Nancy Phung, OD, has known since high school that she wanted to open her own private practice. She worked as a technician through college, gaining not only clinical experience but also learning the operations and business that went on behind the scenes. The goal was always clear: to build a welcoming, patient-centered space where she could provide care her own way.
She graduated from Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2021 and spent a few years working in both retail and private practice settings. During that time, she kept an eye on available spaces, regularly checking websites like Zillow and Realtor “just to see what was out there.”
Two years ago, she found an ideal location: an end unit in a brand-new brick building on a main road in town. Plus, it neighbored other health care offices and would give her the chance to create something from the ground up. The dentist next door even invited her in to view his layout—an unexpected act of kindness that, combined with the potential of the space, sealed her decision. She joined Vision Source immediately, and through the use of their geospatial tool, she confirmed that her new practice would be the only private optometry office in Norwood, New Jersey.
After nearly a year of planning and construction, Eyecare First officially opened its doors in July 2024.
FROM CONCRETE TO COMPLETE
When Dr. Phung first stepped into the space, the floors hadn’t even been poured. “We designed everything from scratch,” she says. She selected luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring and collaborated with a designer, contractor and architect on all aspects of the buildout—including HVAC, electrical, lighting and layout—while navigating pulling permits and code compliance.
The finished 1,300-square-foot practice includes two exam lanes, with one fully equipped and the other ready for future expansion. There is also a pretest room, onsite lab, small administrative office and a separate contact lens insertion and removal area.
The design blends rich navy walls with crisp white paint and gold accents. A solid marble front desk with waterfall edges and gold hardware is a frequent conversation starter, as is a white porcelain cat with gold glasses that sits on the counter.
To soften the space, Dr. Phung incorporated arches into doorways and a recessed frame display wall with curved edges. Nineteen-foot-high white ceilings amplify the open, airy feel, and even with apartments above the retail floor, she says noise has never been an issue. “It must be totally soundproof, because I’ve never heard a thing,” she says. Drop ceiling tiles were added in the exam lanes for additional privacy.
Greenery adds a finishing touch—and a personal one. “Every plant in our office was a gift from friends and family—a reminder that Eyecare First has always been rooted in love, support and community,” Dr. Phung says. She rotates nearly a dozen plants between home and the office depending on the season and what’s in bloom.
The optical holds around 400 frames, with about 50 choices for kids. Most frames sit on 6-foot floating wood shelves that Dr. Phung bought at IKEA and brought to the office in her own vehicle. A glass shelf set in the wall near a window holds colorful or sunglass styles, and the natural light often creates a rainbow across the optical floor.
The frame lines include Gucci, Armani, Ray-Ban and Vogue, as well as mission-based brands like Modo and Eco, the latter of which plants a tree for every frame sold. This is a great talking point for patients, especially those who are more eco-conscious, Dr. Phung says. The practice also accepts Medicaid and offers frames fully covered by insurance to ensure there are options for every patient.
AN ADVOCATE FOR MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
Eyecare First offers orthokeratology, dry eye treatment and specialty lenses, including options for pediatric patients. “We educate every parent of child with progressive myopia and give them pamphlets, even if they’re not currently interested in management,” Dr. Phung says.
She selected a full Topcon package for the office, including a digital phoropter, slit lamp and visual acuity machine. The MYAH optical biometer and corneal topographer machine is great for educating parents, she says. “Parents love to see the images and can see their child’s trends over time. I can show them what we’re doing instead of just telling them about it.” She also purchased an autorefractor and Optos California ultra-widefield retinal imaging system.
As the practice approaches its one-year mark, Dr. Phung remains grounded in the values that have inspired her from the start: a warm design and compassionate care. “The space reflects everything I hoped it would,” she says.
Connect with Dr. Phung and Eyecare First online:
Website: eyecarefirst.net
Instagram: @eyecarefirst
Facebook: Eyecare First
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