Interview by Tiffany Yancey // Photos by Kelsey Walters
New Smyrna Beach Location: 415 N. Causeway, New Smyrna Beach 32169
Edgewater Location: 602 W. Indian River Blvd., Suite 1 Edgewater 32132
Interview with Robert “Hank” Routh, M.D.
Q: Not to be too cliché, but what was your vision when deciding to open Volusia Eye Associates?
A: To provide advanced surgical and medical care with compassion and local convenience. I didn’t actually open Volusia Eye though. I worked at, then purchased and modernized a practice that has been providing quality care in our area since 1974.
Q: How long have you been in business in Volusia County and why did you choose New Smyrna Beach for your first location?
A: In 2013, I started working with Dr. Daniel Miller who was the eye surgeon for New Smyrna Beach for a generation. My practice continues in the same location it has been since 1984. We recently opened a second location in Edgewater to follow our commitment to providing convenient, local care. Also, there were days that parking overflowed at our New Smyrna Beach office, so we knew we were ready for another location.
Q: What sets you apart from other optometrists, ophthalmologists and eye care centers in our area?
A: All of our services, including surgical services, are provided in New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater. I am the only eye doctor on staff at the hospital in New Smyrna Beach.
Q: Congratulations on the recent opening of your second location in Edgewater (pictured above). What services do you provide at that location?
A: Similar to our New Smyrna Beach office, we provide all general ophthalmologic testing and examinations five days per week. We also have optical dispensing services at both locations.
Q: How many doctors are working within the company?
A: Robert “Hank” Routh, MD (pictured below) provides medical care and all surgical services. Chelsea Heck, OD and Justin Knuckles, OD (pictured above) provide excellent medical care and vision services including contact lens and low vision services.
Q: What services do you offer your clients?
A: We offer all general medical and surgical eye care at both locations as well as specialized retina care at our New Smyrna Beach location. I am excited about our commitment to dry eye care including testing for the specific cause of a patient’s dry eyes and customized treatment for the identified cause. My main focus at the practice is cataract surgery. My patients do not require expensive, confusing drops 12 times daily after surgery. I also provide laser surgery for glaucoma and micro incisional glaucoma surgery.
Q: What types of surgeries are available?
A: Advanced technology intraocular lens cataract surgery to provide more independence from glasses after cataract surgery. Dropless cataract surgery allows most patients to have no medications after surgery. The iStent implant and selective laser trabeculoplasty can both cure the need for chronic eye drops to control glaucoma. I also provide common oculoplastic surgeries including blepharoplasty, eyelid repair and skin cancer excision. The number of in-office procedures we provide are beyond the scope of this interview, but you can find more on our website.
Q: Do your clients need to be referred by another doctor to be seen for advanced eye surgery?
A: For most insurances and for patients not using insurance, the answer is no. Most HMOs will require a referral.
Q: Your website states you utilize the latest techniques and cutting-edge technology in your offices. How do your doctors stay up-to-date on this information?
A: In the past five years, I have invested over $600,000 in examination and testing equipment as well as office modernization including electronic health records. In the past two years, each physician at Volusia Eye has logged 50 percent more continuing medical education than is required by the state of Florida.
VOLUSIA EYE ASSOCIATES
New Smyrna Beach Location:
415 N. Causeway, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169
(P) (386) 427-4143 ; (F) 386.427.0711
Edgewater Location:
602 W. Indian River Blvd., Suite 1 (East entrance), Edgewater, FL 32132
(P) (386) 402-7328 ; (F) 386.410.2074
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Facebook.com/VolusiaEyeAssociates
