Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: University of Virginia; Optometry School: New England College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: American Optometric Association, Massachusetts Society of Optometrists; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Care, Contact Lenses, Ocular Disease; What drives your passion for optometry? The ability to meet, interact, and help treat patients so they can see, look, and feel their best! How are you helping patients live their best lives? My goal is to listen closely to each patient's concerns, work with them to formulate an individualized treatment plan, and bring their world into focus to improve their everyday. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? An experience in which the patient feels comfortable, cared for, and confident that their eye care needs are being addressed and well taken care of. How are you impacting your local community? Although new to the area, I am enjoying meeting new members of this community and supporting the surrounding local businesses. Hobbies/Interests: In my spare time I enjoy traveling, cooking new recipes, indoor cycling, and yoga.

Undergraduate Education: North Carolina State University. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Treating every patient as if they are my favorite family member. Hobbies/Interests: spending time with people I love, peanut butter whiskey, vacation, collecting sunglasses.

Undergraduate Education: Kennesaw State University. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I love helping patients understand the basics about their eye health and vision and the different options that are available to them in the form of prescription glasses, contact lenses, and/or medications. I provide comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages and contact lens exams for patients starting at age 8. I am Spanish/English bilingual and find it rewarding helping patients whose primary language is Spanish. Hobbies/Interests: My time outside of the office is usually spent with my wife and 3 daughters. We enjoy visiting all the different parks around the beautiful state of Georgia (our home for over 20 years now).

Undergraduate Education: University of Florida - Bachelor's in Biology. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry – 2017. Professional Achievements and Associations: FOA; AOA; LROA. The reason I became an optometrist is: To help people live their best lives. As an undergraduate student I traveled to Haiti to work in an eye clinic and was able to see the benefit of helping people see clearly, sometimes for the first time in decades. Now, I'm humbled by the opportunity to serve our community daily. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Being of service. I find it fulfilling when I get to help members of our community. In my spare time, I enjoy: Traveling with my wife, visiting with friends, catching a game or two.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland College Park. Optometry School: SUNY State College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing comprehensive eye exams for adults and children, diabetic eye exams, contact lens fitting and ocular disease management. Hobbies/Interests: Reading, skiing, spending time with family and friends, watching the Terps and Caps.

Dr. Omar D. Garza received his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston in 1999. His final year of optometric education included externships in Madrid, Spain, and the Spokane U.S. VETERANS MEDICAL HEALTH CENTER. He also practiced for a brief time in Washington State following his graduation from Optometry school. In 2001, Dr. Garza returned to South Texas, where he was born and raised. Dr. Garza was a government contractor for the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (USAF). Dr. Garza was the head clinical optometrist for the Flying Class I (FCI)and Medical Flight Screening (MFS) programs at BROOKS CITY BASE in South San Antonio. His tasks included comprehensive ophthalmologic and refractive examinations for all potential and future USAF pilots. Dr. Garza also supported the Aeromedical Clinical Services (ACS) Ophthalmology branch, examining current USAF pilots with visually significant conditions such as Glaucoma, Kerataconus, Cataracts, and other eye diseases. From 2008 to 2018, he ran a solo practice in San Antonio. For the past four years, he has been an associate Optometrist in a private multi-doctor multi-clinic practice in North Central Texas. Dr. Garza is a native South Texan with two children. Dr. Omar D. Garza is fluent in Spanish and enjoys conversational Spanish with his patients.

Undergraduate Education: Northeastern State University. Optometry School: Northeastern State University College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I see patients of all ages for glasses, contacts, and medical needs. I work closely with local ophthalmologists to make the most appropriate and comprehensive care available to the person in my exam chair. My patients’ vision and overall health is my passion and I do not take for granted that they choose me for their eye care needs. Hobbies/Interests: Raising my 4 daughters, woodworking, and traveling.

Dr. Gavel-Rukha is a 2018 graduate of the School of Optometry at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, MA. She received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Bay Path College (now University) in Longmeadow, MA in 2014. Dr. Gavel-Rukha has a great interest in contact lenses and advanced optometric care. She volunteers in the kid services at her local church. She enjoys spending her free outdoors with her daughter, husband, family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: University of Illinois at Chicago. Biological Sciences Degree, Honors College. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry 2004. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Illinois Optometric Association. The reason I became an optometrist is: I always wanted to work in a health science field. I received my first pair of glasses when I was in 2nd grade. It was awesome to see clearly. During my undergraduate studies, I observed optometrists and I was able to see firsthand how they impact an individual’s life. It is a profession where you can have patients experience a “wow” daily. We all see patients that have no idea that they were seeing so poorly until you show them how good their vision could be. My favorite part of helping my patients is: It feels great to help people see better. My goal for all my patients is to manage their eye health, ensure optimal vision, and help prevent disease. In my spare time, I enjoy: I enjoy traveling, reading, music, playing basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: Indiana University; BA Psychology 1982. Optometry School: Indiana University School of Optometry 1986. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Central Indiana Optometric Society. The reason I became an optometrist is: To help my patients live their life in the most visually satisfying way using my experience and professional talent, coupled with the latest optical lens and contact lens technology for the best, most rewarding eyecare experience possible. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Seeing them return year after year and learning about their families, their hobbies and life experiences has been the most rewarding part of my optometry practice. In my spare time, I enjoy: Camping and hiking with my wife, Susan. We are big fans of the wonderful Indiana State Park system. I also enjoy the competitive shooting sport of IDPA.

Undergraduate Education: University of South Florida, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences. Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University, Doctor of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Loves to take an active role in giving back to her community in any way she can. Hobbies/Interests: As a Florida native and self-proclaimed foodie, she enjoys traveling, hanging out with her husband and dog, and exploring the local cuisine.

From Lamar, CO and completed undergrad at Colorado State University, Fort Collings, CO. Graduated May 1984 from what was then the Southern California College of Optometry. Joined Don Hood, OD and Steve Glick, OD in Feb 1985 and retired in October 2020 following the sale of Vision Care Specialists, PC to MyEyeDr. Returned to practice on as-needed basis in Feb 2023. I'm surprised and thrilled by the many patients that return to me for their care as my schedule is limited now to 1-2 days per month.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Hobbies/Interests: Most likely to save the rainforest. Quince Orchard High School, 1996. I am an avid sports fan and enjoy spending time with family.

Undergraduate Education: Benedictine University; Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Eye Care; What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients. Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, playing volleyball, and spending time with family and friends

Dr. Maria Gibbons, a native of Dutchess County, New York who grew up in Hyde Park, is a 1996 graduate of the New England College of Optometry (Doctor of Optometry, 1996). Prior to optometry school, Dr. Gibbons earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Holy Cross (1991). Since that time, she has worked tirelessly to ensure that her patients obtain the vision care needed to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Deeply respected for her unwavering dedication, gentle spirit of compassion, and meticulous attention to detail, Dr. Gibbons has a keen ability to catch, diagnose, and successfully treat eye-related concerns and diseases, actively listening to each patient and responding with highly customized care plans. She works with individuals and families throughout the life cycle, and has an extensive background helping patients with special needs, along with patients who present with a wide range of eye conditions. Dr. Gibbons is a member of the New York State Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. She lives in the Village of Rhinebeck; in her free time, Dr. Gibbons loves to read, create, and exercise.