Meet Elise Kramer | Optometrist specialized in Contact Lenses & Ocular Surface Disease

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elise Kramer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elise, what is the most important factor behind your success?
For me, the most important factor has always been authenticity. I built my practice around the idea of doing no harm, a principle that goes beyond medicine and touches every part of how I work. It’s never been about chasing profit. It’s about showing up with integrity, putting people first, and doing everything I can to truly help. When your intentions are clear and your purpose is rooted in making a difference, the right kind of success tends to follow. My greatest reward has always been seeing the impact I can have on someone’s life; restoring their vision, their confidence, or simply making them feel seen and cared for. That’s what drives everything I do.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Miami Contact Lens Institutes was born from a desire to serve people in a way that felt truly meaningful. From the beginning, I’ve focused on building a practice that puts patients first, where every decision is guided by authenticity, compassion, and a deep commitment to improving lives. My work has never been about volume or profit. It’s about impact.

What sets us apart is the highly specialized care we offer. We work with patients from around the world who are dealing with complex eye conditions, often cases that have been considered “untreatable.” Whether it’s restoring vision with a custom scleral lens, improving quality of life for someone living with dry eye, or designing a prosthetic lens for someone who’s lost confidence in their appearance, we meet people at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives. That trust is something I don’t take lightly.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. Running a niche practice takes resilience, creativity, and a willingness to grow constantly. I’ve faced the same challenges many small business owners do; balancing patient care with staffing, operations, logistics, and everything in between. I’ve had to learn to trust myself, to lead with purpose even when things feel uncertain, and to keep evolving without compromising who I am or why I started.

I’m so proud of what we’ve built! A space where people feel seen, understood, and cared for. I want the world to know that eyecare isn’t just about vision. It’s about dignity, confidence, and human connection. That’s what drives everything we do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Miami is such a vibrant, layered city with the perfect balance of beauty, culture, and energy. If my best friend were visiting, I’d want them to experience both the iconic and the under-the-radar gems that really make this place special.

Day 1 – Arrival + Sunset Welcome*
We’d check in at a stylish boutique hotel like the Goodtime Hotel or Soho Beach House. Start off with drinks at The Standard’s bayfront lounge for a stunning sunset, then dinner at Mandolin Aegean Bistro, intimate, charming, and effortlessly chic.

Day 2 – Art + Architecture
Breakfast at Pura Vida, then head to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens for history and photo ops. Spend the afternoon in the Design District, checking out galleries, shopping, and having lunch at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. Dinner at Macchialina for handmade pasta in a cozy, unpretentious space.

Day 3 – Beach + Wellness
Morning yoga or spa at Carillon Wellness Resort, then head to South Pointe Beach. Less crowded and super picturesque. Grab smoothies from Under the Mango Tree, and maybe oysters + rosé at Smith & Wollensky overlooking the water.

Day 4 – Culture + Little Havana
Start at Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and walk through Museum Park. Then head to Little Havana, walk Calle Ocho, visit Ball & Chain, and stop for Cuban coffee at Versailles. For dinner, we’d go all out at KYU in Wynwood. Industrial chic with incredible food.

Day 5 – Boating + Bal Harbour
Charter a half-day boat to tour Biscayne Bay (because nothing says Miami like a boat day). Afterward, we’d clean up and do some elevated shopping at Bal Harbour Shops, followed by a sushi dinner at Makoto.

Day 6 – Offbeat + Nature
A slower day—maybe brunch at Sadelle’s or Greenstreet Café in Coconut Grove, then a walk through Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden or a drive down to Matheson Hammock Park for a more serene side of Miami. Dinner in Coral Gables, Ariete or Orno for something refined and creative.

Day 7 – Brunch + Wind Down
Wrap it all up with brunch at Michael’s Genuine. If we’re still in the mood, one last stop at The Faena Hotel to catch the lobby art, grab a drink, and reflect on a week well spent.

Miami has this electric, soulful energy and I love showing people that it’s so much more than just beaches and nightlife. It’s a city full of stories, flavor, and inspiration.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have some amazing mentors and supporters who helped shape both my career and the vision behind the Miami Contact Lens Institute.

First and foremost, my father. He’s a pediatrician and epidemiologist, and growing up watching his dedication to solving big, complex health problems left a deep impression on me. His work ethic and commitment to doing good for others laid the foundation for everything I do.

I also want to recognize several key mentors who guided me along the way. Dr. Langis Michaud, one of my professors at the Université de Montréal, gave me the clinical grounding and early inspiration I needed. Dr. William Trattler has been an incredible colleague. I have the privilege of comanaging patients with him, and his collaborative approach, clinical insights, and generosity with his time have all had a significant impact on my professional growth.Dr. Edward Boshnick gave me my first real insight into the day-to-day of a specialty contact lens practice, and Dr. Kenneth Maller helped me truly understand how powerful these lenses can be in changing lives.

Each of these individuals contributed something different, but equally important. Their mentorship and belief in me made all the difference, and I’m so grateful to them for helping me get to where I am today.

Website: https://www.miamicontactlens.com

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Image Credits
Jose Acosta