Meet the Judges In 2017, these three practices went above and beyond with their own renovations. This year, they provided expert feedback to help us wade through all of the exceptional office designs to pick the cream of the crop. Swell Vision Center in Leland, NC This office blended rustic and modern concepts to create a simple, elegant experience with privacy when you need it—and open space when you don’t. Benjamin Crawford, OD, of Accurate Vision Clinic in Anchorage, AK The industrial-chic feel of this space boasts everything but clutter, with wireless transfer of pretesting data and seamless patient flow. The inviting design begs patients to stay and browse. William L. Tantum, OD, of Blount County Eye Center in Maryville, TN This super-sized practice provides everything from a drive-thru optical dispensing window to an open-concept lab that gives patients a behind-the-scenes look at “how the magic of optical happens.”

Optometrists have added a lot to their toolbox in recent years, with new high-tech diagnostic instruments, integrated electronic health records (EHR) and advanced therapies. While all of this has, without a doubt, improved eye care, it’s also put a strain on practices operating out of smaller spaces never meant to house all of these innovations. Some optometrists make do with the space they have, squeezing in the new exam lane, OCT or widefield imaging device wherever they can. Others take the plunge and upgrade their digs, aiming to revolutionize both the patient and staff experience.

“We feel that we have completely broken the mold and reinvented the exam process by creating an open-space testing environment,” says this year’s Offie Design Contest winner Scot Morris, OD, of Eye Consultants of Colorado in Conifer, CO. “By fusing state-of-the-art technology and amazing staff with an inviting ambiance, we have created a truly unique eye health visit.”

Like Dr. Morris, all of this year’s design contest participants focused on the patient experience while seamlessly integrating top-of-the-line technology. Fireplaces, barn doors, gold-accented restrooms and open spaces are just some of the features wowing patients. But these practice owners also took care of their employees, ensuring a stress- and bottleneck-free work environment. Take a look at the three optometry practices that hit it out of the park this year with top-notch tech, function and aesthetics.

Eye Consultants of Colorado. Click image to enlarge.

Winner

Eye Consultants of Colorado, Conifer, CO 
Scot Morris, OD

“Warm,” “cozy” and “inviting” were the first thoughts our judges had about this practice. And at an elevation of 9,000ft., it’s no wonder the “mountain chalet ambiance” works for them, according to judge Benjamin Crawford, OD, of Accurate Vision Clinic in Anchorage, AK. The judges were ready to “grab a seat next to the fire with a hot chocolate and enjoy a good book” at the sight of the office’s exposed beams, barn doors, fireplace and custom scented candles.

Eye Consultants of Colorado. Click image to enlarge.

While Dr. Morris decided to keep the business operations out of sight, the same isn’t true of the latest diagnostic equipment. In fact, the new open concept puts the ultra-widefield imaging, OCT and visual field testing devices on display.

“We took our advanced equipment out from behind the walls and featured our technology in what we call ‘The Runway,’” Dr. Morris explains.

All of the information is seamlessly integrated into the EHR, and staff can use the command center’s multiple screens to follow in-progress exams or access the data using their tablets on the go.

Eye Consultants of Colorado. Click image to enlarge.

“Having no business operations in plain view, really lessens clutter and opens up the whole office,” Dr. Crawford notes. “I love the idea of ‘The Runway’ and showing off all of the state-of-the-art equipment instead of tucking it away in a separate room.” The judges also loved the addition of a face and eye med spa.

From the beginning of the patient experience, high-tech is blended with a personal touch. Patients are greeted by a staff member upon their arrival and never encounter a front desk. They can then interact with an augmented intelligence app that streamlines their differential diagnosis with just eight questions, a proprietary cityscape acuity chart and personalized video-based education.

Eye Consultants of Colorado. Click image to enlarge.

“It seems incredibly patient-focused, and you can tell the experience matters a lot to them,” says judge William L. Tantum, OD, of Blount County Eye Center in Maryville, TN.

When it comes time to pick frames, patients enjoy an equally unique optical experience. 

“We created customized displays incorporating local designs to create a truly stunning and rustic feel at a fraction of the price of outdated display racks,” Dr. Morris says.

Eye Consultants of Colorado. Click image to enlarge.

“We also use both virtual try-on technology and computer-guided measurements to create a uniquely comfortable yet high-tech shopping and purchasing experience.”

The new approach is quickly paying off, too. 

“Due to our greater exposure, high-tech environment and ski lodge feel, we are seeing a record increase of 40% in new patients both in the form of walk-ins, call-ins and referrals from existing patients,” Dr. Morris says.

Personaleyes Vision Care. Click image to enlarge.

1st Runner Up

Personaleyes Vision Care, Flower Mound, TX 
Kumar Patel, OD

Our first runner up, Personaleyes Vision Care, also prioritized an open concept design but took a modern, minimalist approach.

Personaleyes Vision Care. Click image to enlarge.

“I love the clean lines and open space of this modern office,” says Dr. Crawford. “The unique optical displays integrate seamlessly with the design.” 

The office was designed so patients enter and exit based on the progress of their appointment, according to practice owner Kumar Patel, OD, and office manager/designer Trusha Patel. Moving through the 2,267sq.ft. gives them the full optometric experience, they say.

Personaleyes Vision Care. Click images to enlarge.

Dr. Patel made his $360,000 budget go a long way. This practice packs quite a punch with high ceilings, exposed ductwork and custom lighting. 

“The lighting of this office with the large open windows is really what sold us,” according to judge Craig Scibal, OD, of Swell Vision Center in Leland, NC. “Also, tough to beat that city view with the exposed brick.”  

The judges were also wowed by the attention to detail everywhere, including the bathroom.

“Likely one of the coolest bathrooms you’ll ever see with the patterned gold backsplash and classic clean subway tile,” admits Dr. Scibal. “I’m sure patients come out of there saying, ‘Wow!’” adds Dr. Crawford.

Personaleyes Vision Care. Click image to enlarge.

The office’s natural lighting harmonizes with the calming color palette. “The use of blue and yellow colors was very important because they give patients the sense of calm and friendliness,” Dr. Patel says. “It helps them open up more and relax during their appointment.”

The effort wasn’t lost on the judges.

Personaleyes Vision Care. Click images to enlarge.

“The subtle blue colors throughout the office seem to promote tranquility and a zen-like vibe,” Dr. Scibal says. “The pops of color with the doors and furniture is great.”

When it comes to the equipment, Dr. Patel made sure it complemented, rather than disrupted, the open feel. Ethernet ports were added throughout the space to make installing and moving optometric equipment a breeze. This also gives him the flexibility to add new equipment whenever he wants without over-crowding the space.   

“It seems like no detail of the design was overlooked,” Dr. Crawford says. “If I had one word to describe this office, it would be fresh.”

Spring Hill Eyecare. Click image to enlarge.

2nd Runner Up

Spring Hill Eyecare, Spring Hill, TN
Rob Szeliga, OD

“If I had one word to describe this office, it would be homegrown,” says Dr. Crawford. Preserving history and small-town charm was key for this practice, which grew from one lane and 1,200sq.ft. in 2005 to four lanes and 2,400sq.ft. in 2008. This new building now boasts 10 lanes and 8,300sq.ft.

Spring Hill Eyecare. Click images to enlarge.

The practice’s new location was first home to a farmhouse built in 1870, and taking down the historical landmark presented a significant challenge. “Without the proper approach, this would not go over well in a growing community that is quickly losing its small-town charm,” practice owner Rob Szeliga, OD, explains. 

He ensured the locals that the practice would repurpose as much of the farmhouse as possible, and the office is now home to eight of the original fireplace mantles, all of the doors and much of the original barnwood and beadboard. The farmhouse’s wavy glass windows decorate the pretesting and special testing rooms, and the clinic displays many artifacts recovered from the farmhouse, such as books, train tickets and letters. Even if it didn’t come from the farmhouse, it’s still local, according to Dr. Morris. The three other fireplace mantles were salvaged from another nearby home and the town’s antique store.

Spring Hill Eyecare. Click image to enlarge.

“I love the fact that they incorporated aspects of the old farmhouse to give the office its rustic charm,” says Dr. Crawford. “Having that local connection to the community speaks volumes to patients. It shows the respect and lasting commitment that the doctors have to serving their community.”

Added to the hometown charm, the new office boasts everything a patient could ask for: large parking lot, reception area with a coffee bar, spacious optical room, an open pretesting area, dedicated dry eye room, sports vision/vision therapy suite and two special testing rooms.

Spring Hill Eyecare. Click image to enlarge.

“Each room looks like an adventure,” says Dr. Tantum. “Very open and well lit. Very patient-focused.”

The renovation didn’t ignore staff needs either. A team lounge, two tech stations and separate offices for the office manager and associate doctors give everyone the space they need. 

More space also meant room for more gadgets and gizmos. Dr. Szeliga added new treatment devices and a massage chair in the dry eye room. Exams now include automated phoropters, eye tracking technology, dark adaptation testing and neurolens (eyeBrain Medical) technology for those who need it.

Spring Hill Eyecare. Click image to enlarge.

Perhaps the best emblem of this practice’s commitment to patient care is the farmhouse’s cornerstone, now part of the eyewear gallery.

“Forming a hand-cut stone like this is like a symbol of our practice—I opened it cold right out of school years ago,” says Dr. Szeliga. “Although trends and technology are constantly changing in optometry, creating a strong foundation built on superior patient experience will hopefully stand the test of time.”