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When I was 18 months old I had crossed eyes, and my mother was advised to take me to see Conrad Giles, MD, a pediatric ophthalmologist, by her brother, John Pilligian, who was a pathologist in southeast Michigan where we lived.
Probably more than anyone I know, Conrad Giles influenced me to become an ophthalmologist. He diagnosed me with accommodative esotropia with a high AC/A ratio. Rather than perform muscle surgery, which was popular then, as it is now, Dr. Giles prescribed a full cycloplegic refraction (I was +8 D back then) and a little bit of patching.
My mother described my expression when I put on that first pair of trial frames as “opening (my) eyes as if for the first time.” Dr. Giles, through a careful refraction and judicious, conservative treatment, allowed me to develop normal vision in each eye and full stereoacuity, which permits me to perform complex eye surgery today.
It’s remarkable the influence Dr. Giles had on me and how he continues to help patients today; he is still practicing almost 50 years later. I’ve always remembered how he had me follow the little bird on a stick, his gentle manner and his distinguished demeanor. More importantly, he opened my eyes to the gift of sight we can give patients through a career as an eye care provider. Later in medical school, this led me to do my first rotations in ophthalmology, where my interest was captivated by our fascinating, evolving field.
With each patient we see, whether adult or child, we can change a life for the better. Most of us will never know the full impact of our influence on each patient, but we all are incredibly blessed with the privilege to benefit our patients in such a fundamental way.
Thank you, Dr. Giles, for “opening my eyes,” both to the world and to a most gratifying career in ophthalmology.