History
On May 15, 1939, Dr. Lamar A. Brown began practice in a small optometry office inside J. O. Brown's Jewelry, his father's jewelry store on Meadows Street in Vidalia, Georgia. At the outbreak of World War II, Dr. Brown left for a tour of duty as a Naval officer. Upon his return, he and his father custom built a two-story building on Meadows Street to house an Art Deco style jewelry business alongside a state-of-the-art optometry office.
During his solo years in practice, Dr. Brown was a one-man office, examining eyes, grinding lenses, making and fitting glasses. His first receptionist, Mrs. Maudelee Suddath, was with him for 20 years, before retiring to California to be with her daughter. Learning of the retirement of local dentist Dr. Hubert Darby, Dr. Brown acted quickly to employ Dr. Darby’s assistant Mrs. Gertrude Lane, as his second receptionist. Mrs. Lane with the office as it became incorporated, changed locations, and expanded its staff and patients. She retired in 1996.
In 1985 Dr. Lyn Brown joined her father to form the professional corporation of Optometry Associates. This partnership required additional office space, so they secured the residence at 300 Durden Street, modifying it for their optometry office. They moved in on May 26, 1986. In 1989, Dr. Lyn Brown changed her professional name to Dr. Lyn B. Oxley after her marriage to local businessman Matthew W. Oxley, III. Dr. Lamar Brown formally retired in 1989, but continues to offer consulting and support services to the practice.
Optometry Associates, P.C. has grown from Dr. Brown and his receptionist to include additional doctors, technicians, and office staff. In 2004, the physical facilities at Durden Street were upgraded to include:
- additional examination rooms
- a state-of-the-art computerized scheduling and record keeping system
- a new patient waiting area
- more attractive and efficient area for delivery of optical services
The most recent the addition of a digital refraction has improved the diagnostic accuracy of the general eye exam. New multimedia materials from Eyemaginations are available in the office to educate patients about the newest procedures and innovations being used by optometrists and ophthalmologists to improve vision.
After 70 years, our office continues to offer the best in personal and professional eye care to the citizens of this area.