Bonners Ferry Eye Clinic now open
<p>Optometric physician Nate Harrell opened Bonners Ferry Eye Care in November with Ariel Smith as office administrator.</p>
BONNERS FERRY — Last fall a maroon sign with eyeglasses appeared outside the stone-sided house at the south end of Bonners Ferry.
Quietly, Nate Harrell opened Bonners Ferry Eye Care on Nov. 5, 2014, after an intense two-month remodel of the main floor.
No longer does the main floor look like a house — it looks like a modern optometrist office. The dining room is now the reception room and a bedroom is the optical room. New floors and ADA access make the office easily accessible.
Harrell, an optometric physician, may be a familiar face.
He has owned and operated Pend Oreille Vision Care in Sandpoint for four-and-a-half years.
“I really wanted to have a practice in a small town,” said Harrell, who grew up in Omaha, Neb. “It’s a really great area here.”
Harrell expanded his practice to Bonners Ferry because he saw a need for more medical eye care. Harrell explained he can treat scratches, tears and abrasions to the eye better than the emergency room and it costs less.
True to the name, Bonners Ferry Eye Care also provides services for primary eye care, pre- and post- lasik surgery, internal contact lenses, contact lenses and full-service glasses with a broad price range and warranties. Basically anything related to eye treatment explained Harrell. He also accepts Medicare, Medicaid and many vision plans.
Harrell became an optometrist because he wanted to provide a service people needed, especially in a small community. By keeping his practice small, he can spend time with each individual which he prefers.
“It’s great,” said Harrell. “And it’s going really well.”
Bonners Ferry Eye Care is open Monday thru Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They are located at 6348 Main Street and can be reached at 267-1087.