MyEyeDr.

Bios

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  Craig C. Hughes, OD

  “Here at First Eye Care, we strive to be the leading eyecare facility in the Metroplex. Our experience, state-of-the-art capabilities and personalized service combine to give you great value. Our ultimate goal is your complete satisfaction!” OD: University of Houston College of Optometry, Houston, TX, 1972 BS: University of Houston, 1970 Member: American Optometric Association, Texas Optometric Association, Tarrant County Optometric Society In his free time, Dr. Hughes enjoys playing golf and traveling, and he combines these two passions whenever possible. He also loves spending time with his wife of more than 35 years, Janice, and their four beautiful grandkids. “As an Optometrist, I have the opportunity to help my patients improve and protect their vision. I like the idea that I’m restoring more than patients’ vision. I’m restoring their ability to see and appreciate the world around them-their loved ones and friends, the beauty of nature-and the ability to see it all clearly. I’ve always been happy with my choice of Optometry as a career and can’t imagine doing anything else. Who could ask for a better job?”

  Link: Craig C. Hughes, OD

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  Blake J. Hughes, OD

  “I chose Optometry because I knew I wanted to be part of a profession that allowed me to take care of people. Plus, I love the challenging environment that it offers within the medical field. Sight is such a precious gift and I love helping my patients see. I feel very blessed to do what I love, all while being able to spend time with my family.” OD: University of Houston College of Optometry, Houston, Tx, 2006 BS: Abilene Christian University, 2002 Member: AOA, TOA BS: Abilene Christian University, 2002 Awards and Achievements: While at ACU, Dr. Hughes was a four-year letterman and All-Conference for the baseball team. In his time at UHCO, Dr. Hughes served as a student officer for three years and completed two published research projects during the summer months. He earned multiple Clinical Letters of Excellence for outstanding patient care and was the proud recipient of the Gold Key Award for leadership. In his free time, Dr. Hughes loves spending time with his beautiful wife Alison and precious daughter Chloe and sons Beckett and Deacon. He enjoys playing golf, traveling, watching Texas Ranger’s baseball games, and attending church. “Serving the community where I grew up is an honor. From treatment/management of eye disease, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, to sports vision exams, our continued goal is to provide exceptional eye care to everyone.”

  Link: Blake J. Hughes, OD

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  Viren Choksi, OD

  Dr. Viren Choksi, also known as Dr. V, specializes in Vision Therapy for adults and youth. He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelors in Biology. He went on to pursue his masters in Public Health from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a couple of years of working in Philadelphia, he decided to pursue his optometry degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He was awarded Clinical Excellence in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy during his time in optometry school. He completed an externship at the world renowned Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia with an emphasis on traumatic brain injury vision therapy and evaluations. We are excited that Dr. V is bringing his unique background and expertise to First Eye Care. In his free time, Dr. V likes to play soccer, basketball and table tennis. He and his wife, Priti, also love to travel.

  Link: Viren Choksi, OD

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  Richelle Bean, OD

  OD: University of Houston College of Optometry, Houston, Texas, 2014 BS: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 2010 Member: American Optometric Association (AOA), Texas Optometric Association (TOA), Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK) Dr. Richelle Bean graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas with a bachelors in biology. She obtained her optometry degree as a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honors Society at the University of Houston College of Optometry in Houston, Texas. She completed her first internship at Bellaire Family Eye Care, Houston, Texas, where she specialized in pediatric optometry care and specialty contact lens fitting. She completed her second internship at the Cedar Springs Eye Clinic, Dallas, Texas, with an emphasis on management of ocular disease. She is a certified Therapeutic Optometrist and Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. In her free time, Dr. Bean loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys attending sporting events and country concerts with her husband, Philip, and of course watching Arkansas Razorback football.

  Link: Richelle Bean, OD

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  Brooke Dugas, OD

  Dr. Brooke Dugas received her Bachelors in Biology from the University of Louisiana Monroe where she graduated summa cum laude. During her time at ULM she served in many leadership roles, including StudentGovernment President and leader of PREP, the university’s freshman orientation program. She was the recipient of the Most Involved Student Award and Most Outstanding Biology Senior Award for her graduating class.After obtaining her degree at ULM, Dr. Dugas moved to Memphis, Tennessee to begin optometric training at Southern College of Optometry. She completed clinical rotations at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana and Piedmont Eye Care in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was a member of numerous local and national organizations, including the Louisiana Optometric State Club and Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.Dr. Dugas completed a primary care and ocular disease residency at the William Chappell Veterans Affairs Clinic in Daytona Beach, Florida. She completed extensive training in the areas of retina, glaucoma, cornea, and post-operative cataract surgery care. She focused her research on retinal disease and delivered numerous continuing education lectures to her colleagues on these topics. While at the VA she gained experience in geriatrics and enjoys serving this population.In her free time, Dr. Dugas enjoys visiting friends and family in Louisiana and returning to Monroe to support the ULM Warhawks.

  Link: Brooke Dugas, OD

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  Cassie Benedick, OD

  OD: University of Houston, College of Optometry. Graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2013 BS: Texas A&M University (Whoop!) Bachelor of Science in Biology 2009 Member: American Optometric Association (AOA), Texas Optometric Association (TOA), Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK), Student Fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry, Clinical Letters of Excellence in Contact Lenses and Family Care Dr. Cassie Benedick is a therapeutic optometrist and optometric glaucoma specialist with focused training in pediatrics, orthokeratology and complex contact lens fitting. She trained clinically at Bellaire Family Eyecare where she provided primary eye care to patients of all ages and gained experience in pediatric optometry, vision therapy, and specialty contact lens fittings. She also completed an externship rotation at Mann Eye Institute where she gained experience in post-surgical co-management, and gained considerable knowledge in diagnosis and management of complex ocular diseases. Originally from Graham, TX she is happy to be back in North Texas after practicing her first few years out of school in Houston. In her spare time, Dr. Benedick enjoys attending Aggie football games, traveling, spending time outdoors, rooting on our Dallas sports teams with her Husband, Billy, and chasing around her son, Tripp, and daughter, Charlotte.

  Link: Cassie Benedick, OD