Therapeutic optometrist sees lake clearly now

By Shari Goldstein Stern

As taking care of your health goes, what can be more precious than keeping your eyes in shape? There is so much more ongoing maintenance, too, when you have corrected vision — or need it.

Dr. Karena Greenstein is the owner of Eye 2 Eye Care, located in a free-standing building on Garland Rd. at Jupiter Rd. Previously a national eyecare franchise’s address, you can notice the building by the colorful, abstract murals outside on both sides.  

Before taking over the former Pearl Vision location on January 1, 2016, she was sole proprietor of various eyecare businesses throughout the D/FW area.

Dr. Karena, as she is known fondly by her patients, is a therapeutic optometrist. She explained that the optometrist’s difference in “therapeutic” is having the ability to prescribe medications for an array of ocular-related ailments.

Those needing eyecare might be uncertain who to call. For clarity, optometrists provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes. An optometrist receives a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by three years or more years of college. They are licensed to practice optometry, which primarily involves performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing and dispensing corrective lenses, and detecting certain eye abnormalities. 

Opticians are technicians who are trained to fill your corrective eyewear, both glasses and contacts with your custom prescription subscribed by the optometrist or ophthalmologist. “They are like the ‘pharmacists’ of the eye world,” Greenstein explained.

An ophthalmologist — M.D. — is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. This specialty diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery, and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. 

Dr. Greenstein graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton with a BA in biology and a minor in chemistry. 

She went on to complete another BA in psychology there. She received a doctor of optometry at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in 2011.

Before her tenure as a practician, the doctor was licensed as a therapeutic optometrist and an optometric glaucoma specialist.

This professional says she loves her location in the heart of White Rock: “It is a fantastic area of Dallas. I love the neighborhood and how it evolves with the times while keeping its essential roots. I feel like neighbors take pride in their quality of life and they have a great sense of community.” She plans to move from her current home to the White Rock area soon.

Dr. Greenstein was born in Fort Worth and was raised in Arlington. She has lived in Dallas since completing optometry school. A Russian descendent, the doctor’s grandparents and parents immigrated from Odessa, Ukraine in 1977 to Chicago. They later made their home in Dallas in 1984. 

“I work with my dad,” the doctor said. “He is my optician.” She continued, “My father’s work ethic is definitely a constant, everyday influence on how I handle my practice and work. ‘Do not take things for granted and do your work to the best of your ability,’ he says. He has taken pride in his work because he always gives 100 percent. I strive to do the same.”

“Both my parents, grandfather and extended family have all been in the optical business as opticians since before I was born. I basically grew up in the optical. The eye world has been in my blood since I can remember,” The doctor adds.

While she currently has a solo practice, Dr. Greenstein hopes to add another associate with the same philosophies of practice as hers. “We are all deserving of care with a caring touch. My philosophy is to offer my genuine care to all my patients,” she explained.