It is back to school prep-time, and I am sending my oldest off to kindergarten this fall. Her closet is stocked, a pediatrician appointment is scheduled (back in May!), a dental exam next week, and school supply shopping is done. As I was calmly coasting through these “calm before the storm” mid-summer weeks, it hit me: I forgot to schedule her eye exam! Oh, the panic. I frantically called my eye doctor’s office, prepared to beg for an appointment before the first day of school, only to be told that he doesn’t see kids her age. His office recommended Grayslake EyeCare.
Grayslake Eye Care
Again, I called, prepared to beg for an appointment before school started. I was shocked when the pleasant receptionist offered a few different appointment times within the next week! The practice has convenient hours, including late evenings and Saturdays. They took my insurance information over the phone so that everything would be sorted out before my appointment, and I hung up with a sigh of relief. Flash forward to our drive to the exam: my daughter was freaking out. She doesn’t like going to the doctor and has severe anxiety about anything she thinks may inflict pain. She associates any doctor with pain, so I knew this exam was going to be tough, despite my assurances that there wouldn’t be needles.
From the moment we walked in the door, the staff addressed my daughter directly with compassion and warmth. It seemed like we were in a pediatric office, and everyone was trained to work with kids. A staff member performed the first part of the exam. She was so patient and worked with my daughter at a pace that made her comfortable. The staff incorporated a “find Tinker Bell” game into the exam to encourage cooperation and never seemed to lose patience with my daughter when she resisted. Although it probably took twice as long as it should have, we made it through the first half of the exam without tears or a complete meltdown.
Next up was the doctor consult. I did not expect the doctor to be as patient as his staff; I couldn’t have been more wrong! Dr. Pouyat warmly entered the room, speaking directly to my daughter and greeting her first. He allowed her to sit in my lap and, like his staff, worked with her at her own pace. By the end of her vision test, Dr. Pouyat convinced her that she was playing a fun game and forgot about being at the doctor’s. He showed her the “pictures” of her eyes and talked to her about them. Despite the anxiety, she entered the office with, my daughter left happy and had a great experience that positively impacted her outlook on doctors’ offices.
I left Grayslake EyeCare so impressed (and relieved) that I felt compelled to reach out to my girlfriends with little kids to recommended Dr. Pouyat. My husband and I will be switching to his office, as well. And of course, I had to share my find with our LLC readers.
Who does your family see for eye care? See who our fans recommend in our Fan Favorites for Kindergarten Eye Exams.
Grayslake Eye Care
661 N. Lake Street, Grayslake | (847)223-7600
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They also have locations in Antioch and Lake Zurich, see website for hours and appointments.
By: Holly G.
Antioch
Holly keeps busy with freelance writing, as well as many volunteer ventures including PTO, dog rescue, and Lakes Region Historical Society. She is quick to pitch in for a good cause. She is an aspiring vegan, Jazzercise addict, runner, coffee junkie, and enjoys cooking.
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