Dr. Brenda Coen earned her Bachelor of Science from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and went on to complete her Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

While pursuing her undergraduate studies, Dr. Coen realized she had an affinity for science and people. “Optometry became a place where I could combine two things I loved.” The joining of 2 loves created her strong commitment to the field of optometry, which can be seen through awards and specialties.

Awards:

• Outstanding Contact Lens Clinician – Bausch and Lomb 1990

• Outstanding Clinician – Alcon 1990

• Best of the Best Optometrist, Auburn, CA 2015

• Best of the Best Optometrist, Auburn, CA 2017

In practice for over 26 years, Dr. Coen has realized that every person has a story and specific visual needs. “The joy of what we do comes when we can learn both and help someone through their days”. As of August 2018, Dr. Brenda Coen will be exclusively practicing out of EYEcenter Optometric.

Specialties:

• Disease management

• Developmental Optometry

• Contact Lenses

• Dry Eye

She grew up in a small Midwestern town in Minnesota. “It was an idyllic childhood surrounded by family where we learned the value of hard work.” Her favorite days are spent taking care of family, friends, and home. She says it’s a “Midwestern” thing.

Dr. Coen met her husband, John, in optometry school. It was love at “third sight”. They have 3 boys together, one of whom battled pediatric cancer and now has a heavenly home. They loved and enjoyed being parents to their now handsome young men, working on their careers together, spending time with family and friends and being active in pediatric cancer research and causes.

Dr. Fuerst is a passionate and dedicated Optometrist who earned his Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) in 1983 from Pacific University College of Optometry. “My father founded our practice in May, 1960, which allowed me to further his work in vision therapy, add sports vision, and become involved in contact lens research. Dry Eye has become a passion due to the prevalence of the problem to my patient base, as well as it’s impact on laser vision correction patients and contact lens wearers.” “I’m reminded of a recent story that involved a mother bringing in her youngest son for academic learning concerns. She recounted that I’d seen her eldest son, when he was in 4th grade, twenty years ago, for vision therapy, and that it had helped him greatly. He just recently completed his residency, and is a practicing physician. I remarked that I was delighted to hear that in some small measure, I was able to contribute to his achieving his potential. She quickly remarked, ” No– it was not in a small measure. He was struggling in school, a non-reader, and you turned his world around!””

Dr. Fuerst spent his youth in suburban Sacramento County, hometown of Orangevale, CA. Married since 1980, to his wife to Shirlene, they raised three beautiful children together. Rachel, Ryan and Marissa have all graduated from college, and live on the west coast. “We love our time together during holidays and family celebrations.” You’ll find him bicycling, riding several thousand miles a year in the California foothills and Sierra Nevada, playing guitar and singing with a group, reading extensively, writing and attending church. He has some how found time to be on four patents, authored the book, Good to Go, published by Harper Collins and much more.

• California Young Optometrist of the Year 1991

• Sports Vision Specialist of the year, National Academy of Sports Vision (NASV) 1995

• Ran the Sports Vision Evaluation for the NBA Pre-Draft Physicals in Chicago, IL from 1994-1997

• Member, Bausch and Lomb Sports Vision Team, 1994 Pan Am Games physicals in Tampa Bay, FL

• Optometrist, Sacramento Kings, San Francisco 49ers and San Jose Sharks from 1988-2007

• Fellow, American Academy of Optometry (FAAO)

• President, Sacramento Valley Optometric Society 1991, 2012

• Chair, American Optometric Association Cornea and Contact Lens Section 2012

• AOA CLCS 2013 -“Legends” award winner for outstanding contact lens and dry eye specialists

• President Ocugenics, LLC (ophthalmic research company currently holding four patents)

• Member, Nuero-Optometric Rehabilitation Association

Dr. Coen knew at a young age what he wanted. “Being nearsighted as a child – I so enjoyed going to my local optometrist!! So from about 4th grade on I knew I wanted to be an optometrist”. He received his BA at California State University, Chico and Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) from the University of Missouri in St Louis. His 26 years in practice has led him to specialize in Contact Lenses and is an active member of both the American Optometric Association and California Optometric Association.

“Some of my favorite patients are those 40-45 years old, that don’t understand why their eyesight is changing and the many options of eye wear that are available to make their lives more comfortable. So many people tolerate poor vision until they start getting headaches and eyestrain.”

Dr. Coen was raised and attended high school in West Sacramento. He is currently living in Auburn with Wife, Brenda and sons, Jansen and Hayden. Their heavenly son, Connor, passed from cancer at the age of 8. In his spare time, you’ll find him running, going to the gym, watching sporting events and especially Mission work their family has been doing for the past 7 years.