South Barrington’s Optical Boutique
An exceptional eye care experience
At Style Optique we offer personalized eye exams, medical eye care, unique, high-quality eyewear, and specialty contact lens fits. Our optometrists and staff take their time to get to know our patients so they can tailor each visit to everyone’s individual needs. Come see us and you will see that, with our love for detail, we are committed to providing the most exceptional eye care experience in the area.
Dr. Mario Palermo
Optometrist
Dr. Sylvia Thoman
Optometrist
Lisa
Business Manager
Emily
Optician
Leo
Optician
Dr. Mario Palermo
Owner & Optometrist
Dr. Mario Palermo started his optical career in high school when he was trained as an apprentice optician under the guidance of a master optician from Germany. Throughout his undergraduate and optometry studies he continued to work as an optician and owned and operated two wholesale optical labs. In 1981 Dr. Palermo graduated from Illinois College of Optometry and since then has utilized his entrepreneurial spirit to build thriving private practices.
Being an optometrist with a background in opticianry is highly beneficial when it comes to prescribing glasses effectively. With a commitment to understanding the unique needs of each individual, Dr. Palermo prioritizes listening to his patients’ concerns, ensuring they feel heard and valued during every visit. He believes that effective communication is key to successful outcomes. Dr. Palermo makes sure to explain diagnoses and treatment options in a clear and reassuring manner, empowering his patients to make informed decisions about their eye health. His dedication to patient satisfaction has earned him a loyal following and numerous positive testimonials.
Outside of the office, Dr. Palermo loves spending quality time with his family. You can often catch him cheering for his grandchildren at swim meets and soccer matches. He also enjoys tackling home improvement projects and exploring new destinations through travel.
Dr. Sylvia Thoman
optometrist
Dr. Sylvia Thoman began her healthcare career as a registered nurse, graduating from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse in the obstetrics and newborn departments at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Thoman’s interest in optometry was sparked after caring for a patient with degenerative eye disease, leading her to pursue further education at the Illinois College of Optometry.
Dr. Thoman’s commitment to excellence and compassionate care establishes her as a trusted partner in her patients’ eye health. With her extensive experience, she is dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain their best possible vision. Dr. Thoman believes that effective eye care goes beyond prescriptions and treatments; it involves building lasting relationships with her patients. By actively listening to their concerns and educating them about their eye health, Dr. Thoman empowers her patients to take an active role in their vision care. Patients are consistently drawn to her exceptional care, valuing her empathetic approach and the sense of trust she fosters during each visit.
In her free time, Dr. Thoman enjoys spending time with her husband, children and chocolate labradoodle. She loves watching her sons participate in various sports and she is an active volunteer in the Barrington community.
Lisa
Business Manager
Lisa, our business manager since 2018, has over 18 years of experience in the eye care industry. She started working as an optometric technician and receptionist while in college completing a double major in Business Administration and Italian. She enjoys working in private practice where patient care is the number one priority. She takes pride in helping to create an environment that focuses on delivering excellent customer service.
With her commitment and expertise, Lisa is excited to continue contributing to the success of Style Optique while enhancing the overall patient experience. Her entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her focus on strategic management, drives the practice’s growth and innovation, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the optical industry.
When not at Style Optique, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, playing tennis, walking her dog, watching her daughters compete on the swim team and traveling. Lisa and her husband look forward to traveling to Italy each summer to visit family and immerse their daughters in a different culture.
Emily
Lead Optician
Emily is our optometric technician and lead optician. She has been in the optical industry for over nine years. She began her career as a front desk receptionist at a private optometric practice and later managed a busy practice for three years before joining the Style Optique team in 2021. Emily enjoys working in eye care where she can help patients see and look their best. She is dedicated to educating patients on the various lens types and options that are best for them, and takes pride in Style Optique’s commitment to supporting independent eyewear.
Outside of work, Emily values quality time with her family and daughter. She and her husband share a love for hiking, frequently taking their daughter and dog to explore new paths together. Emily also enjoys photography, baking, cooking, and immersing herself in a good book.
Leo
Optician
Coming soon.
Michael
ABO-NCLE Certified Optician
Michael, with over nine years of experience in the optical field, has achieved certification from the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners. Known for his passion for patient care, he finds joy in helping people experience the gift of sight. With a deep understanding of optical prescriptions and a knack for selecting the perfect frames, Michael is dedicated to providing personalized solutions that enhance both vision and style.
Michael is an advocate for continuous learning and he stays updated on the latest trends and technologies to provide the best service possible. He prides himself on his commitment to ongoing education in the ever-evolving field of opticianry.
Before becoming an optician, Michael was traveling the world for over 16 years as a professional BMX racer. He even competed in the X-Games and in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Outside of work Michael enjoys riding his motorcycle, traveling to the beach with his family, riding his bicycle and finding exciting activities to do with his daughter.
