Holiday Emergency

A Holiday Emergency

When Fred Fuller woke up on Easter morning, he opened his eyes to the beauty of a favorite holiday.

He joined his wife preparing for the day and off they went to their church for Easter services.

The sun was shining bright and he enjoyed the morning through his one good eye.

He had lost sight to his left eye years ago.

And then, as the services proceeded - everything suddenly went dark.

Seated in the church, his right eye just blacked out. It was a scary moment, he said.

"That was my only good eye. I was pretty alarmed that I could lose my only good eye," he explained.

Fred and his wife Nancy knew this was an emergency that needed immediate care.

But it was Sunday. Easter Sunday.

They contacted the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center's emergency line, prompting the on-call doctor, Director of Optometry, Dr. Eugene Shifrin, to immediately return the call.

"I had no idea the doctor would call me back so quickly," he said.

Dr. Shifrin made plans to meet Fred and Nancy right away at the Sun City office.

Founder & Medical Director Emilio M. Justo, M.D., was also in the area and stopped by to see Fred. He dilated Fred's eyes as Dr. Shifrin prepared to give a complete medical eye exam.

"We're just very grateful that he called us so that we could give him the care he urgently needed," Dr. Justo said.

Dr. Shifrin said he immediately recognized that it was retinal tear, a serious condition that must be treated immediately to avoid permanent vision loss.

He located a retinal specialist who was able to begin immediate treatment.

"I've been going to Arizona Eye Institute over 10 years now," Fred said. "I would never even consider seeing anyone else. Dr. Justo did my cataracts and eyelid surgery and I just have so much confidence in him. Dr. Shifrin did an outstanding job - he went way above the call of duty and is just a great doctor and man. Right now the prognosis is very good."

                   Fred Fuller                           Dr. Eugene Shifrin