Audra Sexton, OD, always envisioned pursuing her own private practice. Three years ago, she began exploring her options after spending four years in a private practice and five years at a multi-disciplinary clinic. These experiences shaped her priorities and understanding of what was important to her in her own practice. She found a passion for contact lenses and myopia control, wanting to work more closely in these areas. She also wanted greater autonomy in her work, with more control over the operations and decision-making processes.
“It took a year to find a space because every office I visited wasn’t right for me,” Dr. Sexton says. She sought an office that could accommodate a solo, full-scope optometrist and cater to her family-oriented patient base. She also needed ample space for her dry eye services, including intense pulsed light and radio frequency treatments that she plans to add soon. Finally, she found the perfect location on a main street in Great Falls, Montana, and officially opened her practice in August 2024.
BRINGING HER VISION TO LIFE
Eager to move quickly, Dr. Sexton began collaborating with a design team and architect during the lease-signing process. Then, her focus shifted to finding a builder who could bring her vision to life.
Naming her practice was equally important. Dr. Sexton wanted a name that reflected the town and could serve as a foundation for her brand. Great Falls is known as “The Electric City” due to its five hydroelectric dams, inspiring her to name her practice Electric City Eyes Eye Care and Eyewear.
A COMFORTABLE, WELCOMING SPACE
The design of Electric City Eyes reflects Dr. Sexton’s personal style and the community she serves. “I envisioned an elegant, inviting space for patients and their families, avoiding the sterile feel of a traditional medical office,” she says. She chose teal as the main color for the office, reflecting both masculine and feminine qualities. Longtime patients aren’t surprised by her choice, as it’s her favorite color and one they often see her wearing.
The waiting room also features a large, comfortable couch and accent chairs. “Patients come in and say it’s beautiful and cozy, so I feel like I made the right choices,” Dr. Sexton says. “I also wanted to make sure all the furniture was made of easy-to-clean fabric.” She opted for microfiber upholstery that is stain-resistant and easy to wipe down.
Dr. Sexton wanted her practice to fit in with Great Falls. She incorporated art and décor that resonates with the local culture, including maps of the city in each exam lane and whimsical art featuring animals wearing glasses in the waiting room. Additionally, a refreshment bar stocked with coffee, tea and other beverages invites patients and their families to relax while they wait.
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INVESTING IN PATIENT CARE
Functionality was a big priority in Dr. Sexton’s design. “A must was space for my OCT because I have many glaucoma and macular degeneration patients,” she says. She also invested in a topographer for her contact lens fittings and an automated refraction system, allowing her to conduct exams without straining her shoulders. “I used to need monthly massages to help with the pain in my back and shoulders when I worked on manual phoropters, so my shoulders are loving me now,” she says.
Since opening, Dr. Sexton has dedicated herself to serving her community, primarily focusing on family practice, specialty contact lens fittings, myopia control and medically focused eye care.
Connect with Dr. Sexton and Electric City Eyes Eye Care and Eyewear online:
Website: electriccityeyes.com
Instagram: @electriccityeyes
Facebook: Electric City Eyes
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