The mission of Integrated Eyecare is simple. It states, “We focus on you while delivering an out-of-sight eyecare experience.”
Especially important in a fast-paced and sometimes impersonal world, it is refreshing to view Integrated Eyecare, a company whose values include friendliness, flexibility and efficient care, with a staff committed to going that extra mile while listening carefully to identify each patient’s visual needs and wants. Education about each client’s unique visual situation and treatment options is standard procedure.
“The health of your eyes and vision is our primary concern, although we also wish to provide you with an exceptional overall experience in our office,” says Kit Carmiencke, O.D., who owns the business with his daughter and partner, Kirsten Scott, O.D., M.S. “Each patient is given a Patient Satisfaction Survey which provides them with the opportunity to help us improve. We read every comment and share them with our staff and are always working to enhance the ‘out-of-sight’ eyecare experience.”
Clients’ requests are not only considered but responded to in a timely manner.
When one patient cited the need for less expensive glasses, Integrated Eyecare responded by creating a special “advantage glasses program” complete with frame and lenses for one price. “Although this is a select group of frames to choose from, some upgrades are allowed,” shares Kirsten Scott. “Clients still get to enjoy our great optical staff but prices are kept down since we don’t bill insurance with this package.”
Another patient broke his only pair of glasses over the weekend, hoping to secure an eye exam when calling in on a Monday. Carmiencke says, “We have now added ‘open access appointments on Mondays’ to help those patients who need an immediate exam. We also offer a ‘second pair discount’ as well as our advantage glasses program to allow you to have an emergency pair of glasses when you need it most.”
When the folks at Integrated Eyecare say they offer an eyecare experience, they mean it. Aside from exceptional customer service, when a client calls in for an appointment, they are advised they can fill out all the required forms online, saving valuable time upon arrival. State-of-the-art technology is another plus. All patients receive a retinal photograph of their eyes as standard procedure because it yields invaluable information. “Most eye care offices across the country will use a retinal photograph once they have identified the problem,” says Carmiencke. “We’re using it to help identify the problem with a baseline for continued monitoring. Unlike most other offices, we measure the visual field as a screening tool on every single patient as standard procedure that is inclusive in the eye examination fee.”
Upon arrival, a 3-D wave analyzer machine measures the patient’s eye pupil size in light and dark, corneal curvature and estimates a visual prescription. This information is then “beamed over” to the examination room, where it is transmitted to a big screen so the patient can see what is going on with her eyes. “After the initial measurements, we review the medical and family history and ascertain exactly why the patient is here,” shares Scott.
“This way, we know exactly what the person really wants. Once a visual prescription has been established, the pupils are dilated. While the pupils are dilating, the patient’s visual field is evaluated, which measures loss of side vision, along with a photo of the back of the eye and the individual’s blood pressure. A thorough eye exam is paramount. Most eye diseases are not events that happen overnight – they are a subtle, progressive change, so if we can identify the changes early on, this enables us to do much more.”
A FAMILY EYE CARE BUSINESS
Carmiencke, who has been practicing for the past 33 years in Bend is pleased his daughter, Kirsten, has returned to Bend and joined him in practice at Integrated Eyecare. After graduating from Mountain View High School, Scott completed her undergraduate work at the University of Puget Sound in Washington and then earned a masters degree in nutrition and sports performance at Florida State University. She holds a doctorate in optometry from Pacific University and served three years with the United States Navy, in addition to training with Dr. Terri Vasche, a recognized expert in children’s vision.
BIG PART OF BUSINESS
According to Carmiencke, dry eye is a big part of their practice in Central Oregon. “Research has shown that Omega Three Fatty Acids are a critical foundation for dry eye therapies,” he says. “With Dr. Scott’s masters degree in nutrition and sports performance combined with my own personal expertise, we can identify the type of Omega 3 that is best absorbed combined with other traditional dry eye therapies which allows us to get better long-term results for our patients.”
Integrated Eyecare also participates in the Infant See program, national program sponsored by the American Optometric Association that examines infants between six months and one year of age free of charge. Always open to taking on new patients, Carmiencke and Scott work closely with retinal specialists and ophthalmologists for eye surgeries to ensure their patients receive total and optimal eye care. Just as Integrated Eyecare is a family business, they provide eye care for the entire family.
“Our goal is to stay on the leading edge of what is available in the field,” Carmiencke says. “We’re trying to provide the care that we ourselves would like to receive. When the patient leaves our office, they really understand what is going on with their vision system.”
Information: 541/382-5701 and www.iebend.com
