BENNETT EYE INSTITUTE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Eye Doctor in Honolulu, HI / Dr. Safi
- Farhad Safi
is a board-certified ophthalmologist and surgeon, specializing in the diseases and surgery of the retina, choroid and vitreous. Part of the Bennett Eye Institutes' physician team, Dr. Safi also provides the full spectrum of ophthalmologic medical and surgical care at Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. Safi graduated from George Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. Dr. Safi completed his Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Eye and Ear Institute where he was awarded the Chief Resident's Award by his peers. Dr. Safi is fluent in five languages including Russian, Dari, Pashto, and Tajik, with knowledge in another three.
Job Titles:
- Associate Professor
- Farhad Safi
For many patients, Dr. Michael D. Bennett and the Bennett Eye Institute are their last chance for vision before blindness. Dr. Bennett understands the physical and emotional impact of such a diagnosis and combines state-of-the-art technology with compassionate patient care. As a result, his patients who suffer from macular degeneration and diabetes can face the possibility of blindness and see their way through it: both figuratively and literally. He treats diseases of the vitreous, macula and retina including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachments. He approaches retinal health in a comprehensive way. Dr. Bennett educates patients on the systemic causes of blindness and counsels them and their families through the overwhelming possibility of sight loss. One-on-one, he helps patients grapple with their disease, discussing all potential options that may allow them to preserve vision.
Dr. Bennett is an associate professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. He trained at the premier Vitreoretinal Surgery division of Emory School of Medicine. He completed a two-year vitreoretinal surgical fellowship and was awarded a prestigious Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship. After graduating top of his class, Dr. Bennett was inducted into the National Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha. A strong athlete, Dr. Bennett received his B.A. in chemistry from the University of Virginia while on a scholarship for swimming. He twice qualified for the U.S. Olympic swim team trials, was world ranked in the 400 individual medley and subsequently competed as a professional tri-athlete. Although his medical work fills the time he once gave to competitive athletic training, he remains an active athlete. He has finished numerous Ironman races including the world championship in Kona, and has been awarded All-American tri-athlete honors. Dr. Bennett also competes in ultra Marathons and paddleboard races.
Dr. Ryan Steck is a comprehensive ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. He offers the latest in advanced lens technology by correcting near vision and astigmatism to reduce the dependency on glasses. Dr. Steck also offers minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of glaucoma. In addition to treating patients at Bennett Eye Institute, he also provides eye care for soldiers, veterans, and their families at Tripler Army Medical Center.
Dr. Steck obtained an undergraduate degree in molecular biology and master's degree in microbiology from Brigham Young University. During this time he conducted cancer research, publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national conferences. He graduated medical school from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. He completed his internship at Tripler Army Medical Center and ophthalmology residency at Madigan Army Medical Center where he was selected as Chief Resident.
Dr. Steck's other interests include biking, tennis, playing drums, scuba diving, and he is fluent in Thai.
Job Titles:
- Certified Ophthalmologist and Surgeon
- Eye Doctor in Honolulu, HI
Dr. Vincent Vu is a board-certified ophthalmologist and surgeon who specializes in refractive surgery, cataracts, pediatric ophthalmology, and adult strabismus. Dr. Vu also provides ophthalmologic medical and surgical care at Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. Vu graduated from Louisiana State University of Medicine in New Orleans. He completed his internship and residency at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Vu then completed a pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship at the University of California, San Diego and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Dr. Vu is fluent in Vietnamese.
Job Titles:
- Eye Doctor in Honolulu, HI
Dr. Dick is a board certified ophthalmologist and experienced Vitreo-Retinal surgeon. No stranger to Hawaii, Dr. Dick began practicing on Oahu in 1986.
He has recently joined the Bennett Eye Institute team after 14 years as the senior retina specialist for Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, California.
Dr. Dick completed a fellowship in Retinal Vascular Disease and Vitreo-Retinal Surgery at the prestigious Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland in 1999. Dr. Dick provides special expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of many sight-threatening eye diseases with particular emphasis on Diabetic Retinopathy and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Dr. Dick is grateful for the opportunity to return to Hawaii and looks forward to making a contribution in helping to preserve the eyesight of his new patients on the Big Island
Job Titles:
- Eye Doctor in Honolulu, HI
Dr. Young is a Cataract and Refractive Surgeon. She earned her undergraduate degree at Stanford University. She received her doctorate of osteopathy at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Young completed her transitional internship at Tripler Army Medical Center and her Ophthalmology residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Washington. She provides comprehensive healthcare as a Brigade Surgeon in the Army's 25th Infantry Division.
Dr. Young's interests are in advanced laser cataract surgery and comprehensive ocular health.
Dr. Hurlbut-Miller is a board-certified ophthalmologist and surgeon with a focus in Vitreo-Retinal surgery and clinical trials of new medicine. He will be caring for patients at all of Bennett Eye Institute locations.
Dr. Hurlbut-Miller graduated from University of Massachusetts Medical School and shortly after completed a general surgery internship at Saint Joseph Hospital in Houston, TX. He completed his residency for ophthalmology at University of Texas Houston Medical School where his peers awarded him chief resident. Dr. Hurlbut-Miller also completed his fellowship for Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery at University of Texas Houston Medical School.
Dr. Hurlbut-Miller came to Bennett Eye Institute from the western states and we're proud to have him a part of the team.
Job Titles:
- Eye Doctor in Honolulu, HI
Dr. Danforth is a board-certified ophthalmologist and surgeon, specializing in the diseases of the vitreous, macular and retina including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and retinal detachments.
Dr. Danforth brings extensive expertise to Bennett Eye Institute. He is a prolific researcher and has authored numerous clinical articles and case studies for Washington Hospital Center - Department of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Danforth graduated from Cornell University Medical College in New York and went on to complete his residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C.
Prior to joining Bennett Eye Institute he was treating patients across the Midwest. Dr. Danforth is proud to be part of Hawaii's most respected comprehensive medical eye center.