Issue 12.10
One of my favorite books is actually a children’s book written by Dr. Seuss. It is titled “The Eye Book” and tells the story of a boy and a rabbit as they discover their eyes. From the sun and the moon to trees and bees, the two characters marvel at the many things their eyes see. The last line in the book says it best: “And so we say ‘Hooray for eyes! Hooray, hooray, hooray . . . for eyes!”
As an Ophthalmologist, I have spent nearly every day of the past decade examining eyes. I have seen small eyes, big eyes, sick eyes, healthy eyes, blue eyes, green eyes and even “goopy” eyes. I have marveled at the toughness of the eye during surgery, and I have been frustrated by the destruction caused by a microscopic virus. I have been blessed to share in the joy patients have when they see 20/20 after cataract surgery, and I have also shared in the heartache experienced as a patient’s vision fades away due to macular degeneration.
Henry David Thoreau wrote “The eye is the jewel of the body.” My experiences as an eye doctor have reaffirmed to me time and time again how precious our eyes truly are. Take a moment to ponder the beautiful things you see every day. From the dew on a blade of grass to the majestic scenery of Zion National Park, our eyes make it possible for us to enjoy them all. Most of us probably never consider the awesome power of our eyes as we drive our car down the road, enjoy a show at Tuacahn or hit a perfect tee shot. Imagine never enjoying another sunset or never seeing a friend’s face again; then you will begin to understand the priceless blessing of our eyes.
We have been told before to take time to smell the roses; I encourage us to not only smell the roses but see them too. Enjoy the vibrant color of the petals, the intricate details of the leaves, and the movement of the bees that fly around them. For unfortunately, my experiences as an eye doctor have also taught me that vision is fragile and can leave us at any time. And so I echo the words of Dr. Seuss and say “Hooray, Hooray, Hooray . . . for eyes!”
Jason W. Hendrix, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist (Eye Physician and Surgeon) who specializes in cataract surgery, LASIK and diseases of the eye. He is located at the Saint George Eye Center, 676 South Bluff Street, Suite 208, Saint George, Utah. Contact him at 435-628-4507 or visit www.stgec.com.