Meet the Team!

Dominick Opitz, OD, FAAO

Dr. Opitz is known to his friends and family as Nick. He is a graduate of Loyola University and earned his doctorate of optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. Nick completed his residency at the Hampton VA Medical Center. He holds the rank of Associate Professor at the Illinois College of Optometry. He continues to educate future optometrists and lectures frequently for continuing education programs both nationally and internationally.

​Nick is an accomplished researcher and has had many publications highlighting his contributions to the profession of optometry and eye care. He is a member of the Illinois Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and is a fellow of the  American Academy of Optometry.
Nick was born in Chicago's Norwood Park. He and his wife, Sarah, currently live in Norwood Park with their three children in the same house he lived in as a small child. Nick is Chicago sports enthusiast and a die-hard Cub fan. He enjoys family time with his kids, golfing and biking.
Thomas L Ruiz, OD
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Thomas L. Ruiz, OD completed his bachelors of biological sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago with completion of the Honors College curriculum in May of 2015. He earned his doctorate of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in August of 2019. It was during his training at the Illinois College of Optometry that Dr. Ruiz initially joined the Norwood Park Eye Center in March of 2018 as an optometric technician and optician. In fact, he was the 1st employee of the new practice! Upon completing his doctoral program, Dr. Ruiz re-joined the Norwood Park Eye Center as an optometrist providing comprehensive eye and vision care with an emphasis on ocular disease and specialty contact lens management.

Dr. Ruiz is a member of the Illinois Optometric Association as well as American Optometric Association. In his spare time, Dr. Ruiz enjoys spending time with his family and his hobbies include the following: creating music, cooking, and making cover song videos with his wife. He loves sports and is a big fan of the Chicago Bulls, Bears, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Sarah

Sarah's interest in eye care began in First Grade when she was prescribed her first pair of glasses. She began working for her local optometrist during high school and went on to earn her Associate of Applied Science from Triton College. She completed the Ophthalmic Technician program with honors and has more than 15 years experience in the eye care field.  Sarah has worked in private practice as well as at the University of Illinois at Chicago in the Eye and Ear Infirmary. 

Her training and passion for all things eye inspired her to help develop Norwood Park Eye Center.  She is looking forward to sharing her expert knowledge with the people of Norwood Park and other nearby Chicago neighborhoods.
Sarah has been married to Nick since 2007, together they have three children. She enjoys cooking, sewing, and spending time with her family.