When Lauren Foley, OD, opened Eyes of North Scottsdale in May 2023, she created a welcoming environment inspired by her Arizona surroundings and years of planning. A native of Tinley Park, Illinois, she was drawn to the natural beauty and rugged charm of her new community. “I wanted the design to reflect the scenic landscapes of this part of the Phoenix Valley using earthy greens and rust tones inspired by the desert,” Dr. Foley says.
Dr. Foley began collecting ideas for her dream practice years before opening, curating a Pinterest board filled with inspiration. Her husband, Brandon, used his woodworking skills to build custom optical tables using recycled pallet wood. He also built all of the floating optical display shelves using wood planks from Home Depot. The tables and shelves are also made from reclaimed pallet wood that Dr. Foley and Brandon found driving around their neighborhood.
A THOUGHTFUL LAYOUT
Starting her search in 2022, Dr. Foley worked with a local health care real estate broker who helped her find a space that had not been on her radar. The office, previously a real estate office, was taken down to the shell for a full remodel, though Dr. Foley was able to repurpose several features. She saved and reworked kitchen cabinets to outfit her lab and staff room, kept the overhead lights and ceiling tiles, and even refinished the concrete floors after removing the original carpet and tile. “I was lucky to get such a bright, cheerful space that avoids the harsh western sun,” she says of the east-facing space, which has large floor-to-ceiling windows in front.
Working with iCare Advisors, Dr. Foley created a layout that maximizes her office’s 1,280 square feet. With one fully equipped exam lane and another in storage for future expansion, she kept everything open to make the smaller space feel larger, using white walls, high ceilings and Ikea floating cabinets for extra storage. Custom acrylic shelving in the optical area allows natural light to filter through, keeping the space airy and inviting.
MODERN AMENITIES AND PATIENT-CENTERED DESIGN
The front desk, inspired by designs she found on Pinterest, features a custom quartz countertop built by her contractor. The office’s waiting area offers a beverage station and floating shelves displaying frames. “I wanted a warm, comfortable environment where patients feel at home,” Dr. Foley says.
The layout also includes one bathroom, which required only a reconfiguration of the door, allowing her to avoid replumbing the space. To add a unique aesthetic touch to the center of the optical, she chose a chandelier from Wayfair, while her contractor found coordinating pendant lights for the optical area.
A focus on patient education guided Dr. Foley’s choice of equipment, including a Topcon autorefractor with meibomian gland imaging, an anterior segment camera and a retinal imaging device by Optos. Dr. Foley had never used an anterior segment camera before purchasing her own, but now says it’s a go-to for patient education. “It’s a great way to actually show patients what’s happening with their eyes,” she says. The edger has also been a new enjoyable tool for her and her optician, allowing them to make eyeglasses on-site for quicker turnaround.
SUSTAINABLE FRAMES AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Eyes of North Scottsdale offers a curated frame selection, focusing on independent and sustainable lines like Eco, MODO and Res Rei, as well as familiar brands like Ray-Ban and Maui Jim. Dr. Foley wanted to ensure her optical had variety and recently added Kliik frames from WestGroupe for more petite faces. The optical holds about 400 frames, with brand books and informational cards on a coffee table so patients can explore the story behind each eyewear brand. When children get new eyeglasses for the first time, they get to choose a wooden, animal-shaped frame holder as a treat.
The contact lens area is wallpapered with a horse mural, paying homage to the local ranch homes and Western charm. Two round mirrors cover the horse’s eyes and resemble mirrored eyewear. Dr. Foley is actively building her contact lens practice and trains patients on inserting and removing their lenses. She plans to expand her dry eye services and offerings in the future, such as intense pulsed light and radiofrequency treatments.
Dr. Foley aimed to build more than a practice—she wanted to create a place that fosters community relationships. Located in a pedestrian-friendly shopping complex with restaurants, a pet store and other boutique retailers, her practice benefits from steady foot traffic. With a local ice cream shop in the center, she offers coupons for a free scoop to patients waiting for their eyeglasses. “It’s a fun way to create a positive experience for patients while supporting another local business,” she says. During Halloween, businesses in the center work together to hand out candy to families, and they support one another by sharing business cards and checking in regularly.
FROM PRACTITIONER TO OWNER
The road to owning her private practice started with Dr. Foley’s early experiences in private and corporate settings. She spent about a decade refining her skills in general practice before considering practice ownership. “Working in different practices formed me into the doctor I am today,” she says. “I’m glad I waited to open my own practice because that experience helped me feel comfortable as a practitioner, which became the foundation for becoming a business owner.”
Her decision to open as a Vision Source practice was influenced by her long history with the network—she was a Vision Source patient and later worked in Vision Source offices. With the guidance of iCare Advisors and support from her Vision Source colleagues, she felt well-prepared to transition into practice ownership. “I couldn’t have done a cold start without them,” she says.
Connect with Dr. Foley and Eyes of North Scottsdale online:
Facebook: Eyes of North Scottsdale
Instagram: @eyesofnorthscottsdale
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