed on them as well: inasmuch, I entrusted them to perform LASIK on my wife, a nurse practitioner, who has worn glasses since she was a young girl. From start to finish, her experience was that of high praise and satisfied results. After having someone very close to me that has undergone LASIK from them, it is understandable that they are “The Doctors the Doctors Trust for LASIK.”
Yours in Health,
Jim Tesla,
Publisher
M.D. News (September 2002)
*The following is the full unedited story as written in the magazine.
It has often been said that the eyes are the gateway to the soul. For centuries poets have lauded the eyes of their beloved, and through the modern day we have held both our eyes and the vision they provide with almost a reverent sense of protection. Those blessed with excellent vision can hardly appreciate the day-to-day challenges of those not so fortunate. Those who depend on common visual prosthetic devices (e.g. glasses or contact lenses) for everyday activity can find both hope and newfound freedom at Moretsky Cassidy LASIK Vision Correction.
Both Dr. Moretsky and Dr. Cassidy are dedicated physicians. They have practiced together over 35 years, honing their skills in various ophthalmologic surgical procedures. The doctors offer a full, comprehensive ophthalmology practice, including diagnosis and treatment of various eye disturbances, in addition to their LASIK practice. As clinical instructors at various medical schools, both locally and nationally, they share their knowledge with their future successors. They also train interns and residents in their office from various physician-training programs. They have been chosen as mentors by the VISX Corporation to train other ophthalmologists to perform laser vision correction. As a further compliment to their reputation, they were selected by the Better Business Bureau as two out of six ophthalmologists in the nation to develop a documentary on how to choose a surgeon for laser vision correction. The doctors were editorial contributors and appeared in the BBB video program “Corrective Eye Surgery: Reading Between the Lines.” It is available at most public libraries.
Dr. Sanford Moretsky holds a bachelor of science degree from Michigan State University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Health Sciences, Kansas City. He is a certified Specialist in Ophthalmology, a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Diplomate of the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology, where he also held the office of president. He is past president of the Phoenix Ophthalmologic Society and received numerous awards for his work in ophthalmology, including a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Meritorious Achievement.
Dr. Craig Cassidy began his academic career by receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the University of Health Sciences, Kansas City. He is a Certified Specialist in Ophthalmology as well as a Diplomate of the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Cassidy serves on the board of Governors for the American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology. Having been chief of staff of John C. Lincoln-Deer Valley Hospital, among other assignments, Dr. Cassidy has served Arizona for over 35 years.
The LASIK procedure has offered dramatic benefits to those heavily dependent on glasses and contact lenses in their daily lives. Many patients who previously were not appropriate candidates for refractive surgery now have this option available. In their day-to-day medical practice, Dr. Moretsky and Dr. Cassidy encounter patients who are transformed from a status of legal blindness (vision of 20/200 or often worse) to driving-quality vision without glasses with the aid of LASIK surgery. Patients who were formerly unable to see a click in the morning or even find their glasses (if they forgot where they left them) are gaining freedom and independence from glasses and contacts that they had never dreamed of. The doctors are frequently told by patients that their LASIK results are almost miraculous in nature.
“We are truly fortunate to have the ability to transform patients who were wholly dependent on glasses and contacts to highly functional individuals free of these encumbrances,” said Dr. Cassidy. Dr. Moretsky added, “The application of new technologies has enabled us to continue to improve our results in a manner that we could have never expected just five years ago.”
Unfortunately, due to its high success rate and promotional activity by some volume-driven LASIK centers, laser refractive surgery has been trivialized. Similarly, poor outcomes, although rare, have been sensationalized in the media. The staff and doctors of Moretsky Cassidy LASIK Vision Correction emphasize that proceeding with LASIK is a serious decision. Nonetheless, being part of the growth and success of LASIK has been an exhilarating and satisfying experience for the practice.
As a medical practice emphasizing the quality-of-life benefit with LASIK, how does this practice stand out from others? The doctors’ goals are delivery of personalized care, providing the most advanced technology, and monitoring results to achieve the highest possible visual outcome.
Receiving personalized care is becoming a disappearing act in the healthcare profession today, unfortunately. Physician support staff (i.e. nurses, assistants and technicians) are taking over much of the responsibility that had formerly been the role of the physician. Although technical assistance is necessary in a current high-technology medical practice, it shouldn’t replace the doctor-patient relationship. However, interpreting data obtained by technicians, personally examining patients and, specifically, interacting with patients distinguishes Drs. Moretsky and Cassidy’s way of practicing medicine from the LASIK “assembly lines.” “Each potential LASIK patient, from their first visit through their last visit, will be examined and meet with one of us to have their questions answered and discuss their concerns,” commented Dr. Cassidy. Evaluations before LASIK include corneal topographic measurements, corneal thickness, pupil measurements and, finally, a routine comprehensive eye examination. This data helps to determine whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for laser vision correction and can proceed with treatment. Dr. Moretsky and Dr. Cassidy feel it is important in the screening process that their patients interview them as well as they interview their patients, so there is good mutual understanding. Having performed thousands of refractive surgeries for over the years, they understand that patients require specialized attention for this elective procedure.
Constantly updating technology is also an integral part of their plan to achieve the best clinical results for their patients. Moretsky Cassidy was the first practice in Arizona to obtain the newest advanced technology, the VISX WavePrint System. This includes the VISX Star S3 Active Trak excimer laser with three-dimensional eye tracking and the WavePrint Map. This instrument offers a “fingerprint of the vision.” The WavePrint Map provides a precise, more detailed analysis of the way the entire optical system processes light, giving the doctor a detailed understanding of a patient’s vision correction needs. This map allows for the development of a personalized laser vision plan. The WavePrint Map is derived from technology first developed to correct distortions of light waves from space. This allowed researchers to accurately view images of stars and planets. The WavePrint Map uses the same technology to measure light waves as they travel through the eye. “Having the ability to map patients’ entire optical systems with the WavePrint Map has many benefits for our patients,” said Dr. Moretsky. “We can immediately and accurately assess standard and higher-order visual aberrations, before considering laser vision correction.”
Moretsky Cassidy has one of the most extensive Web sites (lasik.wpengine.com) describing the benefits, risks and complications associated with LASIK surgery. They are pleased to publish their outcomes, including 77% of patients achieving 20/20 or better vision, 42% of patients achieving 20/15 and 90% achieving 20/25 or better.
Although nothing will ever replace intuition and insight in the practice of medicine, the eyes of physicians are particularly important sensory organs for diagnosis and treatment. It is truly a testament to the reputation of Dr. Moretsky and Dr. Cassidy that they are the doctors who more than 60 area doctors turned to for the delicate and precise LASIK surgical procedure for themselves or their immediate families.
While words can convey facts and statistics, in this case, SEEING IS BELIEVING!
For more information about the practice, call 602-263-4041 from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, e-mail info@arizonalasik.com or visit online at: lasik.wpengine.com.