A Pennsylvania practice focuses on building real relationships with patients

it is said that passion is energy. When Geena Wichryk talks about Wichryk Eye Associates, the practice she and her optometrist husband, Antoni Wichryk, O.D., co-own, you can hear that passion and energy in her voice. For Wichryk, it’s a passion for her work, her patients, and her community.

It’s also a passion shared by the entire staff, including her optician cohort: optical manager Laura Wesolowski.

Located in Macungie, PA, in the Lehigh Valley, Wichryk Eye is truly part of the community. “We really get to know our patients,” says Geena Wichryk, certified optician. “And they really get to know us. We don’t just care for their eyes; we listen to them and know what’s going on in their lives.”

So, it was only fitting that Wichryk Eye was invited to be part of Safilo’s American Eyes photography project, which had its gallery debut in New York City during Vision Expo East. The project, which features the photographs of Italian artist Gianluca Vassallo, was created as an homage to American opticians—and to celebrate Safilo’s reintroduction of its flagship Elasta and Emozioni collections.

“We work hard in our little community,” says Wesolowski. “So being part of something so big in our industry felt wonderful.”

Here, Wichryk and Wesolowski delve into the patient experience they provide, the importance of staying current, and what it was like to participate in the American Eyes project.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE’S PHILOSOPHY.

Geena Wichryk: My husband and I have worked independently in the optical industry for many years. But people would tell us that we should open a practice together because we have the same way with patients. We take time with our patients. We explain their options, educate them, and then let them make the decision. We treat people how we would want to be treated—that’s our basic philosophy.

I WALK THROUGH YOUR DOOR. WHAT’S THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?

Laura Wesolowski: If you look at our website, you’d expect our practice to be in the middle of Manhattan. It’s simple and clean. It’s fashion forward, yet we’re in this little town. We have a lot of product offerings. We guide our patients through everything.

GW: It’s really about the patient. What we can do to help them see better, but we also want them to feel better. We had a patient come in who has a prosthetic eye. It was larger than the other eye, and she was self-conscious about it. Laura worked with her to put a nearsighted lens in her frame so it would make the prosthetic eye look smaller. That little adjustment was such a confidence booster for her.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING INVOLVED IN THE AMERICAN EYES PROJECT?

GW: When our Safilo rep approached us, we gladly said yes. It was a really nice experience. The photographer, Gianluca Vassallo, was there while we were seeing patients. He started chatting with one particular patient, a 90-year-old woman (shown below), and found out her story. She had been an assistant to the owner of one of the largest department stores in Lehigh Valley years ago. She’s very fashionable. She has long, white curly hair and on that day was wearing a leopard print coat. He photographed her and went out of his way to make her feel special. It really touched me how he interacted with her.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO NEW OPTICIANS?

GW: You need to build relationships. That’s what will separate you from others. Stay current on what’s going on in the industry. Take CE courses. Really stay on top of new trends, new products, and new medical treatments.

LW: We do a lot of office trainings like lunch-and-learns. We’re big into professionalism and walking the walk. Also, if we’re selling fashion, we better be up to date with what we wear.

WHAT EYEWEAR TRENDS ARE EXCITING YOU THE MOST?

LW: Color again! We’re going beyond the square black frame that was in for so long. Last year we showcased pink in every shade from all different brands. Who would have thought we would sell so many pink frames? But we did. Also, women are wearing women’s product instead of unisex.

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER THE RIGHT MERCHANDISE MIX OF FRAMES?

LW: We handpick every frame. We try on every frame. Some manufacturers will meet with us and say, “Here’s my top 30.” We don’t embrace that at all. We aren’t repetitive.

GW: If it’s going to be on our wall, we need to know what it is, how it’s made, how the hinge works, if it is easy to adjust, and how it will fit on different face shapes. We know our patients, and we’re looking out for them.

—Jackie Micucci