Press Room
History
Dr. Tavel Optical Group is the largest vision care provider in Indiana. With a focus on eye health, Dr. Tavel optometrists help patients not only correct vision, but protect vision. Dr. Tavel was founded nearly 70 years ago and its professionals have a wealth of information to share.
Dr. David Tavel started his optical career in 1940 and opened his first eye care location in 1946 at the Claypool Hotel in Indianapolis. Over the past 70 years, Dr. Tavel Optical Group has grown into the largest vision care provider in the state and has the state’s largest corporate group of licensed eye care providers.
Through history, Dr. Tavel has introduced several “firsts” in the eye care industry:
- He introduced One Hour Service when he opened his first store in 1946, after perfecting laboratory techniques involved in fabricating a pair of glasses. Now, One Hour Service is a relative standard in the optical industry.
- He introduced a new concept to the optical business in the 1960s: a discount optical store. These stores were introduced and marketed through non-traditional marketing techniques, with an emphasis on advertising – another first in the optical business.
- He introduced managed vision care. On July 1, 1977, UAW members, one of the largest employee groups in the state, began to receive the benefits of vision care insurance. Dr. Tavel was one of the first eye care providers in the country to support this move.
- He has always been at the forefront of marketing and was one of the first eye care providers to utilize mass marketing efforts to promote specific products and services. Click below to see a historical representation of Dr. Tavel TV commercials.
Dr. Tavel not only helps patients maintain quality vision, but also focuses on eye health. To that end, eye exams are complete and thorough and include tests for glaucoma, cataracts, muscle balance, visual acuity, depth perception and much more.
Today, there are 19 Dr. Tavel stores located in communities throughout Indiana, including:
- Indianapolis: 7321 W. 10th Street; 984 N. Mitthoeffer; 8139 Pendleton Pike; 2835 Lafayette Road; 3536 W. 86th Street; 3636 S. East Street
- Anderson: 2109 S. Scatterfield Road
- Bloomington: 2552 E. Third Street
- Columbus: 2440 N. National Road
- Elkhart: 3701 S. Main Street
- Fishers: 7035 E. 96th Street
- Greenwood: 1251 US Hwy 31 N.
- Kokomo: 1164 S 17th Street
- Muncie: 3501 N. Granville Avenue
- New Castle: 519 S. Memorial Drive
- Richmond: 4523 E. Main Street
- Shelbyville: 1634 E. State Road 44
- South Bend: 1111 E. Ireland Road
- Terre Haute: 3013 S. US Highway 41
Each Dr. Tavel office is staffed by a Doctor of Optometry to examine eyes, detect and treat disease, and prescribe glasses and contact lenses. Select locations have surfacing and finishing laboratories on the premises to fabricate the prescribed eyewear and each location has inventory from which to fit any required contact lenses and a fully equipped doctor's room for eye examinations and treatment.