At Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas, family is the cornerstone. Since 2002, Dr. Jonathan Cargo and his wife Kelly have built the comprehensive eye care practice that now serves generations of families all across North Texas. Now that their six children are a little older, Kelly supports the entire Cargo team and manages the extensive optical inventory.
As Cargo Eye Care of Las Colinas has grown alongside the Irving area, so, too, has the clinical team. Dr. Reena Patel is a therapeutic optometrist and glaucoma specialist who joined the practice as an associate optometrist in 2017. But she’s been part of the Cargo Eye Care family since 2009, when she got her start in the field as an optometric assistant.
Dr. Patel recently shared about her time at Cargo Eye Care, her expertise in contact lens fitting, how she manages work/life balance and why she loves being part of the Cargo Eye Care family. You can read her responses below:
What was your role when you started at Cargo Eye Care and can you share about your journey to your current position?
When I started in 2009, I did a little bit of everything! I served as an optician, technician, front desk and everything in between! I was in and out of the clinic while I was completed undergrad and graduate school and was able to join as an OD when I graduated. Dr. Cargo was gracious enough to always let me come back to work and gain more experience during school breaks.
How did you develop your expertise in contact lens fitting?
I have always enjoyed fitting contact lenses and seeing the immediate difference it made in patients’ lives. I did a lot of rotations through specialty contact lens fitting clinics while I was in school and carried what I learned into practice.
How do you balance your work life and motherhood?
Balance is tricky and gets redefined daily. I prioritize my kids and my family but I enjoy working and I enjoy the sense of independent purpose it gives me. Since every day is different, I try to just give myself grace. Some days, I’ll be a better mother, some days, a better doctor, but every day, I am changing someone’s life for the better and that is what keeps me going.
Why do you love working at Cargo Eye Care?
I love working at Cargo Eye Care because of the question above. The Cargo family has always been very understanding and supportive in helping me find my balance and have always been cheerleaders for every new endeavor I take on.
Your Vision Is Our Passion at Cargo Eye Care
At Cargo Eye Care, we believe everyone deserves to see well and have healthy vision for a lifetime. From the youngest member of your family to those in the most “senior” position, we are here for you in every season of life.
Our collective goal is to exceed all your expectations by creating a warm, comfortable environment and by providing an exceptional level of care to every patient we are honored to serve. From comprehensive eye exams and an impressive selection of glasses and contacts to the diagnosis and treatment of many eye conditions, including dry eye, computer vision, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and more, we are here for you. Our experienced doctors are regional leaders in the treatment of pediatric myopia.
We’d love to get to know you, provide the clearest vision possible and help you choose the perfect eyewear to complement your lifestyle! Schedule an appointment today.
