Dr. Steve Stubits, Independent Board Certified Optometrist
Author: Dan Amyx, Owner – Treasure Coast Opticians / Board Certified Optician ABOC, NCLC, NAO
It is often said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. This may be true, but the eyes are definitely a window to your health. A competent eye doctor can detect various diseases and problems early enough to save your life just by giving you a thorough eye exam. This is so critical to your health and so well documented that most states have laws that determine minimum requirements for a complete examination. In our office we have discovered early signs of diabetes, glaucoma, cancer and even brain tumors, just through a routine eye exam.
The minimum requirements for “Vision Analysis” in the state of Florida (Florida Statutes 64B13-3.007, and 64B13-.012) are important minimum guidelines for a routine and complete eye exam. But because most consumers don’t know these statutes exist, or what is required, many unscrupulous facilities will only check for a prescription, thus putting you in jeopardy. What you don’t know could kill you.
Below are the most important aspects of a proper eye exam in the state of Florida. We suggest you become familiar with them before you schedule your next eye exam. It could save your life or that of a loved one.
A comprehensive eye examination shall include the following minimum procedures, which shall be recorded on the patient’s case record.* (a) Patient’s history (personal and family medical history, personal and family ocular history, and chief complaint); (b) Visual acuity (unaided and with present correction at initial presentation; thereafter, unaided or with present correction); (c) External examination; (d) Pupillary examination; (e) Visual field testing (confrontation or other); (f) Internal examination (recording, optic nerve health, blood vessel status, macula health, and any abnormalities); (g) Biomicroscopy (binocular or monocular); (h) Tonometry; (with time of measurement); (i) Refraction (with recorded visual acuity); (j) Extra ocular muscle balance assessment;
Exams should be performed by a licensed practitioner, preferably an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is licensed in Florida. Florida laws are very stringent in this regard and very protective of your health. If the doctor is licensed in this state she/he has the knowledge to pass the difficult examination process, and is capable of providing an accurate assessment of your eye health.
Some local optical establishments have no licensed doctors on staff (or opticians). These facilities will often use a machine called an auto-refractor to determine a final prescription. This is not an eye exam. This machine is supposed to be used as a starting point for a thorough exam to aid the licensed practitioner in arriving at final diagnosis. By itself, this machine is inadequate in determining an accurate prescription. It is important to find out ahead of time what is entailed in the office’s exam process.
Protect yourself and your loved ones, don’t be taken in by “Free Eye Exam” offers, as they are worth what you pay for them. Go to a professional who takes your vision and your health seriously.
At Treasure Coast Opticians, we pride ourselves in administering the most comprehensive eye exams possible using the latest equipment. Our optometrists are board certified and bring years of experience.
Dr. Steve Stubits attended Florida Atlantic University, and graduated from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon graduation, he joined his family in a busy optical practice in Fernandina Beach, Florida, where he remained for over 30 years. The desire to find a warmer locale prompted a move to Vero Beach which accompanied an offer to join the team at Treasure Coast Opticians. As an independent optometrist, Steve is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Treasure Coast Optometric Association and is affiliated with several local eye-care specialists. Dr. Stubits is committed to providing the highest level of vison care to his patients utilizing the latest optometric equipment. When possible, he prefers using the new retinal imaging system replacing dilation in most cases. He also utilizes an anterior eye imaging camera which enables the patient to see magnified images of their eyes and view the clarity of their lens. This high-tech equipment combined with Dr. Stubits’ vast optical experience promises a very thorough eye exam.
To schedule an eye exam, give us a call at 772-569-4822, or click here to contact us online. Your vision is our passion!
*Source: http://flrules.eregulations.us/code/rule/64B13-3.007
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Treasure Coast Opticians
715 17th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Call 772-569-4822
Open M-F 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday by Appointment