Our Practice in Grants Pass

Dr. April has been fascinated with optometry and the visual system since she started working for an optometrist after high school. The more she learned about eyes and vision, the more interested she was in the profession. She was sure she had found her life’s calling.

Dr. April grew up in Illinois, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (Biology) with a minor in chemistry at Northern Illinois University, graduating magna cum laude. She moved to Oregon to attend Pacific University College of Optometry, where she earned her Doctorate of Optometry, with distinction, in 2014. Dr. April later earned an MBA from Washington State University in 2022. Go Cougs!

Dr. April began her professional career serving as an officer and optometrist in the United States Air Force, overseeing the Hill Air Force Base, UT optometry clinic, and providing eye care for active duty, retirees, and their dependents. After separating from the military at the rank of Captain, she joined a private practice in the San Juan Islands in Washington State, where she practiced for 3 years. After her husband, Dr. Barrett, finished his optometry education, they moved back to Oregon to settle down in Grants Pass. She feels so fortunate to live in this beautiful part of the country while working in her clinic alongside her better half.

Dr. April enjoys seeing patients of all ages. She is trained to diagnose both visual and medical eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Dr. April is very passionate about treating dry eye and ocular surface disease. As dry eye continues to rise in prevalence, Dr. April is always improving her knowledge of the disease and how to manage it best.

During Dr. April’s initial dry eye/ocular surface consultations, she spends a considerable amount of time with each patient to determine the root cause of the condition and tailor treatment options to each individual. She is proud to offer solutions, rather than just treating the symptoms with drops.

She is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association and the American Optometric Association. Dr. April also provides free screenings for infants 6–12 months through the InfantSee program.
In her free time, Dr. April enjoys spending time in her flower garden, painting, and with her family, Dr. Barrett, and their fur babies, Walt, Jeff, and Fido.

Optometry is Dr. Barrett’s encore career after 12 years working as a paramedic in the Chicagoland area and Multnomah County. Dr. Barrett was born in Kentucky but was primarily raised in northern Illinois, where he obtained his associate’s degree and completed his EMS training. At one EMS station, Dr. Barrett’s nickname was “Book” for always having his nose in one. Dr. Barrett was honored to receive the AMR ‘Caregiver Inspired Award’ in 2011. After a dozen exciting years as a first responder, Dr. Barrett was ready for a new challenge and perhaps fewer night shifts.

Influenced by Dr. April’s experience in optometry school, Dr. Barrett followed in her footsteps and attended Pacific University College of Optometry, where he received his Bachelor of Science (Vision Science) and his Doctorate of Optometry while April served in the USAF. As a student, Dr. Barrett was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society, Optometric Physicians of Washington Student of the Year, and received the Smith-Lingel Award in Systemic Disease.

Dr. Barrett loves seeing patients of all ages and wants each person to leave with a better understanding of how their eyes and visual system function. One of Dr. Barrett’s favorite parts of the day is fitting lenses for a first-time or difficult-to-fit contact lens wearer and seeing their response to clear vision without glasses! Myopia management is a passion, and he’d love to tell you about it.

Dr. Barrett has several optometry heroes who’ve inspired him. Still, none are held in higher regard than Dr. April, who continues to be a terrific clinical colleague and partner, in addition to an amazing life partner.

Dr. Barrett is a member of the American Optometric Association and Oregon Optometric Physicians Association and an InfantSee provider. Dr. Barrett is a lifelong learner and always tries to increase his knowledge in clinical matters and expand his horizons outside of work.

When out of the clinic, Dr. Barrett likes to read, mountain bike, play guitar, and go hiking with Dr. April and their dogs, Walt, Jeff, and Fido. He is also learning to garden and homestead but has a long way to go.