Looking to the future

Brian Francis knows firsthand what it feels like to fear losing your vision. But he also knows the relief and joy of having access to life-changing eye care at St. Joseph’s Ivey Eye Institute.

Brian’s lived a busy life. He and his late wife, Sharon, met when he volunteered to renovate her cottage. They shared a blissful life together in Ottawa and later moved to Grand Bend.  

Formerly a teacher, Brian started up his own sales consulting company later in life. He and Sharon enjoyed skiing, golfing, a tennis match or two and boating during their free time. Sharon was diagnosed with macular degeneration shortly into retirement and received regular treatments to retain her vision. When they moved to Grand Bend, her eye specialist referred her to Dr. Tom Sheidow, an ophthalmologist and surgeon at the Ivey Eye Institute.

It was during one of Sharon’s routine eye appointments that Brian was diagnosed with macular degeneration, himself – he didn’t even realize anything was wrong with his vision.  He started treatments with Dr. Sheidow right away.

Today, he isn’t shy in sharing praise for his care team. From Dr. Sheidow to the technicians and nurses, Brian says that the team is extremely skilled, and their efficiency makes for a smooth care experience.

“My care at St. Joseph’s has been magnificent,” says Brian. “It’s first-class all the way and the care has saved my sight.”

As part of Brian’s care, Dr. Sheidow used an optical coherence tomography (OCT) machine to take pictures of Brian’s retina. This non-invasive test uses light waves to take cross-section images of the retina that help to diagnose and track the progression of diseases like age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema and more. Using these highly accurate images, Dr. Sheidow was able to provide the best possible care for Brian.       

But achieving this high standard of care requires ongoing investment in advanced technology and research. Generous donor support ensures that medical equipment like OCT machine are available at St. Joseph’s to help save the vision of people like Brian. 

Now retired, Brian enjoys cooking, watching sports, playing Euchre and golfing from time to time. Thanks to regular visits to Dr. Sheidow for treatment, he’s able to keep enjoying the golden years of his retirement and really appreciating the little things in life.