Bridgitte Shen Lee, OD, FAAO, FBCLA, FEAOO, Dipl ABO, and her business partner, Bradley S. Owens, OD, have taken their 25-year-old practice, Vision Optique, into a transformative new chapter by moving to a much larger location in Houston, Texas. The new office, a sleek and modern 8,200+-square-foot space, represents a fourfold expansion from their previous 1,800-square-foot facility. This move, completed in time for the new year, is the culmination of years of careful planning and a shared vision.
“We had been ready to move five years ago. But Dr. Owens and I decided to wait until we were both empty nesters,” Dr. Shen Lee explains. Dr. Owens’ youngest of three children graduated in 2021, while her youngest followed in 2023. With their families settled, the timing was finally right. Market factors like rising interest rates, construction schedule and labor costs influenced the decision to lease rather than build. Despite these challenges, Dr. Shen Lee is thrilled with the result. “This is built to last for the next two decades.”
The pair took over a vacant ground floor space previously occupied by Chase Bank. The expanded space allows Vision Optique to better accommodate its 29,000 patients who come from all over the world. Previously, patients often faced a two-month wait for appointments with Dr. Shen Lee and Dr. Owens. The new facility has mostly resolved this issue.
LITTLE SPACE, LONG WAIT LIST
In the old location, there were only two exam lanes and one small dry eye treatment room. Doctors often had to alternate schedules. Dr. Shen Lee recalls how she would work in the designated dry eye room on certain days, while other doctors rotated through the remaining lanes. Despite these challenges, the team maintained a high level of care, but the constraints underscored the need for a larger, more efficient facility.
“Now, my waitlist is gone,” she shares. The practice’s four doctors can work simultaneously. Vision Optique now boasts seven exam lanes and three dry eye treatment rooms. In addition to general primary eyecare, the doctors provide three full-scope specialty eye care services: dry eye, myopia management and scleral contact lens.
The new Vision Optique contains an optical within an optical. The first optical displays recognizable, high-fashion brands including Tory Burch, RayBan, Persol, Ferrari, Tom Ford and Gucci and unique artistic collections like Alain Mikli, Robert Marc, Tom Davies, Catch London and Zero G. The interior one is a custom luxurious boutique built inside the former bank vault, featuring Chanel, Cartier, Dior, Bvlgari, Prada, Brunello Cucinelli and Lunor collections.
INSPIRATIONS FOUND EVERYWHERE
Dr. Shen Lee’s meticulous attention to design is evident throughout the new office. Inspired by her love of art and architecture—particularly a visit to Copenhagen—the space is a blend of modern minimalism with black, white and gray tones punctuated by pops of blue, one of her favorite colors. Signature elements include custom Murano Italian chandeliers resembling teardrops, representing the practice’s commitment to restoring ocular surface health. The logo wall and digital displays further elevate the aesthetic, creating an art gallery-like environment that aligns with Vision Optique’s high-end branding.
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Over the years, Dr. Shen Lee snapped photos of everything that intrigued her: fonts, floor tiles, logo, lighting, cabinetry, displays and more. These images helped her communicate the desired aesthetics to the contractors, designers and graphic artists.
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Handpainted Murano glass pendant lights for Vision Optique.
The expansion also provided room to grow the professional team. Christina Huynh, OD, joined the practice three years ago, and Noelle Abraham, OD, is returning to the practice. Dr. Shen Lee and Dr. Owens have fostered a culture of mentorship, with team members like Dr. Abraham, who worked in the practice as an optometric assistant and rejoins as a full-time doctor specializing in refractive surgery co-management, dry eye and ocular surface health.
A RESEARCH WING
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Another highlight of the new space is the dedicated research wing, a long-held dream for Dr. Shen Lee, who is a FDA-certified principal investigator. “Now I’ll be able to conduct ocular clinical research during normal business hours and take on more projects,” she says. Previously, she had to come in on weekends so she wouldn’t interrupt business for the rest of the practice. In this space, she will be able to conduct studies on contact lenses, myopia and ocular surface disease management, new diagnostics and therapeutic technologies, positioning Vision Optique as a leader in eye care innovation.
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For Dr. Shen Lee and Dr. Owens, this move is not just about scaling up—it’s about creating a lasting legacy. “Our patients are deeply appreciative. We have multigenerational families who trust us and who will continue to stay with us for decades,” she says.
Connect with Dr. Shen Lee and Vision Optique online:
Instagram: @visionoptique
Facebook: Vision Optique
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