Keeping His Eye on Southwest

Most health care professionals agree that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. John Nowell, O.D., believes this adage certainly applies to caring for one’s eyes.

“Often people don’t go to an eye doctor until they experience a problem with their vision,” said Dr. Nowell, who owns Southwest Orlando Eye Care, which is located in Dr. Phillips. “Many things, such as wearing sunglasses or eating nutritiously, can help preserve eyesight and cut down on the risk of cancer around the eye area.”

Dr. Nowell, an Orlando native, attended Lake Highland Preparatory School, Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, where he received his Doctor of Optometry. He completed a fellowship in refractive surgery and ocular disease at the Neumann Eye Institute in Deland. He is a board-certified optometric physician and member of the American Optometric Association, Florida

Optometric Association and Ocular Nutrition Society, and a past president of the Central Florida Society of Optometric Physicians.

Southwest Orlando Eye Care offers full-service optometric care, including eye exams; detection of macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma; ocular disease; ocular nutrition; contact lens fitting; and eyeglasses. Patients experience the convenience of a one-stop practice, where all of their needs are addressed.

“We want to become a family’s eyecare provider for life,” said Dr. Nowell, who finds it rewarding to develop a rapport with his patients. “It’s like we become part of their family.”

Dr. Nowell has practiced in the Southwest Orlando area for more than a decade and greatly enjoys the patient relationships he has forged over the years.

“It’s important to me to have an experienced staff who is friendly and willing to take extra steps in order to please our patients,” he said.

Examples of the practice’s exceptional customer service include special-order frames and free adjustment of glasses, whether the person is a patient or not. Education plays an important role in Dr. Nowell’s patient-care philosophy. He makes it a priority to share information regarding the link between nutrition and healthy eyes, often citing specific foods that are particularly beneficial. Dr. Nowell takes his own education seriously, consistently completing more continuing education courses than required.

“I think it is really important to keep abreast of the latest technology and treatments so I can bring that knowledge back to my patients,” he said.

Not only does Dr. Nowell focus on the eyes themselves, he looks for skin cancers around the eyes and on the lids.

“If I see a suspicious bump or lump, I refer my patients to a specialist,” he said. He maintains a network of trusted specialists, who, if necessary, he confers with throughout a patient’s treatment.

Though eyeglasses are worn primarily to improve vision, they also can serve as a fashion statement. Southwest Orlando Eye Care has a vast array of styles and prices, from basic to chic designer frames.

“We have a big selection; however, we don’t pressure anyone to purchase their glasses from us,” Dr. Nowell said.

A separate room displays all prescription and nonprescription sunglasses.

“We found it was easier for our patients to make their choice if the sunglasses were together, rather than displayed with the other eyeglasses,” he said. Dr. Nowell stressed the importance of proper protective eyewear. “The sooner someone begins to wear sunglasses, the healthier their eyesight and surrounding eye area will be.”

Active adults and children can take advantage of frames and lenses that can
handle virtually any sporting activity. Golfers and anglers particularly benefit from special glare-reducing prescription glasses. Even scuba divers can enhance their experience with prescription diving masks.

Some people choose contact lenses because of convenience or the belief that wearing glasses will change their appearance.

“I will mention contacts to everyone as an option,” Dr. Nowell said. “Sometimes they have never been offered contacts or may have had a bad experience years ago.” With the advances of materials and variety of contacts, more people are finding they are able to take advantage of the convenience they offer.

“Children as young as 8 can wear contacts, as long as they have an interest and are mature enough to take care of them,” Dr. Nowell said.

In years past, there were only two basic options for contact lenses — rigid gas permeable, also known as hard lenses; and soft lenses, which though more comfortable, often provided less-than-optimal vision. Today, Dr. Nowell offers hybrid contact lenses that combine the clear vision of gas permeable with the comfort of the soft lens. Bifocal contacts also are available.

Dr. Nowell and his friendly staff members welcome new patients and their families as the practice continues to grow in the Southwest Orlando community.

Southwest Orlando Eye Care is located in Suite 110 at 7009 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.; and the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 407-271-8931 or visit www.southwestorlandoeyecare.com on the Web.