With more than 50 years of experience in the field, our doctors do not simply provide the highest level of vision correction. Drs. Helen, Neil, Margaret, Nelly, and Nimi have all worked hand in hand with some of the most respected eye surgeons in Chicago and the Midwest. Each doctor is trained and licensed to manage difficult medical issues that may be affecting the eyes. We value a great pair of glasses and the safest, most comfortable contact lenses. But our singular, the most paramount focus will always be your eyes. Definitely most friendly eye doctors in Chicago, Illinois!
Eye doctors in Chicago, Illinois
Meet our Doctors and Staff
Education: University of Wisconsin – Madison, Illinois College of Optometry
Since moving to Illinois from Wisconsin over 20 years ago, Neil Boldus has proudly adapted to becoming a Chicagoan. When he’s not busy bringing vision to the masses, Neil works on his golf game, but never seems to improve. As a Doctor of Optometry, Neil has a knack for difficult contact lens fits, taking the time and care to improve your vision. He realizes that not all eyes are created equal and will faithfully match your eyes with the correct product. His best tip for your eyes? Wear sunglasses. They protect your eyes and the face around them from damaging UV rays. They’re not just for being cool.
Education: Loyola University – Chicago, Illinois College of Optometry
Helen Tzanetakos has called Chicago home for over 20 years and always made it her goal provide eye care here. Helen wants the world to see you as clearly as you’ll see the world. It’s her ability to connect with patients and to form lasting relationships that she excels in as a Doctor of Optometry. At Vision Boutique, it is Helen’s personal mission to keep your eyes as fashionable as they are clear-sighted. Her best tip for your eyes? Computers cause most contact lens wearers dryness and discomfort. Get your eyes checked every year to make sure you have the best contacts and glasses for the job.
Education: Loyola University – Chicago, Illinois College of Optometry
Born and raised in Krakow, Poland, Malgorzata Kiwacz has made Chicago her home since she was 13. Now, if she isn’t out biking, she’s busy making sure Chicagoans get a picture perfect view of the world. Margaret became a Doctor of Optometry because, in part, she enjoys Pediatrics and working with children. Her best advice is to get kids to have their first eye exam when they can reliably read the alphabet. Being proactive with children will help them be better prepared for the stress their eyes will endure as they enter the wired classroom and beyond.
Education: DePaul University, Illinois College of Optometry
Dr. Nelly has spent the last 20 years living in the Chicagoland area. Providing high-quality, comprehensive eye care is her priority. At the same time, Nelly enjoys helping patients achieve a fashionable look with trendy frames. She believes in individualizing care to meet the unique needs of each patient. Nelly is a strong proponent of preventative care and takes great pride in educating patients about their ocular health. Outside of the office, Nelly enjoys traveling, exploring Chicago’s diverse culinary scene, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Education: Ohio State University
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Namrata (Nimi) Shah earned her Bachelor’s and Doctorate of Optometry degree at Ohio State University. With a passion for learning, she went on to complete a residency specializing in ocular disease at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. In her spare time, when she’s not perfecting vision, she likes to check out Chicago’s food festivals, go for a run on the lake, and travel the world.
Tiffany has been in the optical industry for 20 years now, with an ABO Certification to add to her hands-on experience. She has been a part of Vision Boutique from the the time it all started: 2004. Tiffany’s favorite part of being an optician is helping patients select the perfect frames that highlight their personality. She’s seen that if the frames make them look great, then it makes them feel great! Tiffany likes pushing the limit and getting patients to love frames they normally wouldn't have even tried on
Tiffany is passionate about sports and all Chicago teams... except the White Sox! She loves being from Chicago because of all the great food, giving her the opportunity to explore the city and try new restaurants. Tiffany loves bowling whether it's Monday night league or traveling to different places for the national tournament every year. High game is 279.
Often mistaken to be from the Philippines, but actually born and raised in India, Zuala, or more commonly referred to as "Z", started his optical career almost a decade and a half ago. He joined the Vision Boutique family in early 2011, while still managing a different optical store. He came on board full-time later that year as the manager of our then newest location in Lakeview.
Z has been a board certified optician since 2007. His love for the field stems beyond just styling his patients with the latest trends and technology in lenses; he loves the theoretical components of optics, and the manufacturing process as well. He heads our 3 labs, training any and all interested staff to be able to produce patient's glasses. Combine all that with his managerial skills, you could very well say he is a jack of all trades!
With his very down-to-earth personality and laid-back style, you can always count on Z to make you laugh, or reel you into some silliness (when appropriate!). It is no wonder the staff confide in Z, and feel he is a great advocate for them. Outside of work, he likes long walks on the beach with his wife and dog....OK, maybe not, but he is pretty much down to do almost anything.
As a Chicago native, Fernando loves the city and the entertainment that can be enjoyed in the area. He’s been an Optician for 8 years, is ABO certified, and has 2 years of experience manufacturing lenses. Fernando always provides excellent service with a smile! When not fitting people for glasses, Fernando works as sound engineer and travels to Mexico every year to visit family.
Matthew was born and raised in Muncie, IN, until he moved to Chicago in 2006. He has a keen eye for design and studied fashion merchandising at the Academy of Design. Matthew has been an Optician for 3 years and is a Board Certified Optician. He’s a board game enthusiast and enjoys spending time with friends. It’s easy to see that he’s passionate about customer service, with a goal to provide an amazing experience for every patient.
For the past few years, Dominique has enjoyed being part of the West Loop Eye Care/Vision Boutique team as a Lead Optometric Technician. She brings over twenty years of customer service experience, and takes great pleasure in assisting patients with scheduling appointment and preliminary testing. Outside the office, Dominique enjoys living a healthy lifestyle. She spends much of her free time pursuing various fitness goals in bodybuilding. She loves spending time with her family; including her fur baby Z2.
With a prior career background in Industrial Automotive Design, this Detroit-area native brings a unique perspective when helping patients find their new look. Derek goes above and beyond by not just simply selecting a frame but, as he calls it, "designing the new them". With over a decade of experience in the optical field, this ABO-Certified optician has developed a love for many brands over the years. He says his favorite is probably Lafont for their "unapologetic use of bold colors and prints". On his days off, Derek spends his free time cheering for his college team - the Michigan Wolverines ("Go Blue!"), reading, spending time at the lakefront, and being a proud cat dad to his [very spoiled] fur baby, a 4-year old Tabby rescue he lovingly named Purriana Grandé.
Like a true California native, Dina enjoys spending warm summer days at the beach with her friends and family. While at work, she loves helping patients pick out the perfect pair of specs and showing them cool pictures of their retina! Outside of Vision Boutique, Dina is studying to become a radiology technician at Oakton College.
Steph has lived in Chicago for 5 years. She’s been working as an Optometric Technician going on a year now, and her passions for this field continue to grow. While not at work, Steph enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and trying all types of food Chicago has to offer.
Sara is a recent transplant to Chicago by way of St Louis. She’s passionate about patient care and making sure people receive the best possible experience from the moment they walk in the door. As a resident of Lakeview, she enjoys experiencing everything the city has to offer.
Jason has 20+ years in the optical business working in both Ophthalmology and Optometry practices. He loves finding patients the perfect pair of eyewear. He moved to Chicago in the fall of 2017 and has enjoyed everything the city has to offer. In his spare time, Jason enjoys hanging out with friends and family, traveling, squeezing his Ragdoll cat Moe, and showing Arabian horses.
For the last 3 years, Stephanie has been working as an Optician and a Technician. She loves working with kids & helping patients find a perfect frame to fit their unique personalities. When she's not busy being a first-time mom, Stephanie enjoys traveling and cooking new recipes.
Originally from central Illinois, Catherine has called Chicago home for almost 6 years. She began her career in eye care in 2004 and has has experience in optical, hospital settings, and LASIK surgery centers. Wherever she's been, Catherine has always had the same goal: To help patients see, look, and feel their best. In her free time, Catherine enjoys spending time with her husband and 5 year old daughter, Netflix binging, and is always on the quest for the perfect donut.