Phillip L. Knapp O.D.
I was born under Colorado's big skies and raised with strong values and plenty of fresh mountain air. When I was nine, my family moved to North Dakota, where I discovered the rhythm of farm life working alongside my Papa. Those formative years—tending crops and learning that honest work speaks louder than words—shaped the person I am today and the way I approach patient care.
After earning my Bachelor of Science in Biology from North Dakota State University, I made my way to Chicago to pursue my calling at the Illinois College of Optometry. I graduated in 1994 with a clear vision: to bring compassionate, comprehensive eye care back home. Just one year later, in 1995, I opened the doors to Chatfield Eye Care, where I've had the privilege of caring for this community's vision for nearly three decades.
My greatest blessing has been sharing this journey with my incredible wife Amy for over 30 years. Together, we've raised two sons who continue to make us proud every day. And now, our beautiful granddaughter has brought a whole new dimension of joy to our lives—reminding us daily what truly matters and keeping us grounded in what's most important.
When I’m not in the office, you’ll find me making the most of Colorado’s playground. Huffing & puffing up single track on a mountain bike or dirt bike, camping under the stars, carving on a Onewheel, or hiking the beautiful paths right in our backyard.
Thank you for visiting our humble (yet strikingly informative) website.
–Phill
Our pledge to our Patients:
“Optometry Without Wax”
The word "sincere" comes from the Latin words sine, meaning without and ceres, meaning wax. In the days of the Roman empire, it was common for those interested in fine pottery or sculptures to browse the marketplace looking for the best of goods. Unfortunately, there were always unscrupulous vendors who would try to mass-produce cheap merchandise and pass it off as fine craftsmanship. During manufacture, the quick methods produced many chips and cracks in the surfaces of the pottery and sculptures. In an effort to make their wares appear to be of the same caliber as those of higher quality, they would place wax of the same marble coloring into the cracks to hide the flaws; on the surface, this lesser grade pottery or marble appeared just as good but at a lower price.
Buyers were soon aware of their mistake, however, as the heat of cooking or the noonday sun on their statues melted the wax away, revealing an inferior product. Therefore, those skilled in buying high quality, well-crafted items soon began "looking for wax". They would hold pottery up to the sun and look for the wax-filled cracks to show through; rubbing an inferior sculpture carefully could reveal the waxy build-up. Keying into this behavior, the best merchants in town began to promote their goods as sine ceres, or "without wax". This phrase became a symbol of "the best" that you could buy. It also became a reflection of honest, ethical businesses that were not out just to "make a buck", but to provide top quality service in a professional, ethical and honest manner.
After a time, this phrase began to reflect honesty and openness in communicating with another as well, and led to the English use of the term "sincere", or "sincerely" which we commonly use to close letters to friends or colleagues.
At Chatfield Eye Care we dedicate ourselves to the profession of Optometry and to the ethical code that anchors us. We will not wait for our patients to begin discovering the "wax" that some might use to cover over what we know to be inadequate. Instead, we are committed to the best interests of our patients above self and monetary gain, and thus, worthy of the title "Optometry, without wax".
Without Wax,
Phillip L. Knapp O.D.
Chatfield Eye Care
11852 Shaffer Dr, Bld M
Littleton, Colorado
(303)933-0353
Email: plknapp@chatfieldeyecare.com
Snapshots from the Trail
