In Dr. Edward Huggett’s own words.
"Many years ago, my father developed age-related macular degeneration. He was a truck driver and it caused him to have vision loss thus, preventing him from earning a living. This was at a time when I recently graduated from optometry school.
In seeing how low vision caused him to have difficulties in his daily life and not being able to accomplish about how to help my father and even simple tasks, I made it my mission to learn as much as possible those like him. I attended additional training at Lighthouse International in New York City, the premier low vision rehabilitation center in the world. This training equipped me with the knowledge of what the best techniques are in evaluating and treating people with vision loss.
I examine people every day that were told by their eye doctor there was nothing else that could be done, and I so enjoy showing them that there is, in almost every case, something that could be done!
I make it my personal challenge to have the patient leave the low vision exam seeing better than they came in! To have a person read again or see the face of their loved ones more clearly, is very exciting to me. And that is why I do this.”
More about Dr. Huggett, your low vision Optometrist Near You
Dr. Huggett received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in 1981and started his career that same year as a Resource Instructor for the Citrus County School Board in Crystal River, Florida. This was a way to earn and save money to further his career in optometry. Although, he didn't plan it, the five years of teaching middle and high school provided an experience for Dr. Huggett which taught him much about children and learning and how brain development and neurological processing is affected by the visual system. He is very thankful for those years in teaching as it has made him a better specialist in the field of low vision.
Thereafter, he obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas 1990. He trained at the Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision and Vision Rehabilitation and is presently the founder and director of NuEyes Low Vision Solutions with locations in Dunedin, Sun City Center, and New Port Richey Florida.
Dr. Huggett is dedicated to vision rehabilitation; creating programs and prescribing prescription lenses designed to enhance cognitive processing for those with vision-related processing disorders. He was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays Major League team in 1994 as their Team Eye Physician. Dr. Huggett's specialized training helped improve the visual acumen of these athletes.
Dr. Huggett is past co-presenter for the IMDSG, a monthly live Internet support group for persons around the world who have interest in learning the latest in low vision science and vision rehabilitation developments. For IMDSG he also is the chief contributor to the “Ask the Doctor” column that provides custom answers to submitted questions online.
Additionally, he opened a free eye clinic within the Clearwater Free Clinic, Clearwater, FL, The Shepherd Center and The Homeless Outreach both in Tarpon Springs, FL serving the homeless, low income and victims of domestic violence.
In his spare time, Dr. Huggett enjoys snow skiing, SCUBA diving and spending time with his family in Tarpon Springs, FL.
EDUCATION
- Post-graduate course work in low vision 2007
- Lighthouse International, New York, NY 2004-2006
- Post-graduate course work in pediatric and binocular vision disorders 1994-1998
- Doctor of Optometry, University of Houston College of Optometry, Houston, TX. 1990
- Post-graduate courses in Education with special emphasis in post- graduate courses in Curriculum, Instruction and Administration, St. Leo College, St. Leo, FL. 1981-1983
- Bachelor of Arts, Zoology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. 1981
- Associate of Arts, St. Petersburg Junior College, St. Petersburg, FL. 1978
EXTERNSHIP
- Bay Pines VA Medical Center, Bay Pines, FL. 1989
FELLOWSHIP
- University of Houston College of Optometry, Houston, TX., 1988 - 1989
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
1995 to present — Director and Founder of NuEyes Low Vision Solutions, providing vision examinations and rehabilitation for the visually impaired population
2012 to present — Principal, Dr. Light, lighting products for vision enhancement
2010 to present — Director of Optometric Services and Vision Enhancement Services, CLEAR Solutions for Reading, Inc.
2006 to 2015 — Director, NuEyes Low Vision Solutions, St. Luke’s Cataract and Laser Institute, Tarpon Springs, FL
2005 to 2007 — Director, NuEyes Low Vision Solutions, Morton Plant Mease Rehab. Center, Palm Harbor, FL
1994 — Team Eye Physician, Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball Club
1990 — Staff Optometrist - James Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL.
1981 to 1986 Resource Instructor, Citrus County School Board, Inverness, FL
PUBLICATIONS
Contributor to Visual Ability of Patients Seeking Outpatient Low Vision Services in the United States, JAMA (Journal American Medical Association), 2014
ChromaGen Vision Screener Manual
CERTIFICATION
Board Certified Optometric Physician – State of Florida License: OPC2447, current
