Dramatic Increase in Demand For Eyewear Leads to Harvard Square Eye Care Expansion

Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) May 16, 2007

In an effort to meet expanding customer needs, Harvard Square Eye Care (http://www.harvardsquareeyecare.com) is opening a second location in Porter Square. The full-service optometry practice provides a wide range of eye care services, and is known for offering the latest in eyewear fashion to clientele worldwide.

"It was difficult to meet the needs of our growing local customer base with just one location, so we decided to open a second office in Porter Square," said owner Lauren Dickerman, O.D.

The latest addition to the team is on-site optometrist Brenda Cronin, O.D., who will see patients at the new location.

State-of-the-Art Services

The new 1,400-square foot office space is conveniently located in the heart of Porter Square, with ample available parking. The former Victorian home has been completely gutted and re-designed to include a spacious showroom and reception area in front, with two examination rooms and an on-site laboratory at the back of the office space. Backlit, glass-fronted display cabinets, framed in maple, highlight a wide variety of popular, trendy eye frames, as well as the latest eye care accessories.

Dr. Dickerman says that the new office will offer the same high-end products and services as they do at their current Harvard Square location. However, in addition, the Porter Square facility will have an on-site laboratory, which will streamline and expedite orders.

"We just purchased the 'Cadillac' of lens grinding, polishing, and finishing equipment. That means we'll be able to produce the finest quality glasses construction and be able to make most prescription lenses in an hour," says Dickerman.

Optician Laird Duncan, adds that the new facility is able to now create its own lens shapes, based on the clients' expectations. In addition, Harvard Square Eye Care now has its own brand of rimless glasses with a wide variety of shapes and color lenses. "In essence, the glasses become handmade," he explains.

"We expect to have the quick turn around time of an optical chain with the high quality of a boutique because of the on-site lab at the Porter Square location," adds Duncan. Both facilities will take advantage of the laboratory.

Boston's Answer for High-Quality, High-Fashion Eyewear

For many years Harvard Square Eye Care has defined itself as the place to go for high- quality, high-fashion eyewear in the Boston area. "We do this by staying true to our basic mission, which is to provide knowledgeable personnel who, in turn, help our clients and patients choose the most complementary frames and lenses to assure the optimal look that's right for them,"says Dickerman.

Known for its extensive range of fashion-forward, high-end popular eyewear and eye care products, Harvard Square Eye Care offers the latest eyewear from France, Italy, Japan, and the United States, and stocks a wide range of avant garde frame styles, including hard-to-find labels such as Oliver Peoples, LA Eyeworks, Kio Yamato, Beausoleil, Booth & Bruce England, O&X New York, and You's Netherlands. Its customer base is also high-end, catering to patients who travel from Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as out-of-state, to take advantage of the extensive selection.

"We travel to Paris and other European cities in search of frames that aren't available anywhere else in the United States and so are able to keep an inventory of unique eyewear that is difficult to find. We've grown quickly because we cater to the sophisticated buyer who knows the difference between high quality fashionable frames and trendy copy looks," says Duncan.

In addition to the extensive designer frame selection for which they are known, Harvard Square Eye Care also stocks designer sunglasses, as well as the most technologically-advanced contact lens products on the market today, including disposable and colored contacts. They also stock a full line of children's frames. Duncan says what helps to set Harvard Square Eye Care apart from the optical chains is that they do not stock large quantities of the low- priced frames available at many of the chain stores.

In terms of contact lenses, the facility stocks and has access to the most up-to-date lenses on the market today. A service that is somewhat unique in the industry is the trial lens program. "Because we do hundreds of fittings annually, we have a surplus of trial contact lenses available for you to take home the same day," says Cronin.

Not Just Fashion Forward

While cosmetically attractive eyewear is important, frame and lens construction are equally significant. "Besides being fashionable, eyewear also needs to be functional. The correct fit and personal comfort are hallmarks of our practice," explains Dickerman.

To that end, she says the opticians at Harvard Square Eye Care take the time to understand what eyewear fits with the customer's lifestyle. She adds that it's important to know whether you need eyewear for computer work or for sports activities.

"We need to know whether you play squash three times a week, and if you sit in front of a computer on a daily basis. If we don't determine what the eyewear is needed for, our customers won't get the ideal function from the glasses or contacts. We need to know what you do with your time, so that we can help not only with the appearance of the eyewear, but also with the usefulness of vision," says Dickerman.

Dr. Cronin adds that selecting eyewear should be a fun, stress free experience. "We want your eye care experience to be truly enjoyable. Our opticians encourage customers to take their time with a purchase; we don't believe in quick sales. They really do want to help you find that perfect frame." She says that, unlike some optical chains, the opticians at Harvard Square Eye Care are not given incentives to sell particular brands.

An Abundance of Services Sets Harvard Square Eye Care Apart

Services at Harvard Square Eye Care include comprehensive eye and contact lens exams; expert fitting service for contact lens and difficult-to-fit contact lens exams; computer vision syndrome treatment; laser vision consulting; home exam visits; custom-fitting for reading glasses; and child-friendly services. Flexible appointments are also available, including in-advance scheduling or walk-ins. Standard service includes a one-year warranty on glasses for normal wear and tear. In addition, if the customer is unhappy with the frame or lens, Harvard Square Eye Care will offer a complete exchange for up to one month after purchase.

With more than 40 years of professional eyewear and contact lens experience, as well as an extensive array of eyewear products, Harvard Square Eye Care has always been a local ─ and international ─ favorite. Their new location in Porter Square will assure that reputation continues.

About Harvard Square Eye Care
In business since 1961, Harvard Square Eye Care ─ now with two locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts at 18 White Street in Porter Square, and 19 Dunster Street in Harvard Square ─ is a full-service optometry practice providing the latest in eyewear fashion and a wide range of eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, laser vision consulting, computer vision syndrome treatment, home exam visits, and contact lens fittings. Please visit http://www.harvardsquareeyecare.com/ for more information.

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