Patient's sudden vision loss leads to discovery of serious heart disease, lifesaving care at Piedmont

Atlanta, Ga. (November 5, 2026) – What began as a frightening episode of blurry vision on a golf course ultimately led Martin Calloway to discover serious cardiovascular conditions requiring open-heart surgery.

Calloway, 79, experienced sudden vision loss after bending down to mark his golf ball. Although his vision returned approximately 30 minutes later, he contacted his longtime ophthalmologist, J. Michael Roach, MD, of Eye Consultants of Atlanta, and a member of the Piedmont Clinic. An examination revealed no obvious problem with Calloway's eyes, but Dr. Roach went one step further and checked his pulse. After detecting an irregularity, he urged Calloway to seek cardiac care.

Calloway said he was shocked by what happened next.

“Obviously I feel a great sense of gratitude to Dr. Roach,” Calloway said. “There could be any number of eye professionals who might have told me my eyes were OK, but to come back if the problem occurred again.”

Calloway subsequently saw Piedmont Heart Jason Fleury, PA, who ordered cardiac testing and, after reviewing the results, referred him to the Piedmont Valve team for additional evaluation.

Testing revealed aortic stenosis caused by a heavily calcified aortic valve, as well as coronary artery disease. Calloway had a 90% blockage of his left anterior descending artery, often referred to as the “widowmaker,” along with a 70% blockage in another artery. 

Calloway was referred to Mark Helmers, MD, of Piedmont Heart Cardiothoracic Surgery Atlanta. Dr. Helmers performed an aortic valve replacement and double bypass during open-heart surgery at Piedmont Atlanta. 

Calloway remembers the time Dr. Helmers spent helping him understand his options before surgery. He said the surgeon devoted at least 35 minutes during one meeting to review the procedure, discuss potential outcomes, and answer his questions.

“I feel that is an exceptional amount of time for a surgeon to spend with a patient, making certain that I was fully informed as to the risks and benefits of surgery,” Calloway said.

The surgery took place in October 2025. Calloway, now 80, continues his care with Piedmont primary care physician Neetu Reddy, MD, in Jasper.

Calloway also remains a patient of Dr. Roach, as does his wife, Karen.

Calloway’s experience demonstrates the importance of comprehensive care and looking beyond an individual symptom. As Dr. Helmers explained in the original Eye Consultants of Atlanta story, Dr. Roach's decision to consider causes beyond ophthalmology represented “high-quality comprehensive care.”

For Calloway, that attention changed the course of his life.