NEW SMYRNA BEACH
Vol. 9, No. 2
EDGEWATER ~ OAK HILL
Your Local News and Information Source • www.HometownNewsOL.com
Friday, Jan. 31, 2014
Doctors see eye to eye
on their patients’ care
By Tonya West
For Hometown News
As a child growing up in New Smyrna
Beach, Dr. Robert “Hank” Routh probably
had no idea his destiny would involve
sharing an opthalmology practice with
Dr. Dan Miller.
The Rouths were patients and friends of
Dr. Miller, and his family as they lived in
the same neighborhood.
Dr. Routh began his studies at Tulane
University as a bio-medical engineer, but a
family issue changed his course.
“He’s an excellent surgeon,”
said Dr. Miller, crediting his studies in
engineering. “It goes hand in hand.”
“I enjoy the precision of eye surgery.”
Dr. Routh said. He returned home from
Tulane to help his mother, Becky Routh,
care for his father who was ill with
Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2003. Upon his
father’s passing, Dr. Routh returned to
school – medical school this time at the
University of Florida.
“The specialty where I found the best fit
was ophthalmology,” he said.
The practice – Miller & Routh, MDs
formerly Dean & Miller – has been on
the North Causeway since 1974 and
Dr. Miller is celebrating 29 years of
practicing in New Smyrna Beach this
month. Dr. Routh began seven months
ago upon the retirement of Dr. Miller’s
partner.
With the help of 10 support staff, the two
physicians see 40 to 60 patients a day and
perform 10 to 15 cataract surgeries a week.
There’s “almost no eye condition that we
don’t see,” Dr. Routh said.
Although Drs. Miller and Routh don’t
do retina surgery, a retinal surgery specialist
comes to their practice regularly to
provide it.
They commonly perform diabetic eye
exams and they provide medical care for
macular degeneration. They perform laser
surgery for glaucoma and the most
common surgery they perform is cataract
surgery. Blepharoplasty, lifting of the
eyelids, is the second most common
condition they treat, followed by
biopsies for skin cancers around the eye.
Ptergyium excisions are common too,
and involve the removal of a white growth
from the cornea.
“We also provide Botox for functional
facial spasms,” Dr. Routh said, “and for
cosmetic proposes around the eyes to
reduce wrinkles.”
With such precision work comes the
need for precision equipment.
“The two most important pieces for
cataract surgery are the IOLMASTER 500
and the Corneal Topographer,” Dr. Routh
said.
The IOLMASTER, the latest technology
by Zeiss, measures the eye to predict
the best fitting lens. The topographer
measures the cornea to help better
select a premium lens the corrects for
astigmatism.
The practice also has a Stratus OCT by
Photo by Tonya West
Zeiss for evaluating retinal diseases and
Dr.
Robert
“Hank”
Routh,
left,
grew
up
in
the
same
neighborhood
where his
glaucoma. They can provide automated
partner in opthalmology care, Dr. Dan Miller, lives in New Smyrna Beach.
visual field tests that evaluate glaucoma
and laser treatments for secondary
we try hard to not have your wait long.” Dr.
New Smyrna Beach High School. Once a
cataracts and closed angle glaucoma.
Routh
said.
“We
try
to
reduce
patient
lifeguard and now a new father, Dr. Routh
Symptoms that might prompt someone
waiting
time,
both
in
the
waiting
area
and
will most likely be found spending time with
to be evaluated and blurred vision, which
between seeing the technician and physician. his family if he’s not working.
isn’t corrected by glasses; eye pain; loss of
“We also try to have personal relationships
“When you come down Canal Street, you get
peripheral vision; the feeling a curtain is
with our patients,” Dr. Routh said, “where
that small hometown feel,” said
coming down over your eyes; and a new
we’re not just friendly, ot just a service
Dr. Miller, who feels like he’s living the
onset of “floaters” or flashing lights.
provider.
We
try
to
get
to
know
everyone
a
American dream.
Drs. Miller and Routh are proud of
little
bit.
It
helps
in
guiding
care
to
improve
The son of a truck driver pays little heed to
something they believe helps deliver
quality of life to know something about a
the jokes made about his home state of West
greater care to their patients.
patient’s personal life.”
Virginia. Instead, Dr. Miller takes a worldly
“We are the only ophthalmologists in
“I want to treat them like they’re my
view. Through his lifelong commitment to
Southeast Volusia County who live in
relatives,” Dr. Miller said.
the Boy Scouts, he finds opportunity in his
Southeast Volusia County,” Dr. Miller said.
Both
gentlemen
share
a
love
of
New
travels to give back.
“When the weekends come up, we’re still
Smyrna
Beach,
each
arriving
here
right
To schedule an evaluation, call
seeing patients. If somebody has a problem,
after
their
residencies.
They
are
varied
in
(386)
427-4143. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
we live here and we go see them. That’s
their pursuits when not at their practice.
Monday through Friday. Closed from noon
important.”
Dr. Routh attended Coronado Elementary
to 1 p.m. each day for lunch.
The doctors also value your time.
School, Sacred Heart Middle School and
“Although sometimes a wait is unavoidable,