VISION PROFESSIONALS

Chris Smiley, O.D.

Dr. Christopher Smiley is a native to the Central Ohio area and the second generation owner of Vision Professionals. As an innovative and progressive leader in the Optometric community, his commitment to excellence is evident in all areas.

Dr. Smiley graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2001 with top honors in contact lens patient care. Dr. Smiley was honored with the prestigious American Optometric Foundation’s (AOF) Contact Lens Excellence Award. Selected by the faculty, this award is presented to one graduating fourth year optometry student who demonstrates excellence in clinical contact lens patient care during their optometric education. Dr. Smiley was also one of an elite group of students to be granted membership in both Sigma Kappa and Gold Key International Optometric Honor Societies.

Dr. Smiley supports advanced optometric education through his membership in the American Optometric Association (AOA), Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), Columbus Optometric Association (COA), and the Contact Lens & Cornea Section of the AOA (CLCS). Dr. Smiley has served as a clinical investigator for a number of contact lens study programs.

Dr. Smiley specializes in “difficult fit” contact lenses including those patients with rare eye conditions such as keratoconus, irregular astigmatism, and those patients requiring vision rehabilitation after laser vision correction. Dr. Smiley also specializes in the treatment and management of eye emergencies and glaucoma. He frequently assists patients with vision correcting procedures such as LASIK, corneal refractive therapy, cataracts, and other new technologies. Dr. Smiley provides state-of-the-art eye care to infants, children, adults, and seniors.

Dr. Smiley’s commitment to continual optometric education and modern technologies allows him to maintain impeccable clinical skills and to practice at the forefront of the optometric profession.

On a personal note:

Dr. Smiley enjoys spending time with his family, watching Ohio State Buckeye football, automobiles, fishing, warm weather, and his three dogs Ally McBeagle (Beagle), Bella & CoCo (Rhodesian Ridgebacks) Dr. Smiley and his wife, Melissa, have a daughter, Kendall and a son, Morgan.

Valerie Gardner, O.D.

 Dr. Valerie Gardner is originally from the small town of Minster, OH located in Midwest Ohio and has relocated to the Columbus area after optometry school.  She is committed to providing quality eyecare in all areas of optometry for all ages.  

She attended college at Ohio University in Athens, OH for her undergraduate studies in biology.  She then attended The Ohio State University College of Optometry receiving her doctorate in June of 2011 graduating Magna Cum Laude.  While in optometry school, Dr. Gardner excelled as a four-year member of Beta Sigma Kappa Honors Society and was selected as a member of Gold Key in her fourth year based on leadership skills, academics, and student involvement.  

She is also supportive of the optometric community as a member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association.   

Dr. Gardner has gained experience in the treatment of glaucoma and other retinal disease, along with the comanagement of laser vision correction and cataract surgery.  She is currently welcoming patients of all ages, including providing free InfantSEE examinations, and is also practiced in taking care of your glasses and contact lens needs.  

On a personal note:  Dr. Gardner enjoys baking, traveling, watching the Buckeyes, and spending time with her cat, Cabus.  Dr. Gardner is currently residing in Powell, OH with her husband and fellow graduate of the OSU College of Optometry Dr. Dustin Gardner.  

Annette Leatherman - Office Manager

Annette has been a licensed optician since 1992 and joined the Vision Professionals team in 2003.  She has an extensive background in business management as well as sales and marketing.  Annette enjoys working at Vision Professionals and is proud of the fact that they can offer the newest technology to their patients from superb professional services to the most innovative eyewear including specialty contact lenses.  She is a native of Delaware Ohio where she still resides and has two children, Hailey and Luke. 

Lisa

Lisa joined the Vision Professionals family in 1994. She and her husband, Steve, have three grown children and one grandchild.

Arianne

Arianne joined the Vision Professionals team in May of 2009. She has been in the optical field since 1999.

Tawny

Tawny is an optician at both the New Albany and Worthington locations.  She has been with the Vision Professionals team since June of 2011.  She went to The Ohio State University, where she majored in Retail Studies and minored in Business Management.  In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. 

Kristen

Kristen is the Receptionist and Billing Specialist at our New Albany location.  She joined the Vision Professionals team in October of 2011 after moving home to Ohio from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  Kristen graduated from Muskingum College in 2008 where she studied Business Administration and Economics and has worked in the insurance field since 2009.  In her spare time, she enjoys boxing and spending time with family, friends and her dog, Chesney.

Kasey

Kasey is a licensed optician at both the Worthington Hills and New Albany offices.  Originally from the Youngstown area and studied Pscyhology at Kent State, she is a newlywed who loves spending time with her husband, Nate.  They currently have 2 cats and are excited to start their family in the upcoming years.  Until then they spend most free time with their friends playing cards, board games, and watching football.  Go Brownies!

Carmen

Carmen is our newest member to the Vision Professionals team.  She is our Receptionist and Billing Specialist at the Worthington Hills location.  Carmen is a native of Columbus, OH, and has two children, a boy and girl.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, dancing, cooking, and spending time with her kids and family.