Would you use an Optometrist onboard your cruise ship??

[refractor]

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

[Gregswife]

I personally, would not go to an optometrist while on a cruise, unless it was an absolute emergency. I go once a year and I really do dislike going, mostly because of the test that they puff air into your eyes. While cruising, I only want to think about pleasant and enjoyable things. I would be more comfortable going to the same practice I had been a patient at for many years - if I have any kind of problem with my contacts or glasses, I can get it taken care quickly. I am just curious, if you had an issue with a vision prescription that was filled at sea, who would remedy that once you returned home? I realize that you could go to your regular optometrist at that time, but then you would not only be out the money you spent at the shipboard eye dr., but also the cost of a visit to your regular vision care provider.

[GottaCruz]

I feel the same way. While cruising, the last thing I want to do is make an appointment to be anyplace at any certain time. I don't want to deal with anything at all except relaxing , sitting on my butt and eating.

refractor, Welcome aboard. We hope you'll become an active poster here.

[refractor]

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

[jacketwatch]

Welcome. Honestly this would be the last thing on my mind to do on a cruise. Folks are there for fun and an eye exam would not be a part of that. Just think of how you would feel on your hard earned vacation if you had the exam and the doc found you had glaucoma or some other serious eye problem. It would ruin the trip so why chance it? The other issue is insurance. My plan covers eye exams yearly for a $10.00 co-pay, very reasonable so it would not pay for me to get an exam on board and for the reasons I have stated I would not even if the plan would cover it. BTW I'll tell you an intresting story. We all got glasses made in India 2 yrs. ago. The quality was just fine and the contacts my son got were the best he has ever had. I have kept in contact with the doc there and recently he sent me new bi-focals after I gave him my new script. I also got a pair from Lenscrafters as well. I prefer the glasses he sent me all the way from India and actually got them 6 days SOONER than the ones Lenscrafters made for me. His are AR coated and use Carl Zeiss lenses too and the cost was far less than what I paid at LC's even w/ my insurance. Welcome aboard!

[kayhi]

I personally would not unless something happened such as an accident or emergency. I grow attached to my doctors and don't like change. Also I don't get cruises very often and I would not want it to take away from all the activities. A doctors appt. would not be on my agenda. I'm sorry

[Gregswife]

Refractor, sorry for my questions - I am just a naturally curious person - my husband would use the word "nosey" but we won't discuss that. I was wondering if this was a service you have seen on another cruise line and that sparked your interest? As all of my previous cruises and the impending one, have all been Carnival, I have no idea what other lines offer by way of services. Are you a cruiser and thought this was a service you would like to see onboard? Please forgive me for prying, I am sincerely interested in the thought process that goes into a venture such as this. While there may be some who would not mind a set appt. time while at sea, for me, the only 2 times that I don't mind being somewhere at a certain time would be dinner and that full body massage. I could see where there might be use for such a service if the focal point of it were mainly repair - I was in need of an eyeglass repair on my first trip to France and did visit an optometrist's office there. Of course, I don't know how profitable it would be - the screw had come out and the earpiece had fallen off. They put a screw in and did not charge me anything (which was a good thing, because on our first trip there, they had not yet switched to the euro system and I had only been there 2 days when it happened and had not figured out the money system, so when I would pay for something, I would hold my francs out and hope they would only take the right amount - now how trusting (okay - stupid is more than likely a better adjective) was that???

[JoeyandDavid]

Dr. Kaiser,

I would have to agree ..I don't think i would take advantage of an on board optometrist unless it was an emergency, however I do think having on available is a good idea...

Joey

[Spikesgirl]

I wear glasses and carried an extra pair with me when I travel, it would be limited to a medical emergency only for me. I have a regular optomitrist whom I like very much and trust explicitly, so I would be more inclined to have an exam on shore.

Interesting thought, though.

Charlie

[cruisetarp]

Dr. Kaiser. Sorry, but I must go with the majority here. I would see you in an emergency but would not make an appointment for a regularly scheduled check-up. I prefer to be able to reach my Dr. whenever I need to see him