As a professional
photographer, husband and father of three and avid surfer, Jeffrey
Werve will never take his eyesight for granted. A few months ago he
developed symptoms that, in an early diagnosis, pointed to optic neuritis.
A diagnosis of optic neuritis has been shown to significantly increase
the chances of developing multiple sclerosis over time. He went to
a total of eight ophthalmologists at a variety of public and private
facilities in southern California and was told the same grim news.
Just days away from beginning massive steroid treatments
for a problem that he was not sure he even had, Jeff decided to look
for more answers and came to the Shiley Eye Center. When he arrived
to see Neuro-Ophthalmology specialist, Dr. Leah Levi, he knew this
trip to the eye doctor was going to be different. “Shiley staff
create a comfort level for a patient that is beyond all others. From
the front desk receptionists, to the photographers, techs, and multiple
doctors that saw me I felt like I was the only patient there and that
they were going to solve my problem.”
Jeff looks back now and calls it “a miracle”
that he came to the Shiley. After a thorough history was taken, Dr.
Levi and resident Dr. Bobby Korn realized within three minutes of
their examination that he did not have optic neuritis. Jeff experienced
overwhelming relief and happiness that he is still unable to describe.
He states, “Dr. Levi is brilliant. Her knowledge, skill and
expertise came through with everything she said.”
After being told over and over again that his life
was never going to be the same, he was grateful when he was finally
diagnosed properly, with a rare but comparatively minor disease called
Bartonella (more commonly known as Cat Scratch Syndrome). “Even
though it was not the best news of my life I was comforted by the
compassion and incredible bedside manners that all the doctors and
nurses showed me throughout all the exams.”
