Providing compassionate, patient-centered eye care to North Idaho for more than 50 years
Photo Courtesy of North Idaho Eye Institute
The small dog perched in Dr. Granier’s exam lane has lost its bark, but not its timeless appeal. The toy dog was intended to hold kids’ attention during eye exams, but patients of all ages are attracted to its light-up nose, facilitating the evaluation of ocular alignment and motility. “I remember seeing that same dog during my childhood eye exams at North Idaho Eye years ago,” says Alison Granier, MD, a native resident of Coeur d’Alene. Later she went on to accompany North Idaho Eye physicians and staff on medical mission trips, pursue a career in ophthalmology, and eventually become a business owner and partner with the clinic.
North Idaho Eye is evolving and growing, just like its surrounding community. Originally opened in 1966 by Dr. Roy Toyama, it has made its home in Coeur d’ Alene at the center of the medical community just south of Kootenai Health for many decades. Over the years, growth and change have forced the expansion and remodel of the original building many times. When the Coeur d’Alene facility was no longer sufficient, satellites were added first in Post Falls and more recently in Hayden. Multiple locations and a growing panel of qualified providers allow North Idaho Eye to provide care to residents throughout Kootenai County and beyond.
North Idaho Eye is owned by local physicians Dr. Tad Buckland, Dr. Alison Granier, Dr. David Dance, Dr. Sara Duke and Dr. Whitney Smith, and is adding new partners including Dr. Drew Thomas as their business continues to expand and grow. This group of comprehensive ophthalmologists offers a wide range of medical and surgical eye care including cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, medical retina (injections), LASIK, eyelid plastic surgery and pediatric eye care. North Idaho Eye physicians also manage the ocular trauma and eye emergencies for the community.
Each of their clinics houses an optical center providing patients access to glasses, contacts and other eye-related retail on-site. North Idaho Eye is unique in its ability to provide specialized medical/surgical care as well as routine eye care in an integrated model. This integrated approach includes coordinating services with in-house optometrists Dr. John Calderwood and Dr. John Weisel, as well as sharing patient care with many qualified community optometrists.
The fundamental mission of North Idaho Eye is to provide the highest quality of eye care possible to those in need. Physicians and staff are inspired by improving vision to improve patients’ quality of life. “The diverse level of care we provide is why I came back to practice ophthalmology in my hometown,” says Dr. Granier. “Whether this means removing a cataract that has clouded vision, treating glaucoma to preserve sight or performing LASIK to eliminate the need for glasses, we enjoy the diversity of these medical and surgical challenges.”
North Idaho Eye physicians and staff carry this commitment to the next level via their support of the International Eye Institute (IEI). Since 1991, they have participated in mission trips to underserved parts of Latin America, South America and Africa. Performing thousands of vision-saving procedures as well as training local ophthalmologists is at the heart of this group’s mission. These trips require tremendous organization and financial support. IEI is grateful for the support it receives from local donors and the commercial ophthalmic community. (To make a donation, visit InternationalEyeInstitute.org.)
As the community grows, North Idaho Eye continues to invest in the clinic by expanding operations, human resources and technology to deliver expert medical and surgical eye care in a compassionate and patient-centered environment to everyone in the five northern counties.
If you require eye care and would like to schedule an appointment, call 208.667.2531 or visit NorthIdahoEye.com.
North Idaho Eye Institute
1814 Lincoln Way
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
208.667.2531
1110 East Polston Avenue
Post Falls, Idaho 83854
208.773.1180
8378 North Government Way
Hayden, Idaho, 83835
208.209.7100
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