The beautiful thing about Hunterdon County is its location. While student drivers often grumble about our campus’s relentless morning traffic– and the occasional fog horn punctuates busy roads between classrooms– Central sits at a crossroads. It is only a short drive in any direction to bustling eateries, quiet hiking trails, picturesque towns, and family-owned storefronts. Of course, these winsome cafes and aesthetic main streets are among Central youth’s most favorite hang-out spots…but what about the locations tucked away? The ones that –though an essential part of our well-being– remain widely underpraised?
As the community column, we aim to showcase not only the best bites to savor with friends– the kind that come with golden hours and half-hearted laughter– but the individuals behind them, whose steady work shapes the rhythm of our days.
Hunterdon County’s healthcare workers mirror the quiet hum of a well-kept hive: Always in motion, deeply attuned to the needs of their neighbors, and vital in ways we often overlook. One such example sits just two minutes from our school, along Walter E. Foran Boulevard– ClearLy Vision Care, founded by Dr. Emily Ly in early 2021.
Despite its sleek and modern appearance, ClearLy Vision’s demeanor is not that of a corporate chain. Dr. Ly– who holds a degree in biochemistry from Rutgers, a dual doctorate from SUNY College of Optometry, and a completed residency of ocular disease from OMNI Eye Services– brings over 17 years of experience into every appointment. But, ask any of her patients and they’ll tell you: It’s not the credentials that make the difference, it’s how she treats you like family. With over 160 reviews, ClearLy Vision Care has a 4.94 star rating on the large medical scheduling platform Zocdoc. Dr. Ly’s reviews can be seen using words like: Kind, friendly, efficient, thorough, and trustworthy. Individuals expressed satisfaction with the balance between professionalism and personability.
At ClearLy, you’ll find comprehensive eye exams for all ages, including specialized care for diabetes, hypertension, dry eye, and myopia. The practice also offers stylish, curated eyewear from brands like Ray-Ban, Kate Spade, and Ted Baker– plus personalized fittings for contact lenses and treatment for keratoconus (a progressive eye disease affecting the cornea). Paola Montes, a new patient of Dr. Ly expressed that “it was very easy to communicate with Dr. Ly. I was getting glasses and contacts, and both were quickly shipped, thus, it was super convenient for my family and I”.
Dr. Ly even coordinates with LASIK and cataract specialists, making her office a one-stop hub for both routine care and long-term vision management.
What really sets ClearLy apart is its focus on myopia control, also known as nearsightedness – a rarity in the area. “I founded my practice to help children slow their myopia or nearsightedness. With today’s technology’s demand on eyes, children’s eyesight is worsening and they don’t realize they can do something about it. I want to help as many kids as possible,” explained Dr. Ly. The practice offers both Ortho-K and low-dose atropine drop treatments to slow the progression of nearsightedness in kids and teens.
It’s the little things, though, that reveal the heart of this establishment. Dr. Ly has been known to squeeze in patients during her lunch breaks, reschedule appointments just to allow extra time for dilation, and even open the office outside of regular hours. There’s something almost novelistic about it, a quiet attentiveness that is not lost in a maze of paperwork and portals. “I loved the level of attention to detail that she gives her patients. I was a little nervous because I am not really big on eye drops. But she was very patient and understood my needs. She made me feel valued and important,” articulated a younger patient who regularly schedules at the business.
Speaking of scheduling, obtaining an appointment at the office is quick and easy. Generally, Dr. Ly has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. She is accepting new patients who match her insurance network. Dr. Ly can speak English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Chinese (Cantonese).
When the world moves fast– all short form and flickering screens– it is easy to overlook the deliberate places. The ones where care is not rushed, and transformation comes not with spectacle, but with quiet precision. Healthcare workers don’t ask for applause, they brew remedies in the background and send their patients back into the world a little stronger and steadier.
That is what ClearLy Vision does in its own modern grounded way. It is not a temple on a mountain or some island far out of reach. Rather, it is a practice down the street run by someone who is not only a doctor, but a mother, a friend, and a person.
So check these places out. Ask some questions, learn their history, or just stop by to say hello. As we continue to feature the aspects of the Central Jersey community, keep the support and curiosity flowing. Some of the best places in Hunterdon County are the ones often missed.
Have a great summer, Central.
