Hi everyone - Mitch Teplitsky here. I've been Dr. Tracy's client forever (well, nearly 20 years). And for the past 2 years, his web marketing consultant.

Usually Dr. Tracy writes his own blogs and newsletters. But this month I wanted to share my own story, about how Dr. Tracy helped my wife Doris wear contact lenses for the first time.

Doris is from Peru, and had never tried contacts before. Last summer we visited friends on Cape Cod, where Doris left her glasses on the beach. Lost at sea.

We hopped on our bikes to the nearby optometrist at Walmart, where Doris figured she'd try contacts.

The optometrist did a thorough exam and fitted her with a reputable trial brand. But Doris couldn't tolerate them. Her eyes got red and irritated.

Did this mean Doris couldn't wear contacts? Was it some pre-disposed condition? Maybe the type or brand of contacts wasn't right? The store didn't have other trial brands in stock to try.

Having edited several blogs about contacts with Dr. Tracy, I decided to place a call to The Man himself.

"Fitting contact lens is as much an art as a science," Dr. Tracy explained. "I have to really examine the health of Doris's eyes, her history, and then try to match her up with the right lenses -- and the right solution. It takes time. And some people just aren't meant for contacts at all, their eyes can't produce enough tears to support comfortable wear."

Doris saw Dr. Tracy upon returning to New York. In fact it took several exams and fittings to hone in on a system of lenses and solution that worked comfortably. We discovered that Doris's eyes were unusually sensitive, and worked best with a chemical-free solution.

It's one thing to edit and read Dr. Tracy's blogs about the art of fitting contacts, but another thing to witness it up close on one's wife! I was grateful. And it's nice to have a doctor who takes such pride in his craft.

"After many years of fitting contact lenses, I find it's very satisfying to fit someone successfully, who was unable to find a comfortable lens in the past, sometimes having tried many times."

Posted by Gary Tracy | Permalink

Hello Dr. Tracy,

I just wanted to tell you before our next appointment that I love the new Acuvue lenses. I didn't intend to be brand-loyal, but these are much better than the first pair I tried. I am not having the issues with focusing either for distances or close up. Plus they are very comfortable.

Thank you so much for seeing me so quickly on Friday. I appreciate your follow-up time and care.

- Best, Sophia F.

Posted by Gary Tracy | Permalink

Russell Clay and Stephanie Cowell share a marriage, a talent for writing...and an optometrist!

Russell is an award-winning poet whose book "Father Poems" explores the theme of having, losing, and being a father.

"When I moved to Manhattan from Atlanta in 1995, I needed a good optometrist, so Stephanie sent me to Dr. Tracy. During the exam, Dr. Tracy asked 'How long have you been in New York?' I replied, 'About 3 weeks.' 'Well,' said the doc, 'You've already been here longer than 80 percent of the population - you are definitely a New Yorker!' And that helped me feel at home. Thanks to Dr. Tracy, I can actually see the words I pen!

Stephanie is a historical novelist whose latest work, "Marrying Mozart," received widespread acclaim:

"Russell and I live on the Upper West Side with thousands of books and all the music Mozart ever wrote...Dr. Tracy is an incredibly caring, congenial, and gifted doctor. Russell and I are fortunate to know him."

Posted by Gary Tracy | Permalink

I'm proud to have clients like Pamela Yates, an Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker who makes human-rights and social-issue films.

We caught up with her at a recent screening of her current film, State of Fear:

"Gary Tracy's been my eye doctor ever since I came to New York more than 20 years ago. As a visual artist, film director and president of a company celebrating 25 years of human rights filmmaking, I rely on Gary to keep my sight sharp. He always knows about and can discuss the latest technology and innovations in the field."

Posted by Gary Tracy | Permalink

That's right, even Santas need eyecare! And not just any Santa, but actor Roger Franklin, ranked New York's top-rated Santa by The Daily News for his beloved appearances at the South Street Seaport.

Roger's been a client and friend since the 1970s, when he dropped by my first store on Columbus Avenue. Roger was a West Side institution even then, having played Officer Krupke in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, and roles in other classics like The Sound of Music and the King and I.

Now Roger's got a new generation of fans as Santa. And one of the most fun parts of working with a Santa is helping him choose his glasses! Roger's are based on an authentic 17th century design.

Getting to meet and serve people like Roger Franklin is one of the reasons why I love working in New York — where else could you find so many fascinating clients?!

Posted by Gary Tracy | Permalink

Len Mitchell came to me last year after several ophthalmologists told him his vision couldn't be improved. He had many problems, including a detached retina, glaucoma and need for a corneal transplant. He could only see the biggest letters on the vision. We went to work, with an exhaustive series of tests. The result? Len's vision went from from 20/100 to 20/50 - twice as good. It felt really good to help give a patient their vision back.

"Dr. Tracy's prescription improved my vision substantially. His support staff was equally proficient. I enthusiastically recommend him."
- Len Mitchell

Posted by Gary Tracy | Permalink