Those who wear corrective eyeglasses know that the process is seldom instant.
But receiving superior quality prescription glasses after an exam just
became a whole lot easier and more efficient. Eye Care patients will now
be able to expect the same exceptional quality in lens production that
they’ve come to expect in eye exams from
CBHA’s highly trained opticians.

Since
Dr. Robert Forbes joined the Othello Eye Care staff in March of this year, his focus has
been to set up a new CBHA Eye Care Lab. The addition of the new lab means
that patients will be able to have their prescription glasses manufactured
in the Othello clinic. Dr. Forbes and the entire CBHA staff are excited
about offering this new service to patients. “We are now cutting
the patients’ prescription lenses and fitting them into frames,”
Dr. Forbes said. “All the lenses come with ‘CBHA Armore’
which involves premium coatings and treatments that typically come only
with higher costs. It will be standard on all the lenses we cut at no
increased cost.” Patients will enjoy the same access to high quality
frames, including brands like Michael Kors, Ray Ban, and Oakley –
but with world-class lenses and a much quicker turn-around time. The Eye
Care Department is now open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 7 pm
and on Fridays from 8am to 5 pm.
About Dr. Forbes
Dr. Forbes was born in Vernonia, OR where he lived with his family until
he was 12 years old. They moved to Jefferson, Oregon when his father accepted
a position there as principal of the Elementary School. His mother was
an elementary teacher who taught in the same school. “Jefferson
was affectionately known as the ‘Peppermint Capital of the World’”
he said. “When I was in high school, I worked in the fields changing
water so I smelled like peppermint all summer!”
Dr. Forbes went to Oregon State University for the majority of his undergraduate
studies. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Pacific
University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He received his Doctor of Optometry
degree from Pacific University College of Optometry.
Timing is Everything
Dr. Forbes first interviewed at CBHA six years ago. “I was very interested
in moving here at that time,” he said. “However, my teenage
sons convinced me to allow them to finish high school where they were,
so we remained in Oregon.” He was pleased to see the opportunity
open up again. “The boys have graduated since then – so here
I am!”
Dr. Forbes is an experienced optometric practitioner with 25 years of clinical
expertise. “I have performed the full scope of eye care –
from a commercial practice at Lens Crafters to personal practice and group
practice; I’ve also run an optical lab. It has been very rewarding.
However, there was one thing that always concerned me. On occasion I would
refer a patient out for specialized care. I never knew whether they had
actually gotten that care. One of the things that attracted me to CBHA
is that here I will have the ability to follow up on patients and know
that they were taken care of.”
A Passion for Medical Mission Work
Dr. Forbes joined the Oregon Air National Guard in 1984 and continues to
train once a month and two weeks a year – in the Washington Air
National Guard where he serves as optometrist. “The biggest joy
in my military career has been my air medical mission work. You talk about
going on missions to do good for others. It’s the other way around
– I have gained so much more from helping others than I have given.
I went on the first humanitarian mission in 1992 to an underserved area
in Mexico,” he said. He has “been hooked” on it ever
since. “It was eye opening for me; I hadn’t had any exposure
to their community before. The people who came to our mobile clinics dressed
in their best clothes –hand embroidered white dresses and white
shirts which were spotlessly clean. To them it was an honor to come and
receive care. Happy people, smiling people. They had nothing; yet they
were happy.” He saw the same attitude in other countries as well.
Dr. Forbes began his military career as a Life Support Specialist. He prepared
survival gear for the pilots and then ran courses on what to do when you
jumped out of an aircraft. He was a bit conflicted at the beginning of
his career when he was informed that he had been accepted into optometry
school. Upon the recommendation of his commanding officer he gave up his
dream to be an aviator and became an optometrist instead. “I have
never regretted it. I love taking care of my patients; my time in the
Air National Guard has also been very rewarding.”
Happy to be in Othello
Opening the Eye Care Lab and training staff to use the equipment has been
a welcome new challenge for Dr. Forbes. He looks forward to filling prescriptions
from all CBHA clinics in shorter timeframes than the community has ever
experienced.
And, as someone who thoroughly enjoys the outdoors, Dr. Forbes looks forward
to becoming more familiar with the recreational opportunities in Central
Washington.
You can find Dr. Forbes Monday through Friday at the Othello Clinic. The
Eye Care Department is now open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 7
pm and on Fridays from 8am to 5 pm.