Welcome
Things ya gotta know
Information About
Welcome
Things ya gotta know
Information About
History of Our Practice
Our patients make our history special! Over the years, our patients seem more like family than patients and this is what makes us enjoy what we do and our days go by so quickly! Our present building on Indian Hill Blvd was designed exclusively for our optometry practice in 1984. Many years have passed since Dr. Johannsen purchased the practice in March, 1989 from the estate of the late Dr. Castleberry. She invested both time and resources to computerize and re-model the office. Dr. Baggarly joined the practice in 1990 and a partnership was formed in April, 1994. The Claremont Optometry Group was born and has enjoyed steady growth. Today it is respected as one of the most technically advanced and skilled optometric practices in Southern California.
Practice Philosophy
It is the purpose of our office to deliver the highest quality vision care to our patients. Our genuine enthusiasm and excellent service combine to create happy and healthy patients who return for recommended follow-up care and refer family and friends to our office. Our patients usually find us because someone was kind enough to recommend us. We appreciate this confidence and trust and we take our responsibility to live up to this trust very seriously. We strive to treat all patients with sincere kindness, courtesy, respect and fairness.
Our practice prides itself on delivering eye care with a personal touch. We work as a team to make our office a welcoming environment.
Continuing Education
As the saying goes, "You are only as strong as your weakest link." Our practice puts an emphasis on continuing education to perpetually expand our knowledge base. Everyone is expected to strive to be the best that they can be, because every staff member plays a role in the success of the practice. For this reason we encourage all staff members to seek certification through the American Optometric Association's National Paraoptometric Registry. Our Opticians are certified by the American Board of Opticians (ABO) and the Nation Board of Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE).
Community Responsibility
Our Practice has participated in various health screenings for the Red Cross and we participate in nation-wide service projects helping the working class poor like Vision USA and Mission Cataract. Dr. Johannsen is a Past-President the Southern California College of Optometry Alumni Association and served four years on the College's Board of Directors. She presently serves as President of the Inland Empire Optometric Society, The Board of Directors for the Recording For The Blind and Dyslexic and on The Laser Center (TLC) Advisory Board. Dr. Baggarly is a Past President of the Inland Empire Optometric Society and was nominated for the California Optometric Association's Young O.D. of the Year Award. He also sits on the Advisory Board for TLC Laser Center. Dr. Baggarly is the only optometrist in the area to maintain hospital staff privileges and assists during pediatric cataract surgeries at San Antonio Community Hospital. The practice is a member of the Claremont Chamber of Commerce, Claremont Educational Foundation and the Claremont Community Foundation.
For further information on our doctors many awards and community service activities you may view each doctors Curriculum Vitae:
- View: Dr. Baggarly's CV pdf
- View: Dr. Johannsen's CV pdf
What is an Optometrist?
Optometrists perform 85% of the primary eyecare in the United States. Our education includes a Bachelor of Science degree followed by four additional years of Optometry School and the degree Doctor of Optometry. (O.D.) A one year residency in a specialty field is optional. Each year all optometrists must attend continuing education courses to maintain their license. Optometrists are specifically educated, trained and licensed to examine the eye and surrounding structures for the purpose of prescribing eyewear or contact lenses. The optometrist can also diagnose all eye health disorders and can prescribe topical or oral medication to treat eye disease. The optometrist can utilize orthoptics, or vision therapy to remediate visual skills and can fit low vision devices to aid the partially sighted patient.
The optometrist is the entry level, primary eye care provider for any problem with the eye or visual system. We work closely with ophthalmologists who are medical doctors specializing in the treatment of eye disease with medication and / or surgery. We often co-manage cataract and laser refractive surgery patients to provide more comprehensive care.