One December morning nine-year old Katie woke up with her eye all red. Her mom asked the usual questions, such as, does it itch or hurt, and got the usual answer: NO!

It was a Wednesday, her pediatrician's day off, and Katie was scheduled to go to Disney World and Universal Studios with a friend in just two days. She and her mom searched the Yellow Pages for an eye doctor, and found several who were close, but not all that close.

Then they spotted an ad in the Doral Tribune for Doral Eye Center. At 10 AM sharp, opening time, we showed up at their door. Katie was seen right away by the optometrist, Dr. Lori Espinoza.

After a thorough exam, the doctor prescribed an antibiotic for conjunctivitis and eyeglasses for nearsighted-ness to help Katie see the blackboard at school better. The glasses came as something of a surprise, but Katie took to them readily, because the doctor made it all seem so normal.

Surprisingly, the glasses are for less than a 20/20 correction. As the doctor explained, that's because Katie's eyes will continue to develop and change rapidly for several more year and a weaker prescription will help make her eyes work a little harder, as well prevent the nearsighted-ness from getting worse. Espinoza explained, "I always consider the patient's age when prescribing."

They were lucky in another respect--Espinoza specializes in pediatric eye care.
"During my residency I learned how vision develops and how to give non-verbal care," she said.

That has helped her pursue an interest in treating developmentally handicapped children. She noted, "I want to make them feel comfortable with me and my instruments. Eye care is very technical and precise. I even check infants."

Espinoza has been in practice in the Doral area for two years, and at her newest location since November. She became familiar with the area when she was invited to speak about her career at John I. Smith Elementary School and was impressed by the neighborhood's beauty and couldn't help but notice that it was booming.

"I wanted my own practice and I needed to be here," she recalled. "You can't get me out of here now."

Espinoza recommends an eye exam annually, but to keep in touch with patients throughout the year, however, she writes and distributes a newsletter about new procedures and products.

"I want my patients to know I'm here for them," she explained. "I work six days a week and tailor my schedule for my patients, especially on Saturdays."

She even takes time to treat emotionally handicapped children at a public school in Palm Beach County.

"To think that those kids may never see an eye doctor, I'm glad to be there. It's my way of giving back to the community," she said.

Everybody likes happy endings and this story has one. Katie got better quickly and she did take her trip to Disney and Universal--thanks to the gentle ministrations of Espinoza.