23february 2011 SUCCESS

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Stasior & Stasior, MDEye Care Specialists

SUCCESS MD

HEro: orkan Stasior, MD, FACSFireman: roger Hewitt

BBLDon Led DukeMemorial

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Success Magazine: Dr. Orkan, how long have you been practicing medicine?

Dr. Orkan Stasior: I have been practicing medicine in the Albany area for the past fifty years specializing in eye diseases, eye surgery, and education.

SM: You have been recognized locally, nationally, and internationally. What is the nature and mission of your practice?

Dr. Orkan: As physicians, our mission is to give our patients of all ages the best quality care in ophthalmology and preventive medicine while educating both patients and physicians in eye plastic and reconstructive surgery. Eye plastic and reconstructive surgery is a specialty of ophthalmologists who have additional training and certification in plastic surgery. We both specialize in multiple eye problems including injuries, congenital anomalies, tumors, and cosmetic eye surgery. As medical educators, we teach physicians at all levels of training as well as practicing ophthalmologists. Our courses have been offered nationally at the American Academy of Ophthalmology for over thirty years.

Dr. George Stasior: My dad was one of the forefathers training people in eye plastic and reconstructive surgery.

His methods have now been passed on to many generations of eye surgeons throughout the nation and world.

SM: What is your affiliation with Albany Medical College?

Dr. Orkan: As a clinical professor at Albany Medical College, I have dedicated my life to researching, teaching, and developing the field of ophthalmology and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. We have taught ophthalmology courses to medical students and resident physicians at Albany Medical College and oversaw a postgraduate fellowship program at the medical school and veteran’s hospital for over twenty years. Additionally, Dr. George graduated from Albany Medical College.

SM: How did you develop your area of specialty

Dr. Orkan: I spent seven intensive years of post-graduate training in New York City. I began with general, trauma, and plastic surgery at Bellvue Hospital and then specialized in ophthalmology and eye surgery at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Since surgery and restoring precious eyesight were my passions, it was a natural transition to specialize in both ophthalmology and ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. I am also proud that Dr. George was

trained at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and completed two eye plastic and reconstructive surgical fellowships in Wisconsin and London, England. He too is nationally and internationally recognized for his work and is a national instructor of ophthalmologists.

SM: You developed and taught new methods of reconstructive surgery for accident victims and people with birth defects. What is the most rewarding operation that you completed?

Dr. Orkan: I have had the privilege to help so many wonderful people over the last fifty years, it is impossible to single out a particular operation. Perhaps, however, the procedure that has generated the most national attention involved a fireman in 1964. There was a local firemen’s picnic where a competition was being held. Several firemen were running while carrying a hose. Not having a firm grip on the hose, the metal nozzle kicked back out of the first fireman’s hand and the powerful stream of water struck another fireman in his face. One eye hemorrhaged and there was only a hole in his face where the other eye once existed. After being taken to the emergency room, he was told he had lost his eye. The next day he was referred to our practice to surgically make it possible for him to eventually wear an artificial eye. During surgery the next day, we found that the patient’s

Stasior & Stasior Orkan George Stasior, M.D., F.A.C.S.George O. Stasior, M.D., F.A.C.S.

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intact eye was forced into his sinus, the open space below the eye. We made an opening into his sinus through his mouth and elevated the eye back into its socket. Miraculously, his vision was preserved in this recovered eye which made us all very grateful.

SM: How was the method to replace a tear duct formulated?

Dr. Orkan: Tears which are made above the eye normally drain into the nose. Children and adults born without this proper drainage of tears through the tear duct will often suffer from repeated infections, and possible life-threatening meningitis. Surgically, the usual treatment is to create a new drainage passage into the nose and over the years, many different materials were used to rebuild this duct. In the 1960s, I was one of a few physicians who successfully inserted a special small glass funnel from the lower eyelid into the nose to reestablish a drainage channel. This glass tube is still used today and has helped many patients over the past forty years.

SM: Dr. Orkan, you helped establish the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, a fellowship of ophthalmologists and oculoplastic surgeons. What is the purpose of this group?

Dr. Orkan: What later became the Eye Plastic Society began as a gathering of twelve to fourteen ophthalmologists who met at least annually. We discussed medical situations and problems that we encountered in practice that were not covered in our training or discussed at our national meetings. These medical educators would research answers to these situations and then present their findings to the core group and other ophthalmologists. This core group formed the original American Society of Ophthalmic and Eye Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) of which I served as the second president in 1970. Membership in the society as a fellow requires additional training, testing, and certification. This society continues to contribute to the advancement of ophthalmology and

medicine in general with over four hundred members today.

Dr. George: When my father started, there were no real books detailing everything we know today. If ophthalmologists did not know what technique or have the right equipment to use, they went to the post-graduate eye plastic fellows. One person was assigned a task to be completed in a year’s time or less through study and research. This group of ophthalmologists and surgeons developed the techniques for the future. For example, I recently met

with plastic surgeons from San Diego who said that Dr. Orkan Stasior’s special needle for plastic surgery near the eye, which my father developed in 1967, still is the preferred needle used today.

SM: What three skills helped you succeed in your specialty?

Dr. Orkan: Constant problem solving, always learning, and never giving up. I believe in living a life of service to others. My family, friends, and community have been vital to my success.

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SM: You were a pioneer with the use of Botox for the relaxation of various muscles in the face. What made you use Botox as part of your procedures?

Dr. Orkan: Back in the late ‘80s, Botox was shown in several research studies to be safe and effective for relaxing muscles in the face. I served on the original research team from 1982-1989. In my practice, I examined many patients who suffered with blepharospasm, a condition of unknown cause where the eyes continue to blink progressively faster and faster until the eyelid is very difficult to open. Naturally, this condition makes it very challenging to read, drive, or carry out many of our daily activities. At the time, the only treatment option available was to locate and surgically sever the

nerves that were responsible for the uncontrollable eyelid spasms. Several ophthalmologists, including myself, suspected that Botox might be helpful for this devastating condition. We were the first to use it for this indication in the United States. Since it proved to be very effective in providing relief for patients, Botox remains the treatment of choice today for blepharospasm. It is now also widely used in medicine for other various conditions such as migraine headaches, and cosmetically to soften wrinkles for up to three to six months.

SM: You had been designated by Allergan, the pharmaceutical company that distributes Botox, as a national instructor to teach other physicians regarding its safe use. What did your training program consist of?

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Dr. Orkan: The first thing that we teach fellow physicians is that every patient must be thoroughly evaluated, including being photographed. We review facial anatomy, ideal location for injection, and the most common side effects. We always train doctors to err on the side of caution when dispensing any drugs or injections.

SM: Dr. George, what should a patient expect from Stasior and Stasior? What types of procedures or products do you specialize in?

Dr. George: Patients come here for many different reasons. We take a holistic approach to their general health. We stress the fact that what happens to their health affects their vision and the general health of their eyes over time. There are people who will come here

because they have experienced trauma or lost an eye. They expect the highest quality in surgical and post-operative care. Some people have serious decisions to make in regard to surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. We keep abreast of all the latest technologies and techniques that are available, to ensure that our patients receive the finest state-of-the-art medical treatments.

SM: What are you doing to develop the balance of nutrition and total care for patients who come to you for eye treatment?

Dr. George: Proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest all are important factors to our general well-being. In addition, how we deal with the stress in our lives has a direct correlation to our overall health. Our emotions affect the chemicals our nervous system creates in either a negative or positive way.

Dr. Orkan: Since every single thought and action affects our immune system, we often recommend mind-body medicine and stress reduction techniques to improve some eye symptoms. As a certified nutrition specialist, I teach our patients about nutrition to help prevent, improve, or slow the progression of various eye diseases, such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

SM: Dr. George, you have been working with your father for twenty years. What has your dad taught you about life and how to maximize your success?

Dr. George: Do your best at what you do. Give it your all and sign everything you do with excellence. That is a very tough motto to follow, but striving to do so gives your life purpose. Success also means being compassionate and giving back to others. This is how true happiness in life is found.

One of the rare opportunities I have had as a third-generation physician is to get involved as an advocate. I have become involved with the political process for the public, the patients, and physicians. Because I work with my dad, I have been able to devote time to my passion, which is how we’re

going to fix our health care system. In 1997 I was elected to be chairman of the Young Physicians Section for the Medical Society of New York State as a delegate to the American Medical Association (AMA). I spent the next ten years as chairman for the Medical Society in New York State and currently serve as the co-chair of the Medical Society’s Political Action Committee. Americans have become keenly aware of how important it is to be involved in the national process of health system reform. I feel that physicians and patients need to get involved in this political process if we are going to preserve what is best about American health care, and maintain access to our high quality of health care at an affordable cost.

SM: Dr. Orkan, what words of wisdom can you pass on to your son for a successful future?

Dr. Orkan: Always give every person your best, no matter how long it takes to accomplish. Being a surgeon and physician is a constant balancing act that you must learn to master in order to have a happy and healthy life. And never forget, perspective is so important in life. For example, any seemingly “impossible” situation can be transformed to “I’m possible” with creativity and perseverance.

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At Stasior and Stasior we have an award

winning team of Ophthalmologists, Optometrists and supporting staff

Some of the Procedures Performed:• laser eyelid rejuvination• laser facial resurfacing• endoscopic eyebrow lifts• droopy eyelid surgery

• eye/eyelid trauma surgery• orbital facial fractures• gentlewaves

• thryroid eye disease• tear duct surgery• botox experts• sculptra and other fillers

Our PhilosophyQuality patient care is the most important objective of the entire staff. We deliver the highest quality medical and surgical eye care, as well as facial cosmetics, with a personal touch.

Latham OpticalWe are a full-service family eyeglass center and vsp (vision service plan) provider offering the latest in designer eyeware, sunglasses and contact lenses.

1 Penny Lane, Latham • PH: 518-220-1400 • www.stasioreyecare.com