Optometrist has his eye on the future - Reported by David R. Corder - New
Magazine Article From Ocala Today
"I" Care - Lange Eye Care and Associates are more than just eye care specialists - New
Magazine Article from
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Lange Eye Care And Associates
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Care!
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fashion frames send locals to eyewear stores
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Magazine Article from
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The
Proof is in the Practice - Lange Eye Care seeks and seizes opportunities
to keep growing. - New
Optometrist has his eye on the future
By DAVID R. CORDER, DAILY SUN
Over the years, the one-time Ocala mayor and radio entrepreneur has watched with interest as Lange transformed a small optometric physician practice into one of the fastest-growing eye-care services companies in Central Florida — if not the state.
The proof is Lange’s recent
multimillion-dollar investment in the Lange Eye Institute at 11834 County
Road 101 in The Villages, next to the Southern Trace Shopping Center.
When it opens with a ribbon-cutting Nov. 14, the 25,000-square-foot
building will include an ambulatory surgical center — a rarity for all
but the most well-capitalized health care practitioners.
"There’s nothing like it in Florida," Lange said of the
building he calls his mansion on a hill because of its historic design and
stately columns. "What an unbelievable location."
The building allows just a glimpse, however, into the growth of Lange Eye
Care & Associates PA.
"I’ve just been under the radar,
because I’ve been growing so fast," Lange acknowledged about his
company’s growth amid relative obscurity.
Since the formation of his venture in the late 1990s, Lange has created a
diversified company that deals in more than just primary eye care
services. The Ocala-based company now offers patients facial and cosmetic
surgery, laser and cataract surgery, nutritional supplements and a
division that offers vision products online.
This is an extraordinary health care practitioner, said Dr. Robert Mames,
a respected Gainesville ophthalmologist.
"The words I would use to describe (Lange) are innovative, unbounded
energy, very hard-working and knowledgeable, just to name a few,"
Mames said.
"He had such a personality," Kirk recalled. "I found him (to be) a remarkable person."
The young doctor of optometry had just graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and moved to the Ocala area, with a car in his driveway and $2,000 in his pocket.
While still in college, Lange had thought
hard about where he wanted to practice. His extensive research uncovered
an interesting trend in Florida.
"Ocala in 1990 was the fastest-growing geriatric market," Lange
said. "Now, it’s The Villages."
The meeting with Kirk, however, was fortuitous. Kirk then owned Ocala’s
WMOP-AM radio station. The radio format included a call-in show with a
physician answering listener questions.
"We asked (Lange) if he would be interested in coming in and
answering questions about people’s eyes, because we had older
listeners," Kirk said. "He jumped at the chance."
It was a perfect fit, too.
"He was able to answer everybody’s questions, and do it in such a
way he didn’t offend people," Kirk said. "He was a natural on
the air. He just drew listeners like crazy. People waited for his show to
come on."
Thinking back, Kirk said he suspects the increased exposure contributed in
part to the steady flow of patients who made their way to Lange’s
offices.
"I think his exposure on the air gave him pretty much a leg up," Kirk said. "It’s continued to be of value to him. He’s on half a dozen stations in the area now."
Early in his career, Lange said he recognized the need for preventive eye care practices to ensure better sight longer in life.
"I wanted to do the talk show as a public service," he said. "I genuinely like helping people. I really do promote eye care, and I tell them to go to their local eye care professional. When I started this I never expected to be where I’m at today."
That focus on patient preventive care is what impressed Lange’s wife, Tamie, early on in their relationship. They met in the late 1990s, when he hired her to develop his practice. That’s her specialty.
"He truly cares about the patient," she said. "We’re not here to flip the refractor, and one, two, three, you’re done. We try to treat everyone like your mother or your brother."
This accounts for Lange’s push to hire some of the best eye care professionals available. Including himself, the company employs 11 board-certified optometric physicians. The staff also includes two board-certified ophthalmologist and oculoplastic surgeons and one refractive surgeon who specializes in laser surgery procedures.
Since forming their partnership, the couple now manages two offices in Ocala, one in Gainesville, and another in Summerfield, in addition to one about to open in The Villages. Each features the latest technology to meet patient needs, including lens manufacturing.
"If they need their glasses the same day, we’re able to help them with that," Tamie Lange said. "This way we’re controlling what the patient ordered. We’re going to give it to you the right way. We own any problems. We never palm it off."
From the beginning, Lange recognized something special about The Villages. Its growth as a retirement community complemented the business plan he conceived while in college.
"I’ve always had my eye on The Villages," he acknowledged.
As the practice grew, Lange said,
patients from The Villages would ask him when he intended to open an
office here.
Two years ago, Lange took a risk on the parcel where he erected the new
building. This was a speculative venture, too, considering that area
then was mostly vacant pastureland.
Such willingness to take risks accounts for why Lange recently ventured
into the vitamin supplements market. He markets the Fortifeye Vitamins
as "targeted formulas for dry-eye therapy, macular defense therapy
and complete eye and total body therapy.
"It’s something I would take," Lange said. "It’s all
natural, with no dyes. It has good viability so that it gets into your
system."
With all the energy Lange exudes, it makes sense to ask him,
"What’s next?" He smiled and said, "Jacksonville,
Orlando, Tampa.
"This is just the beginning."
David R. Corder is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached at 753-1119, ext. 9066, or david.corder@thevillagesmedia.com
Article taken from The Villages Daily Sun
10/28/2006
Copyright © 2007 All
Rights Reserved: The Villages Daily Sun