
Drs. Jessica Palmer, Rena Lewis - Narrows Family Eye Care
As a resident of Chelsea, Dr. Jessica Palmer saw an opportunity to be part of the wonderful medical community in the Narrows. It was there she decided to open her optometry practice, Narrows Family Eye Care, in June 2007.
“I love helping people see better,” said Dr. Palmer. “Whether it’s prescribing prism in glasses to help with double vision, being able to help relieve someone’s eye strain related headache, or simply helping a young student see the board better at school, it’s all rewarding to me.”
This year will be Dr. Palmer and Narrows Family Eye Care’s 10th anniversary. In retrospect, Palmer says, “It’s been 10 of the most challenging, yet rewarding years I’ve been in practice. Chelsea has greeted us with open arms, and for that we are extremely humbled.”
Services available at Narrows Eye Care include comprehensive eye health exams, glaucoma treatment, dry eye treatment, glasses and contact lenses. They also have vision therapy exercises to help with crossed or lazy eyes and diagnose and monitor various eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. For convenience, appointments can also be scheduled online.
Last year, Dr. Palmer was the proud recipient of the Greater Shelby Health Care Professional of the year, and credits her staff for creating a friendly, knowledgeable atmosphere with their combined 30 years of experience in the optical field.
“We all strive to stay up to date on the latest treatments and technology, as our office is equipped with specialized, non-invasive equipment for diagnosing and treating retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration,” Dr. Palmer said.
Dr. Rena Lewis joined Narrows Family Eye Care last year. Lewis has over 20 years of optometry experience, mostly in the pediatric clinic at the Eye Foundation Hospital. Lewis has also worked on faculty at the UAB School of Optometry and UAB Department of Ophthalmology.
Assisting Dr. Palmer at her practice are her five employees. Kendall Lawson is her office manager, an optician and also makes the lenses in their on-site lab. Dr. Palmer’s assistant, Tessa Rodman, handles billing, helps customers pick out frames and assists with contact lens training. Kent Borders is another optician, and Latisha Brasher is in charge of the front office and handles insurance, scheduling and billing.
This year, Doctors Palmer and Lewis will also be seeing patients at our second location in Sylacauga at the historical Sylacauga Eye Clinic.
Narrows Family Eye Care’s hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon.
► WHERE: 13521 Old Hwy. 280, Suite 249
► CALL: 980-4530
► WEBSITE: narrows
fec.com