the Snellen Chart, a series of lighted letters and makes you read them first with both eyes, then with each eye. Usually, if you have trouble reading some of the letters on the chart, it means you need eyeglasses.
Stepping into the Hardt Eye Clinic, located at the Beach Road can make you realize how many people are paying attention to the concerns and importance of their eyes and how much the clinic works to preserve the excellent vision of the people.
In 1992, Dr. David Hardt stepped into the shores of Saipan and became the island’s first eye doctor. His brother, Dr. Don followed eight years later and together, the two made a huge difference in improving the sight of thousands of residents in the CNMI.
The two brothers did not hesitate to invest in the latest state of the art equipment like the Zeiss Digital Retinal Camera, high definition OCT Scanner and Octopus 301 Visiual Field instrument.
Joining the team is Dr. Sam Lo, a certified ophthalmologist who visits Saipan every 3-4 months. Dr. David Hardt said Dr. Lo provides advanced care for diabetic eye disease including laser treatments. Hardt said that more than half of the patients at the clinic have serious eye problems caused by diabetes.
“Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the island, and naturally we have more patients with eye problems related to it,” he said.
Hardt said that the best thing about it is that something can be done and doctors are not helpless to see people go blind.
“You are the best doctor to cure eye problems caused by diabetes,” he said. This, he said, can be done by monitoring your own health.
At the clinic, Hardt said patients are privileged to have digital images taken of the inside of their eyes using the Zeiss digital retinal camera.
“We know how important your eyes and vision are, so we use the latest technology combined with old-fashioned caring,” Hardt said. He added that they take time to explain to the patients what their eye problems are.
The clinic is staffed with highly trained professionals who have years of experience in the optical field.
At the clinic, they also see to it that wearing glasses won’t make you look like a genius or a weirdo. They can customize glasses to make you comfortable.
The services of the Hardt Eye clinic includes diabetic eye care, thorough examination for eye disease, treatment for infections and injuries, routine eye examinations for glasses, glaucoma treatment, infants/children eye examinations, low vision care and prescription of glasses and contact lenses.
Hardt Eye Clinic carries shelves of various frames including designer frames.
Hardt Eye Clinic is open from 8 am to 5 pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays; 8 am to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays. For inquiries please call 235-2030 or email [email protected].
Health Tips
Diabetes is a serious disease that can cause very serious health
problems. What to do if you have diabetes:
1. Have your eyes checked regularly.
2. Know your ABCs- A1C (blood glucose), blood pressure (BP)
and cholesterol numbers.
3. Take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
4. Monitor your blood sugar daily.
5. Reach and stay at a healthy weight.
6. Get regular physical activity.
7. Quit smoking.
