Dr. Jay's Family Eye Care: A Legacy of Local Vision Care

Where Small-Town Care Meets Modern Eye Health

For Dr. Jay, the journey to becoming Harlan's trusted family optometrist started with a Christmas break eye exam. After working in retail in California, a routine visit to his hometown eye doctor, Dr. McCutchen, sparked a conversation that would change his life—and shape the future of vision care in Harlan for decades to come.

A Hometown Vision Takes Shape

"I was going to be a dentist for about three years into my college career," Dr. Jay recalls with a smile. But fate had different plans. After graduating with majors in math, chemistry, and biology, he found himself in California, wondering about his next step. That's when a holiday visit home and a conversation with Dr. McCutchen opened his eyes to optometry.

The decision to pursue optometry meant returning to school—no small feat with two young children. But for Dr. Jay and his wife Suzy, both Harlan natives, the goal was clear: to return home and serve their community. In 2000, that dream became reality when Dr. Jay opened his practice on Harlan's town square in what was once Tinsley Store.

A Family Practice in Every Sense

At Dr. Jay's Family Eye Care, the term "family" extends far beyond the name. Dr. Jay's son Nic, who grew up alongside the practice, has become its heartbeat over the past 25 years. "Nic calls everybody. He talks to everybody. He is the face of my office," Dr. Jay shares proudly. "If you're ever here or if you ever call, you will talk to my son Nic."

The practice recently welcomed Dr. Kristi Merchant, bringing fresh expertise and perspective to the team. Originally from Hampton, Nebraska, Dr. Merchant understands small-town healthcare firsthand. "I like the way that they practice," says Dr. Merchant, who commutes from Bellevue while planning an eventual move to Harlan. "My goal is to make sure we're making everybody feel like they're getting helped and they're joining the family with us."

More Than Just Glasses

While many think of optometrists primarily for glasses and contacts, Dr. Jay's Family Eye Care offers comprehensive eye health services. From routine exams to glaucoma management, dry eye treatment, and emergency care, the practice serves as a first line of defense for eye health in the community.

"A lot of people think that you can only get an eye exam if you're having troubles with your vision," Dr. Merchant explains. "But if you're seeing perfectly fine, that doesn't mean you're back with your eyes perfectly fine."

The practice particularly shines in serving special needs patients, a passion project for Dr. Jay for over 25 years through the Opening Eyes Analytics program. "They still need glasses, they still need eye care just like you and I do," he emphasizes. "That's a population that we definitely welcome."

Growing with the Community

As Harlan evolves, so does Dr. Jay's Family Eye Care. The practice is preparing to move to a larger location—the former Home Federal Savings Loan building by City Hall. Currently, patients can find the practice at 620 Market St in downtown Harlan, Iowa—allowing both doctors to serve more patients simultaneously while maintaining their commitment to personalized care.

What hasn't changed is the practice's dedication to being there whenever patients need them. With Dr. Jay living above the current office and the team's willingness to handle emergency cases, they exemplify small-town care at its finest. As Dr. Jay puts it, "It's not just 9-to-5 Monday to Friday... that's how I grew up too, and I knew my doctor, I knew my dentist."

Visit Dr. Jay's Family Eye Care at 620 Market St, Harlan, IA 51537. Schedule an appointment online at their scheduling portal, call their memorable number (712) 755-2020, or reach out via their Facebook page. Walk-ins are welcome for eyewear selection and adjustments.