EyeJoy Doctors
Nice to see you here! Meet the doctors who believe everyone deserves to see 20/happy.
Dr. Catherine Park, Optometrist
UT Austin (Plan II Honors Program, Dedman Distinguished Scholar)
University of Houston (Doctor of Optometry)
My favorite city is... No surprise that it’s Austin, where I've lived for over 20 years and met my husband while we were students at UT. My favorite place to vacation is Maui, but I could never live full-time on an island. I'm a Texan, through and through.
Favorite foods? Dumplings. And traditional donuts—the kind that are amazing with just the simple glaze. Fancy donuts are delicious too but I feel like they stop being donuts when the toppings could pass as a dessert all on their own. My parents owned a donut shop in Dallas. I’m biased, but they had the best donuts in town.
Did you always want to be an optometrist? Growing up, I considered dermatology. My plan was to enroll in a BA/MD program after high school but changed my mind at the last minute when UT offered me a full scholarship. I ending up in banking after I graduated. I wasn't happy in the financial world so I made the switch to optometry, a decision I’m grateful to have made. There’s an art to finding the perfect prescription, and it’s rewarding to know that refining a prescription can have such an impact on someone’s life. I’m thankful to be a part of that process.
What are your hobbies? I dodge cooking as much as I can but I enjoy baking—scones, kolaches and more. One of my biggest regrets is not getting my dad’s donut recipe before he passed away unexpectedly so I’ve been tweaking my own recipe for years, trying to capture the taste I grew up with.
How did you come up with the name EyeJoy? It was the summer of 2008. The financial market had crashed and I couldn’t get a loan to open my practice. I started out in a tiny 500 square feet location a few miles from our current location. I had to cut costs where I could. The sign company was charging by the letter so I came up with the shortest name I could while having the word “eye” in it.
What brings you joy? 80s music, first sip of morning coffee, watching football without the stress of my team playing and rooting for the underdog when they pull off a win. And of course, the little random joys like when my youngest remembers to check if his socks are inside out before tossing them in the hamper.
Dr. Michelle Le, Optometrist
Brown University (Bachelor of Science)
State University of New York College of Optometry (Doctor of Optometry)
Where did you live before Austin? Before settling in Austin, I lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Mexico. I got to experience the colorful foliage and coastal charm of the Northeast, the vibrant energy of NYC, and the mystical landscapes of the Southwest. After finishing residency, I made the spontaneous decision to move to Texas. I believe it was the universe conspiring to help me meet my husband. Now, Austin is home!
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? If language wasn’t a barrier, I’d love to meet Evgeniya Kanaeva, the former Russian rhythmic gymnast. Her graceful performances were mesmerizing—she made the most difficult skills and complex choreography look effortless. She was a true pioneer in her sport and seems like a uniquely special, humble soul.
One of my favorite books is... The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It’s a powerful book about purpose, personal journeys, and connecting to the “Soul of the World.” There are so many beautiful pearls throughout the book, and I discover something new each time I re-read it. I’m also a fan of Rumi’s poetry and the works of Rupi Kaur.
Did you always know you wanted to be an optometrist? I first considered it in high school. During college, I also considered careers in dance, medical illustration, and teaching, but ultimately, I found my way back to optometry. I love this profession because it allows me to connect with people, help them see better, and give them a deeper understanding of their eyes.
What do you like to do when you're not working? I love exploring plant nurseries, relaxing in coffee shops, and catch up with friends. I take a lot of acrobatic classes at a local circus school. I always look forward to date nights with my husband, and lately, we've been enjoying themes like visiting local bookstores and libraries.
What brings you joy? feeling free and weightless in movement, seeing sunlight light up the tree, and being surrounded by creative and thoughtfully designed spaces.
Dr. Jessica Tran, Optometrist
University of Houston (Bachelor of Science)
Illinois College of Optometry (Doctor of Optometry)
What story does your family always tell about you? My 5 year old daughter will make sure that everyone knows that her eye doctor mama thwacked her straight in the eye, full force, with a pickleball. In my defense, she was in the way.
I am best known to my family for... knowing exactly where something is and knowing every single detail on what we are doing, when, where, how and why from now until 2034. I am also best known for always having all the snacks for everyone and their moms (my fellow mamas need love and snacks too).
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party? I could give you the famous people version but a more realistic dream dinner party would be pretty small since large groups overwhelm my introverted soul. I guess that’s why I work in a profession that is one on one. I would invite my beloved late ông ngoại (Vietnamese for maternal grandfather) so he could meet my husband and kids. I’d also have my beloved Rottweiler, Banksy at the dinner party.
My favorite city is… NYC. We moved to Austin from NYC in 2019 to settle our roots and raise our family in a city that we love. I’m a born and bred Texan but my heart will always be in NYC. There’s a magical energy, vibrant pulse and beautiful diversity that I miss. We lived in Sunnyside, Queens. I also miss walking everywhere.
Did you always know you wanted to be an optometrist? I grew up loving photography, painting and the visual arts. I also love caring for people. I am grateful that this naturally led me to pursue a profession that helps people see this beautiful world as best as they possibly can.
What do you like to do when you're not working? I love weekend road trips, roller skating, photography, floral design, live music, and searching for the best margaritas in all the land.
What brings you joy? the color turquoise, a beautiful sunset, my daughters’ hearty hugs, watermelon, crisp and cool air (without mosquitos!), and when my plants don’t die.
