Did you know that there is a 45% chance that lightning may strike the same spot twice instead of 0%? Analogous to the unique case when Dr. Benjamin twice saved a patient's life when diagnosing melanoma.
PART 1
I asked him, “What’s that?” He said, “It’s nothing, just a new mole. I showed my family doctor and he said it’s nothing at all.” Then I carefully looked at it and replied, “No, dear friend, it’s not nothing.” After examining his eyes, of course, I took him by the hand and led him to the dermatologist in our building. A few months later, that patient came back to the office and said, “Doctor, you saved my life. The next day, I had a biopsy and it turned out to be a malignant melanoma, which was only millimeters away from metastasizing into cancer. Another week, and it would have been too late.” The severity of melanoma is measured by the depth of its penetration, and if it is neglected at a certain level more than 90% of patients won’t live more than five years.
It’s interesting that the general practitioner was so optimistic, but the ophthalmologist saw it for what it was. Why is that?
Because ophthalmologists should often look for spots on the fundus, the surface of the eye, eyelids, and on the face, so their eyes are trained for the task. Furthermore, I look not only at the eyes, but at the general condition of the patient, as well. How do they look? Healthy, ruddy, extremely thin, turning yellow, or even turning green.
Talk about a story! I would have right then and there erected a monument to the doctor.
That isn’t the whole story. Within a few years, he came back to me for another reason. We took a picture of his fundus – we have a special machine called Optos that without excessive pupil enlargement takes extensive and phenomenally accurate images. Thanks to that, we saw certain areas of the retina that can’t be seen through any other method, and this time we saw a very small, but not-good spot on his retina. Spots of this kind were doubly suspicious, as well, since he already had melanoma. I quickly sent him to a melanoma specialist at UCLA, even though I must say that this phenomenon is extremely rare – only 50 recorded cases in the entire country. They ran some tests that confirmed the diagnosis and he was treated immediately for an eye melanoma, using a radioactive shield that stays in place for five days and irradiates the eye. As a result, he was cured again.
You managed to save his life twice.
There was also an element of a happy coincidence. If he had not come in for another reason, or if he had come and we didn’t have that expensive machine, which few ophthalmology offices have (God forbid even 10% have them), then things would have turned out much worse.
It’s as if lightning struck one person twice. What reaction did he have after the second life-saving incident?
Normal human reaction. We were both happy!
Were there any other amazing cases?
A guy came in with not-too-bad myopia and he says what many people say, “Let’s not waste time; I just need glasses.” I go to him and ask what’s the matter. He says, “I’m not sure that my insurance will pay for a normal exam, I don’t want to pay out-of-pocket, and I’m a poor resident…” I ask him in what specialty is his residency, and he says ophthalmology – that is, within a year, he’ll be an ophthalmologist. “Just dilate my pupils and take a look. That’s it. Tomorrow I’m leaving.” I respond with, “No, dear friend, that will not work for us. We have to take images. If your insurance won’t pay, then we’ll call it even, as colleagues.” We took pictures, and it turns out that this future ophthalmologist, in a place that could not be detected by other means, had a ruptured retina. What’s more is that it could have detached at any moment. Fortunately, we have a retinal specialist in our office that was able to save his eye, “welding” the retina with a laser.
This, as far as I understand, wasn’t the saving of a life, but rather the saving of a life-story.
If he had a detachment, then the enormous amount of time and money that he had spent on training would have gone to waste, and he would have never become an ophthalmologist. Even future specialists that think they know everything have to be forced by us, like small children, to be thoroughly examined. Afterward, they thank us. Therefore, I ask everyone over the age of 40 to trust your doctor and get checked out. Don’t just stick your head in the sand – this doesn’t only apply to the eyes, either.
Well, we continue our question-answer column with Dr. Arthur Benjamin about high-science and pseudoscientific myths in the treatment of stye. By the way, what is stye, and how dangerous could be a quick kiss on the infected eyelid. Read on!
Can you please articulate what constitutes good medical treatment? It requires an entire infrastructure, consisting of reliable staff of experienced and well trained workers, as well as, having accessible office with proper diagnostic equipment, which will allow to diagnose various medical conditions. Last but not least, is having a well-educated, experienced Doctor, who loves what he does and he is always in the process of self-improvement.
We’re thrilled to share this Fairmont Post feature on Dr. Arthur Benjamin, highlighting his expertise in LASIK, cataract surgery, and advanced vision correction. At Benjamin Eye Institute, our commitment to precision, innovation, and personalized care makes us a trusted destination for world-class eye treatment.
At Benjamin Eye Institute, your vision is our priority. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll experience a warm, welcoming environment designed to make you feel comfortable and confident in your care.
We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Tamar Kaloustian to our Benjamin Eye Institute family! Dr. Tamar brings a unique blend of expertise, warmth, and dedication to patient care, making her a wonderful addition to our team.
At Benjamin Eye Institute, we believe in providing more than just eye care—we deliver life-changing experiences. Our mission is to blend expert medical treatment with personalized care, ensuring that every patient feels valued and receives the best results possible. From advanced diagnostic tools to cutting-edge surgery techniques, our clinic is designed to offer world-class eye care for every individual. But don’t take our word for it! Hear directly from our patients who have experienced firsthand what makes our practice stand out.
Interview with Dr. Arthur Benjamin: My journey into ophthalmology began with a fascination for how the eye works and the profound impact vision has on our daily lives. The opportunity to help restore and improve vision for my patients has been incredibly rewarding. Over the years, I’ve seen the field evolve with new technologies and treatments, and it’s been exciting to be at the forefront of these advancements. I spare no expense, time, or effort to stay relevant in the field, constantly investing in new surgical techniques, materials, and equipment. It’s not just about my own training; my entire staff, from technicians to surgical coordinators and front desk personnel, undergo continuous training to ensure we provide the best care possible.
Explore genuine patient testimonials that highlight the exceptional care at Benjamin Eye Institute. From state-of-the-art technology to personalized treatments, find out why our clinic is highly recommended for comprehensive eye care.
