We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Antonyan a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

When I first started out, I was doing rotations every three months. But then, I decided to settle down in LA—because who doesn’t love a good traffic jam, right? I started scouring the job listings for optometry offices, and within a week, I had interviews lined up. It was all happening so fast!

During one of the interviews, they asked if I was comfortable seeing patients. I took a deep breath, smiled confidently, and said, “Absolutely!” Even though inside, I was thinking, “Can I really handle this much, this soon?” But hey, fake it ’til you make it, right? At that point, I had this hefty quarter-million-dollar student loan debt looming over me, so I was super motivated.

My goals were clear: I wanted my own practice, to be my own boss, see my own patients, and take my time with each one. I wanted to genuinely help people improve their lives, not just churn through a high volume of patients for a paycheck.

But let me tell you, the back pain was real! Standing for hours on end, seeing patient after patient, I felt like I needed a chiropractor on speed dial. Despite that, I was thrilled with my first job. It was close to home, the money was good, and I learned a ton. Honestly, if I had the chance to work there again, especially if it were my own practice, I’d jump at it—mostly for the short commute!

Looking back, that first job was a fantastic experience. It was a whirlwind, but it set the stage for everything I wanted to achieve. And now, here I am, living the dream with my own practice, changing peoples lives for the better and loving every minute of it.

David, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello! My name is Dr. David Antonyan O.D, and I’m the CEO and President of Vivid Visions Optometry, Inc. in Valencia, CA. Growing up, I always had 20/20 vision, and every eye exam with multiple doctors confirmed that my vision was perfect. Despite this, I struggled with headaches, migraines, reading difficulties, anxiety, and balance issues throughout my childhood. These were often brushed off as ADHD or behavioral issues.

It wasn’t until later in life that I discovered I had Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD), which was causing all these symptoms. BVD occurs when the eyes don’t work together properly, leading to various symptoms even if each eye sees clearly, just like mine did. Common symptoms of BVD include headaches, dizziness, double vision, difficulty reading, anxiety, light sensitivity, and even neck pain. Once I figured out how to correct the issue with prism lenses, my symptoms disappeared! I was astounded to learn that around 90% of people with BVD go undiagnosed, living with symptoms they don’t realize are caused by their own eyes.

This revelation inspired me to open my own practice, Vivid Visions Optometry, Inc., where we take the time to diagnose and treat patients, helping them eliminate their everyday symptoms just like I did. What sets us apart is our comprehensive testing for BVD and our tailored solutions. Our evaluations take an hour to determine the best correction to change our patients’ lives for the better.

We also provide vision therapy and vision training online and in-office for similar conditions because we understand the significant impact vision has on mental health and behavior. I’m most proud of being able to eliminate issues that most doctors can’t resolve with medications—no more migraines, no more anxiety, no more balance issues, and improved performance in school and sports.

We’re also passionate about spreading awareness of BVD on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. Through engaging and informative content, we aim to educate our followers on how to acknowledge symptoms of BVD and learn that it can be effectively treated. My goal is to reach as many people as possible and make them aware that BVD is more common than everyone thinks. At Vivid Visions Optometry, Inc., we’re dedicated to helping our patients live their best lives, free from the symptoms that have held them back, and see their vivid future, right before their eyes!

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I believe passion is the most crucial element for succeeding in the field of optometry. My passion for optometry stems from a deep desire to help people, especially those suffering from Binocular Vision Dysfunction (BVD). There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a patient’s life transform when their debilitating symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and reading difficulties, are alleviated through proper diagnosis and treatment.

I genuinely care about my patients’ well-being and am driven by the goal of improving their quality of life. This passion fuels my dedication to staying current with the latest advancements in vision care and continuously refining my skills. It’s not just about being a “people-pleaser”; it’s about making a real, positive impact on people’s lives. Helping someone regain their balance, reduce anxiety, and excel in daily activities because of improved vision is what motivates me every day. At Vivid Visions Optometry, Inc., this passion and commitment to patient care is what sets us apart and drives our success.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Ah, the Great Walmart Flood of 2023 – probably one of the worst days I’ve experienced as an optometrist to date. Last year, while practicing at Walmart, I got a call that turned my world upside down. The sprinklers had malfunctioned overnight, and everything in my office was flooded. I wasn’t notified until five hours after the sprinklers went off, so you can imagine my reaction when I walked into an office I didn’t recognize.

Picture this: multiple trash buckets filled with water, still dripping from the ceiling where parts had collapsed, floors submerged in several inches of water, and my machines and computers completely ruined. The view was horrifying – everything I had worked for was now soaked and getting moldier by the day. I had to make the biggest decision of my career: work for someone else or go bigger. So, I went bigger.

I got my own office space, bought new materials, and despite the added debt and stress (since no one was covering “the flood”), I pushed through. Now, here I am, six months into my new space with new materials, no water damage, no mold, and making people’s BVD symptoms disappear while being my own boss. It was hard, but looking back, it was absolutely worth it. Every day, I get to help people and run my own practice, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vividvisionsoptometry.com/
• Instagram: @vividvisionsoptometry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vividvisionsoptometryinc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivid-visions-optometry-inc-29b903305/
• Twitter: @vividvisionsopt
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vividvisionsoptometryinc
• Yelp: https://www.facebook.com/vividvisionsoptometryinc

Image Credits

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