Referral key to growth, valley optometrist says

The Desert Sun • January 3, 2010

Optometrist Ronald Jensen and his associates at Old Town Optometry in Old Town La Quinta run their business with an eye to the past.

"Caring, comfortable, family-oriented practice atmosphere," Jensen said, describing his business philosophy. "It's almost like old country. It's not big-box mentality."

Jensen opened his office in Old Town in April 2004. From the storefront, a giant pair of antique eyeglasses peer out over Main Street.

A large retail area, featuring many different brands of eyewear including Dior, Fendi and Tag Heuer, fills the front of the shop, while Jensen's exam rooms are in the back.

"It's a high-end optical shop. It's like a boutique with an optometrist on site," said optician Bobby McGee.

McGee, who's been on optician for 51 years, is part of Jensen's veteran optician team. Also included are Kitty Hoddick, who has 38 years of experience, and Connie Edwards, with 15 years of experience.

Jensen graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in 1968.

Jensen's wife, Joan Jensen - who has decades of retail experience including 25 years as a buyer for May Co. - is responsible for the shop's merchandising and eyewear display.

There's a lab on site, so depending on the prescription, glasses can be made within an hour.

Old Town Optometry is open Monday through Saturday.

"It's a benefit for kids going to school and working families," Edwards said. "Saturdays are very busy."

Jensen, whose number of clients has grown to 6,000, said referrals are key to the business' growth.

Referrals, he said, have kept the business from falling victim to the recessionary impact of the economy.

"If we didn't have that, we wouldn't be recession-proof," he said.

Jensen said he considers optometry to be an excellent profession because of the current and future needs of the baby boom generation.

Jensen said he's seeing an increase in diabetic and hypertensive patients, both of which have a negative impact on eyesight.

"It's the baggage that comes along with the aging population," he said.