Not Just Another Eye Doctor: Dr. Anna Now Full-Time at Shades Optical
Ever notice how every eye care practice claims to be "the best" in town? It's like walking down a street where every restaurant has a "World's Best Coffee" sign hanging in the window.
At Shades Optical, we've never bothered with that game. Here's why: we don't need to tell you we're the best when what we're offering doesn't really exist anywhere else. We're not the best—we're the only ones doing what we do.
And now, Dr. Anna is available full-time to see more patients who want to experience this difference firsthand.
The Accidental Eye Doctor
Some people stumble into their careers. Not Dr. Anna.
"I knew from a very young age that I wanted to pursue a career in optometry – by second grade, nothing interested me more than eyes and the people behind them," she says.
While most second-graders were dreaming about dinosaurs or spaceships, young Anna was already fascinated by the human eye. This early passion led her to work as a certified optician during college, giving her years of hands-on experience before she even entered optometry school.
At Ferris State University, her academic excellence earned her early admission to the Michigan College of Optometry after just three years of undergraduate studies. By 2015, she was graduating with her Doctor of Optometry degree and the Outstanding Senior Award.
But Dr. Anna isn't your typical eye doctor. Dr. Bill Koppin personally selected and trained her because he recognized something special: a doctor who understood that truly exceptional eye care means looking beyond the eyes themselves.
What Your Current Eye Doctor Isn't Telling You
Let's pull back the curtain on a uncomfortable truth: that "comprehensive" eye exam you're getting elsewhere? It's anything but comprehensive.
Most eye exams today are rushed 15-minute affairs where you spend more time waiting than actually being examined. You're shuffled between rooms, briefly seen by technicians, and given perhaps 2-3 minutes with a doctor who's already thinking about the next patient.
Worse yet, many practices check your prescription while your eyes are dilated. Think about that for a second. The only time your pupils are ever artificially dilated is during an eye exam—yet that's when they decide what glasses prescription you need for everyday life? It makes no sense, but it saves time, and time is money in insurance-based practices.
The result? Glasses that never feel quite right, problems that go undetected until they're severe, and a false sense of security that your eyes are fine when they're silently deteriorating.
The Quiet Crisis Nobody's Talking About
Ever heard of meibomian glands? Most people haven't—until they stop working properly.
These tiny structures along your eyelids produce the oils that keep your tears from evaporating too quickly. Without them, your eyes become dry, irritated, and uncomfortable.
Here's the kicker: digital device use is causing these glands to become blocked and eventually die off—and once they're gone, they're gone forever. No surgery, no medication, no treatment will bring them back.
Most eye care practices don't even check these glands until you're already experiencing symptoms. By then, permanent damage has often occurred. It's like waiting until your teeth hurt before checking for cavities—by then, the damage is done.
A Day With Dr. Anna: What Makes Us "The Only"
When you sit down with Dr. Anna for an exam, you'll immediately notice the difference. For starters, you get a full hour—not 15 minutes—of her undivided attention.
"I've been at Shades for over three years," she explains, "and in this time, have truly enjoyed bridging the gap between eye care and whole-body wellness and empowering my patients on their own wellness journeys."
This isn't just marketing talk. Dr. Anna lives this philosophy: "Over the years, I have developed an interest in wellness and mobility in my personal life. Making changes to my lifestyle and diet in manageable ways that suit my day-to-day routine has allowed me to experience a positive shift in my life."
During your hour together, here's what you'll experience that you simply won't find elsewhere:
We check your meibomian glands during every exam – not just when you complain about dry eyes. Prevention beats treatment every time.
We use advanced technology as standard practice – regardless of whether insurance covers it. Most practices only use their $150,000 diagnostic machines when they can bill for them. We use them because they help us catch problems early.
We never check your prescription while your eyes are dilated – because that makes about as much sense as buying shoes while wearing thick socks.
We take the time to explain everything – No rushing, no medical jargon without explanation, no unanswered questions.
The Woman Behind the White Coat
When she's not preserving her patients' vision, Dr. Anna finds joy in simple but meaningful pursuits.
"My greatest joy outside of the office is found spending time with my family, sewing in my craft room, or searching for waterfalls," she shares. A UP native, she maintains deep connections to northern Michigan while embracing life "downstate."
In 2023, she and her husband celebrated their first wedding anniversary by welcoming their son into the world—timing that couldn't have been more perfect. "Since becoming parents, we've enjoyed sharing our love for great food, the outdoors and traveling with him."
This balanced approach to life—finding joy in both work and personal pursuits—informs how she practices medicine. It's not about quick fixes or assembly-line care, but about sustainable habits that support long-term wellness.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Digital eye strain has reached epidemic proportions, accelerated by remote work and ever-increasing screen time. Most people have no idea they're already developing issues that could permanently affect their vision and comfort.
With Dr. Anna’s expanded availability, there's simply no reason to settle for rushed, inadequate eye care. Why risk permanent damage when prevention is not only possible but readily available?
"Shades is such a gem and I'm so grateful to be part of Shades Optical's future," Dr. Anna reflects. Her expanded hours mean more patients can benefit from truly comprehensive care—the kind that treats your eyes as vital organs connected to your overall health, not isolated body parts to be rushed through an exam.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
If you've been putting off an eye exam, or if you've been settling for those quickie 15-minute sessions elsewhere, now's the time to experience the difference. With Dr. Anna's expanded full-time availability, scheduling is easier than ever.
And if you know someone who complains about dry eyes, eye strain, or discomfort after long hours at the computer? Send them our way. You might just be saving them from permanent damage and a lifetime of discomfort.
Because when it comes to your eyes, there's no such thing as "good enough." And "comprehensive" should actually mean comprehensive.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Anna HERE.
If you know someone who could benefit from truly comprehensive eye care, encourage them to take advantage of Dr. Anna's increased availability. It could be the most important referral you ever make for their long-term eye health.
Your eyes—and the eyes of those you care about—deserve better than what passes for "standard care" almost everywhere else.