Vision Center Owner Named Top Optometrist

He focused on family, and success and satisfaction followed, that’s the way Dr. Bruce Meyer sees it.

The state licensed optometric physician was named the 2010 New Jersey Society of Physicians (NJSPO)  Optometrist of the Year, an annual award presented to a practioner who provides exceptional care to patients and their community.

Seven years ago, Dr. Meyer expanded his 20-year-old private practice based in Jersey City, opening Riverdell Family Vision Care on Kinderkamack Road in Oradell. He had family in mind when he made the change that would grow his business. Working in Jersey City kept the life-long Bergen County resident far from his Paramus home, even on weekends and evenings.

“I wanted to build a business in my backyard, so I could be present in my life and community,” said Dr. Meyer, who specializes in treating eye problems in children. His partner at Riverdell Family Vision Care, Dr. Alan Busby, specializes in treating myopia, or nearsightedness.

Dr. Meyer’s dedication to family and affinity for familiar settings helped develop his Oradell practice into the “homey” place still buzzing with clients amid the economic downturn that put many small business owners out of business.

“Most practices are flat, because, people put off healthcare, unless they have benefits,” he explained. New and returning clients are often greeted by recognizable, long-time staff, like Cindy Meyer, Dr. Meyer’s wife and office manager. At least two days each week, clients are also greeted by the doctor’s hypo-allergenic, part-maltese pooch. “Kids look for him every time they come in,” the doctor explained.

Even the community service work that helped earn him state recognition is the result of his love family, Dr. Meyer’s added. The father of four children, one of whom is developmentally disabled, has been aiding clients with disabilities since 1989.  He is clinical director of Special Olympics Lions Club's International Opening Eyes of New Jersey; a program that provides free screening, exams, and glasses to Special Olympic athletes.

“This population is grossly underserved,” Dr. Meyer said.

With help from a team of eye doctors and students, more than 2,500 pairs of glasses have been donated to Special Olympics athletes. But the goal of the program reaches beyond providing glasses.

“We are creating a framework for how students and practitioners can appropriately care for individuals with disabilities,” Dr. Meyer said.

He also attributes his recent award to his use of vision therapy, the treatment of visual conditions through the use of adaptive devices and therapy sessions designed to enhance the brain's ability to control eye alignment, teaming, focusing abilities, and eye movements and visual processing.  Riverdell Family Vision Care offers one-on-one treatment to clients, rather than more traditional group sessions.

“Most of the people we work with are students who have been diagnosed with attention disorders, but who have become more efficient in school after therapy,” said Dr. Meyer, who noted that the advancements are possible because much of the information a student takes in is absorbed through the eye.

Dr. Meyer’s greatest success was with Erica, a 4th-grade student whose vision improved tenfold after taking part in a visual therapy program he designed. Erica documented her triumph in “Almost there,” a school essay.

“When (Dr. Meyer) told me ‘you do not have to wear a patch anymore,’ I felt that I got four years worth of Christmas presents,” Erica wrote. “Now, I can see a wider range and move objects easily.  I can drive when I grow up.  Whenever I run into a difficult time in my life, I try to remember this experience, and overcome the challenge with courage and effort.”

With some many achievements under his belt, the accomplished eye care professional has no intention of slowing down.

“There’s always the challenge of trying to make a difference, to reach as many people as you can. When you do that, it’s the most satisfying thing,” Dr. Meyer said.

Dr. Meyer earned degrees from Rutgers College in New Jersey and the New England College of Optometry in Boston. He completed his residency in Pediatric Vision Analysis and Vision Therapy at the Sate University of New York State College of Optometry, where his research focused on evaluating children and adolescence with vision –related learning problems. His research was documented in his article on Infant Vision, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Optometry.  

He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, sponsors a girls softball teams and participates in operation shadow, a program that allows students to follow professionals to learn about their career.