Our team of dedicated eye health professionals is here to serve you. We combine extensive knowledge in the field of optometry with a passion for helping people solve their vision problems. It is our mission to create a friendly and professional atmosphere that you can rely on for all of your eye health needs
Dr. Gene Sweetnam
Dr. Sweetnam earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University. He always had a fascination with the eyes in small part due to his own (lazy) eye surgery when he was 9. Dr. Sweetnam attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry where he earned his Doctor of Optometry Degree in 1992.
After graduation, Dr. Sweetnam received a commission as a Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps of the United States Navy. After nearly seven years on active duty, Dr. Sweetnam decided it was time to open his own office, and in January of 1999 he opened in the Tysons Corner Center in Mclean, Virginia.
After three years there Sweetnam moved his office to its current location in Burke, Virginia.
Dr. Sweetnam’s military decorations include: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, 3 awards, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation 2 awards, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Naval Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon 2 awards, the Marine Corps Expert Pistol Qualification, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon. He has also received numerous letters of commendation and appreciation. Dr. Sweetnam’s last tour in the Navy was at the United States Naval Academy where he became an expert on the visual standards of the military and in particular the Navy.
Dr. Sweetnam is a member of the American Optometric Association, Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society, the Virginia Optometric Association, the Northern Virginia Optometric Society, the Armed Forces Optometric Society, Association of Medical Service Corps Officers of the Navy, and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.
Dr. Grace Chang
Dr. Chang is originally from the Norfolk area and attended the University of Virginia majoring in Cognitive Science. She attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry now known as Salus University. Dr. Chang specializes in the treatment and management of ocular disease and fits all types of contact lenses. Her experience includes rotations in Pediatrics, Vision therapy and Ocular Disease at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.
Dr. Chang received numerous accolades and clinical honors.
Dr. Karen Jinyoung Kim
Dr. Karen Kim was born in Buchon, South Korea and immigrated to the United States where she was raised in Northern Virginia. She is bilingual in Korean and English. She attended Virginia Tech and earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in 2013. She then went on to attend Salus University (Pennsylvania College of Optometry) and graduated in 2019 earning her Doctor of Optometry Degree.
She worked in Optometry before attending Optometry School as an assistant and specialized in Ocular Disease and Low vision during her career as a student.
Dr. Kim joined the practice as a student during her rotation in her 3rd year of Optometry School and after graduating, joined the practice as an associate Doctor.
Dr. Kim loves spending time with her family especially her new born baby and taking long walks outside. Her areas of focus in the practice are broad spectrum primary eye care, Ocular Surface Disease and Contact lenses.
She is currently a member of Northern Virginia Optometric Society and Virginia Optometric Association.