Tanya K. Mahaphon, O.D., FCOVD, FAAO

Dr. Tanya K. Mahaphon recently relocated to Napa after being a fulltime assistant professor and Chief of the Pediatrics and Binocular Vision Service at the College of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She received her optometric training at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, Oregon, earning her Doctor of Optometry degree in 1998. She then completed a one-year residency in Vision Therapy at the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry from 1998-1999 and was hired immediately after residency in 1999 by Nova Southeastern University. Her residency experience includes the areas of strabismus and amblyopia, vision-related learning problems, head trauma rehabilitation, infant and pediatric optometric examinations, and vision training. Dr. Mahaphon also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego in 1994. She is currently completing a Master's in Education with emphasis on visual function and learning from Pacific University.

Dr. Mahaphon taught Pediatric Optometry and Management of Learning-Related Vision Problems Lab and was guest lecturer for the Pediatric Optometry course. She also supervised the fourth year optometric interns at the NSU Eye Clinics at Davie, North Miami Beach, and Broward.

In addition to her full time teaching responsibilities, Dr. Mahaphon served as the NSU faculty advisor for the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), and a member of the Optometric Extension Program (OEP), Beta Sigma Kappa (optometric honor society), and the American Academy of Optometry. She helped organize the non-profit South Florida PAVE (Parents Active in Vision Education) Chapter and has presented lectures to teachers and parents in Broward County and Miami/Dade County, Florida. She recently participated in the NAAR (National Alliance for Autism Research) Walk in Broward County on April 9, 2005 for her nephew who was recently diagnosed with autism. Dr. Mahaphon has been an active volunteer in the Special Opening Eyes Vision Screenings for the Special Olympics since 1999.

Dr. Mahaphon's most recent scholarship activities are two posters, "Making Eye Contact: A multidisciplinary approach to the management of Autism" presented at the American Optometric Association Annual Meeting, June 2004, and a published article in the Journal of Optometry and Vision Development 2006, "A Developmental Approach to Congenital Ocular Motor Apraxia: case report and literature review".

Besides her career in optometry, Dr. Mahaphon is passionate about rollerblading, traveling, literature, music, food and cultural experiences. She enjoys spending her time with nature and in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a big city and recently purchased Dr. Randall Cummings practice in Napa Valley. Dr. Mahaphon is looking forward to a long and successful practice in Napa and a close connection to her patients.

Grace

As our Optical Manager, Grace focuses her professional expertise and skilled eye for style, quality and value in assisting each patient in selecting frames and lenses to fit particular needs and lifestyle choices. With over 5 years of care and commitment in her field, Grace sees her role through the lenses of the patient: "It is a honor and a pleasure to work with the people of Napa and beyond in a practice that cares passionately about each patient's vision needs -"always a gratifying experience!"
 

Ashley

Ashley works as the Front Desk Coordinator and Optometric Assistant. She was born and raised here in Napa. She went to Napa Valley College where she earned an A.A. in Natural Math and Sciences, and then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where she graduated in 2008 with a B.A. in Integrative Biology. Ashley loves playing soccer, watching tennis and baking. "I am so happy to be a part of an office that cares so much for its patients, and I love the physics and biology of the eye. "It's Fantastic!"

Shannon

 Shannon B. is our Optometric and Front Desk Assistant. She is a graduating of Vintage High School and is seriously considering becoming an optometrist in another 10 years. On Shannon''s days off, she is catching up with homework from her AVID classes, reading playwrights, or spending time watching hockey games.

Jacob

The Vision Care and Outreach Programs Coordinator, Jacob administrates our individualized vision rehabilitation programs and passionately facilitates the practice's informational outreach on vision health to parents, professionals, schools, clubs, organizations and institutions through free workshops, articles, lectures, and many other vision-related resources. Jacob also directly supports Dr. Mahaphon as an assistant therapist. An experienced teacher of German for elementary school, Jacob holds multiple certificates of nationally and internationally recognized language accreditation. Added to which, he has many years of experience working in people-centered communication fields. Jacob, himself a graduate of an Eye Spy vision rehabilitation program, recognizes first-hand the value of an uniquely holistic practice: "I am proud to work in supporting Dr. Mahaphon's vision for a premium, patient-centered practice that involves itself in educational and compassionate outreach."

Jacob can be reached by email at Jacob@eyespyvisioncare.com