17 June 2010 - 20:29Leading the Way Since 1991…

As we look back, the milestones really pile up as Beach Eye Care approaches its 20th year. Twenty years of growth from a one provider practice with one office and two employees to a six provider practice with three offices and fifty employees.  Twenty years of growth with the start of refractive surgery with RK (radial keratotomy) to PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) to LASIK (laser assisted in situ keratomileusis) to LTK (laser thermal keratoplasty) to CK (conductive keratoplasty) to the technologically advanced Intralase iFS™ and Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q Excimer lasers.   Twenty years of growth from LASIK flap creation with the use of a manually controlled surgical blade to the bladeless computer controlled cool excimer laser beam.  Twenty years of growth from cataract surgery with phacoemulsification and conventional intraocular monofocal lens implants to multifocal and accommodating lens implants.  Twenty years of growth of being the first to bring technology to Eastern Virginia – from being the first ophthalmologist in Eastern Virginia to perform LASIK for nearsightedness then farsightedness, to being the first to perform CK to treat farsightedness, to being the first to use IntraLase™ for LASIK flap creation, to being the first to implement the 5th generation Intralase iFS™ technology. Twenty years of growth from obtaining a certificate of need from the state of Virginia to establish Eastern Virginia’s first Ambulatory Surgical Center to opening the dedicated (only to eyes) free-standing Virginia Center for Eye Surgery.  Twenty years of growth from chasing paper charts to utilizing sophisticated EMRs (Electronic Medical Records).  These accomplishments are noteworthy; yet, what is more distinguishing is you, our patients, whom we aim to treat with care, with safety, and with your best interest in mind.

It’s 2010.  I can’t believe it. If someone asked me what life would be like in 2010 when I was a child, I would have thought flying cars, conveyer belts, food served as pills…..then I look at Beach Eye Care and the wonderment that the future has brought us. Yes, I know, there are no flying cars or tiny food pellets; but, with the technology inside these walls – from the latest in laser technology, imaging devices, Electronic Health Records, and a plethora of other devices for optometry, ophthalmology, and lid surgery – it’s not so far-fetched to think it cannot happen.  Just recently, we received word that our practice was voted by our patients and community as the Best Place for Laser Vision Correction, Best Place for Eye Care, and Best Doctor/Healthcare Provider for the 10th year in a row, making it a decade of the Best Place in caring for our patients’ eyes.  Thank you for helping us to pave our road for twenty years of service and dedication to the art and craft of eye care.

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– Chris Wooldridge
Director of Information Technology and Marketing