Eye Clinic Aims to Improve Patient Care With Facility Upgrades

Gutshall and Blumenstock Eye Care in O’Neill has significantly expanded this past year in more ways than one.

The facility added on three more exam rooms just before Christmas, doubling the number. This addition lets the patients stay in the rooms while waiting for the doctor, instead of moving from room to room because of other patients.

A new machine has also reduced the time for appointments. The Optomat California, which has been in service for 3 weeks at the facility, takes digital photos of retina without it being dilated. The new machine also pulls up past retinal scans, allowing the physician to compare past retinal scans of a patient to now.

The office has grown with the recent rise in popularity of Lasik and the needs for Cataract surgery, where they can handle postoperative visits.

Dr. Gutshall said the patients have had a very positive reaction to the new technology.

“Our patients love the new technology, they like the fact that the pupils don’t have to be dilated, and that makes it more convenient for them.”

Dr. Gutshal explained how he appreciates the patients that come from a far distance, and he wants to provide the best experience for them.

“The reason we do this is because it allows us to provide better patient care, we can be more efficient and ultimately that's why we do everything that we do, it is to make the experience of the patient better.”

The office has been in business since 1964 when it was started by Dr. Gutshall's father. Gutshall joined the practice in 1989, with Dr. Blumenstock joining soon after. Blumenstock's son has completed is first year of Optometry school. Blumenstock hopes that once he is done with school he can join the practice in O'Neill.