Practicing medicine has countless rewards. Without a doubt, the greatest is a happy patient. We believe if someone doesn’t feel better after seeing us, we have failed as physicians. Here are a few of our many success stories. This is why we do what we do.
To go from (legally blind) to passing my driver’s license eye test was pretty amazing.
Lea Ann, an advertising executive, had no symptoms, just a family history. Her mother had it – a rare ocular disease known as Sorsby’s fundus dystrophy, a progressive degeneration of the macula. “I knew it was hereditary, so I always went in for regular exams.” That’s where a Kansas City ophthalmologist discovered pigment changes in her retina. After testing her DNA, a researcher at the University of Iowa confirmed the presence of Sorsby’s. “At that point, in 2005, they said there was nothing they could do.” With no symptoms, she tried not to worry about it but once she learned about the injections being used for AMD, she made an appointment with a doctor at the Mayo Clinic. And it was a good thing she did, because they found leakage and she received her first injection of Avastin at the Mayo Clinic in 2007. “After the injection I asked the doctor if there was anyone in Kansas City who could help me. Without hesitation he told me to make an appointment with Dr. Nelson Sabates.” When her central vision began to deteriorate more quickly, “It was like looking at a water-color painting that someone had dropped water on.” In the years since, Dr. Sabates has helped Lea Ann control and even improve her condition with regular injections. “I do notice improvement. My left-eye vision is about 20-200, but when it starts to leak, it’s been as bad as 20-400, which is legally blind. To go from that to passing my driver’s license eye test is pretty amazing.”
It got to the point where I couldn’t read a contract anymore. But I’ve been seeing them clearly now ever since.
Diana is a Kansas City realtor who depends heavily on her eyes. She’d worn glasses since age 15 but in 1995 had RK (radial keratotomy) surgery to fix her nearsightedness. Yet five years later glasses were necessary again. When her previous eye care provider discovered drusen (yellow deposits under the retina), he immediately referred her to Sabates Eye Centers. “He was very concerned, but didn’t have a retina specialist in his practice.” Dr. Nelson Sabates diagnosed the dry form of macular degeneration. “I’d noticed when I closed one eye to put on my eyeliner, there was a blank spot in my central vision.” She also had difficulty reading street numbers and addresses, something no realtor wants to deal with. “It turned out that my dry form had turned into wet. Dr. Nelson started the Lucentis injections right away.” Since then, Diana comes in every few weeks for injections on both eyes to keep the macular degeneration at bay. “It got to the point where I couldn’t read a contract anymore. But I’ve been seeing them clearly now ever since.”
It’s great knowing they can take care of all of us.
“Keep your eye on the ball.” Many of former KU forward Wayne Simien’s coaches gave him that advice throughout his years of high school, college and professional basketball. “Athletics can teach you so much – commitment, teamwork, discipline – but sports also teach you to take good care of the body, including your vision.” The 6-foot-9 Kansas native depends on the ophthalmologists and optometrists at Sabates Eye Centers to keep his eyesight healthy. “The doctors are thorough and friendly,” said Simien. Now, his parents, wife and children all get their yearly exams with Sabates Eye Centers doctors as well. “It’s great knowing they can take care of all of us.”
It was almost like someone turned on a light … 7th Street looked like 7th Street again.
Like many people over 70, Reynold had symptoms of both cataracts and glaucoma when he came to see us in the late 1990s. “I’d had problems seeing at a distance for years. Now everything was a blur.” The retired junior high teacher feared he might spend the rest of his life in the dark and dependent on others. “At first, I had the cataracts removed. It was almost like someone turned on a light. I noticed a huge difference with road signs. 7th Street looked like 7th Street again.” At the time of diagnosis, it was too late to save one eye from glaucoma damage. There was still hope for the other eye, however. Continually improving medications have helped take the pressure off Reynold’s retina. Today he needs only reading glasses. “I do quite a bit of reading, and my eyes do get a little weary after a while. But I feel very fortunate that I’m not blind with a full-time nurse at home.” He comes to the Plaza location for regular exams and injections, and actually looks forward to it. “Dr. Krishna, he’s at the top of his game. But so is everyone I’ve seen there. I will say he knows his sports, too. I like talking baseball with him.”
I was stuck with milk-bottle glasses for so many years. I have lots of them left over if anybody wants them!
How do you cut hair without seeing it? Ask Nance, a licensed cosmetologist for more than 50 years. “Toward the end, strands of hair were starting to look like one big sheet.” She had always made it work with glasses – increasingly thicker ones. “I’d go to my optometrist and get a new prescription each time. Here I’m paying all this money, and I still can’t see. Finally, even glasses didn’t help. He told me I had cataracts, but they weren’t ready (for surgery).” He retired. She came to see Dr. Nelson Sabates, who immediately noticed signs of glaucoma too, but not definitive ones. “He said let’s wait to be sure.” After three days the pressure went down. “I was impressed and so glad he waited.” When the cataracts couldn’t, Dr. Rohit Krishna removed them and replaced the lenses in both eyes. “What a marvelous thing! I’d forgotten what the leaves on our trees looked like. It was like seeing them for the first time. I used to need thick lenses just to see across the room. I was stuck with those milk-bottle glasses for so many years. I have lots of them left over if anybody wants them!”
My vision is actually better than before I was diagnosed (macular degeneration). Dr. Poulose said they’ve come a long way with this disease, and by golly, they have.
Karen, a licensed clinical social worker, had worn glasses since fifth grade. In 1998, she came to Sabates Eye Centers for laser vision correction surgery. She says she’ll never forget her nearly instant results. “I was still in the chair. Holy cow, I can see again!” And she could swim without contacts for the first time. Unfortunately, another type of vision problem would emerge years later. “One morning I woke up and noticed what I thought was a ‘floater,’ a solid black cloud in the center of my vision. When it didn’t go away, I called Sabates and they got me right in.” Dr. Abraham Poulose immediately diagnosed the wet form of macular degeneration and started Avastin injections that day. “My vision wasn’t perfect immediately, but by the third night I could see a difference. After one week, I realized what a miracle it was. Before, I couldn’t see straight ahead of me, let alone drive. Now I can do both.” She continues to receive injections about nine times in a year. “My vision is actually better than before I was diagnosed. Dr. Poulose said they’ve come a long way with this disease, and by golly, they have.”
Sabates is truly special. They are, in my opinion, the best of the best.
Jacquin’s history with us predates the practice, when Dr. Felix Sabates was on staff at MU Medical Center. Her son had Coats’ Disease, which Sabates was one of the first to treat with laser retinal surgery. More than 30 years later, Jacqui and Sabates reunited, this time for her eyes. “I had no problems seeing at all, but I found out my mom had glaucoma and went blind before she died. My brother found out he had it and asked if I’d had a pressure check yet. I went to see Dr. Felix and he sent me to Dr. Krishna immediately.” Jacqui was averse to drops and opted for laser surgery to equalize the building pressure behind her eyes. A series of four laser-incision procedures kept it down until 2012, when the treatments reached their limit of effectiveness and she started the drops. With her glaucoma under control and vision intact for all these years, she’s thankful for that call from her brother. And that a familiar face was waiting when she called Sabates Eye Centers. “They are truly special. I talk to a lot of people and do everything I can to pass the word. They are, in my opinion, the best of the best.”
It was like looking through a dirty window … The difference is night and day. Every day is so much better now.
A welder for 35 years, Larry was used to seeing through a dark lens. But this was different. “My left eye was actually pretty good. It came on gradually, but it was like looking through a dirty window.” That’s how many patients describe trying to see with a cataract in one eye. Dr. Tim Walline discovered one in Larry’s right eye. It was ripe for surgery via the new LenSx procedure, using the area’s first femtosecond laser instrumentation. “Dr. Walline gave me lots of information on it, and answered all my questions. My only concern was money.” When Larry’s out-of-pocket costs proved manageable, he was scheduled for surgery. He experienced a quick recovery and noticed improvement within three days. “I was seeing pretty well then, and much better after one week. Every day is so much better now. The colors are more vibrant. The difference is night and day.” Today, he comes back every six months and feels he’s in good hands, especially with his diabetes and a family history of glaucoma. “I’ve been going for years and have always felt comfortable there. They always take good care of me. My advice: If you think you have a problem, don’t wait. Get in to see someone right away.”
When it kept coming back, that’s when I got concerned. And a second opinion.
Wayne didn’t know what a chalazion was, or that he had one. All he knew was the lump on his lower eyelid was getting increasingly red, sore and irritating. “I’m not a big jump-to-conclusions guy who rushes right out to see a doctor, but this wasn’t going away.” So the full-time Web developer, part-time home renovator went to see an eye doctor. He was given some drops and told they would do the trick. They didn’t. Not entirely, anyway. Over the next several months, the lump varied in severity but never went away. “There were times I couldn’t work or do anything, it was bothering me so much. When it kept coming back, that’s when I got concerned. And a second opinion.” A physician friend told Wayne to check out Sabates Eye Centers. “I was starting to think this thing would need to be surgically removed.” Dr. Komal Desai not only ruled out the need for surgery, she informed him that she once suffered the same condition, when the oil-producing gland in the eyelid becomes clogged. She first prescribed a special medicated ointment. That’s all it took. “I said, Wow, where was this six months ago? I’ve got to tell you, I love this doctor. Her diagnosis and prescription were right on the mark. I only wish I’d seen her first!”
We were told she would be blind in five years. That time has come and gone, and she still has her vision.
When Emily reached second grade, her parents thought she needed glasses. Reading, riding a bike and doing puzzles were more difficult for her than for her identical triplet sisters. Instead of corrective lenses, Emily needed immediate surgery for a rare and severe case of pediatric glaucoma. The first of several surgeries took place the next day, but the repeated attempts to relieve pressure behind her eyes never produced lasting results. “Each time I learned I needed another surgery, my heart just sank,” Emily said. Her surgeon at Children’s Mercy brought in Dr. Rohit Krishna, a retinal subspecialist at Sabates Eye Centers, to consult. Dr. Krishna performed the last of Emily’s nine surgeries, placing tubes in each eye to drain the fluids causing the damaging pressure build-up. “Back in fourth grade, we were told she would be blind in five years. That time has come and gone, and she still has her vision,” said Emily’s mom, Jodi. Today, Emily is thriving in high school, with far from perfect vision but with an experience that has inspired everyone who knows her, as well as many she’s never met. She, her sisters and friends, founded Never Lose Sight, a faith-based organization that raises money for glaucoma research. “I come across other kids who have glaucoma or lost some vision due to other diseases,” she said. “I always tell them, never lose hope. You never know what will happen (with new research and procedures). Just keep the faith that everything will work out.”
Everyone from the staff at the front desk to the Doctors are friendly and efficient!
Have been with Sabates Eye Centers since my cataract surgery several years ago. Have found them to be excellent in their care and thorough in their follow up. Everyone from the staff at the front desk to the Doctors are friendly and efficient!! Would recommend them to anyone!!!
I have had contacts and glasses for over 20 years and this was by far the easiest and most comfortable exam I have ever had.
I went for an eye exam and contact lens exam here today. I have had contacts and glasses for over 20 years and this was by far the easiest and most comfortable exam I have ever had. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I saw Dr. Baumfalk and she was amazing. She listened to me about what I was looking for in new contacts and helped me with exactly what I needed. Nothing more or less. I doubt I will ever go anywhere else for my exams.
Just completed cataract surgery performed by Dr. Nelson Sabates. Incredibly pleased with the entire experience.
Just completed cataract surgery performed by Dr. Nelson Sabates. Incredibly pleased with the entire experience. Pre-surgery team was informative, comforting, and reassuring. Post surgery has proven to be as exceptional. Highly recommend Sabates Eye Centers for your eye care needs.
The entire staff is professional and very compassionate with my eye care needs.
I have been going to Sabates Eye Center for 2 1/2 yrs. The entire staff is professional and very compassionate with my eye care needs. I was treated for Macular Degenerative Condition and received the highest of exemplary treatment. It impressed me so much I will always use them for all my eye care needs. I have recommend them to all my family and friends. They are indeed in a class by themselves.
I saw Dr. Lyon for an eyelid issue, but he assured me that there was not a problem.
I saw Dr. Lyon for an eyelid issue, but he assured me that there was not a problem. He did, however discover a different issue and recommended that I see Dr. Sabates as soon as possible. I felt that Dr. Lyon was pleasant, professional, and thorough.
I had a very positive experience with Dr. Sniegowski. I wanted to get injections done as a 50th birthday gift to myself.
I had a very positive experience with Dr. Sniegowski. I wanted to get injections done as a 50th birthday gift to myself. However I was very nervous as my first time doing any kind of work. Dr. Sniegowski as very personable and provided a thorough consultation as he understood my expectations as well as he explained the procedure and provided a knowledgeable recommendation in regards to placement as well as which brand of injection would be best for my desired results. Dr. Sniegowski was a bit light handed for my first treatment though this was due to his recommendation to see how I would react as well as you can always add more if need be. Very pleased with my results as very natural.
I cannot give them higher praise.
Several years ago I became a patient of Sabates Eye Centers. I needed cataract surgery and, following that, surgical intervention to fix seven detached retinas – four in one eye and three in the other. I started to believe I would go blind in at least one eye but Dr. Sabates was resilient in his belief and protocol. He saved my eyesight that has been near perfect for several years. Sabates Eye Centers has my complete confidence; trust; and belief anything can be done – will be done for any patient in their clinic. These are amazing people, distinguished professionals, and world-class humanitarians.
I would definitely recommend Sabates to EVERYONE.
I was treated with such warmth and respect from EVERYONE I dealt with at Sabates. I am facing a scary eye situation but they all were kind and understood my fear. I would definitely recommend Sabates to EVERYONE.
We have recommended him to many friends. Dr. Krishna ROCKS!!
We have been going to Sabates for several years and working with Dr. Krishna on our eye needs. He has gone above and beyond to make our visits as pleasant and helpful as possible. We have recommended him to many friends. Dr. Krishna ROCKS!!
So thankful to entrust my eye care with this team! See you next year.
Dr. Krishna is so knowledgeable. He is kind and caring. Always treating you like an individual. He is happy to see and concerned about me as a person. He and the staff are friendly and courteous. They do their best to make your visit a pleasure. So thankful to entrust my eye care with this team! See you next year.
Thank you, Dr. Krishna, for the excellent care you have provided me.
I was diagnosed with open angle glaucoma in both eyes over 50 years ago. I have been in the care of at least seven different ophthalmologists during that time. Dr. Krishna is head and shoulders above all of them. He is a highly skilled clinician and surgeon and has earned my complete confidence and trust in him. Thank you, Dr. Krishna, for the excellent care you have provided me.
I am just thrilled at what I can see now.
I have been nearsighted since grade school. I had to put my glasses on the moment I got out of bed and take them off at bedtime. Dr Pikey did my cataract surgery, and the day after the procedure I woke up and was able to read the clock on the nightstand. I am just thrilled at what I can see now. I needed the surgery at least a year ago, but was afraid to go through it as my mother had a cataract removed and had problems and lost her eye. Dr. Pikey understood and worked with me until he felt I shouldn’t wait any longer. I should have taken his advice a year ago. Thank you very much.
The doctor and all the staff were all very wonderful!
I had my first appointment at Sabates Eye Center with Dr. Desai. I was VERY happy with my experience there! They were so kind, caring and helpful, plus very thorough in the examination! The doctor and all the staff were all very wonderful! I am definitely happy I changed from my other ophthalmologist!!
He put some of my worries to rest and was real with me about other things.
I had Dr. Gratton, the neuro-ophthalmologist. He was amazing. He took so much time with me explaining my condition and what is going on with me. He put some of my worries to rest and was real with me about other things. The people that do the tests with you before the actual doctors come in are always so professional and polite too. Even the ladies behind the desk are great. Overall every visit I’ve had at Sabates was comfortable and successful in getting me on my way to better health.
I am very pleased with the care I received and will tell everyone I know how great a team you have.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Technician was very thorough and knew her business as well as being very friendly. Both the tech and the doctor were very good at explaining what they were doing. They answered all my questions so that I understood. I am very pleased with the care I received and will tell everyone I know how great a team you have. I couldn’t be more pleased.
The team always takes care of my needs like it is their sole priority.
The team always takes care of my needs like it is their sole priority. They are always professional and friendly.
