Meet Our Doctors

Joseph Aschenbrenner, O.D. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1985 and earned his Pre-Med Bachelor of Science from Lewis University. Dr. Aschenbrenner is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Illinois Optometric Association, and the Volunteer Optometric Service for Humanity (VOSH).

In practice since 1985, Dr. Aschenbrenner has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Bausch and Lomb Contact Lens Outstanding Achievement Award and the Syntax Contact Lens Award.

Dr. Aschenbrenner enjoys the challenge of designing lenses for patients with unique and complex prescriptions. In addition, he provides laser refractive care, low vision care, pre- and post-operative surgical care, treatment of ocular disease care and myopia control. He is dedicated to offering his patients the best possible vision care and does so by staying current with today’s technological advancements in the optometry field.

Outside of the office, Dr. Aschenbrenner volunteers his time locally through the Barrington Lions Club, and internationally as a longtime member of VOSH, by providing eyecare services, exams, and glasses to patients in need.

Lisa Kowar, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science in Visual Science from the Illinois College of Optometry and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University. Dr. Kowar is an active member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association, the American Optometric Association, the Illinois Optometric Association, and the Optometric Extension Program.

With decades of experience, Dr. Kowar focuses on caring for the visual and eye health needs of her patients across all age ranges. In addition to comprehensive eye health exams, Dr. Kowar also provides pre- and post-operative care for patients with cataracts and refractive surgery procedures. In addition, Dr. Kowar is certified in the treatment of myopia.

Dr. Kowar enjoys solving her patients’ individual vision-related issues as well as providing additional expertise in the areas of specialty contact lens fittings and visual rehabilitation.

Dr. Toshio Nakajima received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University in 1987. A native of Japan, Dr. Nakajima also completed an optometry and ophthalmic optics program in Japan prior to optometry school in the United States.

After graduation from Indiana University, Dr. Nakajima returned to Japan to teach clinical optometry and optics. After one year, he returned to practice full-scope optometry in the United States. He and Dr. Penner opened Elgin Family Eye Care in 1989. For over 30 years, he has been seeing patients and managing the day-to-day operations of the practice.

Dr. Nakajima is a decades-long member of the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association. In his free time, Dr. Nakajima enjoys spending time with his children as well as jogging, tennis, and computer programming.

Dr. Michael Kennedy did his undergraduate work at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he received a Bachelor of Sciences in Biology. He then received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry, where he graduated with Beta Sigma Kappa honors.

During his optometric training, he served as a class representative and Executive President of Student Council, and had the honor of being named to the Gold Key Optometric honor society. At Ohio State, he was named Student Leader of the Year, Junior of the Year, and Senior of the Year. At his graduation commencement, he had the honor of receiving the Lyle A. Gassmann Memorial Award.

​Prior to joining Elgin Family Eye Care in 2008, Dr. Kennedy gained invaluable experience working for years as an optometric technician in Naperville, IL as well as during optometry school in Columbus, OH. Dr. Kennedy is an active member of both the American Optometric Association and Illinois Optometric Association. He is an alumnus of the Epsilon Psi Epsilon optometric fraternity.

Dr Kennedy practices full-scope optometry, but has a particular interest in contact lenses and eye disease, especially dry eye and corneal disease. He also manages glaucoma, keratoconus, and retinal disease. He takes pride in spending time with his patients, so that together they can find successful treatment options that may not have been considered in the past. Dr Kennedy enjoys making personal connections with his patients and watching families grow year after year.

Dr. Susan M. Penner, O.D. earned her optometry degree with honors from Indiana University in 1987. Dr. Penner was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometry Honor Society and earned the Irvin M. Borish Optometry Award and the Bausch & Lomb Practice Initiation Award

Dr. Penner entered private practice in Mt. Morris in 1987. She and Dr. Nakajima established Elgin Family Eye Care in 1989. In September of 2007, Dr. Penner opened EyeCare Dimensions in Byron, and in June of 2010, the Mt. Morris office merged with EyeCare Dimensions.

Dr. Penner is intimately involved in the management of Elgin Family Eye Care, but sees patients on a daily basis at EyeCare Dimensions in Byron, IL. For more information about that office, go to eyecaredimensions.com.

Outside the office, Dr. Penner is an accomplished keyboard musician, and enjoys theater and her 4 kids Marisa, Erik, Anna, and Naomi.

Dr. Kittle has over 38 years of experience caring for patient’s vision and the health of their eyes. He was born and raised in Rockford, where his father worked at Sundstrand for over 35 years. He enjoys writing and photography, and is very active in the Christian community having pastored a local church for more than eight years.

Dr. Kittle did his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, and entered Illinois College of Optometry to pursue his medical training as one of only five early enrollment candidates. There, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Science in 1980 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1981.

Dr. Kittle resides in Rockford with his wife, Gini, and their son, Benjamin. Doctor Kittle especially enjoys children’s vision and advanced contact lens design, and cares for patients from birth through adulthood. He focuses on primary eye care including the prescribing of eyeglasses and contacts, and the diagnosis and management of eye disease.

Dr. Anderson has over 40 years of experience as a practicing Optometrist. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University. He pursued his Optometric training and was awarded his doctorate at Indiana University School of Optometry. He holds certification on competency-based examination in the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease from THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY. He is a charter member of the American Optometric Association Contact Lens Section.

Dr. Anderson is very active in his church and Men’s Community Bible Study. Dr. Anderson joined Primary Eye Care Centers in March of 2014. His favorite part of practicing Optometry is helping people see life clearly.

​Dr. Anderson and his wife, Ann, live in Rockford and have two children and 3 grandchildren. Dr. Anderson enjoys sports and spending time with his family.

Dr. Priyanka Patel was born in the Chicago suburbs and was drawn to the eye profession due to her own early onset of near-sighted prescription. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, she graduated with a Dual Degree in Biological Sciences and General Psychology. She then went on to earn her doctorate at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry where she received honors in her clinical rotations.

Dr. Patel values practicing as a family doctor with eye care that evolves as you and your family grow. She also recognizes the impact technology and screen time have in our fast-paced world and seeks to provide patients the best glasses and contacts for comfortable computer use. Finally, as we age, our eyes also age. Dr. Patel applies her valuable expertise treating diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other ocular conditions. She especially appreciates the opportunity to educate her patients on the connection between ocular and systemic health, as well as how to keep your precious eyes healthy for life.

In her free time, Dr. Patel loves traveling the world with her husband and aims to visit as many wonders as possible. She is active in the profession of optometry as a member of the Illinois Optometric Association and American Optometric Association.

Dr. Hill has over 40 years of experience as a practicing Optometrist. He was awarded his Doctor of Optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry in 1974. He holds certification on competency-based examination in the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease from THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BOARDS OF EXAMINERS IN OPTOMETRY. Dr. Hill began his optometric career in Dixon, IL. He then moved to Rockford starting his own practice in 1978.

Dr. Hill joined Primary Eye Care Centers in March of 2014. Dr. Hill enjoys being able to help people, and to help people see in a painless process. Dr. Hill and his wife, Pam, have four children. He and his family live in Rockton, IL. Some of Dr. Hill’s interests include, camping, boating, water skiing, and spending time with his family.

Praksha Butala, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry and earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Butala’s love for helping people of all ages led her to become an optometrist where she makes an impact on her patients by helping them see better. Dr. Butala especially loves educating her patients on how systemic conditions can affect their ocular health and seeing their reactions when they get their first pair of glasses or contact lenses.

When Dr. Butala isn’t caring for patients, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, exploring new restaurants, cooking, and baking.

Shrey Patel, O.D. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. He earned his Bachelor of Liberal Arts, majoring in Biology, from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Dr. Patel completed his residency in the management of ocular diseases and urgent care at Northern Indiana Health Care System (VA Hospital) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
When Dr. Patel is not treating patients, he enjoys sports and music.

Sung Kim, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. She completed her undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Kim’s clinical externship was at the University of Chicago Ophthalmology Department, Battle Creek VA Ophthalmology Department, and Vision Care Specialists (CIBA Vision). She is a board-certified optometrist specializing in the areas of ocular disease treatment, specialty contact lens fitting, pediatric eye care, orthokeratology, and color vision correction.

Dr. Kim has a passion for collaborating with patients and helping them to see better. She offers comprehensive LASIK consultation and co-manages after LASIK procedures. Dr. Kim will offer the highest quality eye care with the state-of-the art latest technology to evaluate patients’ eyes.

When she is not treating patients, Dr. Kim enjoys traveling and spending time with her three children, friends, and her husband.

Lisha Patel, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Patel specializes in contact lenses and says that what inspired her to become an optometrist was that she had some optometrists in her family and she became interested in the field at a very young age. She enjoys the patient interaction and being able to help people see and make a difference in their quality of life.

When she is not treating patients, Dr. Patel enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her husband.

Charlene Morfoot, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry where she received honors in her clinical rotations. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Finally, she completed a year of post-graduate training in ocular disease at Omni Eye Services in New Jersey and New York.

While performing thorough comprehensive eye examinations, Dr. Morfoot focuses on the diagnosis and management of eye disease. Her professional interests include fitting specialty contact lenses, glaucoma and surgical co-management. She particularly enjoys teaching her patients about the newest innovations in contact lens technology.

Since she was a young child, Dr. Morfoot has been interested in optometry. She became her eye doctor’s youngest contact lens patient in first grade at age 6. Dr. Morfoot has been in practice and providing eyecare in the Northwest suburbs since 2007.
Dr. Morfoot resides in Huntley with her husband, two daughters and two Dobermans. In her free time, she enjoys running, cycling, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Deerfield Office President & Medical Director, Comprehensive Medical Eye Care, Complex Contact Lens Management, Keratoconus Management.

S. Barry Eiden, OD, FAAO, FSLS received his Doctor of Optometry from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry where he also earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology.

Dr. Eiden completed his residency in Ocular Disease Management at the Illinois College of Optometry in affiliation with the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center and the Westside Veterans Administration Medical Center in 1982 and 1983, respectively.

Before he founded North Suburban Vision Consultants in 1990, Dr. Eiden was a full-time assistant clinical professor at the SUNY College of Optometry and Chief of Primary Eye Care Services from 1984 to 1989.

Dr. Eiden specializes in anterior segment disease management with special emphasis in keratoconus and corneal ectasia, advanced contact lens management, and ocular surface disease/dry eye management.

His interest in medical care “focused” into optometry as he came to understand the impact of visual dysfunction and ocular disease on patients. “Seeing how we can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life made the choice to practice optometry an easy one,” says Dr. Eiden. He enjoys having the ability to provide advanced care to patients and impacting their lives in a positive and dramatic way daily.

When he is not treating patients, Dr. Eiden finds great interest in playing golf and the guitar. He is also a wine enthusiast and is a Level One sommelier.

Deerfield Office Low Vision Rehabilitation: Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma Management.

Carol Barron, O.D., F.A.A.O. received her Doctor of Optometry from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry in 1981, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to beginning her private practice optometry career, Dr. Barron was full-time in academy as Assistant Professor at the SUNY College of Optometry. She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Northwestern University Medical Center.

Dr. Barron’s mother developed a genetic eye disease that resulted in her legal blindness. From that experience, Dr. Barron decided at a young age that she wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of those who suffer from vision loss. Dr. Barron specializes in low vision rehabilitation, and especially values the positive impact she has on her patients’ quality of life based on the expert and thorough eye care services she provides.

In her free time away from the office, Dr. Barron enjoys cooking, learning about wine appreciation, and exercising, but mostly loves spending quality time with her family.

Dr. Raphaella Tran is an associate at North Suburban Vision Consultants. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Illinois Optometric Association. She completed her Molecular and Cellular undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She furthered her studies graduating summa cum laude at the University of Houston College of Optometry, where she also completed her Masters of Science in Physiological Optics and Vision Science. Her area of study and research for her Masters degree was in Myopia Management. She has presented her work at the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology conferences. Dr. Tran specializes in myopia management, dry eye disease and specialty contact lens services.

Deerfield OfficeComprehensive Family & Pediatric Eye Care, Vision Therapy/Binocular Vision Services.

Megan Allen, O.D., FAAO received her Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana University.

Specializing in pediatric vision care and binocular vision, Dr. Allen says she became an optometrist because she wanted to be a doctor, care for others and make a difference. She’s loved pediatric optometry since witnessing what a proper correction can do for the development of a young child. She is passionate about the science of the eye and the fact that much can be seen and diagnosed from a simple eye exam that can change a patient’s life.

Dr. Allen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). She educates future optometrists and enjoys working with symptomatic patients to improve their visual function through therapy, which in turn makes their vision better and more comfortable.

In her free time, Dr. Allen is a fitness fanatic and enjoys everything from barre and running to cycling and weights! She refers to her fitness activities as her meditation. She loves the arts, ballet, dance, and theater. Dr. Allen also enjoys traveling and trying new restaurants. She is a wife and mother of three beautiful girls who keep her on her toes.