|
|
• Richard B. Foulkes, M.D.
• Dr. Grishma Patel, O.D.
Born in Spokane, Washington, Dr. Foulkes grew up on a farm in eastern Washington State. He served his country honorably as a corpsman and surgical technician with the Navy and the Marines during the Vietnam conflict. After discharge from the service, he pursued a degree in Fine Arts, an avocation that continues today. At the same time, he successfully managed a thriving business in Los Angeles. While engaged in a fund-raising effort for Cambodian refugees, Dr. Foulkes was energized to pursue a career in medicine.
 Dr. Foulkes earned a B.S. in Biology from Tufts University, with cum laude honors, and went on to receive his M.D. from Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class. Doctor Foulkes fell in love with his gross anatomy partner, Rita and married a year later! He completed his internship in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and his Ophthalmology training at Catholic Medical Center, an affiliate of Cornell University, while serving as Chief Resident in Ophthalmology.
During his residency, Dr. Foulkes met Lucio Burato, the co-inventor of LASIK, and became convinced that LASIK would be the refractive procedure of choice in the future. LASIK addressed the inaccuracy and instability issues of radial keratotomy, RK, the most popular procedure at the time. LASIK offered a safer choice for both surgeons and patients. Pending FDA approval in the U.S., Dr. Foulkes began his LASIK training, in 1997, at TLC Canada (The Laser Center) with two leaders in the field at the time Dr. Jeff Machat and Stephen Slade. During his training, Dr. Foulkes started to formulate ideas he would implement in his own LASIK practice.
In 1999, Dr. Foulkes opened Future Vision Laser Center, incorporating his own ideas to make LASIK a safer and more accurate procedure. Using the Nidek laser, a new laser that allowed for expanded zones of treatment, and carefully measuring pupil size with an infrared device, the side effect of glare and halos where dramatically reduced. Using plume evacuation and careful real time outcome analysis, results with this laser have exceeded reported results with other laser systems. In 2000, Dr. Foulkes began a research center within his practice. Dr. Foulkes has developed techniques for studying microkeratomes (flapmakers), flap quality and flap thickness. He has studied nearly every device and currently favors the Hansatome Zero Compression for it's consistency and near zero complication rate. In addition to research Dr Foulkes has written patents on devices to improve safety and to address issues in eye surgery. Currently, Dr. Foulkes is completing a textbook on the techniques and devices for studying and creating microkeratomes.
 Dr. Foulkes has personally performed over 18,000 refractive procedures making him one of the most experienced LASIK surgeons in the Chicagoland area. He dedicates himself to personalized patient care and to complex cases referred from colleagues. Dr. Foulkes welcomes other physicians to take advantage of the center's unique setting to help solve the most difficult LASIK cases. As a result of his continuous pursuit for the safest and most accurate methods Dr. Foulkes has taken the lead in advancing a field that is crowded with innovators.
Dr. Foulkes is a member of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ascrs.org), the American Academy of Ophthalmology (aao.org), and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons (isrs.org). He contributes papers and has been a panelist at their meetings. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary. In addition to his work in LASIK, Dr. Foulkes has developed advanced techniques in cataract extraction, which he teaches residents.
Dr. Foulkes is married with two children and a dog. As an avid cyclist, he rides several thousand miles a year, often in an effort to raise awareness and money for his favorite charitable causes. Glassesfree.com is his sponsored bicycle racing team. He has treated hundreds of police officers and fire fighters at a significant cost reduction, to aid in the safety of their work. Dr. Foulkes generously supports Medicines Sans Frontieres, Amnesty International and the Nature Conservancy, as well as local organizations such as the Chinese AIDS Society and the Guardian Angel Home in Joliet. Active & Passive Eye Tracker
^ Back to top
 Dr. Grishma Patel is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and presently resides with her husband in the northwest suburbs. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, IL and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.
Dr. Patel has received her optometric training at VA Hudson Valley Health Care System in Montrose, NY, which provided primary eye care service to veterans. Dr. Patel pursued additional cornea, pediatric, and low vision training from the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, IL.
Upon completion of her optometric training, Dr. Patel joined the Eye Boutique & Doctors Eye Clinic as a primary care optometrist. With a true interest in refractive surgery, she is now part of the Future Vision Laser Center team. Dr. Patel is dedicated to educating patients in the latest trends of refractive surgery.
In addition, Dr. Patel is a member of the following professional organizations:
- American Optometric Association (AOA)
- Illinois Optometric Association (IOA)
^ Back to top
|
