Helping People

Zig Ziglar said, “help enough people get what they want and you’ll get what you want.”  That is so true.  I have noticed this with family members as well as the staff within my office.

A couple of years ago I had a student and friend work in my office who was interested in making optometry her career.  We helped her during the application process.  It was rewarding for both her and me when we heard she was accepted to optometry school.

Recently, I told her I was going through the process of becoming certified to prescribe for glaucoma. Immediately, she offered to sit for me so I could practice a technique I needed to know.  She was very knowledgeable in this area.  There’s a little bit of discomfort with this technique as you have to put a viewing lens on the eye itself.

This helping of others is so important to one’s own well being.  I’m really proud of how the course of events has taken place so far with this future optometrist.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Great Individuals To Work With

It’s really great when you can come into your office and everyone really gets along well.. I find that with the individuals in my office.  Believe me, I have worked in offices where this wasn't the case.  You probably have, too.

It’s really wonderful that I am able to delegate many of the office tasks to my employees where I am then able to concentrate my efforts on patient care.  The other area of the practice I enjoy is the networking part of my practice.  From the gym to chambers of commerce to online, I really enjoy meeting with people and discussing (with enthusiasm ) my practice.Patients are really able to pick up where there are “good vibrations” within a work environment.  I encourage you to read the testimonial section of my website, www.wehelpuc.com.  The last testimonial describes this to a tee and made me feel really good.A second year optometry school student remarked to me: ”Bob, you never say you’re going to work, you say you’re going to the office.”

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Special Needs Patients

I recently had a couple of young patients who had Down’s Syndrome.  Many of these patients have problems with the teaming of their eyes together.  I referred them to the optometry school in the area which has a tremendous pediatric program.

I recently saw the parents of these patients.  They couldn’t be more pleased.  They raved about the attention their children received.  They also presciribed vision trainaing which helped their children a lot.

The parents were so impressed with the care received, they are having the faculty of the school address their support group for Down’s Syndrome.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard

Optometry, A Profession That Has Everything

I’ve been practicing optometry for nearly 32 years.  It’s a profession  that is quite dynamic,  Advances in the scope of practice that we’re able to offer our patients is great. We’re able to improve a child’s reading ability as well as help adults who view monitors all day making them more efficient and less visually fatigued.  We’re able to improve the sports performance of an athlete through improved vision skills.  We’re able to detect and treat many eye infections and diseases.

We’re able to possibly save a patient’s life through detection of certain visual problems as well as anatomical eye problems.  Please go to the “testimonial” section of my website, www.ranchoeyedoctor.com and view the letters.  Also, we could improve the ability for an individual to obtain a job where the employer thought he didn’t have the visual skills necessary. There’s a letter pertaining to this on the website.

The last area I want to discuss is the prescribing of glasses and contacts.  The area of cosmesis as well as the appropriate frame for a prescription comes into play.  Also contact lenses are such a dynamic part of our practice.

What’s really neat is when we thank our previous patients for returning.  A lot of times we’ll hear that they “love” coming to us.  I can’t think of too many professions where this is the case.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Feeling Like a Quarterback

Throughout my practice, I always feel I have my patient’s best visual interests in mind.  With this in mind, I am always thinking am I the best professional to work with a patient’s condition or should I refer them to a specialist?  My standard is if I would refer myself or a family member for a given condition, I’ll refer the patient.

As a private practitioner, I have only myself to answer to.  I don’t have to justify myself to any corporate head.  I know my strengths in working with patients and I’m continuously updating my skills.  I have been able to establish great sources of referrals over the years.  What’s interesting is that some of these specialists refer patients to me whom they know will be well taken care of and effectively treated.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard 

Business Interview

I was recently interviewed by students from a local college studying business.  It was really neat to be interviewed by them.  They asked about the strengths and weaknesses of business as well as marketing efforts and competition.  I spent around 60-90 minutes with them and there will be subsequent interviews.

The more questions they asked, the more passionate I became.  I really enjoy being in a practice where I can make the decisions.  If I feel a referral to another health care provider needs to be made, I don’t have to worry about what corporate will say.  If  I want to prescribe a certain brand of lens or contact lens, I am not limited.  I can spend as much time examining a patient as I want.

I've been practicing in my own business for 24 years and still enjoying it.  The fact that I can share this with young individuals is great.

-Dr. Robert Rothbard 

YouTube Videos

Over the last year I’ve posted some videos on my YouTube Channel.  You type in  “drbobrothbard” in the search bar or click here to view them

There are different videos featuring different areas of optometry that I feel will be of benefit to you and your family.

Over the course of time, I really hope to expand on these.  I hope you guys like NYC because most of the intros feature different parts of the City.  If the Yanks don’t start playing better I’m going to take down Yankee Stadium and put up Citifield where the Mets play.

- Dr. Robert Rothbard