Testimonials

"One thing that is essential to my success as a professional tennis player is good, clear vision. Dr. Maskin’s vast institutional knowledge of the eyes and the clear and succinct way in which he conveys that knowledge in his book will help me protect my most valuable assets for years to come."

"When I first came to Dr. Maskin, I had been to a half a dozen other doctors before, each not quite understanding what I was going through, each not able to help my pain with Dry Eye Syndrome. As a patient, I was confused, bewildered, and frustrated. I didn't know why my eyes had dried out, and I was almost about to give up on my dream of becoming a doctor because my eyes not longer permitted me to study the long hours that I needed to as a pre-med."

"When I came into Dr. Maskin's office and he started to examine me, I began to cry because of the pain from my dry eyes and the frustration at them for limiting me. At seeing my tears, Dr. Maskin said, "I know that you have been to a lot of doctors, but I want to work through this with you. We are going to work through this together." He gave me a sense of hope when even I had given up hope, and he did exactly as he said he would. He helped me work through my Dry Eye Syndrome trying different therapies until we found what worked. He worked with me to schedule appointment times when I could come see him even when I moved out of state to get my Master's. He even worked with me to move up my surgery so that I could have it done the day before I left for a family vacation."

"Out of all the doctors that I have seen, he has done more for me than any other doctor. I am now a student at the University of South Florida College of Medicine, and I have finally reached my dream that I wouldn't have been able to before without the help of Dr. Maskin. I will always be truly thankful for his encouragement and his medical expertise. He is a wonderful physician, and I hope to one day follow in his footsteps."

"Dr. Maskin really listens to me. He shows me a level of respect and understanding that has restored my confidence in the medical community. His approach is straightforward and he clearly explains his reasoning for each treatment. Dr. Maskin’s level of personal care and understanding keeps me at ease. I now have hope that, under his medical care, I will enjoy a better quality of life for many years to come."

"Words cannot express my feelings of gratitude and respect."
Donna Bryan, Tampa

"Thanks for helping me to look at life in so many new ways."
Kasey Beckwith, Tampa

"Thank you for a new window on the world. Your skill and kindness will long be remembered."
Jeanine Forman-Ham, St. Pete Beach

"Thank you for treating me with interest and respect."
Kerry Daniel, Tampa

"I appreciate very much both the skilled and effective work you have done on my behalf and the friendly, caring manner in which you accomplished it."
Robert Frey, Gulfport

"I am truly very thankful for everything you have done....You are truly dedicated to your patients."
Lillian Brogan

"Your dedication to quality and your commitment to provide the best care to your patients is evident in all aspects of care you have provided to me."
Suzanne Jones, Naples

"Please know I am thankful and grateful for your diligence and thoroughness in caring for my eyes."
Penelope Cheatham, Redington Beach

"Thank you for giving me back my life."
Jim Young, Tampa

"We feel very privileged to have such a wonderful caring doctor and staff. Thank you for a chance to see just how beautiful this world of ours really is."
Bobby and Gala Greenway

Case Study:
Claudia Jenkins

A 50-year-old compassionate, dedicated nurse, who became very upset with her gradually failing vision, Claudia Jenkins was born with congenital ptosis. She had her eyelids lifted appropriately at about two years of age, so that she could learn to see. Because of her abnormal lids, she could not close them completely, leaving her cornea exposed and dry. Over the years, she developed corneal scarring from recurrent corneal infections and excessive dryness. The cumulative effect was that she was no longer readily able to do "fine" work, including reading the small print on medications and syringes. Her dry eye was starting to make it impossible for her to do her job.

When Dr. Maskin evaluated her, he found that she had an inadequate tear production, and that some of her few precious tears were being distributed to the outer corner of her eye rather than across her eye, due to a severe case of conjunctivochalasis (a pleating of the conjunctiva). He carefully removed the corneal scars, performed a punctal occlusion to increase her tear volume, and reconstructed the ocular surface using amniotic membrane to smooth the surface pleats and minimize risk of recurrent scarring of the cornea.

Claudia had this surgery performed in 2005 and was able to return to work. She can read that 20/20 line on the eye chart and says, "This is the best vision I have ever had."

Claudia later presented Dr. Maskin with a poem she wrote, "Have You Seen?" as an expression of her appreciation to him for restoring her sight. Her poem is presented below on this site.

Have You Seen?

Have you seen today?
I have.
How bright and sharp the world is.
Raindrops are crystal clear, distinct and
individual.
The color green, so many shades; look
there, how that bird can sing.

Have you seen today?
I have.

My, my hair is so very gray. But do I care?
The colors I see no longer muted, pale, or
the same.

Have you seen today?
I have.

The words jumping off a page, no longer
trying to see what I know is there.
How clear, how sharp the day really is.

Have you seen today?
I have.

And oh my, I can't wait to see tomorrow.

Have you seen today?

Courtesy of Claudia Jenkins.
Dedicated to
My parents, who gave me sight,
and to
Dr. Maskin, who restored it.

From Darkness

It is a light, so crisp, so sharp,
That has invoked a pain deep inside,
My views are of that never seen,
Yet no words....I hide.
I shadow with a vengeance,
A fear of something not known,
I feel that I am surrounded,
And yet, still so alone.
I uncover with some courage,
Some faith and great trust,
I want to share all the beauty,
It's not a choice, it's that I must.
My life has been that of darkness,
For which I've lived throughout each day,
Never a glimpse of friendly faces,
No smiles were seen my way.
But, today I live rejoicing,
For I know that God has might,
After many years of blindness,
I've been given the gift of sight!

by Angela Maskin - wife of Dr. Steven L Maskin
Published by the National Library of Poetry