After spending the early years of her career almost 800 miles away from home and working for others, Maivys Longa, OD, was ready to return to Florida to serve the neighborhood that raised her.
She graduated from the University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Optometry in May 2020. With pandemic-related job shortages on the horizon, she stayed in the state to work in an MD/OD practice with an ophthalmologist she had trained under, who offered her a position before she even graduated.
While the role gave her valuable experience in ocular disease, she was far from home.
BACK TO HER ROOTS
As she and her husband welcomed two daughters within two years, the idea of returning to Florida became increasingly appealing. Originally from Miami and proud of her Cuban heritage, Dr. Longa wanted to raise her family closer to relatives while giving back to her community.
After moving back to Florida and practicing in corporate and medical settings, Dr. Longa realized she wanted more control over how she cared for patients and the pace of the practice. “I wanted more time to build relationships with patients instead of seeing such high volume,” Dr. Longa says.
That realization led to the opening of Longa Family Eyecare in Fort Myers, Florida, in February 2026.
Dr. Longa signed a lease in 2025 for a space in a bustling shopping center surrounded by restaurants and retail shops. The plaza offered strong foot traffic and sits near a school, bringing families through the area regularly. The location also allows Dr. Longa to serve a significant Hispanic population in the area. In previous roles, she often helped patients navigate paperwork and medical forms in Spanish. She says that personal connection is vital to building trust with her patients.
CLEAN AND COHESIVE
When it came to designing the 1,200-square-foot space, Dr. Longa admits she initially struggled to visualize the final product. Reviewing multiple design options felt overwhelming, so she relied on the team guiding the project to help translate her ideas into fruition. Her main request was a space that felt modern while remaining relaxed and welcoming.
The entire space follows a neutral palette. Wanting to highlight the natural sunlight that comes through the floor to ceiling, east-facing front windows, Dr. Longa opted to incorporate sparkle wherever she could. White tile flooring with sparkle flecks runs throughout the space.
The sparkle continues onto the dark gray quartz front desk, built on a custom wood base to add dimension. Light gray walls provide a calm backdrop for the optical displays and other design elements. In order to avoid the space feeling too segmented, Dr. Longa decided to add a window between the reception area and contact lens room, which also has no door. “We wanted to maximize every square inch and make it feel as open as possible,” she says.
In the optical, more than 500 frames give patients a wide variety of styles to choose from. Dr. Longa credits her “fashionable” optician with curating much of the collection and helping patients find frames that suit both function and fashion.
Statement mirrors with backlighting ensure plenty of space for patients to try on frames, built and installed by Dr. Longa’s husband. Two fully outfitted exam lanes feature frosted glass doors with the practice logo, providing privacy while reinforcing the brand. The practice also includes a small in-office lab, with plans to add edging capabilities in the future.
As a member of Vision Source, Dr. Longa utilized deals on equipment, including an autophoropter, autolensmeter, iCare IC100 tonometer and a Topcon Maestro2. While the technology supports advanced care, Dr. Longa says it ultimately serves a larger purpose: creating an environment where patients feel fully cared for.
“My goal is making sure all of my patients’ needs are addressed,” she says. “I want them to feel like it’s not just an exam. It’s an experience.”
See other design stories from WO here.
Would you like to share your remodel/relocation/new practice or office refresh story with WO readers? Email us here.
