Dr. Patel saved my sight.  

Because my eyes had been bothering me, I was referred to Dr. Patel.  He told me I have Graves' ophthalmopathy, which would take about three years to resolve.  This condition causes eye muscles to swell and often the eyes bulge.  In about 5% or less of cases, the muscle swelling causes pressure on the optic nerves resulting in visual issues. This was happening to me.  I started on drugs but my condition worsened.  

In March 2016 Dr. Patel referred me to neuro ophthalmology and I started on prednisone.  In April 2016 my neuro ophthalmologist, Dr. Judith Warner, prescribed 3 infusions of 1000 mg of  prednisone.  In spite of the drug therapy, my condition continued to worsen.  

By the end of April 2016 vision in my right eye was almost gone.  Dr. Warner consulted with Dr. Patel about surgical options.  On May 4, 2016 Dr. Patel reviewed images.  That evening I had a CT scan and Dr. Patel scheduled surgery for the morning of May 6, 2016.  Unfortunately, some of Dr. Patel's eye lid surgery patients were delayed because of emergency surgery necessary to save my sight.  Dr. Patel performed bilateral orbital decompression surgery and the vision in my right eye was restored.

Dr. Patel told me this disease would take 3 years to resolve and he has been right.  After surgery May 6, 2016 I recovered well but the disease continued to flare.  In May and June I saw Dr. Warner who was concerned and prescribed 3 high dose infusions increased daily prednisone dosage.  My condition worsened and Dr. Patel performed another emergency bilateral optic nerve decompression surgery on July 1, 2016. 

Dr. Patel and Dr. Warner met with Dr. Yin Hitchcock, radiation oncologist.  In July and August 2016 I had radiation therapy under Dr. Hitchcock's direction.

In September 2016 my condition began to stabilize. Since then, Dr. Robert Hoffman has performed 3 surgeries to resolve the double vision I have struggled with since May 2016.  Now I am adjusting to my "new normal" as Dr. Warner calls it.  My vision is not what it was 2+ years ago but I can see.  I am very grateful to Dr. Warner and Dr. Patel for my sight.