A convenient place to go for all your eyecare needs, La Mesa Vision Care Center has two doctors with 35 years of experience between them and talented staff who add another 55 combined years to the practice.  The first Vision Care Center opened in 1952 in Lemon Grove and the La Mesa Vision Care Center opened in 1995.  Dr. Hixson chose to make the move so he could expand with larger, more sophisticated equipment and displays of the latest trends in eyewear products.
	Meet Audrey – the lovely lady from the land “down under.”  It’s her cheery accent you hear on the telephone and she is one of two receptionists ready and willing to help you.  She moved to La Mesa with Dr. Hixson 14 years ago and previously put in four years with the company in Lemon Grove.  Her greatest joy is “seeing families grow up.”
The other friendly face in the front office is Ashley’s.  Her keen sense of humor accompanies the smile, and while she is one of the newest members on staff, she doesn’t miss a beat.  She most enjoys helping the patients and recognizing them.  And, as for the staff?  “It’s like a family and Audrey’s like my Mom.”
	The other “Mom” of the team, Jill is the Office Manager.  You may not see her as her office is behind the wall, but she keeps a close eye on all operations and has been doing so for six years.  Her favorites? “Dealing with patients, helping them solve problems and watching my kids play sports.”
JoAnne also has been with La Mesa Vision Care Center for five years, and is one of two Optometric Technicians – helping with pre- and post-testing and with selection of the perfect frames.  She is happiest when she can “give patients quality work.”
	The other Optometric Technician is Angela, who says her favorite at La Mesa Vision Care Center is “lunch!”  She will admit, however, that she especially enjoys helping the Low Vision patients, teaching them how to use the specialty lenses prescribed by Dr. Hixson.  “It’s most rewarding to help them to see.”
One face you may not see is Craig’s.  As the Optometric Laboratory Technician, he is usually in the onsite lab, working on someone’s lenses.  The beauty of the onsite lab is that he often can cut lenses while patients wait.  Craig is proud of the fact that La Mesa Vision Care is very service-quality oriented, using some of the most sophisticated equipment and some of the highest quality lenses.  As he says, “This room is the room where they steer the boat.”  Craig started with Dr. Hixson in 1986 and enjoys his productive part of the eye care experience.
	Dr. Hixson grew up in La Mesa and is happy to be contributing to the community.  He opened the spacious office in a former 7/11 convenience store he frequented while attending movies at the former “Helix Theatre” across the street.  His passion for helping others led to his specialized interest in Low Vision.  “Having spent 20 years with my predecessors, I am pleased to be able to continue our proactive multi-specialty vision care service.”
Dr. Giles graduated locally from Christian High School in El Cajon and started his understudies at Grossmont Community College in La Mesa.    During his eight years with La Mesa Vision Care Center, he has honed his goal: “Whether it’s a child with learning related vision problems or a struggling athlete, I will design treatment plans to meat each patient’s specific visual needs.”  To learn more, click here.