Our Doctors

Optometry School: Northeastern State University

Undergraduate EducationUniversity of South Florida (BS Chemistry). Optometry School: IU College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community? Providing comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and evaluations for adults and children. Hobbies/Interests: Everquest.

Undergraduate Education: University of Iowa; Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University 2014. The reason I became an optometrist is: When I was in high school, I shadowed an Optometrist who became my mentor, and I really liked the aspect of helping patients understand their eye care needs and taking care of any eye issues. I also liked the idea of being able to establish and keep those good patient relationships too. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I enjoy being able to make a patient’s day by meeting or exceeding their vision or eye health needs whether it’s new glasses, contact lenses, treating an eye disease, or even removal of a piece of metal from the eye. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my family, checking out new restaurants in downtown Chicago, and cheering on the White Sox.

Dr. Cara Ystad is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry. She is passionate about helping people see their best. In addition to providing excellent care through comprehensive and diabetic eye exams for children & adults, Dr. Ystad enjoys treating those with urgent care needs. When she isn’t helping her community see better, she likes to run, cook, read, play piano, and spend time with her family.

Undergraduate Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology at The Pennsylvania State University. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Certifications/Awards: Graduated Summa Cum Laude from PCO; Clinic Excellence in Primary Care at The Eye Institute and Affiliated Patient Care Sites. Hobbies/Interests: Playing music with family and friends, keeping active outdoors, snowboarding, hunting, and fishing.

Undergraduate Education: Kenyon College, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Minor in Anthropology. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, 2011. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the AOA and POA. The reason I became an optometrist is: I had troubles with my own eyes as a child and I always recall having a good experience with the optometrist. I was in undergrad and seeing my optometrist while home on a break and we were chatting about my next step in life - he had been seeing my family for many years - and he suggested I look into optometry. It has been a great fit ever since. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I enjoy being able to evaluate and meet the individual visual needs for each patient. Finding the right combination of factors to help patients improve their visual function can improve so many aspects of their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy: I love to be outside exploring the natural areas and hiking trails in the area. I also practice yoga and teach occasionally at a local studio.

Undergraduate Education: Boston University. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing comprehensive eye exams for adults and children, diabetic eye exams, contact lens fitting, and ocular disease management. Hobbies/Interests: Travelling with my husband and 2 daughters. I’m also fluent in Romanian and Armenian.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC); BS in Biological Sciences. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University; Doctor of Optometry (2010); Completed optometric residency in Ocular Disease at Baltimore VA Medical Center (2011). Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Maryland Optometric Association (MOA); Has lectured at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins; Has presented a poster at SECO International. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry and Maryland State Board of Optometry; Completed residency in Ocular Disease at the Baltimore VA Medical Center (2011). Skilled in: Comprehensive eye examination; Contact lens fitting; Diabetic eye exams; Diagnosis and management of eye disease; Management of ocular emergencies. The reason I became an optometrist is: to help fellow humans see better and function better in the world and be able to do the activities they enjoy the most. My favorite part of helping my patients is: to educate my patients about eye health and preventative measures to preserve eye health and vision. In my spare time, I enjoy: traveling around the world, spending time with friends and family, meditation, hiking, and outdoor activities.

Undergraduate Education: The University of Texas at Dallas. Optometry School: UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Vision is our most important sense and I love being able to play a part in helping to ensure my patients have a higher quality of life they can enjoy. Hobbies/Interests: Tennis, basketball, music, and spending time with my wife and two cats.

Undergraduate Education: Saint Mary's University, Biology. Master's Degree; McGill University, Experimental Medicine. Optometry School: New England College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: American Optometric Association, New Hampshire Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Primary Eye Care, Contact Lens Fittings, Eye Emergency Care, Diabetic Eye Evaluation and Management, Glaucoma Management. Hobbies/Interests: Travel, adventure, learning to surf, and the outdoors fills up the rest of Dr. Zeidan's free time!

Undergraduate Education: Long Island University; B.S. Biology. Optometry School: P.C.O. 1974; Graduated Beta Sigma Kappa. Professional Achievements and Associations: MOA/AOA. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: TPA Certified. The reason I became an optometrist is: Helping people to improve the quality or their life. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Helping people to succeed professionally and especially helping students succeed in school. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my children and grandchildren, Bicycle riding.

Undergraduate Education: Simmons College Optometry School: Western University of Health Sciences Certifications/Awards: Certified in Dry Eye Hobbies/Interests: Dr. Zelkha was born in Iran and raised in Brookline, MA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Simmons College, Boston, and earned her Doctorate of Optometry from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry. Dr. Zelkha's clinical training spans various settings, including primary eye care in a high-volume ophthalmology practice in Encino, CA, private practices throughout Southern California, a free outpatient clinic in Pacoima, CA, and specialized behavioral optometry with NeuroVision Rehabilitation and Vision Therapy in Valencia, CA. She has extensive training in ocular disease, pediatrics, geriatrics, specialty contact lenses, and pre- and post-operative co-management for LASIK and cataract surgery patients. Dr. Zelkha takes great pride in providing high-quality eye care to all her patients. Before joining MyEyeDr, she was the sole optometrist in a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice in Brookline, MA, where she gained significant experience in diagnosing, treating, and co-managing ocular diseases. Outside her professional commitments, Dr. Zelkha enjoys culinary arts, traveling, and cherishing moments with family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: The Ohio State University- Bachelor of Science Microbiology. Optometry School: The Ohio State University College of Optometry 1988. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association; Ohio Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Family Eyecare, contact lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: I chose to become an optometrist because I really wanted to work with and help people in a medical field and I have a family legacy in eye care. It has been a perfect career choice for me. I love building personal relationships with my patients and give them my full attention and the time and expertise that they deserve. In my spare time, I enjoy: Hiking, backpacking, painting and music.

Undergraduate Education: The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Science; The Ohio State University, Master of Science. Optometry School: The Ohio State University, 2016. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association, and the Ohio Optometric Association. Volunteers service through pediatric public health programs Realeyes and InfantSEE. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Pediatrics. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Seeing the smile on my patients' faces when they put on their new pair of glasses. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time outdoors with my husband and two girls.

Undergraduate Education: University of Wisconsin- Madison, B.S.- Biology & B.S.- Spanish; Optometry School: University of Houston College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Member of the American Optometric Association and the Wisconsin Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Won the 2014 National and State Alcon award for management of medically-necessary contact lenses, Bilingual in Spanish; What drives your passion for optometry? Improvement of patients quality of life. How are you helping patients live their best lives? Maintaining the health of their eyes, managing ocular disease, offering solutions for lifestyle activities. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you?The best care and focus I can provide, every time. How are you impacting your local community? Church small group serves with local projects. Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, hiking, fitness, international mission work, exploring Milwaukee with husband and two daughters.

Undergraduate Education: Missouri State University; Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Optometry School: University of Missouri - Saint Louis College of Optometry 2020. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the American Optometric Association; Member of the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Certified to fit CooperVision MiSight Myopia Management contact lenses. The reason I became an optometrist is: I believe vision is our most valuable sense! It's an incredible blessing to be able to preserve and protect vision every day, while teaching patients about their eyes along the way. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Knowing they are living their best lives by feeling and seeing their best. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my husband, Matt and our dog, Nellie! I also enjoy running, biking, working puzzles, and binge-watching new TV shows.

Dr. Edward Zikoski, F.A.A.O. is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Optometry, the New Jersey State Board of Optometry, and the National Board of Optometry. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association, the Pennsylvania Optometric Association, the Bucks/Mont Optometric Society, and the National Board of Optometric Examiners. He is an adjunct clinical professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. In that capacity, he teaches clinical skills to first-year Optometry students. He also is a guest lecturer at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He has written numerous articles for Optometric magazines and is on the advisory board of The Laser Center. He specializes in children and adults with special needs. His areas of expertise include ocular pathology and contact lenses.