Community Update

Dr. Nowak is by far the very best Optometrist I've ever visited. At 55, having been wearing glasses since about age 18, and although I still have a fairly mild prescription, I've usually been a bit dizzy whenever putting on my glasses, even though they correct and help my vision, I'm still more comfortable w/ them off.

That all changed when I began to see Dr. Nowak. He provided his std services, the glasses came and they felt great. I just didn't notice how great until I decided to use a local in-network provider much closer to my home and there got another slightly dizzy-making pair.

I was told I'd get used to them by that office. By chance it happened they disappeared w/in a few months, (they'd dropped in the snow, unbeknown to me) and I went back to wearing the old pair from Dr. Nowak, not realizing how comfortable they were by contrast. Later I discovered my glasses when the ice thawed, but kept wearing the ones from Nowaks office because they subconsciously I guess, felt better in all activities, far, close and especially at medium computer distance, the others I had to keep removing. When the time came, I got a new pair, again w/ the VSP provider close to my home.

These were even worse. Again, that office told me I'd get used to them. When that didn't happen after several weeks, I did a test, I stood across a large room and tried the three pair. This was in 2011. The best vision was from the oldest from Dr. Nowak (from 2008 in fact, very well used, slightly scratched glasses, still the sharpes vision). I couldn't understand. I went to Dr. Nowaks office, apologized for taking my business close to home, he wasn't as concerned about that as much as the vision issues with which I came in. Checking my new glasses against the prescription written he found a couple of discrepancies, but decided to check my eyes too. Things looked very good in the chair, and then he said how’s this: he dialed in what had been prescribed. Ouch. Not nearly as good.

Another detail: I’d moved to the West coast and was in CT on a visit in the process of selling our CT home. I took his prescription and had it filled where I now live. It’s much better. Still though, not as comfortable as what Dr. Nowak had been issuing over the years. Turns out I remembered he always insisted on a more expensive Zeist (sp? Zeiss?) lens material, and I went with it. I asked my local about that and he said, it’s more expensive but provides better vision somehow. Oh. I thought it was just the Nowak lab, could be that too.

So that, and accurate prescribing, is why Your life will be more comfortable w/ our former doctor, Dr. Richard Nowak (I took our whole family there). too bad we live 3,000 miles away now.

I’m sorry there are so many words here, and it may seem like I just had an isolated bad experience after Dr. Nowak, but that’s because I blurred the issues. There have pretty much always been various levels of discomfort w/ glasses until I began to see Dr. Nowak. He insisted on these expensive ziess made lens, or maybe it’s his lab, or accuracy, but even old pairs made by him are still more comfortable than the ones I’m wearing now. The old ones of course don’t correct the vision as much at this point, but they don’t make me dizzy either.

There’s three things he does different:
#1 he makes a more accurate diagnosis: Besides correction there’s other measurements, and apparently he gets these right.
#2 he bothers to check EVERY pair of glasses that comes in to be sure of accuracy
#3 he recommends the better material, and if you’re smart, you’ll take it. Imagine wearing glasses that are just as comfortable on as plain vision, that’s what we got.

The other thing is an understanding of contact lens use and health. He was hesitant to prescribe until materials were developed that allowed for the health of your eyes. Then, with this material, he carefully evaluated our son to be sure that correct length of wear was determined for our boys specify physiology, which we learned varies by individual.

Also: he’s a great guy to work with and has a wonderful support staff person with him.

I went way too long, sorry, I wish I could cut this down, but do go there and get rid of the headaches from your glasses. I'm 3,000 miles away, but wish I could still visit him. I wish I could have written this years ago, he really helps you.