Every patient who sits down with Drs. Herbert Price and Kathy Shepler is asked the same question.

“What the chief complaint is,” both doctors said at once.

Shepler said there might not be a chief complaint, but this is the first question always asked.

“They may be here for an annual exam,” said Price. “Or they may have a concern.”

If there is a problem, the optometrist’s job is to investigate, find the problem and fix it.

The job consists not only of checking patients’ eyes, but educating patients on the options available and the new technology, said Price.

“A lot of people assume going to an optometrist is getting glasses or contacts,” said Price. “Our job is to provide healthy eye care.”

The two doctors have been working together since 1989. Price was Shepler’s optometrist when she was growing up.

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and lasts until 5 to 6 p.m., depending on paperwork and how many appointments are scheduled at the end of the day. The day has a possibility of becoming longer, since both doctors are on call for emergency situations.

“I’ve been called on Christmas before,” said Shepler.

Most emergency situations are for removing metal pieces from someone’s eye. The metal can imbed or scratch the eye.

As optometrists, the doctors must keep up to date on the patients’ medical history and health problems. They also communicate with primary doctors of any patients who have diabetes or other health problems that might affect the eyes.

The eye exam consists of checking the person’s visual acuity as the patient simply reads the letters off a chart. Next, the eye muscles are checked and the pupil reflex, which tells the doctor about the nerves in the eyes. The patient’s prescription is also measured, both distance and up close. Other tests are performed for eye health, including eye pressure. A microscope is used to look at the front and outside of the eye. Finally, the pupil is dilated, to check the inside of the eye.

Each patient spends about an hour at the doctors’ office.

Not every patient is a compete exam, Price explained. Therefore, both doctors may see eight to nine patients a day and a half dozen patients for follow up appointments.

Price and Shepler are not confined to their office.

“We try to be involved with the community,” said Shepler.

They do this by volunteering at school screenings every November for kindergarten students. Shepler is also on the board at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

Both doctors also depend on their staff to help the patients choose the proper eyewear and teach them the proper hygiene for contacts.

The job can be challenging and stressful at times, said Price.

“When someone comes in with an eye health issue, often times it is not easy to diagnose,” he said. “You have to evaluate them.”

Another challenging aspect for Shepler is making sure she can stay on schedule. She said her goal was to spend as much time as possible helping each person without getting behind and making other patients wait.

In addition to educating patients, Price and Shepler must attend continuing education classes for 40 hours every two years, either by attending seminars or going back to school.

Both agree on what the best part of the job is.

“Solving someone’s problem,” said Shepler. “It can be challenging, but it’s rewarding once you’ve solved it.”

Denise Massie can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.massie@pharostribune.com