"Personal Development"

I just finished the book by Robin Sharma, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari."  This is the story of a high powered attorney who had all the material trappings that one could have.  During a trial, he collapsed from a heart attack.  He leaves the law profession and travels to India.  He comes back to visit with one of his proteges to discuss the immense changes in his life that he has gone through and what he's learned while being there. It's a quick read and has an immense amount of great knowledge that we can learn from.  I would highly recommend it.

"The Importance of Eye Coodination and How to Prescribe For It"

The above video will discuss the importance of eye coordination and being able to perform efficiently in sports, work and school.  It specifically discusses the use of prisms.

"Robin Sharma on Personal Development and Motivation"

I recently viewed an extremely informative video on YouTube dealing with personal development and motivation.  It is by Robin Sharma.  I think you'll find it extremely informative Click HERE .

Archived On-line Radio Broadcasts

Over the previous few months, I was privileged to interview experts in the field of optometry and ophthalmology.  The areas discussed were very diverse.  These areas included macular degeneration and glaucoma, and concussions as they affect vision.  Areas related to severe injury to the eye as well as eye muscle surgery were discussed.  Lasik was also discussed by one of our guests.  In a totally different area,  vision problems were discussed.  Vision as relates to learning disabilities and sports performance were topics covered by several of our guests.  Areas including autism and Down’s Syndrome and being able to examine the infant were discussed.

To tune into these archived areas, please visit our website at www.ranchoeyedoctor.com.  There you would go to episode on demand and this will lead you to the particular guest.

I am really proud of these shows and I thin you will find them of interest. 

Prisms

Please click HERE to watch the video! 

A patient of mine came in with her friend. She was 20/20 – no need for Prescription. Did a peripheral vision test and notice she could not see anything to the right of her nose while each eye was covered separately. She was not blind, or blurred, she had no vision.

With her left eye covered she could not see anything to the right of her nose. With her right eye covered, she could see nothing on the right of the nose.

No right field of vision…so that tells you it’s the brain. As it turns out she had brain surgery for another condition, and that surgery resulted this condition.

Maybe the fibers that that lead from her eye to the back of the brain were severed. They performed a brain scan, they determined that there was an aneurysm. We gave her specialized glasses, known as prisms that shifted her world from left

To right. It does not correct the vision, but just shifts them. Her life was restored. She was able to drive, read, and work. Her quality of life improved dramatically.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Lesser Prescription Isn’t Always A Good Thing

Anytime there is a significant change in one’s glasses prescription over the course of a few days, a red flag should go up.  That includes even if you notice that all of a sudden you can see clearly at distance without your glasses even though before your were very blurred.  Two reasons come to mind.   One could be a reaction to change in medication.  The second reason could be a significant changes in one’s blood sugar.  This type of change warrants an immediate referral to the patient’s primary care physician to investigate a possible cause.  This finding could be the first sign the patient has developed diabetes or that their sugar is not stable.

If glasses are prescribed for this, the prescription could change by the time the patient receives their glasses.  I find that if there is a big change, the best remedy is to fit the patient with disposable contact lenses until the prescription stabilizes.  Often times but not always, the prescription will change back to where it was originally.  Sometimes this could take a few weeks so different strength contact lenses need to be prescribed over the course of time.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Enhancing Reading In A Cross-Eyed Patient

Several weeks ago I examined a young lady for nearsightedness.  Everything was normal.  She then started to tell me about her daughter who had eye surgery for a cross-eyed condition.  I told her the specialist whom she was seeing had a great reputation.  The eyes for the most part appeared straight.  I told the patient that I might want to see her daughter to see if there’s anything further that can be done.  I also mentioned to her that there were specialists at the Optometry School at Western University that could also help.

I subsequently examined her daughter.  The mom remarked that her daughter’s reading could be improved.  Her distant prescription she came in with was fairly close to what I found she needed.  However, when I placed an additional lens in front of these for up close, her reading increased significantly.  This would require the patient to wear a bifocal.  I am really looking forward to the results of her daughter’s performance in school.  I also told the mom that her daughter may need vision training to help improve her vision skills.

Eye Infection Gone Bad

A contact lens patient called my office saying she was recently treated medically at an urgent care center  for an eye infection last week.  She was given a basic antibiotic and did not return for care.  She noticed the vision was getting worse.  She called my office (for the first time) about a week later and my staff told her she needed to be seen in our office immediately.  When we examined her she couldn’t even see the big E with her glasses.  Worse, though, was that she had a dense, central corneal scar.  We immediately contacted her insurance company and we referred her to the emergency room immediately at a local hospital where it was stated she needed to seen an ophthalmologist and preferably, a corneal specialist.

The take home point is that if you’re treated at urgent care for an eye infection, you need to be followed up by an optometrist or ophthalmologist to rule out progression of the disease.  We are hoping that there isn’t any permanent loss of vision with this patient.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Vision Is An Interesting Topic

I was at Long Beach Airport heading out for the weekend.  I engaged in a conversation with a lady who was picking up her daughter.  I told her I was an optometrist.  She discussed with me that her daughter had strabismus (eyes are not straight) and she had surgery.  She was wondering if there was anything that could be done for her to enhance her vision.  I went over some information with her and she seemed most interested.  She’s up toward Magic Mountain and possibly will bring her daughter in for a consultation.  The second person whom I engaged in conversation was actually sitting next to me on the plane.  It turned out she was about 55 wearing contact lenses.  She told me that she required reading glasses over the contacts to see up close.  She also stated that bifocal contact lenses didn’t work.  I told her to put her reading glasses in front of one eye and keep the other eye open.  This creates a monovision situation of one eye for reading and one eye for distance.  She was able to see far and near.  I told her she might be able to wear this type of contact lens system some of the time where she wouldn’t have to wear reading glasses for up close print.

I so enjoy doing this.  As applies to myself and any business, “nobody cares what you know until they know that you care.”

Another Great Reason For Practicing Optometry

A couple of days ago, a seven-year-old boy came in for an eye examination.  The mom came in with information from the school nurse as well as the history of her son.  The nurse at the school said the boy’s distance vision was about 20/50 and he had a lot of trouble focusing up close.  There was also a history of a non-malignant growth on the brain.  The mom said even though her son was in second grade, he was only reading at kindergarten level.  The school was developing a special individualized plan for his education.

When I examined the patient, I found him to be 20/20 in each eye and he responded to questions exceedingly well.  He perceived him to be very intelligent, well spoken and probably very frustrated.  When I checked his focusing ability at near (around 12″), he had a very poor focusing system.  I held a pair of lenses in front of him and checked his reading.  To the almost shock of the mother and my surprise, his reading ability was tremendously improved.  Most young patients don’t have this type of focusing deficit and response to this type of prescription,  but this patient did.

I get so excited when we are able to make such a dramatic change in an individual’s vision as well as performance.  I am looking forward to following up with this patient.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Prisms to Correct Vision

A patient of mine came in with her friend. She was 20/20 – no need for Prescription. Did a peripheral vision test and notice she could not see anything to the right of her nose while each eye was covered separately. She was not blind, or blurred, she had no vision.

With her left eye covered she could not see anything to the right of her nose. With her right eye covered, she could see nothing on the right of the nose.

No right field of vision…so that tells you it’s the brain. As it turns out she had brain surgery for another condition, and that surgery resulted this condition.

]Maybe the fibers that that lead from her eye to the back of the brain were severed. They performed a brain scan, they determined that there was an aneurysm. We gave her specialized glasses, known as prisms that shifted her world from left To right. It does not correct the vision, but just shifts them.

Her life was restored. She was able to drive, read, and work. Her quality of life improved dramatically.

Facts

1. Vision Loss may involve certain parts of the visual field

2. Loss of ¼ to ½ of vision field are common head injuries or tumors.

3. Prism lenses re-orientate the eyes into seeing ordinary

Part Science, Part Art, All Heart

A dentist in the Inland Empire used these words to describe his profession.  I feel they really apply to optometry.  A major part of our profession of course deals with “science.”  Development in lens styles, treating disease and measuring visual findings has improved due to developments in science.  In dealing with the “art” however, we are dealing with the human mind, 2+ 2 doesn't always equal 4.  If it did, there would be one best contact lens, one best style for frames, and basically we would never have to redo someone’s glasses due to comfort.  We would just put them in front of a computer and it would come out with a prescription and it would be perfect.  This does not exist.  Also, there is not just one great drug or treatment for a disease.  The “art” part comes from experience and listening to the patient.  When you deal with a patient, everyone is an individual and you must as a practitioner, accommodate and interpret the findings around the patient.

The “heart” part of the statement is particularly true in optometry.  Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care (an old proverb).  There is a lot of empathy surrounding my profession, or at least there should be.  You have to listen to the wants and needs of a patient.  This could never be ascertained by just a computer finding or just asking, “which is better, one or two?”  Just the fact that you show care for a patient could make the difference whether your treatment is successful.  Patients want to be listened to and feel their concerns are being addressed and considered and as individuals, they want to be valued.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Testimonial – 1/13/2014

Dr Rothbard,
I would like to personally thank you for your efforts and for going out of your way for me and a lot of your patients. I am in the healthcare field myself and I do know that it’s very rare to find a healthcare professional who goes out of their way for a patient. I walked into your office last week Friday after reading great reviews about you and your staff on Yelp and I briefly spoke to Katie and a gentleman at the front desk. They were both very helpful and took the time to listen to me and talk to me about my current issue with my PPO insurance. Katie was awesome and very attentive! After talking to them about my condition and insurance problems, they took down my number and told me that I should expect a call back on Monday. Little did I know that YOU will be calling me and leaving me a personal message on my cel phone about where to go to get RGP lenses fitted. Even though you knew that you were not going to be able to provide me with services, you still went out of your way to call me and tell me who to go to. I want to use this opportunity to thank you. As a health care provider in the inland empire, I am constantly encountering patients who are looking for the “best” doctors. Just so you know, you have topped my list of “best” optometrists in the IE due to your human touch and personable approach. I will be referring everyone that’s looking for an optometrist to you. Also, please look out for my review on Yelp.Thank you and I’ll be sure to tell my referrals to let you know that “Joe sent you” when they come your way.

Best regards,

Joe

A Human Factor

I so enjoy optometry.  For me, it’s great being in my own practice.  One of the most enjoyable parts is that I could get to know many of my patients.  They’re not just another set of eyeballs.  I have seen many of the patients who started as primary school age individuals reach college and adulthood.  I have also seen patients who have retired and they relate to what they’re doing.  Many times these patients will tell me what’s going on with their family or friends.  I really feel good that they've entrusted me with such a vital part of their life, their vision.

We, as optometrists, play a very important part in our patients’ lives.  In certain cases, the care we render could be life saving.  Also, more common, is that we can improve their quality of life through our care.  When a number of my patients state that they love coming into the office, I really feel great.  It so makes me feel that I’ve chosen a great profession.  This is even more to the point as I knew I wanted to be an optometrist as early as my junior year in high school.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

There’s More To Vision Than Just 20/20

When examining patients for glasses and contact lenses, being able to have those patients see clearly with the prescription is of course very important.  I recently prescribed a pair of glasses for a patient whose comment was, “I feel like my jaw is unclenching when I put these on.”  This is because the eyes did not work well together and when I prescribed a lens called “prism,” it helped the eyes to work better with each other.  In another case, I was doing vision training with a college football player.  His comment was “that everything looked as it was unfolding a lot more slowly implying that he was able to react to a situation on the field more quickly.

 Making sure the patient receives a pair of glasses that takes care of the task is important.  So many patients older than 45 need bifocal lenses so they can see distance and near.  If they’re working a desktop computer with the screen at eye level as well at a different distance than their normal reading, could lead to a lot of neck, shoulder or eyestrain.  Usually a separate pair of glasses needs to prescribed for this situation. The same thing goes for an electrician who often times has to look at close up detail above his head.  In this case, we have to put a bifocal lens both below the center and above the center of straight away vision.  Even though these glasses don’t look pretty, for some patients who have this demand, they’re very functional.

Also, many times a child will have 20/20 vision at distance and near but still have a learning problem that’s visually related.  Sometimes glasses alone will help remedy the problem and sometimes you also need vision training.  This is sometimes overlooked by the practitioner.

 These are just a few examples of  patients who may have 20/20 either with glasses or without who still may have vision problems.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Vision Training Case

I started working with a young individual in his freshman year in college.  His main complaint was that he was having trouble taking in the whole playing field when he was looking at one particular player.  Even though the patient suffered from an eye injury two years ago, there was no organic problem with the eye.

 I started doing vision training on him.  Yesterday, he related that all the action on the football field looked as if it were slower.  In other words, his reaction time was a look quicker.  Also, he said his receptions (ability to catch the ball) from the quarterback improved markedly.  Needless to say, he was very happy.

 Vision training has so many applications.  These include individuals who have problems keeping their place reading or get headaches while doing near tasks including reading from text, desktops, laptops, or mobile devices.  It also includes people who have poor depth perception or poor hand-eye coordination.

For more information you can view our video on YouTube under our YouTube channel, robertrothbardod.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Passion For The Profession

A business associate of mine said “nothing happens until someone gets excited.”  That’s so true.  I was at an optometric society meeting yesterday.  There were optometrists as well as optometric students there.  I was talking with the first year students how important it is to be passionate about what you’re doing.  I am fortunate that I’m in a profession that I feel that way about.  I work with very interesting cases where we have had a positive, profound effect on patients’ lives by our diagnoses and treatment.  These includes relieving headaches, making individuals (especially students)  more efficient readers and patients seeing depth perception for the first time and actually referring a 41-year-old patient to the appropriate doctor (after our examination) which ultimately saved her life.  She was diagnosed with an aneurysm which the doctor said could have killed the patient in the “not too distant future.”  They operated on her immediately and the aneurysm broke on the operating table where the patient lost that eye but her life was saved.  It was really rewarding when she came back to the office with a letter thanking me for saving her life.  You can see this letter in earlier blogs that appear on the website.

 This is why I feel so excited about practicing, even after 32 years.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

  

Pain In The Neck and Shoulders

What does neck and shoulder pain have to do with an optometric blog?  The answer deals with individuals wearing bifocals who work with desk top computers.  When bifocals are prescribed, they’re usually for reading through the bottom part at lap level and looking at the distance through the top part.  If a person is viewing a computer that’s at eye level, in order to use the bifocal, they’ll have to tilt their head back and generally lean into the screen.  Hence the neck and back pain.  Also it’s critical that the eye doctor ask the patient about their work station.  That includes if there are multiple monitors and what distance the user is from the monitor and what the monitor’s height is..  Also the age factor is important.  There’s a big difference in prescribing for the first time bifocal wearer who is 43 years old vs the bifocal wearer who is in their 50s or older.

 Here’s just one example Let’s say we have a 55 year old individual who is looking at a monitor about 22 inches away and at eye level and viewing text at 16 inches.  I will often times prescribe a bifocal (or no line progressive lens) with the top part of the  prescription for 22 inches and the bottom part of the prescription for reading.  The patient needs to know that this pair of glasses is only for work and that it will blur out distance.  The patient here could sit back and view the monitor with out having to alter their posture.

In future blogs we’ll discuss contact lenses and viewing a monitor.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Networking

I was at an event yesterday at The Radisson Hotel in Ontario, CA.  They had sponsored a party for many of the businesses in the area.  I belong to three chambers of commerce in the area as well as enjoy getting on line and discussing my  profession.  There’s nothing like personal contact.  There were quite a few individuals whom I haven’t met before.  The conversation and networking were wonderful.

As usual, many of the people I had conversations with had questions regarding their own vision.  They included questions, about contacts, computers and vision and vision as pertaining to their family.  I sincerely enjoy answering these questions.  Of course, finding out about the individuals who are there is wonderful.

A frequently asked question is whether we take their insurance.  I usually tell them to call the office and we could find out online what their status is.  We do take most vision plans.

Personal Development

Over the last several years I’ve gotten so involved in my own personal development.  A good part of that is the immense amount of material presenting itself in the form of books, CDs and videos.  Books from authors like Jim Rohn, Darren Hardy, Napolean Hill, Andy Andrews, Tony Robbins and  are such a great source of information.  There are so many other authors also to choose from.  In addition to the books, there are CDs and videos that appear on Youtube that are immense in content.  In my opinion, it sure beats the heck out of listening to the news.  As stated by some of the above authors,  it’s just as important to fuel the mind with positive information as it is to fuel the body with nutritious food.

 As an optometrist, I feel so fortunate in working in a field I sincerely feel passionate about.  Most of this stems from the wonderful interactions I have with my patients, staff and the community.  I feel a lot of this has developed from listening, reading and learning from the above authors.

Still Passionate After 32 Years

It’s hard to believe I graduated 32 years ago from

Pacific University College of Optometry.  I’ve currently owned my own practice here in Rancho Cucamonga since 1989.  I’ve examined kids back then who now bring their own kids in.  I’ve had patients who have moved away a fairly good distance and still come back.  A good part of our practice is based on patient referral.  I have belonged to and active in three local chambers of commerce.  I really enjoy this.

The developments in my practice have also been great.  We’ve had expansion in our scope of practice since I was first licensed.  I am also independent of any corporate control so if I feel the patient needs to be referred to another professional, I can do so without someone looking over my shoulder.  We have also been able to move into a much larger and more up to date facility within the same shopping center in February, 2012.  It’s a real source of pride.

 Finally I really feel we’ve had a significant impact on the lives of a number of our patients.  This includes improving a child’s ability to learn, helping individuals with their employment, saving individuals from possible blindness and even saving some individual lives from certain conditions including aneurysms.  Some of these conditions can be read about in the “testimonial” section of the website.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Considering Lasik At 40

f you’re considering lasik after 40, there’s a major consideration.  When corrected for distance, what happens to the reading?  Some of my patients who are 40 and older and moderately nearsighted, take their glasses off to read.  It’s easier.  These patients who have lasik have one of two choices.  Use reading glasses to read or have the surgeon set you up with one eye for reading and one eye for distance (monovision).  There are considerations.  If you are doing a lot of close up work, or a drive for a profession, monovosion can be a strain on the eyes for both far and near.  Patients who already wear contacts know about this situation.  If you’ve had monovision with contact lenses, chances are monovision will work with the lasik.  If you don’t wear contacts, ask your eyecare professional to try contacts on you to see if you’re a candidate for monovision.  This should be  a fairly straight forward procedure.  If  you feel awkward, you’ll probably have to have both eyes corrected for far.  If you take your glasses off to read normally, this might not be an ideal situation leading to frustration.

 I’ve had quite a few of my patients option for lasik with excellent results.  We try to cover this above situation so the patient understands what their options are.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard

Vision and Sports, An Interesting Case

I had a patient referred to me.  He had an eye injury a couple of years ago and is noticing that his vision is changing.  The patient still sees 20/20 in both eyes.  I did note that there was a small piece of peripheral vision missing out of his left eye probably due to the injury.  The patient feels that his performance in football isn’t as good as it was.  He saw clearly enough but he was unable to take in all the visual information he felt he needed to.

There is more to good vision than 20/20.  Having good ability to team the eyes (binocular vision) is paramount.  This helps lead to good depth perception and being able to be aware of what’s on the football field (or any sports field or arena).

The first thing I’m requesting from the patient is a follow-up with his specialist to rule out any pathological (disease) problem associated with the original injury that is getting worse.   After that, I am hoping we can get the patient started in vision training to help improve his performance on the field.  We’ll let you know what happens.  This to me is a very interesting case.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Patient Conditions

Technology plays such an important part in all our lives.  One of the neatest things is when I diagnose a condition concerning a patient, many times I can pull it up online and visually demonstrate the condition to the patient.  For example, if a patient is over wearing their contact lenses, certain findings on the corneal part of the eye can be seen by me with a bio microscope.  I can actually show the patient on the computer what their condition is.  Neovascularization or new blood vessel formation on the cornea can be very serious.  I am actually able to show the patient what this looks like.  Then the patient can realize what I’m concerned about.

Another condition that can be looked at on the computer is macular degeneration.  This demonstration to the patient is such a powerful tool in helping them understand their eye health and why they’re possibly seeing so poorly or why glasses can’t fully correct their condition.  There are a myriad of conditions that I can show the patient that are found online.  Cataracts or even the retinal effects of diabetes are just a couple of other eye conditions that can be viewed.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Mastermind Group Thursdays

On most Thursdays, about ten to fifteen individuals meet discussing different success principles as outlined by Jim Rohn.  The backgrounds and ages of the participants vary widely.  Areas including but not limited to marketing, networking, accelerated learning, and physical well being are discussed.

As stated, the meetings occur on most Thursdays, the Fourth of July is an exception as is July 25.  They occur at 7:00  P.M. at my office, 7211-A Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.  We’re in the Ralph’s Shopping Center at Baseline and Haven.  The sign over the office says “optometry.”

I think you’ll find them very interesting and rewarding.  For more information you can call us at (909) 980-3535.

We really hope to see you.

-Bob Rothbard, O.D.

A Patient In Pain

A patient was referred to me from a friend of mine who’s a psychologist.  He was suffering from extreme headaches and shoulder pain.  He was receiving injections from his physician to help relieve the pain.  The psychologist wanted to know if there were a vision component to the pain.  In a nutshell the extreme discomfort the patient felt while viewing the computer was due to his visual condition and the set-up of his work station.

The patient was basically using single vision reading glasses even though he was in his 50′s and his computer was about two feet away from him while the text he was viewing was about 16″ away.  That meant the patient had to lean into the screen, constantly. OUCH.  Also the prescription he was using was different from what I found.  One last thing.  The patient had a small but significant distant prescription. that he was not prescribed for.

When I showed the patient the prescription (mounted in a trial frame) for the computer, you could see the comfort that ensued.  I am looking forward the patient receiving the prescription in the next week or two and seeing the results.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Fulfilling Career

There are many ways individuals define success, especially with regard to their job or career.  I was on YouTube this weekend listening to various motivational speakers.  What they stated that most impressed me was you can really only consider yourself a success if you feel fulfilled in what you’re doing.  Do you feel you’re really doing something that will not only benefit yourself, but more importantly, benefit someone else?

I've been practicing optometry for about 31 years.  I can definitely say I've chosen the right profession for me.  The love I have for the profession as well as my patients is very fulfilling.  I frequently look over the testimonial section of my website, www.ranchoeyedoctor.com, and it gives me such a great feeling.  When my patients say they love coming to the office, it makes me feel really wonderful.

I certainly feel optometry is a calling for me.  I am so thankful.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Community Events

Our office participated in a health fair sponsored by Lewis Homes.  The age of the attendees ranged from young kids to individuals in their 80′s.  One of the nurses whom I was stationed next to discussed with me the importance of drinking enough water, especially if you work out a lot.  She was going over with me how this could even affect one’s blood pressure.

We've participated in various community events.  It’s so enjoyable getting out into the community.  I’ve also become a reading buddy for Dona Merced Elementary School here in Rancho Cucamonga.  The enthusiasm of the first through third graders was wonderful.

If you have a group who would like to have an enthusiastic presentation on vision, please call our office at (909) 980-3535.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Continuing Education

Optometry is such an expansive field.  When I go to continuing education seminars, it amazes me the developments that are occurring within the eye and vision fields.  New contact lenses and lenses for glasses have come a long way over the last few years.

Medical advancements in refractive surgery (lasik for example), cataract surgery and being able to treat macular degeneration  has also grown by leaps and bounds.  It’s great to be witness to the patients receiving the benefits of these developments.

Also, the fact that almost everyone is in front of a hand-held device, tablet or monitor will help insure the needs for my services will only grow. The effects of viewing extensive close up work, for some, affects one’s vision. To be honest, this area alone is a very exciting area for me.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Good Vision Is More Than 20/20

A number of individuals feel they don’t need to have their eyes examined because they see clearly.  When examining the eyes, of course we want to the patient to have clear sight.  But we also want to know how well their eyes work together, if they have depth perception or even if they’re straining their eyes when working close up, particularly on a monitor.  You can have clear sight and still have problems visually.

The other side of the examination deals with how healthy the eyes are.  You can have 20/20 and still manifest a sight-threatening or life threatening disease such as glaucoma, cancer of the eye or even a detachment of structures of the eyes and not be aware of them.  You can be losing peripheral vision and not even be aware of it.  I've had patients who were diagnosed to have a brain aneurysm or a tumor through examination of the eyes.

For more information, please visit my website, www.ranchoeyedoctor.com.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

College Major

I  had an 18-year-old patient starting college as a patient.  I asked him what his major was.  He said he was combining a psychology and a business major together.  I thought what a great idea.  His advisor at school couldn't figure out why he wanted to combine the two.

Owning my own business, so many psychological factors enter into how successful a business is.  Of course one is how well the staff gets along with each other as well as the patients.

I thought this patient was quite insightful, especially for being so young.  It will be interesting to follow his progress.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Patient Comfort

There are times when we give patients a prescription which they could see clearly with but are not comfortable.  Their eyes may feel tired with them or they may get headaches.

Sometimes we have to look at the old prescription and modify the change we gave them.  Sometimes there is a correction for astigmatism that makes the patient see clearly but causes a warpage in their vision.  In that case, we either reduce or remove the correction for astigmatism.

There are a host of other types of prescriptions which we measure on the patient during the examination that the patient can’t tolerate. We also find that when the patient has been wearing contact lenses only for a long time and wants to get spectacles, there could be trouble adjusting to the glasses. 

- Dr. Robert Rothbard