Family Vision Care Optometry Doctors Page

Dr. Carl Garbus graduated from the Southern California College of Optometry in 1980. He opened two private practices in Valencia, Family Vision Care Optometry and Neuro Vision Rehabilitation Institute. Currently the practices emphasize care for children and adults with vision deficits from traumatic brain injury, stroke and developmental and learning problems.

Dr. Garbus has hospital privileges and consults at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara and Henry Mayo Hospital in Santa Clarita. In addition, Dr. Garbus works with the following rehabilitation centers; Centre For Neuro Skills, Solutions At Santa Barbara and the Brain Injury Specialists. He has made various presentations and in-services to optometric societies, occupational therapy groups, and PTA groups regarding vision problems. Another area of interest is working with children who have learning problems. Autism is on the rise and these children have many vision issues that need to be addressed. Family Vision Care has a new office that is equipped to help children who have autism. Dr. Garbus was president of the Los Angeles County Optometric Society in 1993 and is currently serves as vice president on the board for the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA). He will be president of the organization in 2010.

Dr. James Yi is a Southern California native and currently resides in the Conejo Valley. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of California Santa Barbara and then went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2006. Dr. Yi completed a hospital based primary eye care residency at the Veterans Administrative Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Yi is proficiently trained in primary eye care, ocular disease, contact lenses, low vision, and vision therapy. He was the recipient of the Gas Perm and Lens Institutes Award for Excellence in 2006. He is also an active member of the American Academy of Optometry, American Optometric Association, and the California Optometric Association. In his spare time, Dr. Yi likes mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, and traveling as well as just spending a relaxing evening at home.

Dr. Andrea Woo was born in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Montebello, CA where she attended Montebello High School. After high school Dr. Woo attended the University of California, San Diego and earned a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. Following her undergraduate studies, Dr. Woo returned to her hometown to attend the Illinois College of Optometry and graduated in 2008. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the California Optometric Association. One of the joys of optometry in Dr. Woo’s eyes is the opportunity to provide the highest quality of vision care to patients of all ages. When she is not in the exam room, Dr. Woo likes to spend time with her husband, travel, watch movies, do yoga, and snowboard.

Doctor Mariya Berkovich was born in Minsk, Belarus. Dr. Berkovich then moved to Chicago with her parents and younger sister. In 2001, she graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She then attended the Illinois College of Optometry and graduated in 2005. She is certified by the Board of Optometry to prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents.

Doctor Berkovich enjoys working with the great staff and patients of Family Vision Care. Outside of practicing optometry, she spends time with her husband and 1 year old baby boy.

Jenny received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University, Los Angeles. Jenny is a certified ophthalmic technician (COT). For over 18 years, Jenny worked as a clinical project coordinator with the Corneal- Refractive Team at the University of Southern California , Doheny Eye Institute. As Project Coordinator she worked under Dr. Peter Mc Donnell participating with various FDA studies and the co-author of a number of scientific papers, in Ophthalmologic Journals.

Currently, Jenny manages Family Vision Care Optometry, Inc and Neuro Vision Rehabilitation Institute. Jenny has been working as a vision therapist in the area of neuro vision rehabilitation for over 12 years. As a vision therapist, Jenny encompasses a wide range of therapies which includes working with children in the areas of learning related problems and traumatic brain/stroke injury patients.

Jenny is active on committees with the Vision Therapist Professional Forum and the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association. She enjoys taking hikes and working out, designing and decorating offices, and quiet time with family.

Thelma has been with Family Vision Care for over ten years. She is multitalented, working in the front office with insurance billing and in the back office as a frame stylist and as a Vision Therapist. Her expertise is working with children with vision related learning problems as well as our special needs kids. Thelma enjoys hiking, bowling, and basketball. She is famous for her scrapbook designs and spends the weekends with her children and husband.

Maria has 11 years of optical dispensing experience and will gladly assist you in finding the right pair of glasses. She is a graduate of the American Career College for Optical Dispensing and is certified by the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE). As your optician, Maria’s goal is to help you see as best as possible while looking great. Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and 5 children and especially likes watching her children compete on their all-star cheer squad.

Micah has many responsibilities at Family Vision Care including front office duties, insurance billing, frame selection and adjusting, and administering the sensory learning program. Micah enjoys working with the rest of the Family Vision Care staff that have become like a second family to her. She is proud to work together with the staff and doctors to provide you with great eye care. Micah comes from a family of five children, 3 girls and 2 boys. She currently attends California State University, Northridge.

Susan is one of our front office assistants who will make your appointments and conduct pre-testing when you come in for your appointment. One of Susan’s favorite parts of working at Family Vision Care is getting to interact with the friendly patients. Originally from Staten Island, New York, Susan relocated to California in 1992 with her husband and 2 daughters. She is an active member of the community as a volunteer for the College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center, Canyon Theater, and Repertory East Theater as well as a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of America and a participant in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Danielle originally began working at Family Vision Care while she was a senior at Valencia High School in 2005. Danielle completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at San Francisco State University and now attends the Southern California College of Optometry as she pursues a career in optometry. Danielle continues to be a part of the Family Vision Care team as the website technician.