AMERICAN DREAM: Canton eye doctor owns business in hometown
Vision Without Limits, a Ford Road optometry business for several years, has been owned the past several months by a homegrown Canton optometrist.
As a youth growing up in Canton, Naureen Haroon probably drove by Ford Road’s popular optometry business Vision Without Limits countless times, never in her wildest dreams imagining she would someday own it.
In November of 2022, Haroon’s unrealized dreams became reality when she purchased the practice from longtime owner Dr. James Bohdan.
A former student at Bentley Elementary School, East and Discovery middle schools (she was a member of Discovery’s first graduating class), and a graduate of Salem High School, Dr. Haroon reflected during a recent interview how special it is to own a business in the township where she grew up and eventually prospered.
“I’m from Canton, I’ve lived in Canton my entire life, so to be able to own a practice here is exciting beyond words,” said Dr. Haroon. “I’ve always worked close to Canton — I worked at a branch of Henry Ford Hospital in Westland before taking over here — but serving the residents of my hometown like I do now is incredible.”
Smooth transition
What makes Dr. Haroon’s inspiring journey even more special is that Dr. Bohdan — who founded the business 35 years ago — still practices at the facility once a week.
“Having Dr. Bohdan still practicing here once a week has really made the transition more smooth,” she said. “I’m sure it’s comforting for his longtime patients to know he is still working. At the same time, I’m able to grow my base of clients in a place that has built up a high level of trust over the years.”
As her two-year ownership anniversary approaches, the highly-respect Dr. Haroon said she has learned a lot about running a business.
Dr. Haroon’s educational and professional backgrounds are impressive.
She completed her Bachelor of Science at Wayne State University before moving to San Antonio, Texas, where she completed her Doctorate of Optometry at the Rosenberg School of Optometry.
Impressive credentials
Dr. Haroon completed a residency in Ocular Disease at Ohio State University, according to her online biography. During residency, she provided peri-operative care for patients undergoing cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive eye surgeries.
Along with providing eye care, Dr. Haroon was a faculty member at the Chicago College of Optometry and she is currently the Assistant Dean of Academic Administration and Assistant Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy.
Along with teaching, treating and managing various eye diseases, Dr. Haroon enjoys treating patients of all ages. She is an InfantSEE provider and sees children starting at birth.
“When I was in school, we didn’t learn a lot about running a business,” she said, smiling. “You learned how to be a doctor and treat diseases. There was no Business 101.
“I’ve learned a lot in the past two years about running a business — and I’m still learning – and I love it. It keeps me on my toes.”
One of Dr. Haroon’s first projects after purchasing the Vision Without Limits was redecorating the spacious facility, the decor of which is inviting and calming.
The business is stocked with stylish frames — from kids to adult choices — and is staffed by a group of friendly, helpful employees.
Alarming trend
Dr. Haroon explained she — and her optometry peers around the world — are seeing an alarming trend of myopia (nearsightedness) cases, especially among her younger patients.
While increased iPhone use is a factor in myopia, it’s not the sole cause, she asserted.
“For children, studies have shown that myopia is caused by a lot of close-up work — whether it’s reading, looking at iPhones or simply doing homework,” she said. “I’ve seen cases where myopia numbers in individual patients has doubled in just six months, which is concerning.
“It’s partly due to a change in culture. For instance, when I was young, myself and my friends were outdoors more, playing in the sunshine instead of looking at phones.
Dr. Haroon noted myopia is especially troublesome in young patients because it could lead to the stretching of the eye, which could lead to retina detachment or other eyesight-altering diseases.
Thorough exams important
Early detection leads to greater outcomes, she emphasized.
Unlike many national optometry brands, Vision Without Limits offers thorough examinations, Dr. Haroon added.
“When people come here, it’s not just to get new glasses or contacts,” she said.
To learn more about Vision Without Limits, visit its website here. To make an appointment, call 734-981-5820.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
