
How to Prevent Eye Injuries
By Dr. Joseph Silva, OD Department of Eye Services Did you know that October is eye injury prevention month? In America, eye injuries...
“We really have a great team of people here.”
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When he was growing up, Dr. Jeffery Underkoffler had to wear eyeglasses, which helped spark his interest in becoming an optometrist. “I was always very interested in science and how the body worked so I thought it would be a good field for me to get into,” he explains. “Now I really enjoy helping people with their visual needs and treating minor medical issues of the eye.”
At Reliant Medical Group, optometrists provide routine eye care, including the fitting of glasses and contact lenses. For patients, they act as primary care physicians for the eye and treat many problems including minor abrasions, foreign bodies in the eye, conjunctivitis, inflammation as well as other problems. If a patient needs more specialized care, such as treatment for cataracts or glaucoma, they are referred to a Reliant Medical Group ophthalmologist who can perform more sophisticated treatment, including surgery. “We can take care of virtually any eye problem, which makes it very convenient for patients,” explains Dr. Underkoffler. “We can also refer patients to other divisions within Reliant Medical Group, such as Neurology, if we find the root cause of their problem is actually unrelated to the eye.”
As an experienced optometrist, Dr. Underkoffler has seen many changes in how people respond to wearing glasses. “Glasses used to be thought of as a utilitarian item, something to just help you see better. Now we have designer lines and people are much more conscious of how their glasses look on them. Plus the materials are much more sophisticated now. Lenses are thinner and lighter and we have progressive lenses, photochromic lenses and other technologies we simply didn’t have before. There’s no doubt that people have a lot of great choices for their eyes.” According to Dr. Underkoffler, contact lens wearers have also benefited greatly from new technologies. “Today we have bifocal contact lenses, monovision contact lenses and you can even wear reading glasses over your contacts. There’s a lot of different ways we can improve people’s vision.”
Dr. Underkoffler has treated some of his patients for many years. “It’s nice to be able to see your patients over an extended period of time. Some I have even treated for almost my entire career. I guess you could say I’m kind of growing old along with them.” Dr. Underkoffler also enjoys working with his colleagues at Reliant Medical Group. “We really have a great team of people here, from our technicians to our surgeons, we all pull together to help the patient as much as possible.”
When he is not busy helping patients at Reliant Medical Group, Dr. Underkoffler enjoys going hiking and camping with his wife and children. “We spend a lot of time in the White Mountains in New Hampshire. The whole family really enjoys the outdoors.”
Star ratings are based on patient responses to 5 questions about the care they have received from their provider. Responses are measured on a scale of 1-5 and the average score is displayed in an easy to view, 5-star format. Learn more about how we measure our patient experience.
Comments marked with an asterisk * serve as a flag to indicate when a patient has left feedback that specifically references a provider's name.
This patient rated the doctor 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Clearly was running late so questions were dismissed with "every things OK."
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Due to an emergency medical situation with one of his patients Dr Underkoffer was running behind and yet he did not rush me and was very thorough
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Dr underkoffler is awesome
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
I wish I had the N/A option in this survey. I am totally satisfied in every way regarding this visit.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
No med advice needed
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
This last visit was exceptionally good.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Very connected listens carefully.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
The doctor was great. The nurse or assistant that prepped for the doctor not so much.
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
Good
This patient rated the doctor 5 out of 5 stars.
He gets a 5 all around! He was terrific!
This patient rated the doctor 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Has a very good bedside manner and is a good communicator.
Optometry
Contact Lenses & Glasses
DPA and TPA Certified by the Board of Optometry, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Medical Education
Pennsylvania College of Optometry/Pediatrics, Internship
English
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