Ilene B. Polhemus, O.D.

Dr. Polhemus was born in Florida but moved to Cupertino when she was five years old. She grew up in Cupertino and attended Cupertino High School. She did her undergraduate work at the University of California, Davis where she earned a B.S. Degree in microbiology. While at Davis, Dr. Polhemus was the chairperson and secretary of the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, president of the Microbiology Club and scholarship chair for Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She also did community service for Children’s Cancer Foundation and Cal Aggie Camp for terminally ill children.

She attended the Southern California College of Optometry and obtained her doctorate of Optometry in 1998. While at SCCO, she became a member of the California Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry and the Optometric Fraternity, Omega Epsilon Phi. She also held a position on the SCCO Student Association and was appointed Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She received the Los Angeles County Optometric Society Award for student optometric excellence.

Dr. Polhemus has been practicing in Santa Clara for 5 years and opened her practice in Los Gatos in June of 2003. She specializes in refractive surgery co-management, difficult contact lens fittings, pediatrics and low vision. She is an active member of the Santa Clara Optometric Society and is currently working on Save Your Vision Month.

In her free time, Dr. Polhemus enjoys spending time with her husband, and their two children. Her hobbies include gardening, reading and hiking. She and her husband have also raised a dog and a cat who live with them in San Jose. She is an active member of the Junior League of San Jose, Los Gatos Lions Club and enjoys volunteering in the community.

"When I first visited Dr. Polhemus, I was having some severe and continual problems with eye styes. Dr. Polhemus was very attentive to my problem and offered me several solutions. She patiently explained to me about basic eye hygiene and care in a way that no other eye doctor ever had.

"Recently, I went back to see her for dry eye problems and again, she was full of options on how to handle the problem, explaining each option thoroughly. She always seems to know about the latest treatment option, even if she needs to refer you to another doctor specializing in this treatment.

"We have not fully "solved" the problem yet, but I am confident that we will, as I feel like she goes out of her way to make you feel like she will partner with you and work with you until the problem is solved. Yes, she is running a business, and in doing so you need to ensure customer satisfaction, but beyond that, I got a definite sense that she is not only in the eye care business, but she is also in the business of helping people."

Clarice,
satisfied new patient.

"If all doctors were as nice as Dr. Polhemus, people wouldn't avoid seeing them."

Thomas,
a satisfied patient of 6 yrs.