20/200 Odds

The Retina Center at Pali Momi rescues a young pilot’s career.

Mike Benson was living his childhood dream. At only 27, the Coast Guard pilot commanded a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, flying the 155,000-pound beast across the Pacific on search-and-rescue missions.

“I grew up around aviation,” Lt. Benson says. “My father was a pilot. I’d go with him to work at 2 a.m. just to see airplanes. Some kids want to be astronauts or firemen. I wanted to be a pilot and, luckily, I became one. Flying is my life.”

But one summer evening in 2007, everything came crashing down. Lt. Benson had plans to see Jimmy Buffett in concert. Instead, he was shuttled from a routine physical exam to an eye doctor to The Retina Center at Pali Momi.

“I met Mike in the ER around midnight,” Dr. James Lai recalls. “It struck me, this young pilot saying, ‘I need to get my vision back to maintain my career.’” The retinal specialist, a young man who had also achieved tough goals through dedication and hard work, felt a kindred connection to his new patient.

In the pilot’s left eye, Dr. Lai discovered a “retinal detachment” – the retina was actually slipping off the back of the eye. “It was an emergency. The longer you leave it, the worse the prognosis,” he says.

“I was terrified,” Lt. Benson adds. “I was trying to stay optimistic, but it was heart-wrenching to think I might lose my ability to fly.”

Fortunately for Hawaii residents, The Retina Center at Pali Momi is committed to getting the best equipment available. “I trained at both Johns Hopkins and Duke University Hospitals, and I can tell you that the surgical instrumentation at Pali Momi is as good or better than those institutions,” Dr. Lai says. “This translates into better care for patients, with faster recovery times We’re the first hospital to bring many of the latest surgical technologies to Hawaii.”

The next morning, Dr. Lai placed a silicone band to support Lt. Benson’s eye, removed the scar tissue in the eye, and inserted a gas bubble to push the retina back into position. The procedure was a success.

“Statistically, the odds were against Mike’s vision getting back to 20/20. But because of the care at Pali Momi, he is flying again,” Dr. Lai says. “This case was so rewarding. It’s what makes medicine worthwhile. It’s why I became a doctor.”

“I have an overwhelming sense of relief,” Lt. Benson adds. “One of the best days of my life was when I was told I could start flying again. And I have tickets to see Jimmy Buffett tonight!”