After experiencing my first international surgical mission to the Philippines with my family this past summer, I returned to Hampton Roads with a new passion for restoring vision to those in need both at home and abroad. Our lead physician on the mission to his homeland, Dr Juan Montero, asked me to join the board of Montero Medical Missions (MMM), a newly formed faith-based and interfaith humanitarian organization wherein our belief in God is expressed in the heart of our actions. You have known me as the founder of Beach Eye Care (now 20 years old); but more recently, I have chosen to additionally participate in global eye care as the Vice President of Montero Medical Missions. I’ve been providing eye care in Hampton Roads for 26 years, initially as an ophthalmology resident at EVMS, then in my private practice while serving 22 years as a visiting eye doctor to the residents of Southeastern Virginia Training Center. The Beach Eye Care Team delivers the gift of sight daily through the charitable care programs of Beach Eye Care and the Virginia Center for Eye Surgery and by working with Chesapeake Care Free Clinic and Beach Free Clinic. I have lectured internationally in France, China, Estonia, and the Philippines. But, it was only through the local connections of my wife from her elementary school PTA work with a fellow mom, that we began to work in the Philippines last year. Initially, our work in the Philippines started with donating retired glasses and our partnership with Essilor Optical to provide eyeglasses lens blanks. But travelling to perform surgery to perform surgery was our goal, and I fulfilled that dream when my entire family and I partnered with Dr. Montero to go on a family mission to the Philippines this past July, my first international surgical experience. See my previous blog for more details.
So, what is a mission? Webster’s defines it as an important assignment carried out for a purpose typically involving travel by a group of people. Why Montero Medical Missions now? The answer lies in our mission statement:

“To provide medical missions and create sustainable healthcare projects for physicians and allied health professionals with international roots; to share blessings and healthcare with their fellow countrymen”

And, what does it take to accomplish a mission? Incredible teamwork, organization, planning, fund raising, and enlisting business/corporate participation are the keystones. On our recent mission to the Philippines, a third of our budget came from donations of product from eye care companies such as Alcon, Allergan, and Ista; a third from our mission sponsor Physicians for Peace; and the last third from contributions from family foundations and fund raising done at Beach Eye Care including a sunset cruise on the American Rover and a Philippine feast in our church, Community UMC.

And, why go? We, my family and I, viewed this as an incredible opportunity to serve the needs of the Lord’s people in an area of the world connected to Hampton Roads thru Dr Juan Montero. This was an opportunity to receive much more than we could give back by restoring sight removing dense cataracts, dispensing glasses, diagnosing diabetes, and leaving more modern surgical equipment to treat the world’s #1 cause of preventable blindness – cataracts. Seeing the other side of the world with its splendor of people, land, and sea, further added to this unparalleled opportunity. When Dr Montero asked me to serve on the Montero Medical Missions board and then as Vice President, I accepted this new commitment to help globally. And my fellow eye physicians at Beach Eye Care have stepped up to participate with their support in fundraising and with their presence on missions designed to restore eyesight, to improve hearing, or to walk freely with prosthetic limbs.

Dr Montero has assembled a board to help with his passion of the last 2 decades, providing care to those in need at home as well as where it is needed in the world. One of his ventures was opening the doors of the Chesapeake Care Free Clinic. With its recent expansion, Chesapeake Care Free Clinic is the largest of its kind in the United States. Montero Medical Missions is partnering with the Veterans’ Hospital to help the underserved in our community who have defended our freedom. We continue to support Dr Chris Buniel, our optometrist on the island of Mindanao, with our eyesight program in the Philippines. Montero Medical Missions is planning future international mission trips to Bulgaria, Peru, Ghana, and Vietnam. Our goal is to send a Beach Eye Care eye physician on each of these trips. Dr Koza plans to travel with EVMS to Honduras in March, and Dr Lipton will volunteer in Bulgaria in the spring.

So, how can you help? We welcome your donation of used, retired glasses as well as monetary ones via checks made payable to: The Montero Foundation w/MMM on the memo line and mailed to 524 Woodards Ford Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Beach Eye Care physicians pay their own way and these funds are used for the needed mission supplies. Thank you for helping us do our part to restore the world’s vision.

– G. Peyton Neatrour
MD

Cataract Mission to the Philippines
The Physicians for Peace mission to Tandag, the capital of Surigao del Sur on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, was my first international surgical experience. The entire Neatrour family travelled with Dr. Juan Montero, a well-known local general and thoracic surgeon, to his home province half-way around the globe. After 22 hours of flying to land in Manila, we spent the next ten days 12 hours ahead of Hampton Roads.

In Manila, we visited Paradise Heights/Smokey Mountain Community and Gawad Kalinga which were fairly new communities built to replace those living on the dump and in the slums. In these communities where 280 days of sweat equity provides the resident’s living accommodations, Physicians for Peace Seeing Clearly has been a contributing supporter by providing an eyeglasses clinic at each site. The children were adorable and very appreciative of the photo ops. Products made from recycled materials, such as juice box tote bags and magazine paper jewelry, were sold to raise funds for the community.

Shortly thereafter, ten Americans were off to Mindanao with nine additional bags of surgical supplies and instruments for the mission. After 1 1/2 hours by plane and 4 hours by bus (through rice paddies and banana trees), we arrived in Tandag, a city of 60,000 people. Many lived in wood shacks on stilts over water and were transported by “petty cabs”, which were no more than motorcycles attached to a cab with one wheel that could hold up to 8 people (illegal by US standards, of course). We quickly realized these people were among the poorest of the poor; they lived off the land on rice and pigs or chickens grown in their backyard. We Americans were treated like royalty, from the provincial governor on down to the hospital staff. In many ways we felt “godly”, parting the waters to serve and administer good will. Mothers brought their children to us in search of a cure – like the 9 year old girl blinded by congenital glaucoma who sang courageously for us at the welcoming dinner. Sadly, this 9 year old had a 4 year old brother with the same condition. I had to let this mom know that it’s too late to regain sight for her children; we sought help from the governor to have her transported to a major city like Manila to receive what help they could from a glaucoma specialist. There are NO ophthalmologists in the entire province of 500,000 people in Surigao del Sur! (Virginia Beach, with a similar population, has at least 30 ophthalmologists.) We heard many more similar stories and will share some of those on whom we made an immediate impact.

Opening day of our mission was blessed during Catholic Mass, heralded by a motorcade through the town and many speeches by Governor Pimental, congressmen, town mayors, Dr. Montero, and other prominent sponsors. In total, the Physicians for Peace mission brought 9 ophthalmologists (8 in-country ophthalmologists), 4 optometrists, 4 sponsors, 13+ partners, and many support staff members together to ultimately serve those who could make it to the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center for 2 ½ days of cataract surgery. Two ORs were used, one for cataract surgery and the other for surgeries including squint (eye muscle) and pterygium (a fibrovascular growth on to the cornea from sun and wind exposure). Three to four cataract surgeons were at work simultaneously in one OR!

Mission challenges surfaced before we left when I realized how many additional suitcases were needed to send over the surgical supplies necessary for my planned 48 cataract surgeries by phacoemulsification. Despite sending the phaco machine to the Philippines early, it arrived on the evening of the second surgery day, having been help up in customs. We were told upfront to be patient, to expect the unexpected, and to be even more patient. So, with supplies for 48 cataract surgeries, I was only able to perform 9 with only one day left on my medical license to practice in the Philippines. Another huge hurdle for me was the realization of the meaning of the word “cataracts” in the Philippines. The majority of the patients seen for cataract removal could only see “count fingers” or “light perception only”. The cataracts were so dense that they were difficult to remove by phaco. Hence, the reason why the majority of the cataract surgery here is done by the old method – Extracapsular Cataract Extraction – the method I (and the majority of others in the US) abandoned after medical school. I wondered how these patients arrived here, without broken limbs, from being nearly blinded by cataracts.
Without the phaco machine, I performed A-scan (ultrasound) biometry to measure the length of the eye in 100ths of a mm. (This is important in choosing the IOL power and was the first time this technology was used in a Seeing Clearly eye mission!) We were successfully able to transport this new piece of equipment and were thrilled to be able to donate it for future mission work. I trained a tech as well as our lead local optometrist from the Physicians for Peace Seeing Clearly program, Dr Chris Buniel.

Finally, the phaco machine arrived, having cleared the custom’s confusion and the challenges of flying an overweight-limit crate. We unpacked it carefully and then I joined to do my share of the last day’s cataract surgery load. And, I was privileged to be assisted in cataract surgery by two medical students, Hakan (2nd yr student at the University of Virginia Medical School) and Kristin (my oldest daughter and 2nd yr student at Eastern Virginia Medical School). My patients ranged in age from 22-80+ and had familiar names from Jocelyn to the last name of my last patient…Montero! The limited quality of the operating microscopes available and the dense cataracts were the biggest challenges. Some of the in-country ophthalmologists regularly use the phaco machine and will be able to continue to use this technology here on future missions. Knowing these patients only had surgery on one eye, we gladly left supplies and equipment for future cataract surgeries.

Post-op checks each morning revealed smiling and happy patients as their patches and shields were removed and they could start to see what they had been missing for the first time in a very long time. Pen light exams were performed as they all sat lined up in rows. (I forgot to bring a pen light, so without an examining room or a slit lamp, I had to use a flashlight!) Eye drops (courtesy of Congressman Pichay’s pharmaceutical company) and protective sunglasses (courtesy of Beach Eye Care and the Neatrour family) were distributed. Over the 2 ½ days of surgery, we performed 113 cataract, 20 pterygium, and 8 squint operations. Incredible smiles and that gratifying feeling of mission accomplished were shared and capped off by the memory of my 22 year old patient waving to me as she rode off in a petty cab!

While I was busy attending to the cataract patients, my wife Leslie, two daughters Kristin and Katie, son Greg, and medical student Hakan were busy screening 250 patients for diabetes. Kristin and Hakan, with the help of donations from Eastern Virginia Medical School, organized and directed the diabetic screenings. From taking measurements on height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood glucose to asking pertinent questions and using translators to counsel, they were able to identify some pretty serious health risks. A hospital cardiologist summoned his resident physicians to help with prescription writing and counseling. It was an amazing sight to see and the patients were drawn from those waiting to receive cataract surgery or eyeglasses. Patient #5 had a remarkable story. She was a 61 yrs old, 125 lbs small-framed woman who was encouraged by her husband to attend the free diabetic clinic Her blood sugar registered high, twice, which Kristin identified as over 600! Patient #5 answered “yes” to many of the questions on the diabetic survey, classifying her as a high risk diabetic. The cardiologist sent her to the ER. They found her 2 days later, wandering in the hospital courtyard, with her son holding up her IV bag. She had been admitted to the hospital and was taking insulin. Her blood glucose level was now 121 (normal range)! Hopefully, she will be able to remain on insulin to control her diabetes.

Meanwhile, other members of the mission team worked diligently. Dr. Montero, his son Dr. Paul Montero, and Paul’s wife Charlotte (ICU RN), performed 19 minor surgeries, removing lumps and bumps from patients waiting for eye services. The in-country optometrists prescribed 231 eyeglasses/reading glasses and 116 lab-processed prescription eyeglasses. We all did our part to contribute to a very successful mission.

Upon our return to Manila, Kristin, Hakan, and I lectured to physicians, resident physicians, faculty members, and medical students at the East Ramon Medical University on “The Dangers of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy”, “Advanced Technology IOLs in the US Today” and “Beach Eye Care – A Contemporary American Eye Care Practice”.

As you can tell, we had an incredible experience, receiving much more than we could ever give to the people of the Philippines. The program coverage for Vision 2020 Surigao del Sur (a program with grass roots in the World Health Organization’s Vision 2020 initiative) encompassed 17 municipalities and 2 cities. Special thanks go to Dr. Juan Montero for his connections that made this trip an amazing experience for all those touched. Physicians for Peace, Beach Eye Care, and our many spiritual and financial supporters are equally acknowledged with appreciation as well.

We look forward to returning! We now know better what to expect and what to bring the next time around. I am working on a team to recruit a full-time ophthalmologist to the Tandag hospital to use the donated equipment.

Our vision is their vision…to see and enjoy to better serve the world!

– G. Peyton Neatrour
MD

When choosing sunglasses, it is not only fashionable to choose the right style, but it is also important to select the proper UV protection. Price and style do not guarantee UV protection, and you cannot “see” the level of protection that the sunglass offers. You may be doing more damage to your eyes in knockoff designer frames because the eye dilates behind dark lenses and allows more damaging UV rays to enter the eye, increasing damage to the retina and lens.

An interesting fact: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunglasses as medical devices, but it does not require sunglasses to have any particular level of UV protection. They must only meet impact resistance standards. The only way to know the level of UV protection is to measure the UV protection in your glasses with a UV meter. All of our optical shops have UV meters and we can check your sunglasses’ UV level at no charge. If your sunglasses are not filtering out 99-100% of the UVA and UVB light with wavelengths up to 400nm, then you should update your sunglasses.

Darker tint does not relate to higher UV protection; in fact, some cheap dark sunglasses have zero UV protection. Sunglasses come in different tints: amber, rose, grey, or green. These tints are designed for different levels of sunlight exposure. A good rule of thumb: a darker grey lenses is optimal for peak noon sun and an amber lens is perfect for an overcast day.

Polarized sunglasses help to cut down glare from driving, boating, or skiing by blocking all horizontal light waves that cause this glare. It is also important to remember that polarization in itself will not block UV light.

Finally, children need sunglasses because their eyes are not mature enough to offer protection, and they are more vulnerable to sun damage.

We carry a vast line of sunglasses from Maui Jim®, Ray-Ban®, Oakley®, Coach™, Cole Haan, BCBG, Ralph Lauren, and IZOD. Come by one of our three locations and see our collection of sunglasses. Let us check your current sunglasses for the proper level of protection!

– David Tang
OD

Dobry den’!

With 27 years since my last visit to Russia, I returned to the country from which my grandmother was born to visit my relatives, to renew my interest in Russia’s rich history and culture, and to lecture to fellow eye care professionals. My babushka (grandmother) Amalia left Sevastopol, USSR and came to Virginia in 1932; she was not able to return to see her family until 1972. My mother, a professor of Russian Language and Literature at James Madison University for over 20 years, traveled twenty-some times to the country she adored. This time, without Mom and to bridge the language barrier, I traveled to Russia in September 2010 with two of Mom’s past college students, Joe and Ginger, and Richard (Ginger’s husband).

As Joe was able to help interpret the language and customary lifestyle to me, I was able to share my eyes and legs with Joe. This dear friend of over 40 years is legally blind from glaucoma and physically challenged from a double hip replacement this past summer. Since Joe ran me around in my teens (transporting me to violin lessons and on my dates), I returned the favor by escorting him around the extravagant sights of Russia, from church cupolas to historical museums to dance performances. His fluency in the Russian language and his familiarity with the “do’s” and “don’ts” helped us not get thrown in the clink on the train from Moscow to Tallin!

Despite Russia’s communistic state prior to 1991, the country has managed to preserve many of its provincial traditions and elaborate Renaissance architecture. My time in Moscow was highlighted by exploring the Kremlin (including its incredible diamond collection), visiting with my cousin Sveta (21 years after her last visit to Virginia), and touring one of Moscow’s state eye institutes. I shared my knowledge on advanced technology lens implants with our tour guide as she prepared herself for cataract surgery soon.

From the ten million-person population of Moscow, we exited Russia to visit Tallin, Estonia, a much smaller city of 400,000. This old town of cobblestone streets, outdoor cafes, and small shops is located on the lovely Baltic Sea. I visited the laser vision correction practice of Ants Haavel, MD, where we shared our experiences with vision correction surgery. I shared power point presentations on “Beach Eye Care – A View Inside a Contemporary American Eye Care Practice”, “Presbyopic IOLs “(intraocular lenses), and “Optos Retinal Imaging”. This visit gave me an insider’s view on the stark contrast between state run eye care and private practice eye care.

Our last stop was St. Petersburg, a city of 4 million people, 42 islands, and 66 canals. After re-entering Russia, we enjoyed the Hermitage museum, gorgeous cathedrals, and summer palaces. St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia with a very different personality from Moscow.

I recommend visiting all three of these Slavic cities, as they each carry unique cultural experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to reconnect with my heritage, as I am one-quarter Russian. Travel with me vicariously through the cities of Moscow, Tallin, and St. Petersburg by clicking below.

Do svidania!

– G. Peyton Neatrour
MD

As the newest addition to the Beach Eye Care team of doctors, I begin my new journey with excitement. First, I would like to introduce myself.  

Originally from a suburb of Philadelphia (GO PHILLIES), I chose Villanova University for my undergraduate education.  With a chemistry degree in tow, I headed south to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to complete my doctorate in optometry with the goal of pursuing a career which would give me the opportunity to have an impact on people’s lives every day.   My well-rounded education has given me exposure in ALL areas of optometry and has granted me not only career-building experiences, but also character-building experiences.  Most notable was an externship in Bethel, Alaska where I provided eye care to an underserved Eskimo-Indian population.  I was blown away (literally) that 1) people actually survive in -35 degree weather on a daily basis, and 2) that colored contacts or blue eyes was such a craze to Eskimo children!  Put simply – I gained a new perspective on a completely different way of living…these perspectives and experiences are what have built me as a person, and more specifically, a doctor.

In joining Beach Eye Care’s reputable team of doctors, I will be working alongside Dr. Jeffrey Dunn at the new location on Holland Road.  With a personal interest in pediatric optometry, I am especially anxious to team up with Dr. Dunn who excels in this area of treatment. I can proudly share first hand my own experience and success with LASIK, since Dr Neatrour recently performed my procedure.  LASIK is life-changing and has left me with even more enthusiasm about my involvement in vision correction – to know the endless treatments and technologies available to ANYONE seeking better vision and eye health.  

It is an honor to join a practice with the most advanced treatments in the field and to be part of a team who is motivated to provide optimal care to their patients.

– Cindy Koza
OD

Every thirteen minutes an emergency room treats a sports-related eye injury and nearly all could be prevented by using the proper protective eyewear. Sports in which balls, racquets, or flying objects are present pose a potential for eye injury. Overall, basketball and baseball cause the most eye injuries, followed by water sports and racquet sports.

Warm weather allows us to participate in outdoor sports and activities, which unfortunately increases the opportunity for a sports-related eye injury. Flying objects aren’t the only hazard, however. Many eye injuries come from pokes and jabs by fingers and elbows, particularly in games where players are in close contact with each other. Younger children are more susceptible to severe eye trauma because of their athletic immaturity and overall fearless attitude towards participation. Sports eye injuries often occur so quickly that the individual doesn’t know what hit him or her.

When it comes to eye injuries, sports can be classified as low risk, high risk, and very high risk. Low-risk sports do not involve body contact, nor do they use a ball, puck, stick, bat or racquet. Some low-risk sports include swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and track and field. High-risk sports involve body contact and/or use a ball, puck, bat, stick or racquet. Examples of high-risk sports are baseball, basketball, hockey, football, lacrosse, tennis, and other racquet sports. Very-high-risk sports involve body contact and do not use eye protection. Boxing, wrestling, and contact martial arts are sports considered very high-risk.

Sports goggles are not only practical, but are becoming a part of everyday life, much like the way bike helmets have become the norm. Street wear glasses do not meet the minimum requirements for impact resistance in sports, which can turn a small collision into a sight-threatening injury. It used to be common for people with mild to moderate prescriptions to simply participate in sports without wearing their glasses or contacts. Coaches and players recognize that clear, sharp vision is vital in sports performance, and participating in sports with less than 20/20 vision could lead to injury. For safety reasons, an individual with permanently reduced vision in one eye should wear protective glasses to protect the good eye even if he/she does not need glasses. In addition, both children and adults enjoy the look when wearing protective eyewear: it shows they mean business on the playing field.

Sports-protective eyewear is tested to meet rigid standards; lenses are made of polycarbonate and have a center thickness of three millimeters (standard eyeglass lens thickness is two millimeters). The benefits of polycarbonate lenses are multifactorial. Besides being available with or without a prescription, they are ten times more impact-resistant (they can withstand an impact from a ball or other projectile traveling up to 90 miles per hour), have built in UV protection, and are scratch resistant.

Tips to remember:

• Keep street eyewear off the playing field; they do not meet the minimum requirements for impact resistance. Sport eyewear offers superior impact resistance and eye protection.
• Increase your performance on the playing field by wearing prescription protective eyewear.
• Contact lenses may have some degree of UV protection, but offer no protection from impact. Wear sunglasses and polycarbonate lenses when participating in sport activities to protect your eyes from the harmful sun rays as you protect against impact.
• Many sports have official standards for safety equipment. Some clubs today go so far as to require their members to wear proper eye gear to participate.

– David Tang
OD

As we look back, the milestones really pile up as Beach Eye Care approaches its 20th year. Twenty years of growth from a one provider practice with one office and two employees to a six provider practice with three offices and fifty employees.  Twenty years of growth with the start of refractive surgery with RK (radial keratotomy) to PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) to LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) to LTK (laser thermal keratoplasty) to CK (conductive keratoplasty) to the technologically advanced Intralase iFS™ and Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Excimer lasers.   Twenty years of growth from LASIK flap creation with the use of a manually controlled surgical blade to the bladeless computer controlled cool excimer laser beam.  Twenty years of growth from cataract surgery with phacoemulsification and conventional intraocular monofocal lens implants to multifocal and accommodating lens implants.  Twenty years of growth of being the first to bring technology to Eastern Virginia – from being the first ophthalmologist in Eastern Virginia to perform LASIK for nearsightedness then farsightedness, to being the first to perform CK to treat farsightedness, to being the first to use IntraLase™ for LASIK flap creation, to being the first to implement the 5th generation Intralase iFS™ technology. Twenty years of growth from obtaining a certificate of need from the state of Virginia to establish Eastern Virginia’s first Ambulatory Surgical Center to opening the dedicated (only to eyes) free-standing Virginia Center for Eye Surgery.  Twenty years of growth from chasing paper charts to utilizing sophisticated EMRs (Electronic Medical Records).  These accomplishments are noteworthy; yet, what is more distinguishing is you, our patients, whom we aim to treat with care, with safety, and with your best interest in mind.

It’s 2010.  I can’t believe it. If someone asked me what life would be like in 2010 when I was a child, I would have thought flying cars, conveyer belts, food served as pills…..then I look at Beach Eye Care and the wonderment that the future has brought us. Yes, I know, there are no flying cars or tiny food pellets; but, with the technology inside these walls – from the latest in laser technology, imaging devices, Electronic Health Records, and a plethora of other devices for optometry, ophthalmology, and lid surgery – it’s not so far-fetched to think it cannot happen.  Just recently, we received word that our practice was voted by our patients and community as the Best Place for Laser Vision Correction, Best Place for Eye Care, and Best Doctor/Healthcare Provider for the 10th year in a row, making it a decade of the Best Place in caring for our patients’ eyes.  Thank you for helping us to pave our road for twenty years of service and dedication to the art and craft of eye care.

Click here for larger image

– Chris Wooldridge
Director of Information Technology and Marketing

Since 1996, our doctors and staff have used laser vision correction to surgically treat over 25,000 eyes in approximately 15,000 patients – reducing the need for glasses and contact lenses. We have created a high standard to ensure our patients’ safety while providing advanced technology and individual care. We make every effort to reach our patient’s desired outcome and ensure a pleasant experience.

Staying above the curve, we perform extensive pre-operative testing using the most advanced technologies. For example, the Allegro Analyzer® is the companion to our newest Excimer laser, the Wavelight Allegretto Wave® Eye Q, offering both wavefront optimized and guided options. It is the fastest, most accurate laser available to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Along-side our experienced surgeons, personalized measurements and the data derived pre-operatively from the Allegro Analyzer® provide the Wavelight Eye Q® the most precise, high-tech results. Overall, this improves our ability to obtain the desired level of vision with one procedure and helps to avoid the need for enhancements. Moreover, on a monthly basis, we track, review, and analyze our patients’ results, forecasting educated and proven decisions based on factual, concrete data.

As the Refractive Director of our laser vision correction division, I am sensitive to our patients’ concerns. Apprehension about the possibility of post-operative side effects is understandable. Our staff takes a proactive approach to educate and alleviate concerns before the procedure in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Concerns such as dry eyes are addressed before surgery by analyzing the tear production and treating the tear ducts. To detect those who are more prone to halos and glare, we take care in measuring individual pupil sizes in three different light settings. As with any surgery, individuals can respond differently to the treatment; for those who do experience side effects, like dryness, we provide very specific treatments, such as dry eye medical procedures and/or eye drop therapy. Our doctors listen to their patients’ concerns and take the time to properly educate them about their upcoming procedure. Our surgeons are involved each step of the way in the patient’s process – from pre-operative exams to same-day phone calls to follow up visits. The Beach Eye Care doctors are always available: twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It’s the personal touch and dedication to our patients that allows us to stand out.

Since starting out as a Patient Counselor in 1999 to the present-day in my current role, I have had the personal pleasure of assisting patients in making an educated decision about vision correction choices. And in my experience, with all the advancements laser vision correction has undergone, I can honestly say that Beach Eye Care’s level of care continues to be unsurpassed in providing a high tech, high touch, caring experience.

– Jean Ramirez Rowe
Refractive Director, Beach Eye Care

As a new year begins, new hopes, dreams, and resolutions become clear. We at Beach Eye Care vow to provide the highest level of service to our patients, our employees, our vendors, our families, and the community. The guidelines CARE, COMPASSION, and CONCERN, drive us to achieving this high level of service and communication. We have grown to see our family as a high-tech, high-touch group because that’s what we believe in, caring for our patients, and staying above the ever-changing technological curve.

It’s time to start thinking about the future…..and questions arise. What makes a patient happy? How do we continue to exceed our patients’ expectations? What’s next in our quest for the best? Why does our staff love their jobs? What more can we do for our community?

Sure all these questions have specific answers, but within rests one overall theme…Beach Eye Care CARES, and this “care” in Beach Eye Care goes beyond just eye care.

What makes patients happy? Closing in on our 100,000th patient, we strive to care for each and every individual patient, because that’s what they are, individuals. The doctors and staff marvel in the ‘relationship’: relationships with patients, relationships with referring and co-managing doctors, and relationships internally, creating a cyclical ring of lasting personal connections that last forever…

How do we continue to exceed our patients’ expectations? Improving patient service is and always will be our focus. We care…perfecting that ‘relationship’ is our goal…

How do we continue our quest for the best? We work hard to remain a digital pioneer, solidifying our place on the cutting edge of clinical technology – in order for our patients to benefit from proven technological advances. Whether it’s the adoption of the latest in laser technology, upgrading and adding diagnostic and testing devices, or streamlining our patient flow processes through electronic means, we don’t miss a beat. With the medical industry bursting towards electronic medical records, rest assured that Beach Eye Care has been practicing ‘paperless’ closing in on a decade. Bottom line…..it’s not just that we are on the cutting edge, our patients are…..and again…..High-Tech, High-Touch.

Why does our staff love their jobs? Comprised of experienced and certified ophthalmic and optometric technicians, certified contact lens specialists, licensed opticians, an excellent reception group coupled with a top-notch communication and scheduling department, our staff has one goal – improving patients’ eyesight with care. With optometry and ophthalmology as evolving sciences, our staff stays motivated to learn, stays excited to please, and stays upbeat to support one another.

What more can we do for the community? The caring doesn’t stop inside the walls of Beach Eye Care. The doctors and staff are heavily involved in the community. From national and local philanthropies to event sponsorships, Beach Eye Care and its staff jump at the chance to help. Delve into our web pages to take a glimpse of our varied community endeavors.

The point to all this is that Beach Eye Care cares about more than just your eyes. We care about providing patients the best experience possible, we care about the well-being and progression of our staff, and most importantly, we care about YOU and we care about the community. Not many practices can boast about these, so do your research and come see our family in hopes of developing that long-standing personal relationship we have to offer.

– Chris Wooldridge
Director of Information Technology and Marketing

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the United States in adults ages 20-74. During November, National Diabetes Month, members of various health care organizations nationwide are joining together in an effort to prevent blindness in Americans with diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.  There are two types of diabetes: type 1, which results from the body’s failure to produce insulin; and type 2, which results from insulin resistance or the body’s inability to produce enough insulin.

All people with diabetes–both type 1 and type 2–are at risk. That’s why everyone with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he or she will get diabetic retinopathy. Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. If you have diabetic retinopathy, we can recommend treatment to help prevent its progression.

During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may be a problem for women with diabetes. To protect vision, every pregnant woman with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible. We may recommend additional exams during your pregnancy.

We offer Optos™ retinal imaging to view 200 degrees of your retina in the dilated or undilated state to help follow and document progression of diabetes.  The Optomap® Retinal Exam is an integral first step in the clinical evaluation of every patient annually. It non-invasively generates an instantaneous, ultra-widefield digital scan of the retina, revealing important information for the comprehensive evaluation of ocular health.

In addition to technology at Beach Eye Care and utmost patient care, we are committed for fundraising to benefit the American Diabetes Association. This year, the Beach Eye Care team participated in Tour De Cure. Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 43 states nationwide to benefit the American Diabetes Association. Tour de Cure is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist. This year, we raised over $2,000 and are committed again next year to help in the cause.

There are 23.6 million children and adults in the United States, or 7.8% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 17.9 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.7 million people (or nearly one quarter) are unaware that they have the disease (diabetes statistics-February 2009).

Pre-diabetes is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. There are 57 million Americans who have pre-diabetes, in addition to the 23.6 million with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, have pre-diabetes, or need an eye exam, come visit us at one of our three locations and schedule your eye exam with Optos™ retinal imaging. This digital technology is recommended annually – and as an important first step – in every patient’s eye exam.  With baseline documentation, we can follow the progression of disease by comparing the digital images of the retina and plan our treatment accordingly.

– Vivek Jain, MD