J.J. Abrams, O.D.

In Memoriam 1927-2020

Dr. J.J. Abrams grew up in Indianapolis and practiced Optometry on the west side for 70 years. After graduating from Shortridge High School and attending Indiana University for one year, he enlisted in the Navy and served in Guam during World War II. After the war, he attended the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago and graduated the four year school in just three years. He established his Optometry practice in his hometown in 1950, the youngest Optometrist ever in the State of Indiana. He retired from Abrams EyeCare Associates on January 19, 2020, after a career spanning seven decades and five generations of patients' families.

Dr. Abrams was actively involved in many professional and service organizations. He was past President of the Indiana Optometric Association and a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He served as President for Prevent Blindness Indiana and the Southwest Health Center Board of Directors. He was an officer on the board of Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH) and participated in many vision missions to the Caribbean, Central America, and Africa. He was a founding member of the Westside Exchange Club service organization. Former Indiana Governor Michael Pence named him the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2015 and the state of the Kentucky honored him as a Kentucky Colonel in 2019.

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