When Melissa Kuzo, OD, decided to open a private practice, she set out to create a space that blended her expertise in dry eye treatment with a modern, sleek design. Together with her husband Kyle Kuzo, who helps manage operations, she opened Kuzo Eye Care and Dry Eye Center in York, Pennsylvania, in 2022. Kuzo Eye Care quickly became a cornerstone that earned community recognition, winning Best of York 2023 and Best Optometrist in York 2023.
STARTING THE JOURNEY
Dr. Kuzo graduated from Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2016 and completed a residency in ocular disease at a VA facility, then spent a few years at a private practice where she had previously interned. Confident in her dry eye skills, Dr. Kuzo decided to start her own practice in 2022 after private equity took over a large share of independent optometry practices in the area. “My husband finally said, ‘It’s time to do it on your own,'” she says.
Her husband, whom she describes as “a jack of all trades,” helped her submit for an LLC. In March 2022, they began working with CARR, a healthcare realty company, and iCare Advisors to find a space in York, close to home. “There were other optometrists in the area, but no one had a specific focus on dry eye,” Dr. Kuzo explains.
The first few spaces they viewed didn’t feel right, Dr. Kuzo says. Some had low natural light or limited foot traffic. Then, they found an 2,000-square-foot space that had previously operated as an orthodontist. There also used to be a Pearle Vision in the same complex. “That gave us confidence that the landlord was comfortable hosting an eye care space,” she says. The location was next door to a dentist and chiropractor and was in the shopping hub of York, across the street from a large shopping center. “We have large windows in the front, so there’s great visibility,” Dr. Kuzo adds.
CREATING A FUNCTIONAL AND STYLISH SPACE
After three months of demolition—taking the space down to dirt floors, beyond the studs—Kuzo Eye Care and Dry Eye Center opened in September 2022, a month ahead of schedule. Kyle Kuzo’s background as a general contractor helped with the buildout, as he had local connections to help with flooring, plumbing, electrical and cement work.
Dr. Kuzo wanted the office to have a neutral, modern and sleek look, choosing gray as the main color. She also incorporated her favorite colors, green and purple, into the logo and fixtures. The office has two exam lanes, a pretesting room, a dry eye treatment room, a break room and an optical space with 700 frames, ranging from affordable lines to luxury brands like MODO, Jimmy Choo, Swarovski and Michael Kors.
She selected durable LVP flooring that runs throughout the office, and much of the furniture and shelving is from Ikea. The front desk countertop is an affordable option that looks like granite, and bright green optical chairs add a pop of color to the space— not to mention, they’re easy to clean, which comes in handy with her large number of pediatric patients. A vibrant money tree, gifted to Dr. Kuzo by her mom when the practice opened, adds a fresh and inviting touch to the space.
Designing the space on a “shoestring budget” allowed Dr. Kuzo to invest heavily in equipment. Kuzo Eye Care offers dry eye treatments, including OptiLight IPL frequency by Lumenis and Prokera amniotic membrane treatments. The office also has an Olleyes Visual VR platform and Optos imaging equipment. She’s also expanded her services to include aesthetic treatments, including as heated masks, nutraceuticals and a new Lumenis OptiPlus radio frequency machine.
BECOMING A PART OF THE COMMUNITY
She’s built strong referral relationships with local specialists, including a cataract surgeon. “We have a great relationship—the office sends me specialty patients, and I send over people looking to receive surgery,” Dr. Kuzo says. She also collaborates with a nearby vision therapy office that refers patients to her optical. “That office doesn’t have an optical space, so in turn, the staff refer back to us,” she explains.
She’s also devoted to ensuring the local children are represented, too. In 2023, she held a free school supply giveaway at the local high school, and this year, children who received eye exams in August were entered into a raffle to win backpacks filled with supplies.
OVERCOMING EARLY CHALLENGES
One of the biggest challenges the couple faced was before they even opened the doors. With their planned wedding date of August 6, 2022, Dr. Kuzo and Kyle found their space sooner than expected. At the time, she was still practicing with her license in her maiden name. Concerned about opening a practice under a name that would soon change, they decided to hold a backyard wedding in April to ensure everything was in order.
Shelving and storage lockers allow the optical to hold up to 700 frames.
Reflecting on their journey, Dr. Kuzo advises others opening a private practice to learn every aspect of the business. “You never know when something or someone will fall through,” she says. After their original optician didn’t work out, Dr. Kuzo “became not only the OD, but the optician, and my husband had to learn to edge lenses,” she says. “Anything can happen. We should all aim to be a jack of all trades!”
Dr. Kuzo also credits joining Vision Source for much of their success. “In the age of private equity and corporate chains, having the support of a network like Vision Source is huge,” she says. “From buying to setting protocols to having someone to lean on, Vision Source made the whole endeavor easier.”
In their free time, Dr. Kuzo and her husband enjoy walking their border collie, Match, spending time with their daughters and traveling.
| Get the Look |
| Optical walls: Rocky Candy by Sherwin Williams |
Find Dr. Kuzo and Kuzo Eye Care online:
Instagram @kuzoeyecare
Facebook facebook.com/KuzoEyeCare
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