CHICAGO—MyEyeDr.  hosted a series of special events in three Chicago neighborhoods this week, to reinforce to consumers throughout this major market that it now has a presence in Chicagoland. That presence came about through the group’s acquisition earlier this year of the 25-unit Spex, which VMail reported in May . Those stores, according to Sue Downes, MyEyeDr.’s CEO, have been rebranded under the MyEyeDr. name, from colors and displays to signage and the group held a series of in-office events designed to highlight enhanced office layouts, a wider selection of eyewear and a broader range of eyecare services, including social media and online portals to manage and book appointments.

Said Downes, “We have partnered with community-based optometry practices, like Spex Optical, so that families can enjoy all the benefits of eyecare right in their neighborhoods, while also welcoming all insurances and providing access to an expanded selection of eyewear and services.

“My vision for bringing quality eyecare and eyewear through your trusted community doctor began 15 years ago, and I am so excited to now be offering the full-service MyEyeDr. patient experience to new customers in Chicago.” Downes anticipates, “With this foundation, we anticipate another 10 to 20 locations in the region over the next 12 months.”

Further, Downes told VMail that MyEyeDr. has most recently partnered with Allegany/National Optometry which has 27 locations in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Thirty-six doctors, including the two largest shareholders Dr. Patrick Fleming and Dr. James Whitelock, have joined MyEyeDr. following the closing as did all other shareholder ODs who were part of the practice, she noted, adding, “The Allegany and National Optometry locations will continue to operate under that banner until we rebrand them in the new year.”

The Alleghany/National Optometry acquisitions, along with several individual practice locations into the MyEyeDr. group, brings the current total number of MyEyeDr. locations to 316, Downes said.