Optometrist Dr. Ally Stoeger held the open house for her new eye care office GH Eye at 7001 Heritage Village Plaza #110, Gainesville, on Friday May 18, where she entertained potential clients, served food and introduced her office to the public.
The GH stands for Gainesville-Haymarket.
“I felt we’re on the border of Gainesville and Haymarket here,” Dr. Stoeger said, so she named her practice to reflect that. But she also muses on what else it could possibly stand for, such as “good health.”
Stoeger is new to Prince William County, but not to the profession. She was a partner in what grew to become one of the most successful optometry practices in the Commonwealth.
A few years ago, Stoeger was willing to leave all of that behind her.
“Our kids were grown. My husband and I wanted to take some time off. We moved to a beach community in South Carolina, and I became involved in consulting and developing resource materials for other optometrists,” Stoeger said.
Soon however, her children, who were still living in Virginia, were getting married and having babies; and she wanted to play a bigger part of their lives. She and her husband decided to move back to Northern Virginia and settle in Prince William County.
She remarked that Western Prince William reminds her of what Fairfax County was like years ago. Now she hopes that once again her practice can become a part of the community, and is looking to buy a home near her office.
“I’m accustomed to working in a community where my friends are my patients and my patients are my friends. I would like to develop that type of optometry practice again.”
Stoeger feels strongly about the patient- doctor interaction. She knows patients like to be heard by their doctors. And from a doctor’s perspective, Stoeger said knowing her patients’ history and interests makes it easier to diagnose and solve their visual problems.
Plus, it is just part of who she is to be personable. She expects her personal attention along with the benefits of a new practice with state of the art technology will help her grow her business.
For instance Stoeger uses an automatic phoropter. A computerized model, it allows the doctor to refine her prescriptions with more precision. Her practice offers other instruments as well that can make the visit more comfortable for the patient, while enhancing their diagnoses.
In addition the office is modern, bright and spacious by design.
“I like using high tech instrumentation, so that’s the image that I try to convey,” said Stoeger.
Being the sole practitioner of an independent practice also has its perks. Stoeger feels she has the freedom to make decisions that provide the best possible care to her patients.
When it comes to glasses, lenses, contacts and frames, Stoeger carries the best products in her field and offers them at fair market prices. She also tries to provide her patients with the information they need to make purchases that are right for them.
Dr. Stoeger is frequently asked how often should people have their eyes examined.
“People in this community use their eyes for intense computer work, driving, sports and other hobbies. By coming in for annual eye examinations, we can address both optical and medical issues in detail.”
She warns that when eye exams are less frequent, medical eye problems often go unaddressed.
“People with 20/20 vision are still at risk for diseases like glaucoma or other conditions, even people who have had corrective eye surgery benefit from annual exams for a variety of medical reasons.”
Lastly, Stoeger is happy with her location. She is close to Heritage Hunt, but expects to see people of all ages. She notes there is an orthodontist in her building, as well as an optometrist who specializes in vision therapy. She hopes to see families in the surrounding area and people of all ages.
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