Dr. Groman will host an Open House from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13 at 204 Hilty Dr, Pandora.

By Darrell Groman, OD

The day after Labor Day 1985, a mere 40 years ago, I began my solo optometric practice in Bluffton. Boyd W. Travis, M.D., a physician, was most gracious to offer me the privilege to have a room in his office, located at 122 N Jackson St, across from the elementary school. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos from that era nor of Dr. Travis. 

“Where there is Good Vision, the People Sit Still.” It has been a privilege to help people to see better, one-at-a-time, in Bluffton, Pandora, in prison and around the world. (Until Mar 1988, beginning April 1986, from 1985-2001 and 1983-1999, respectively.)

Optometry is unique. We can help change lives with simple devices: lenses and/or prisms. And, perhaps, to offer neurological rehabilitation.

Little-known, but time-honored, well-researched, well-documented and efficacious treatment modalities help change lives. I have offered vision care to many who were labeled with various dysfunctions, who were “not on-track” to achieve successes in school, in sports, in the workplace and in life. It has been a privilege to foster struggling individuals to become model citizens who have been making significant contributions to society. 

Most importantly, I have helped countless children to taper-off their psychiatric and behavioral pharmaceuticals and achieve positive gains, as results from their rehabilitative vision care. 

Novel concepts for success: “good vision (at near), good posture and a good slant.”

Thank you, Jesus, for the opportunities to offer vision care to countless individuals. Thank you, Lord, for the privilege to be “the main spark” to establish VOSH-Ohio, the VOSH eyeglasses Sorting Center in Pandora (the current running tally since 1988: 4.8 million used eyeglasses to find the best for distribution overseas,) and to encourage a local ophthalmologist to join our VOSH-Ohio team in Nicaragua in 1992 for his first (now over 75?) cataract care “vacations” overseas.

This is lengthy, but it’s not easy to summarize 40 years of providing vision care. Thank you, Pandora, and the surrounding communities for your generous support. Thank you, Dr. Travis, for being my “main spark” to help me to begin my solo practice.

Please join me and Mariah, my office assistant, to attend our Open House from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, 13 September. The Pandora Chamber of Commerce will conduct a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m.. There will be games for the kids and an open house to see what we have to offer.