Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nimisha Patel.
Hi Dr. Nimisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was raised in a hardworking immigrant family where education was not just a priority—it was the foundation for a better future. My parents, who hadn’t completed schooling beyond the 10th grade, poured every ounce of their energy into giving their four children opportunities they never had. Academic success was emphasized from a young age, but choosing a career path wasn’t so simple. Growing up, we didn’t have exposure to professionals across different industries, and this was before the internet made it easy to explore career options with a few clicks. Back then, research meant trips to the library and piecing things together on your own.
By high school, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare, but I wasn’t exactly sure where I fit in. I explored a variety of fields—medicine, nursing, engineering, architecture, dentistry, pharmacy—but I either lacked the passion, the skillset, or the desire to commit decades of training to a path I wasn’t fully aligned with. Through volunteering at a local hospital, I was introduced to different healthcare roles, and that’s when I began to narrow my focus.
Optometry came into my life almost by accident—through a process of elimination—but it ended up being the best decision I ever made. After graduating high school in just three years, I started college at the University of Houston and immediately joined the Pre-Optometry Professional Society. That group opened doors for me—I was able to connect with practicing optometrists and learn about their day-to-day experiences, the business side of running a practice, and the personal and financial realities of the profession.
Wanting firsthand experience, I got a job at a small private optometry office in Houston’s Rice Village. It was a close-knit team—just one doctor and a handful of staff—and that’s where I truly fell in love with the field. I was involved in every aspect of the practice: from pre-testing patients and navigating insurance, to helping with glasses and contact lens orders. It confirmed for me: this is what I’m meant to do.
I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship and the idea of building something of my own, so from early on, I knew that one day I wanted to own a private practice. After four years of college, four years of optometry school, and seven years of gaining experience working under others, I finally opened my own office here in Houston, Texas.
It wasn’t easy. The academic journey at the University of Houston and through NOVA Southeastern University College of optometry school was demanding, and I was determined to pass every course and board exam—because I knew this was it for me. On top of that, I was mindful of the financial burden of student loans and knew I had to keep moving forward.
Looking back, it took years of sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance. But every step led me here, and I’m incredibly proud to be serving my community through my own practice today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey to becoming an optometrist definitely wasn’t a smooth or simple one—it came with its fair share of challenges, sacrifices, and lessons. From the very beginning, the path was competitive and demanding. First, you need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree with a strong GPA and a competitive score on the OAT (Optometry Admission Test). At the time I was applying, there were only 17 optometry schools in the entire country, and most accepted just 75 to 100 students per class. That meant fewer than 1,700 total seats nationwide, so getting accepted was no small feat.
I was fortunate to be accepted to three programs and ultimately chose to attend Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The next four years were intense and incredibly formative. The curriculum was rigorous—covering everything from biomedical science, optics, and pharmacology to clinical techniques, patient care, and professional ethics. We weren’t just learning how to treat eyes; we were learning how to think like doctors, communicate with compassion, and provide care in real-world settings.
One of the toughest parts of the journey was passing the three national board exams required to become a licensed optometrist. Each one tested a different skill set and knowledge base, and they were incredibly demanding. After graduation, I had to pass a state licensing exam as well—since the scope of optometry varies from one state to another. I’m proud to now hold licenses in both Texas and Florida. And the learning never stops: every two years, I complete over 30 hours of continuing education to stay current and maintain my licenses.
Once school was behind me, the next challenge was finding the right job. Getting a position in Florida wasn’t too hard, but finding one that truly aligned with my values and vision was. I worked in various settings and eventually transitioned from retail optometry into private practice—and that’s where everything began to click. I was lucky to cross paths with my mentor, Dr. Marc Tescher, who generously guided me through the ins and outs of running a practice. He taught me not only how to be a great clinician, but also how to think like a business owner—something that has shaped the way I practice today.
So no, it hasn’t been easy—but every obstacle taught me something. Each challenge pushed me to grow, adapt, and stay focused on my goals. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m proud to be a first-generation, immigrant, mother, wife and female business owner—and even more proud that my practice, Family Eyecare Experts, is independently owned and rooted in service, community, and innovation. In 2020, during the height of the COVID pandemic, I was faced with a personal health scare that gave me a new perspective on life. It reminded me that waiting for the “perfect moment” is often a trap—because perfection doesn’t exist. Sometimes, the most important step is simply to begin. That mindset is what pushed me to finally take the leap and open my own optometry practice in 2021, right here in Houston, Texas.
At Family Eyecare Experts, we provide full-scope primary eye care for patients ages five and up. This includes everything from routine eye exams for glasses and contact lenses to medical eye care—managing and treating conditions such as red eyes, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, and more. We work closely with local primary care physicians to ensure seamless care and timely communication for our mutual patients.
What truly sets us apart is our specialization in Dry Eye Disease, an area often overlooked but deeply impactful on quality of life. We are proud to be Houston’s first practice to offer MDElite’s advanced Intense Pulse Light (IPL) with Radio Frequency (RF) for the treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction—a leading cause of chronic dry eye. And we’ve made it a mission to offer this highly effective treatment at competitive prices, because we believe access to care should never be limited by financial background.
Our brand is also built around inclusion and communication. Every member of our team is bilingual, and I personally speak English, Spanish, Hindi, and Gujarati. This allows us to serve a diverse patient base with empathy and clarity, creating a welcoming environment for all.
We take great pride in our patient-centered approach and the hundreds of authentic 5-star reviews we’ve received. Education is a cornerstone of our care—we make it a point to help our patients truly understand their eye health, empowering them to make informed decisions.
To support that, our office is equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic technology. We use corneal topography and autorefraction to map the front surface of the eye and retinal imaging to assess the back of the eye, allowing us to detect diseases like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration—often before symptoms appear. We take it even further with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a state-of-the-art, non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to capture detailed cross-sections of the retina and optic nerve. OCT plays a critical role in early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and supporting patient education.
And yes—we proudly do not use the dreaded “air puff” machine! Many patients associate it with anxiety or discomfort. We’ve invested in more advanced, accurate, and gentle tools to measure intraocular pressure—making your visit smoother and stress-free.
At the heart of Family Eyecare Experts is a simple mission: to deliver exceptional, personalized eye care with compassion, integrity, and the latest technology—while building trust and lasting relationships with our patients. We’re not just here to check your vision; we’re here to protect your sight and support your health, for life.
Pricing:
- single vision glasses start at just $99 (depending on prescription)
- wide range of glasses to select from including Ray Ban, Gucci, Versace, Scott Harris, Calvin klein, Bebe , etc.
- We have wide selection for opthalmic glasses and sun glasses
- same day or next day Red eye/Medical visit available
- we take almost every insurance and even if you don’t have insurance, no problem, we will be happy to see you
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.FamilyEyecareExperts.com
- Instagram: FamilyEyecareExperts
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