Today we’d like to introduce you to Ansel T. Johnson, O.D.
Having grown up in south suburban Robbins, IL, and Dr. Ansel T. Johnson, the founder finished his doctoral optometry program in Boston Massachusetts in 1985. He came back to the Chicago area and worked for a few years for an optical company. It was always his intention to open a private practice that provides patient care in a comprehensive manner at a high level.
He purchased the practice of a retired optometrist in Blue Island, IL in 1990. Named Vision Salon Eye Care, it became widely known in the Chicago area exhibiting at the first four Black Expo Chicago exhibitions at McCormick place that highlighted Chicago area African American owned businesses. Dr. Johnson was also featured on WGN-Channel 9 as an early adaptor in small business to see the value of having an 800 phone number. Dr. Johnson was also featured in Black Enterprise Magazine as an up and coming businessman the following year.
Vision Salon Eye Care Associates has always been an innovator of cutting edge eye care and related technology. In 1994 Dr. Johnson was honored by the White House as an Outstanding Alumni of Head Start and later by the National Head Start Association for Outstanding Achievement in Medicine in 1995.
Over the years Vision Eye Care Associates has not only become known for offering good looking quality optical frames but the latest in prescription lenses that give patents the best vision in all situations like for driving, night vision, computers, tablets, and smartphones.
In addition Vision Salon Eye Care Associates have become an eye care center of excellence for glaucoma, dry eyes, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye care. The office’s cutting edge technology has allowed Dr. Johnson and staff to detect these and other eye conditions early preventing significant vision loss. They help patients with different eye conditions see their best.
Dr. Johnson has made available to his patients the latest in eye care best practices and technology the may have only been available at university teaching clinics. The office is the first practice in Illinois to acquire the Diabetes Rick Test that does not require any needle prick for a blood draw. It was one of the first optometry offices in Illinois to acquire the same retinal imaging technology utilized by NASA for evaluating damage and changes in the inner eye tissue initially and over time. It is the 2nd office to acquire Rapidx pupil testing technology second only to Northwestern Hospital.
Vision Salon Eye Care Associates is the first practices to acquire Dark Adaptometer testing technology that detects macula degeneration before there is vision loss which allows for early treatment. Vision Salon Eye Care Associates has acquired a detailed color vision testing computer developed in conjunction with the US Air Force that helps users detect early glaucoma and other eye problems.
Finally, Vision Salon Eye Care Associates is the first eye care facility in the state to provide free diabetes education classes to help their patients control their diabetes and prevent vision loss from diabetes in partnership with a Medicare Diabetes Education company.
Dr. Johnson has also served as a consultant for several eye care pharmaceutical companies and has been a guest lecturer at the Illinois College of Optometry, and an optometry continuing education presenter. He is dedicated to keep Vision Salon Eye Care Associate on the forefront of eye care in the Chicago area but also continue to be a good partner and asset to the community at large.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a small business, in general, is hardly ever a smooth road all the time. The economic downturns, especially 2008 to 2014 were challenging. The healthcare field specifically is challenging because of the complexities of medical insurance and vision plans and panels. We would and still do lose patients when their insurance plans change and get them back when their plans change again sometimes years later. Others would still stay on their own with a discount plan we offer.
In 2010 we moved to a 4500 square foot facility. Frequent and extreme increasing in Cook County real estate taxes have made it difficult to stay in Cook County.
Since 1990 we have been blessed to meet many of the business challenges and still grow.
Please tell us about Vision Salon Eye Care Associates.
Vision Salon Eye Care Associates is a cutting-edge eye facility that provides optical, medical, and surgical co-management. We provide quality eyewear that can fit all budgets but also provide fashion eyewear for the most discriminating tastes.
Our office provides extensive contact lens services for the 1st time, experienced, and hard to fit wearers. We are an Optometric Center of Excellence for:
Diabetes Eye Care
Dry Eye(s)
Glaucoma
Macula Degeneration
Vision Salon Eye Care Associates is the first eye care facility in the state to provide free diabetes education classes to help our patients control their diabetes and prevent vision loss from diabetes in partnership with a Medicare Diabetes Education company.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Best childhood memories were in the summers when I would travel to Denver or St. Louis to see my cousins and family. I also have great memories of my Boy Scout troop in Robbins, IL when I was in 6th and 7th grade.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12812 S. Western Ave.
Blue Island, IL 60406 - Website: www.visionsalon.com
- Phone: 708-782-5441
- Email: info@visionsalon.com
- Instagram: @visionsalon
- Facebook: @VisionSalonEyeCare
- Twitter: @vseyecare
- Yelp: Vision Salon Eye Care Associates
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
