Carrying a 110-Year Legacy Forward

Our practice has been part of Spokane since 1915, when Dr. Wilder first opened the doors in what was then a young, growing city. More than 110 years later, I’m about 15 years into carrying that legacy forward—honoring our history while embracing the advancements that define modern optometry.

That timeline matters to me. It represents continuity: generations of patients, families who return year after year, and the kind of trust that only decades can build. But while the legacy remains, optometry has changed dramatically.

Today, our work leans heavily into medical eye care—treating macular degeneration, glaucoma, and, in Spokane’s dry climate, a high volume of dry eye disease. This is where VSP Vision shines. Their programs go beyond routine benefits, supporting essential medical eye care and retinal screening, helping us care for the whole patient. VSP’s Essential Medical Eye Care and Coordination of Benefits allow us to address both medical and routine vision needs in a single visit, improving efficiency and profitability while ensuring patients receive comprehensive care.

VSP also drives steady practice growth through contracts with major regional employers, bringing a reliable flow of new patients through our doors. But the value is more than numbers—VSP patients tend to be highly engaged in their eye health. They come in expecting comprehensive care, whether that’s glasses, sunglasses, progressives, readers, or solutions for dry eye. Because their benefits are robust and easy to use, they return year after year, making them some of our most loyal and lucrative patients.

Running a strong private practice today takes the right partners, and VSP continues to provide that support. They strengthen both clinical and operational areas of the practice, and PECAA (Professional Eye Care Associates of America) membership adds another layer of value with business resources and financial benefits that help independent optometry compete and thrive. Together, they make it easier for us to stay focused on patient care while protecting the long-term health of private practice.

As Eye See It, my goals are pretty simple: try my hardest, provide the best care possible, make sure my patients feel taken care of—and someday pass this practice on to the next doctor who will keep its 110-year tradition going strong.
 

Grant Hardan, OD, is the owner of Eyedentity Eyecare + Eyewear in Spokane, WA. He is a VSP Ambassador.