At Kentucky Eye Institute we have many great eye doctors and ophthalmologists on staff who help treat a number of eye related issues. This month we sat down with Dr. William Curtis, MD, to learn more about his life and what inspired him to become an ophthalmologist.
Dr. Curtis was born and raised in Frederick, Maryland. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and received his medical degree in 1988 from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He was then placed on active military duty and stationed at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he completed his internship. Following his military service, Dr. Curtis returned to Washington, D.C., where he completed his Ophthalmology residency at the Center for Sight at Georgetown University. He was then chosen for a fellowship in advanced cataract surgery with Dr. William J. Collis of the Kentucky Eye Institute. Dr. Curtis has been in practice with KEI since 1995 and specializes in cataract/implant surgery. Dr. Curtis gives us an inside look into his life as an ophthalmologist.
Q: What drew you to Ophthalmology? How did you decide on becoming an Ophthalmologist?
A: As a child growing up in Maryland, my mom worked for an Optometrist. I guess that was my first introduction to the visual system. While in medical school at Georgetown University, I managed to snag a part-time job working as an assistant in the Retina Research Division. I was hooked.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A: During my training, I had an elderly husband and wife as patients. The wife was legally blind due to advanced cataracts. The husband had been dutifully leading her around by the arm for many years. The day after her surgery, we carefully removed her eye patch (this was back when we used bandages after cataract surgery). She slowly looked around the room and when her gaze settled on her husband she exclaimed, “Who’s been cutting your hair?” He cried. Having the opportunity to restore vision is a fantastic reward.
Q: What do you like most about working with your colleagues at Kentucky Eye Institute?
A: We are a diverse group of administrators, clinical staff, office personnel, and optical staff. Everybody at Kentucky Eye Institute wears several hats – we function beautifully together as a team.
Q: What do you want to be remembered for?
A: Being a great husband, father, soldier, friend and eye care provider. And a marginal musician.
Q: If you weren’t an Ophthalmologist, what career path would you have chosen?
A: I’ve played music semi-professionally since I was a kid. If I weren’t in medicine, I’d probably be that creepy old guy still playing in bars and restaurants.
Q: How do you like to spend your time outside of the clinic and surgery center?
A: OK – I am that creepy old guy still playing music in bars and restaurants. But only part time. My wife and I love to travel. Our two daughters live in two great cities (D.C. and NYC), so we have a great excuse to visit. We were stationed in Europe and in Hawaii for military service, so naturally we need to check on our old digs periodically. We love to swim and try to log some pool time almost every day.
Dr. William Curtis is passionate about Ophthalmology and always offers exceptional care for his patients at Kentucky Eye Institute. Dr. Curtis knows from experience that eye tests are important to catch early cataract symptoms and other eye problems. If you have an questions or are experiencing any issues like cloudy or blurry vision, give us a call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Curtis or one of our other great eye doctors in Kentucky. Our optometrists and ophthalmologists are located in Lexington, Corbin, Cynthiana, Jackson, Maysville, Middlesboro, Morehead, Mt. Sterling, Paintsville, and Versailles.