A Century of Sight
A patient and her ophthalmologist celebrate a special relationship and a big birthday
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Not many people have the good fortune to celebrate a century of life, but Atron Hicks Johnson recently achieved this milestone and she was honored to have her long-time ophthalmologist, Susan S. Thoms, M.D., at her side. Dr. Thoms, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, was a special guest at Mrs. Johnson’s 100th birthday celebration, held Saturday, April 4th, at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Almost 200 friends and family were on hand to wish Mrs. Johnson well, tell stories, and dance the night away.
It was a reunion of sorts in a special doctor-patient relationship that has continued to grow for nearly 20 years.
They first met when Dr. Thoms was working in private practice in Detroit and they immediately established a special bond. After seeing Mrs. Johnson every year for several years, Dr. Thoms noticed that a cataract was beginning to form. She monitored her patient closely, waiting until Mrs. Johnson recognized that the cataract interfered with her vision-related quality of life. At that point, Dr. Thoms removed the cataract and implanted an intraocular lens.
“The timing of cataract surgery is always a judgment call,” says Dr. Thoms. “Some people need fine vision for close work like sewing — others have different jobs and hobbies that do not require that level of refinement. You need to understand your patients and their needs as together you make a decision about surgery.”
This cataract is the only problem Mrs. Johnson has ever had with her vision and she was thrilled with the result. After such a positive outcome from her surgery, Mrs. Johnson decided she would follow Dr. Thoms anywhere, and she did just that when Dr. Thoms joined the Kellogg Eye Center in 1996.
“Dr. Thoms is wonderful,” says Mrs. Johnson. “She always is concerned and she really takes her time with you. She answers all your questions and makes you feel like you’re the only patient she has all day!” Over the years, Mrs. Johnson and Dr. Thoms have shared stories about families, travel, and the kinds of life experiences that only someone who has lived through so much history can retell. “She is as sharp as a tack and really keeps me on my toes,” laughs Dr. Thoms. “Nothing gets by her.”
When she was younger, Mrs. Johnson drove herself to her appointments with Dr. Thoms. Now her daughter, Corrine Sneed, drives her from the home they share on the east side of Detroit to Kellogg’s community office in Livonia, where Dr. Thoms is director of the Ophthalmology Service. Mrs. Johnson sees Dr. Thoms just once a year for her annual check-up, and while she does have a second cataract, it’s not affecting her vision enough to have it removed. In fact, Mrs. Sneed says her mother still has great eyesight. “She still can thread a needle,” she says.
Her great eyesight also allows her to see and enjoy her 59 offspring: 3 children, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-great grandchildren. It also allowed her to dance “the hustle” late into the night during her birthday celebration.
“Mrs. Johnson is one of those patients who become like family when you take care of them year after year,” says Dr. Thoms. “When I see her name on the schedule, I know it will be a good day.”
Dr. Thoms says her relationship with Mrs. Johnson proves how important it is for patients to receive high quality routine eye care. Regular examinations are critical to maintaining good vision throughout life, especially when a life spans a century.
The treatment from Kellogg physicians means a lot to their patients. And, Mrs. Johnson agrees. “If Dr. Thoms ever retires, I just won’t go to the ophthalmologist any more!”
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