BY M E R E D I T H K N I G H T / P H OTO BY L A U R E N M E D E A N
FIR ST EY ECARE NO RT H A R L I N GTO N
Vanessa Nguyen, OD and Gayle Karanges, OD It can be fascinating to see two ver y d if ferent jou r neys converge on one vocation. It was that way for Drs. Vanessa Nguyen and Gayle Karanges. Gayle grew up obsessed with all-thing-horses. “I competed in equestrian events since the age of five,” she said. “I taught riding lessons and realized I love helping people. I also have a fascination with the workings of the human body.” So, healthcare was a natural path for Gayle. Vanessa was born in Vietnam but left, as a baby, to embark upon a harrowing
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journey that took her family from their home countr y to a refugee camp—for two years—before finally arriving in the US. “The stereotype about Asian parents wanting their kids to become doctors is true,” she said. “My parents hoped I’d go to med school. But it wasn’t for me.” Optometry, however, was a perfect fit. At First Eyecare in Arlington, the two go beyond basic eye exams and prescribing g l a s s e s a nd cont ac t s . “ We conduc t thorough eye exams, spending extensive time evaluating each patient’s vision and how their general health affects their eyes long term,” Dr. Karanges said. “With full diagnostic capabilities, we can detect conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions, during their eye exam.” Drs. Karanges and Nguyen partner with primary care physicians to co-manage patients w ith medical conditions affecting their eyes. “We’re a full medical practice diagnosing and treating ocular diseases,” Dr. Ng uyen said. “We can evaluate diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, keratoconus, eye infections, and more.” First Eyecare also offers non-invasive, in-office cosmetic procedures such as eyelash extensions, lash lift, microblading, a n d T her m i E ye . “ E ve r yon e s h ou l d
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june 2019
feel good about their appearance,” Dr. Karanges said. “We’re thrilled to be able to help in that area.” A hallmark of the First Eyecare practice is the time the doctors invest simply listening to their patients. “We don’t just hear what the patients are saying but listen to what, how, and why,” Dr. Nguyen said. “Being able to connect with our patients is the first step in building a good relationship and establishing trust in our care.” Looking back Drs. Nguyen and Karanges bot h rea lize how blessed t hey were to have moms who set an example of hard work while putting families first. “My mom a lways told me I cou ld do anything I set my mind on,” Dr. Karanges said. “You can have a family and have a successf ul career too. She was my strongest advocate.” “As a child I didn’t realize how hard my parents worked to make a better life for their five kids,” Dr. Nguyen said. “But now it pushes me to do everything I can to make them proud.” And both women are passionate about empowering the next generation. “You can have it all, if you’re willing to work hard,” Dr. Karanges said. “Be passionate about your work and it won’t feel like work at all.”