refractor

I would like to thank everyone who participated in my poll. Your responses were very helpful. I will keep you up to date with any progress I make with this project and I may come back to pick your collective brains again. Thanks again, Dr. Ron Kaiser

Thanks for your reply. You obviously haven't seen a "rocking" patient before. Many people have an eye "phobia" that occurs in an exam experience. All eye doctors are comfortable with doing eye examinations hindered by movement, of any type. Every effort will be made to make the patient as comfortable as possible. I feel that if you can have ice skating shows on board a ship, an eye exam would be safely and easily accomplished. Thanks again for your reply. Dr. Ron Kaiser

Thanks for your reply. I understand your concern with monetary issues. There are many hurdles, but if this project takes off, the estimated price will not be as elevated as the other services that you have noted. The doctors involved will primarily depend on cash transactions, but may accept Medicare. A "superbill" will be issued, so the patient can file the insurance on their own. Thanks again for your reply. Dr. Ron Kaiser

Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception about Optometrists. We are fully qualified to treat any type of eye disease. Newer Optometrists are thoroughly trained to handle all ocular emergencies. The only thing an Optometrist can't do that an Ophthalmolgist can do is surgery. I myself have a "medical practice" and probably see as many diabetic patients as most Ophthalmogists. My collegues in Oklahoma could provide a complete service to you, since they have priveleges to utilize lasers, which is sometimes necessary to treat diabetic retinopathy. I am also fully licensed to treat glaucoma. Most glaucoma patients need to have their pressure monitored every three months. This is another service we could provide. In my practice, and what would be provided on the cruise ship, there are two important aspects to an eye exam - the first is visual and the second is health. This is my "regular eye exam" and it would completely fulfill your necessity for a diabetic eye exam. It is unfortunate that your current Optometrist does not practice this way. It would save you time and money. Thanks again for your response and good luck. Dr. Ron Kaiser

I don't mind your questions. I myself am not much of a "cruiser". Too hyper. I feel I need to be doing productive things at all times of the day. Didn't use to be this way, but as I have gotten older, time has become a premium. My mindset would be to cater to people, such as myself, who don't have time to schedule these important things except when on vacation. A cruise ship is an excellent place to forgo an hour of my life....especially when at sea. I understand there are lots of activities, but I find myself to be visually inclined for relaxation and the ocean gets kind of boring after 30 minutes. I would actually like to have many different services available to me in a situation like this. Obviously, this type of service is not for everyone...I would not expect it to be. I would only hope for 2 to 5 percent of the "cruisers" to utilize this service. Any more and the doctor may become overwhelmed. An optical situation, as the one you illustrate, is not the type of service we would typically provide. We are perfectly capable of providing this service, but it is more of a retail service. Our vocation is eye care and that is the aspect in which we would cater. Thanks again for your response. Dr. Ron Kaiser

Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your concern with the accuracy of your prescription. As a practicing Optometrist I run into this quite often. 99% of the problems patients have with their new prescription is due to poorly made lenses. The prescription the doctor gives you is very accurate, but the lenses were not centered correctly or just made improperly. Price does matter.....you get what you pay for. Every effort would be made to insure that your new prescription worked right for you. There is a piece of equipment called a trial frame, in which the doctor puts your prescription. If there was any doubt of the accceptance of this new prescription, you could wear this and "preview" it. You would be allowed to walk around the ship, in real world situations, to verify sharp vision. This type of service would not be like your typical Eyemasters or Wallyworld exam. It would be top quality, hence the one hour exam time. It would also be in the spirit of a cruise ship. Not your typical stuffy, sterile exam. It would have character and would be laid back. Think Bill Maher, but as an Optometrist. Hopefully this answers your question. Thanks again for your reply, Dr. Ron Kaiser

Hello All!! I would like to start an informal discussion and poll on the utilization of an Optometrist onboard a cruise ship. I am an Optometrist and am considering the possibility of starting a service that would provide eye exams during cruises. These Optometrists would be fully licensed in the United States and would perform comprehensive eye exams. They would also provide acute eye care like caring for red eyes, glaucoma check ups and managing other ocular conditions. The exam would provide you with a prescription for glasses and possibly contact lenses. You would then take your prescription for glasses to your local optician. Taking a cruise is a relaxing experience, but it also allows time which you would not have during normal circumstances. Eye exams are usually neglected, but they are important. I would like to know if an hour of cruise time could be delegated for this important, but simple, health issue. I appreciate your time in this consideration and am willing to answer any questions that this may bring up. Thanks again for your time, Dr. Ron Kaiser