riginally from Columbus, Ohio, Pamela R. Henderson, MD, a glaucoma specialist, recently opened her own business, Henderson Eye Center, LLC, here in Springfield.  Having practiced in this field for the past ten years in Houston and New England before going out on her own, Dr. Henderson's credentials are stellar.  She received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University, her medical degree from the University of

Michigan at Ann Arbor, completed her residency at the University of Pittsburgh, and then went back to the University of Michigan for a fellowship and advanced training in glaucoma.

As a child growing up, Dr. Henderson always knew she wanted to become a doctor.  She was always interested in science and research  and spent a lot of her time reading medical articles and medical journals which fascinated her.  Initially she thought she might go into research but decided instead to become a clinician.

When asked why she chose this particular specialty, Dr. Henderson stated, “It was partly because during my rotation, the professors who were teaching in this subject area seemed the most fulfilled out of all of the other professors.  They were happy.  The patients were happy.  They were doing a service.  Helping people see is clearly very important.  It just seemed like something where I could really make a difference in the quality of people’s lives.”  

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the African American

population and Dr. Henderson’s passion for saving people’s vision became very personal when her father was diagnosed with glaucoma several years ago.  She wishes that people would have their eyes examined so they could be treated early.  She is getting a lot of referrals from local ophthalmologists where people are coming in with advanced glaucoma and  are almost blind.  “It didn’t have to happen this way,” says Dr. Henderson.  “They are almost blind.  If they had been treated earlier, they would be in a totally different situa

tion.  It’s heartbreaking.  It’s frustrating and I just wish it didn’t happen.”

Dr. Henderson’s offices are located at the Mercy Hospital medical building.  She offers comprehensive ophthalmology services, including basic eye examinations and eyeglasses, and she performs cataract, glaucoma, retinal, eyelid, diabetes and laser surgery.  We, at POV, urge our readers to heed Dr. Henderson’s plea, and get regular eye examinations. Our publisher heard her loud and clear and has already scheduled an appointment to see her!n