Our Doctors

Kenneth Ridder was born and raised in Burlington, Colorado. He studied biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder and graduated with distinction from Pacific University College of Optometry. His honors include the Bausch and Lomb Excellence in Academic Achievement Award and the VSP Excellence in Primary Care Skills Achievement Award. Postgraduate studies include advanced ocular therapeutics, advanced glaucoma treatment & LASIK co-management. Dr. Ridder has been in private practice since 1992 and he is a member of the American Optometric and Colorado Optometric Associations. Dr. Ridder is Board Certified, American Board of Optometry. His special interests include LASIK, nutrition and complex contact lens fitting including multifocal, keratoconus, CRT & Synergeyes lenses. He believes that patient education is critically important to improving long term eye health. This includes education on safe contact lens wear as well as the prevention and management of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. Dr. Ridder has been featured on local television and radio discussing vision care and has been published in professional journals. Dr. Ridder and his wife Chris enjoy traveling and spending time with their twin sons Tyler and Brandon. In his spare time, he also enjoys photography, videography, biking, and racquetball.

Undergraduate Education: West Virginia University. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry.

Dr. Diana Ries received her Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to attend Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry where she received her Doctor of Optometry degree. During her four years of Optometry school, Dr. Ries completed internships at Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore, Maryland and William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affair Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina. She performed rotations in ocular disease, pediatrics, vision therapy, geriatrics, and contact lens. Currently, Dr. Ries practices primary care Optometry, taking special interest in contact lens and ocular pathology. She co-manages post-operative cataract surgery and refractive surgery. She is a Board Certified Therapeutics & Glaucoma Optometrist. She has gained valuable knowledge working in a multitude of settings from private practice to veteran medical centers. She spends quality time with patients addressing all their eye care needs and questions. Dr. Ries resides in Exton, Pennsylvania with her husband, Brian, and two dogs where she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University, Bachelor of Arts; Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry; Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; The reason I became an optometrist is because I enjoy working with and helping people. I have enjoyed growing up with my patients and seeing their families evolve over the years. My favorite part of helping my patients is hearing how I've helped them with their vision and especially when they said I've made a difference in their lives. In my spare time, I love to compose piano and orchestral music as well as performing and playing in community theater productions. I enjoy spending time with my adult children and my grandchildren.

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science Physiology from Oklahoma State University. Optometry School: Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO); Diplomate, American Board of Optometry. Impact Statement: Dr. Riley excels at determining each patient’s visual needs during their busy day. She then matches those needs with the best current lens technology to provide each patient with comfortable and efficient vision so they can excel at work and at play. She specializes in designing eyeglass lenses for patients who work on multiple computer screens. Dr. Riley also has extensive experience designing contact lenses for astigmatism, multifocals, and sports. Dr. Riley is a diplomate to the American Board of Optometry. As such, she completes over 30 hours of continuing education annually, exceeding Colorado’s requirements of 24 hours every 2 years. She is dedicated to staying up to date with changing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for dry eye syndrome, ocular allergies, laser vision correction, cataract, glaucoma, Plaquenil retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. Dr. Riley believes that this life-long learning is vital to preserving each patient’s eye wellness for a lifetime. Hobbies: Dr. Riley and Dr. Kleim have been married for over 20 years. They enjoy spending time with their three children. Their favorite family past time is hiking with their rescue dog Onnie. They hope to eventually hike all 63 National Parks together. Dr. Riley was a gymnast and dancer in her youth. She worked as a coach and a Level 10 gymnastics judge while completing her optometric education. She still enjoys yoga and indoor rock climbing. She also enjoys Oklahoma State Cowboys football and shares an interest in history with her father.

Undergraduate Education: University of Indianapolis; B.A Spanish, B.A. Education; Summa Cum Laude; International College of Seville. Optometry School: Indiana University; Doctor of Optometry; Magna Cum Laude; 2017. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of IOA and AOA; Recipient of the Jane Hofstetter Award; Recipient of the E.F. Wildermuth Foundation Harriet Slaughter Award. Professional Achievements and Associations: Training in specialty contact lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: I saw how much vision loss impacts a person’s life with family members with different ocular conditions. I was amazed that an eye exam can show signs of systemic issues like high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes even before patients realize it is an issue. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I love finding new ways to help patients with visual and ocular health needs. My goal is to see a patient smile when we find a new technology that can make everyday life better. In my spare time, I enjoy: I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. I also enjoy golfing, hiking, and gardening.

Undergraduate Education: Loyola University Chicago, Bachelor of Science in Biology. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry. Professional Achievements and Associations: Illinois Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry, Lions Clubs International. The reason I became an optometrist is: I have a passion for empowering patients through ocular health education and preventative care. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Learning about everyone to ensure we meet all of their needs. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my family, watching White Sox baseball, and exploring Chicago.

Undergraduate Education: Alderson Broaddus College. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Interests/Hobbies: Hiking, biking, yoga.

Azalia is an HBCU-made, Optometric physician from Greenwood, Mississippi dedicated to advancing visual health in minority communities and diversifying the field of Optometry. She earned her Doctor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science in Vision Science at Nova Southeastern University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Pre-Professional Concentration at Alcorn State University. In addition to providing patient-centered care, her passions include providing care to the pediatric population with emphasis in Autism Spectrum, Neuro-ophthalmic disorders and vision therapy. She completed a 3-month medical eye and optometric primary care externship at the Lake Nona Veterans Association Hospital and a 3-month surgical co-management externship at Milan Eye Center of Atlanta, GA. Azalia is currently completing residency advancing her knowledge and skills in pediatric eye care, vision therapy, and managing acquired visual disturbances including vertigo and oscillopsia.

Dr. Rex Roberson grew up in the Black Forest area in Colorado. He graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Natural Sciences, summa cum laude and from the Southern California College of Optometry, summa cum laude qualified. Postgraduate studies include a further certification on cataracts, glaucoma, LASIK and other refractive surgeries, and advanced ocular therapeutic management. His honors include receiving the Cooper Vision and AOA Foundation Awards for excellence in contact lenses and clinical research. He has been a trustee and a past and present chairman of various committees in the Colorado Optometric Association. Dr. Roberson is a Board Certified, American Board of Optometry. He is a primary research investigator with special interests in LASIK and refractive surgery, complex contact lens fittings, family vision, ocular diseases, dry eye therapy, nutrition, and low vision. Dr. Roberson enjoys music, playing guitar and piano; and pursues outdoor activities such as backpacking and fishing. He also enjoys playing and coaching sports; including soccer, volleyball, and skiing. Dr. Roberson has been in practice in Colorado exclusively since he graduated. He is the father of two wonderful boys, Peyton and Evan.

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida; Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry; What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients.