Blog: Words from the Hunter Vision Chaplain

Written by: Isaac Hunter

Posted on Oct 5, 2010

Isaac Hunter is the middle brother of the three Hunter brothers. He is the Senior Pastor at Summit Church in Orlando, FL. He is also the honorary Hunter Vision chaplain. He wrote these kind words about his experience here, and I thought they were worth sharing in this blog.

There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my brother. However, after being at Hunter Vision and having Dr. Hunter perform my SBK, it is apparent there is at least one thing that I could not do for my brother.  I could not be a good patient. 

I freak out when people get things near my eyes… this is one of the many reasons I hated contact lenses.  Although I was offered something to relax before the surgery (not scotch or anything, just some sort of prescription barbiturate), I refused.  I was certain I would be able to will myself to pretend I didn’t mind things getting near my eyes.  I was wrong.  I should have begged for general anesthesia… it would have been easier on everyone.

But, I am getting ahead of myself.  Let me say a few words about the experience every patient will have before I tell you what was unique about mine.

First, the office is incredible. From waiting room (they have glass bottles of pop and HDTV and nice couches) to the laser room (they have lasers) the facility is top notch.  The staff is competent and kind.  I have never felt as welcome in a doctor’s office as I did there.

The Hunter Vision Analysis is superb.  Those of you who are like me (“things near your eyes” phobic) should know that I was perfectly comfortable during the Hunter Vision Analysis.  It was completely non-invasive and didn’t bother me a bit, and that’s saying something. When the analysis is over they show you everything about your eyeballs that there is to show. Dr. Hunter does a great job of explaining every last detail in an understandable way. 

I knew I had terrible eyesight.  Beyond that I was pretty much clueless as to what was going on with my eyes—not anymore.  No longer do I wade through life in ophthalmic ignorance…  Corneal thickness, I know it.  Astigmatism, check!  Corneal ulcer at some unknown point, I had that problem, too. (I guess my eyes were nervous).  Dr. Hunter explained it all. 

I was a candidate for SBK, so the next step was to have it done.  I was very happy about this.  My contacts always bothered me worst when it was least convenient and the thought of having perfectly restored vision was exciting to me.

Excited as I was, during the procedure Dr. Hunter’s medical competence was tested beyond reason.  While I was never physically uncomfortable or in any pain, my visceral hatred of having anything near my eyes manifested itself.  Dr. Hunter said simple things like, “If you could open your eyes for me, that would be helpful.”  I said, “Oh, of course.”  But try as I might, I could not.  I just sat there with a furrowed brow and locked up lids.  Somehow I ejected the little eye opener thing they put in your eye not once, but twice during the surgery prep.  Dr. Joel powered through and kept saying things like, “You are doing great.” Even though that was actually false, it was kind.

Long story, slightly shorter.  He did a masterful job.  He finished the surgery with grace, and I see 20/10 now.  That’s right, I can see you as you are reading this. 

My obvious love for my brother is a given.  But, I could love him without writing this… I am writing this because I deeply respect him as a man and a medical professional.  Every patient needs a good doctor.  Bad patients need a great doctor.  I was the worst patient ever.  Fortunately, my brother, Dr. Hunter, is the best doc I know.