The new doctor for Designs for Eyes, a Boston-native who took over the Hartland practice 8 months ago, says he may be a city boy, but he can still appreciate and enjoy the feel of Hartland.

“It’s just a little bit more small town and there’s a lot of farmers, which was shocking,” Dr. Tony Wahab said with a grin. “Guys come in and say they were just out baling hay this morning and got something in their eye.”

Wahab, who moved to the Dearborn/Franklin area two years ago with his Michigan native wife, has been in practice for ten years and currently has four area eye practices, including Dearborn, Commerce, Shelby and Hartland. There will also be a fifth location opening soon in Southfield.

Wahab said he decided to take over the exisiting Hartland practice, which has been in the area since 1990, to help provide better care to an “underserviced community.” 

“Our scope of practice is extremely extensive," he said. "We do everything from kids to elderly.”

Focusing on their image, Wahab says he is hoping to bring in former patients who may have tried Designs for Eyes in the past, but may have been frustrated with hours and slow turn-around in getting their product.

“From the feedback we received, the things that were most disliked and most upsetting to people have been changed, removed or eliminated,” he said.

Wahab says the practice has already participated in several community events, such as Spa Nights in an effort to connect with his patients.

With new support staff, improved equipment and a better relationship with vendors that includes brands such as Polo, Coach and Kate Spade, Wahab says the core of their practice has changed. 

"We treat each individual as an individual, because everybody’s sight, eyes, vision and expectations are different," he said. 

Designs for Eyes is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.