Our History: Serving Utah Valley since 1917

Excel Eye Center began in 1917, when H.G. Merrill, M.D. and his brother-in-law, L. Weston Oaks, M.D. founded Utah’s first specialty practice to treat diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. The practice began adding new doctors and specialties, and, nearly 50 years later, Dr. Oaks retired. Today, more than 90 years after its founding, Excel Eye Center sets the standard for eye care. Excel is one of the largest private ophthalmologic practices in the western United States with full-service treatment centers in Provo, Orem, American Fork, Payson and Lehi. In addition to offering a complete range of ophthalmologic and optometric services including routine eye exams for glasses and contacts, the practice also specializes in the latest LASIK vision correction services, pediatric ophthalmology, cataract care, diabetic eye care, corneal transplants, and cosmetic surgery.

Excel’s founders were caring physicians who were loved and respected by all who knew them. Today, Excel’s expert staff maintains the same caring approach to medicine while providing state-of-the-art treatment of the eye.