I have been a practicing Doctor of Optometry

I have been a practicing Doctor of Optometry in the Lexington, Kentucky, area for over fifty years and have seen most of the ocular abnormalities and pathological conditions that occur in this area. Over the years, I have referred thousands of patients to various ophthalmologists in Lexington and have had the opportunity to evaluate the results of their work.

Some years ago, a new clinic opened in Lexington called Commonwealth Eye Surgery. At our educational seminars, I heard many of my colleagues singing the praises of Commonwealth and the young surgeon who had rapidly risen in esteem because of his expertise and skill in cataract surgery. His chief associate was an optometrist with all the training and skills to evaluate and treat post surgical cases.

Dr. Ferguson and Dr. Findley very quickly built a tremendous practice based on the referrals from satisfied patients and from optometrists all over the area who appreciated the outstanding skills displayed in the clinic and the fact that the clinic promptly referred the patients back to the home town referring professional for follow-up treatment and co-management of post operative cases. Their growth brought in more skilled professionals and soon they outgrew their quarters prompting them to move to their present location on Alexandria Drive while maintaining their association with the Lexington Surgical Center on Harrodsburg Road.

When the excimer laser and the LASIK procedure revolutionized refractive surgery, Commonwealth immediately became a leader in the various laser procedures. Commonwealth’s extremely high success rate prompted me to refer my wife for glaucoma treatment, and when a slowly developing cataract in my right eye became a nuisance, I trusted myself to their care. You might say that this is the supreme test of confidence because we doctors are the world’s worst patients! I was subjected to a very impressive battery of screening tests and I was convinced that I was ready for the surgery.

Aside from the nuisance of pre-op drops, the rest was a breeze.I was “conscious” during the procedure but I don’t remember any of it. The next thing I knew was that the surgery was completed and I was ready to go home! I experienced no pain even in the healing process. My visual acuity was and remains 20/20 unaided in the operated eye I will not say that I can’t wait to have the left eye done, but if and when the time comes, there is no question about where I will go to have it done. I am completely sold on Commonwealth.

—David B. Settles, O.D.