Independent Optometry, Intentionally Designed

Waldron Eyecare Wellness & Style in Williamsburg, Virginia

Laureen Waldron, OD, transformed her years of clinical experience into Waldron Eyecare Wellness & Style, an independent optometry practice in Williamsburg, Virginia, designed to blend personalized service with advanced medical eyecare. After years in a small corporate space, she opened the new practice in spring 2025 and fully transitioned out of her corporate affiliation in October to focus on her vision for a more patient-centered clinic.

The office was built around comfort, function and calm. A spa-like dry eye suite features a reclining heated chair, blankets, pillows and dimmable lighting, while pre-testing and dilation are done in massaging recliners. The relaxed setting helps patients feel at ease and may even improve testing accuracy “because the patient is relaxed and they can just focus on the field,” Dr. Waldron says.

Design choices throughout the office were intentionally soft, with nature-inspired wallpaper, acoustic panels and soundproofing to reduce visual and auditory noise. The optical area offers a curated selection of distinctive frames, a compact lab for quick adjustments and repairs and amenities like a coffee bar and selfie station.

The practice also houses advanced technology, including OCT and Envision by InMode for dry eye treatment. Dr. Waldron, who accepts referrals for dry eye patients, says the space allows her to provide full-scope care while maintaining the warmth of an independent practice.

Read the full story on Women In Optometry here.

Nash Eye Care in Nash, Texas

Jessica Trichel, OD, was inspired to open her own independent practice after a trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2022. While visiting a distinctive optometry practice there—Eyes on the Square—she met owner Matt Howell, OD, whose encouragement helped push her to pursue practice ownership. That moment came after years of working in private practice and with specialists in Louisiana and Texas, all while balancing family life.

Dr. Trichel opened Nash Eye Care in January 2024 in a 1,500-square-foot space in Nash, Texas, with help from iCare Advisors to evaluate demographics and market potential. She designed the clinic to feel modern and warm, using wood-toned floors, creamy white walls and black accents inspired by the office she admired in Bentonville.

Her patient base has grown quickly, especially among adults 55 and older, in part because of her local roots and longtime professional relationships.

Looking ahead, Dr. Trichel hopes to expand by acquiring land across the street from the clinic and building a larger space with a dry eye suite. For her, the practice represents more than business ownership—it is a chance to serve her community with compassion, connection and care.

Read the full story on Women In Optometry here.

Longa Family Eye Care in Fort Myers, Florida

After spending the early years of her career almost 800 miles away from home and working for others, Maivys Longa, OD, was ready to return to her hometown in Florida. After graduating from the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry in 2020, she worked in an MD/OD setting and later in corporate and medical practices, gaining experience but wanting more control over how she cared for patients and the pace of practice. That goal led to the opening of Longa Family Eyecare in Fort Myers in February 2026.

Dr. Longa, originally from Miami and proud of her Cuban heritage, wanted to move closer to family and serve the community that shaped her. She chose a 1,200-square-foot space in a busy shopping center near restaurants, retail and a school, with the added benefit of serving a large Hispanic population. In past roles, she often helped patients navigate paperwork in Spanish, and she sees that connection as key to building trust.

The clinic’s design is modern, open and welcoming, with a neutral palette, sparkling white tile flooring, light gray walls and east-facing windows that bring in natural morning light. The office includes more than 500 frames, two fully outfitted exam lanes, a small in-office lab and a spacious break area. “My goal is making sure all of my patients’ needs are addressed,” she says. “I want them to feel like it’s not just an exam. It’s an experience.”

Read the full story on Women In Optometry here.

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