We may be a single doctor practice, but we have a very interesting history. In fact, our practice is most likely the oldest continuously operating eye care practice in Bay County.

Dr. Newton purchased the practice from Dr. Louis Schueneman in October, 2000 after graduating optometry school and passing his board exams. At that time, the practice was located on Center Avenue in Bay City, on the same block as the fire station.

Dr. Schueneman had operated the practice at that location since the early 1970s, at which time he had the building remodeled from a general practitioner’s office (originally built in the 1950s) to suit optometry. Prior to this, his practice was located on Washington Street in downtown Bay City.

Before Dr. Schueneman, a previous physician owner was Dr. Ping McKay. I (Dr. Newton) know there were other predecessors, but I don’t have the names accessible at this time. I do know that one of the original owners was actually a jeweler in Bay City in the 1800s. This is very ironic in that optometry was borne from that profession in that era.

In late 2006, Dr. Newton realized that the existing physical space of the practice and real estate was no longer sufficient to meet its growing needs. At that time, the practice purchased the former Rush Stationers building on Wilder Rd and started renovations, converting an office furniture showroom and print shop to one of the premier eye care offices in mid-Michigan. The practice began seeing patients in this location in February, 2007.

The practice has continued to grow in terms of patients served and services and treatments offered. We were the first eye care facility in Bay County’s history to offer on-site LASIK surgery in 2007. Some of our areas of unique skill and passion lie in the treatment of dry eye as well as treating visual processing and teaming disorders along with other diagnoses not amenable to correction via conventional means.

Above all, we remain a comprehensive, patient-focused eye health and vision care facility. Recognizing that we would not have been able to achieve our success without your support, we acknowledge that we work for you, our patient. We thank you for your continued confidence in our care and look forward to carrying on our tradition of excellence that has been many years in the making.