about
Advanced Clinical Eye Care of Maine is the culmination of over a half century of education, learning, innovation and patient treatment first begun by Norman K. Varnum, O.D., when he started his practice in 1960 in Northern Maine. His goal then was to not only make his practice the best in the region, but also to elevate the level of eye care to the community. In spite of the many obstacles set before him; which were in many cases his colleagues antiquated ideas and practices and, too often legislative hurdles, Dr. Norman Varnum persevered and moved his practice successfully forward.
His son, Mark S. Varnum, O.D., has continued to practice eye care in this same manner. As this profession has evolved from refractive based care to medical based care, the younger Dr. Varnum’s office has had to evolve and grow to maintain the level of excellent care first begun by his father in 1960.
Dr. Mark S. Varnum, and his associates, put their outstanding skills into practice each and every day, with a renewed vigilance, to ensure that your eye care is state-of-the-art and your satisfaction with their treatment is of the highest level possible. This is a winning combination of the most recent technology available combined with highly trained professionals, who work hard to assure your satisfaction.
It is our goal, therefore, to meet that mission in a warm, caring and nurturing environment that encourages innovation and strives for improvement at every opportunity. Patients asking, questioning and suggesting alternate methods or procedures will always be encouraged, not dismissed. It has been proven time and again through the decades that our practice can only move forward and grow with the benefit of the input of everyone involved in this venture.
DOCTORS
Dr. Mark S. Varnum is lifelong Maine resident. He studied pre-med at the University of Maine at Orono and then received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. He did his clinical rotations at Brighton Marine Public Health, The Boston Eye Center, Dimock Community Health, the State Hospital in Springfield, and the VA hospital in Leeds. Returning to Maine afterwards, he has been in private practice since.
Over his lifetime, he has been an EMT, national ski patrol, Safety Training officer of a local fire department, active in scouting and scouting leadership, on the board of directors for the Kiwanis Club, Board of directors for the Maine Optometric Association, a Master Mason, and registered Maine Guide. He is interested in most sports and outdoor activities, but is currently gravitating to spending more of his time mountain biking and sailing.
Dr. Jon Olmes (“Ol-mess”), a Pennsylvania native, received his undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University at University Park, PA and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Elkins Park, PA. He then moved to Maine, which Dr. Olmes refers to as his “Pennsylvania 2.0” because Maine has all the outdoor fun he liked growing up with in PA but easier access to taller mountains and the ocean!
Dr. Olmes treats or co-manages all eye conditions and diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration, keratoconus, dry eye, etc. He has a particular interest in specialty contact lenses, such as orthokeratology and scleral contact lenses; he also fits all types of soft contact lenses. Dr. Olmes is a certified fitter of the only FDA approved contact lens to slow the progression of myopia (near-sightedness). He is a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), Maine Optometric Association (MOA), Gold Key and Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Societies.
Outside of optometry Dr. Olmes is an avid outdoorsman. When not in the office, he can be found hiking, skiing, surfing, hunting, fishing, volunteering with the Wilderness Rescue Team (a search and rescue (SAR) team based in Gray, ME), or spending time with his lovely wife Ashley and their dog Wilbur (who will likely greet you at his South Portland office).
Dr. Paige E. Frost received her Bachelor's degree in Biology with great distinction from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. She continued on to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree with honors from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA. Dr. Frost focused on advanced contact lens care in school and while working in private practice on her clinical rotation in Atlanta, GA. The rest of her clinical rotations were completed at the VA Hospital in White River Junction, VT, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Cooperation in Bethel, AK, and the Dimock Community Health Center in Boston, MA.
Dr. Frost enjoys primary eye care with an interest in specialty contact lens fits with rigid gas permeable and scleral contact lenses.
Dr. David Gandelman was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel where he also earned his Bachelor of Optometry degree with honors from Hadassah Academic College. He then worked in private practice in Israel where he gained extensive experience with refractive and binocular vision anomalies. Dr. Gandelman continued on to earn his Doctor of Optometry degree through the Advanced Standing International Program at the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA.
Dr. Gandelman’s clinical rotations included the VA Hospital in Lowell, MA, the Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, MA, the DotHouse Community Health Center in Dorchester, MA, and the Yukon- Kuskokwim Health Cooperation in Bethel, AK.
Dr. Gandelman enjoys primary eye care with a special interest in binocular vision and pediatric care.