Patient care is very important at Southern Tier Optometry.
That is the message Dr. Kara Gibbs, Southern Tier Optometry owner, is relaying to all her patients as she opens her new practice, which is located at 777 Fairmount Ave., in the plaza between Fredrick Boulevard and Robinson Avenue in West Ellicott.
Dr. Gibbs knows people have choices when it comes to finding professional eye care. That is why her goal is to improve the overall patient experience.
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Dr. Kara Gibbs is the owner of Southern Tier Optometry, which is located at 777 Fairmount Ave., in the plaza between Fredrick Boulevard and Robinson Avenue. Dr. Gibbs opened her new practice Feb. 6.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
''I treat patients the way I would like to be treated,'' she said. ''I definitely value their time - they won't be waiting around for an hour. Patient care is very important to me.''
Before opening her own practice Feb. 6, Dr. Gibbs worked for Community Eye Care Specialists in Dunkirk. She will continue to work for the eye surgeons at Community Eye Care, which she credits for her ability to recognize serious eye problems. Dr. Gibbs said regular eye exams are essential to maintaining good vision. She said many eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts do not have initial symptoms. Services provided at Southern Tier Optometry includes diabetic, glaucoma, dry-eye disease and macular degeneration exams and cataract and LASIK surgery co-management
Dr. Gibbs is a lifelong area native graduating from Panama Central School. She received a bachelor's degree in biology from St. Francis University in 2000 and then attended The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where she earned her doctorate degree in 2004. She lives in Panama with her husband, Tom, and children, Lauren and Lincoln.
''I was excited to move back to the area,'' she said. ''I enjoy meeting different patients, helping people see better. I remember the first time I got glasses and realized this is what I'm suppose to be able to see. It is great to help people in the same way. Being able to give that to people is very fulfilling.''
Dr. Gibbs said the time was right for her to open her own practice.
''After school it didn't seem right, I was starting a family, but now things have settled down,'' she said. ''It has always been my dream to have my own practice.''
Southern Tier Optometry offers a full-service optical department with stylish frames, the latest lens technology including anti-reflective coating, scratch coating, transitions lenses, high-index materials, progressive bifocals and contact lens exams. Dr. Gibbs can fit patients with astigmatism and presbyopia.
Southern Tier Optometry is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday and Saturday by appointment. Also, she is available during emergencies.
For more information, call 720-5837 or visit the website www.southerntieroptometry.com. Southern Tier Optometry is also on Facebook.