Individual care and outstanding professionalism are defining qualities at Notoreyeity Optical. Now, Doctor Michelle Darnell provides eye exams at Notoreyeity Optical, providing the Deer Park area with more eye care options.
Recently, Doctor Michelle Darnell started seeing patients at Notoreyeity Optical. Dr. Darnell sat down with me in the cozy confines of the clinic for an interview/eye exam. Dr. Darnell epitomizes the perfect blend of friendliness and expertise in her profession. With a warm smile and approachable demeanor, she instantly puts her patients at ease. Yet, behind her friendly exterior lies a wealth of knowledge and experience in optometry that sets her apart. What truly distinguishes Dr. Darnell is her commitment to ensuring her patients receive the best care possible. She goes above and beyond by taking the time to understand their needs and concerns, providing thorough explanations and guidance every step of the way. In our brief conversation, I learned far more about eyes than I expected. For instance, a surprising number of people have freckles in their eyes.
Dr. Darnell’s example of her dedication is when she personally crafted a practice pair of glasses with a prescription to try. By allowing her patient to see firsthand how the prescription feels, she demonstrates her technical skill and also her empathy and understanding of the patient experience.
Dr Darnell’s favorite part of the job is first-time eye exams for kids. “When you put glasses on them, and they’re like… they look around, and they’re like, Wow.” as she described their reaction, she imitated the expression with eyes wide and a huge smile. Referencing her sister when she received her first set of glasses, Dr. Darnell said, “…all of a sudden with glasses, she can see the whiteboard and look at that, her grades improved, her stress level improved and her attendance and her behavior issues improved.”
Initially, Dr Darnell pursued other careers in acting and cardiology. She credits her mother’s eye doctor for her choice to pursue the eye care field, which was the most compatible with the life she wanted. A life that grants her the freedom to prioritize time with her family and uphold a strong, healthy relationship with them, especially regarding her husband. She said, “I married my husband for a reason, and it was not to divorce him.”
Lacey Clohessy, the owner of Notoreyeity Optical, has worked long and hard to recruit a doctor with the same high-quality standards as herself. The time and effort invested by Clohessy has resulted in Dr. Darnell’s decision to work in Deer Park.
Eye exam appointments are available on most Thursdays. Notoreyeity Optical is located at 14 N. Vernon Ave, in Deer Park. To schedule an appointment, call 509-276-0026. The clinic is open from 10am until 6pm, Tuesday through Friday. They are closed for lunch from 2:00pm until 3:30pm. For more information, visit Notoreyeityoptical.com
Sources:
- Interview With Doctor Michelle Darnell – February 8, 2024
