Today we’d like to introduce you to Garineh Nersisyan.
Hi Garineh, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always wanted to be in the medical field. One of the first toys I remember getting as a child was a doctor’s bag. As I entered college, I was torn between pediatrics and optometry. My mother had diabetes and needed to visit her eye doctor. I took her to her optometrist one day and was fascinated at everything the optometrist could see by just looking into her eyes. He explained many things about the eyes and her condition. That’s when I decided to follow the path of optometry. I was hired part-time at a local optometry office as an office assistant while attending college. I learned a lot while working at the office and developed a desire to own my own practice one day. In 2006 I graduated from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s in Biomedical Physics and began my optometric education at Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton.
I graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree in 2010 and began practicing full-time in various practice settings. For 11 years I managed a private practice until the opportunity to purchase my own office became available. The optometrist at the original office I worked at during college was retiring. I’ve been the owner of OPTX Optometry in Valencia, CA since April 2022. Our office examines children and adults for eyeglasses, sunglasses, disposable contact lenses, specialty contact lenses, and eye emergencies/ocular conditions. We offer consultations for Lasik and cataracts, a dry eye spa, and we have an on-site optical lab to help expedite eyeglass orders. My dream of owning my own practice came true with hard work and perseverance. My next goal is to expand the business and give my children the same opportunity if they choose to follow this path.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I’ve gone through challenging classes, rigorous coursework, and have been employed at some interesting places including one place that didn’t appreciate me cutting my hair (they preferred I wear my hair in a bun!). I’ve learned a lot along the way. All the hard work was worth it though.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about OPTX Optometry?
I’m the optometrist and owner of OPTX Optometry in Valencia, California. We are a primary care office which means we offer eye exams for children and adults for glasses, disposable and specialty contact lenses, eye emergencies/ocular conditions, and Lasik/cataract consultations. We offer retinal imaging, have a dry eye spa as well as an on-site optical lab to help expedite eyewear. Our optical includes many designer and budget-friendly frames. I’ve even designed my own line called “Dan N Eve” named after my children. We are active in community service, attend annual health fairs and I’ve lectured at a local community health center discussing diabetes and its impact on the eyes. I’ve published an article in the Primary Care Optometry journal entitled “Complete eye exams in children could save their lives”. This article discusses the importance of eye exams even in children. It discusses a case of a 14-year-old that I saw; the eye exam helped detect a brain tumor which helped save her life. Children should have a comprehensive eye exam between the ages of 3 and 5 years of age. I recommend annual exams for everyone.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Many people played a role and continue to play a role in my success including my parents, siblings, husband, children, in-laws, friends, professors, colleagues and church family. They’ve taught me many things and have offered encouragement and assistance through struggles and accomplishments. I’ve been blessed with an amazing staff who genuinely value the office and work alongside with me to make this office thrive and help the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.optxoptometry.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/optxoptometry
- Facebook: facebook.com/optxoptometry
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@optxoptometry7923
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/optx-optometry-valencia
