Dr. Kelli Bruce is an optometrist at Opticare Vision Center’s Kentucky offices. Originally from Harrison, Ohio, she earned degrees in Sociology and Biology from the University of Cincinnati and graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry in May 2023.
Her passion for eye care began in childhood when an eye exam revealed her severe nearsightedness. The experience of receiving her first pair of glasses inspired her to pursue a career in optometry. During her studies, Dr. Bruce was recognized for her research on the impact of OCT technology in diagnosing and treating ocular diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Dr. Bruce has a personal connection with Opticare Vision Center, having worked as a technician in the Newport office and been a lifelong patient. Today, Dr. Bruce helps patients of all ages address various ocular conditions. Outside work, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs and cat.
Dr. Hollie Hogarth is an optometrist at the Kentucky branches of Opticare Vision Centers. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Northern Kentucky University. In May of 2024 she graduated with her Doctorate of Optometry from the Kentucky College of Optometry. Her externships included primary care and ocular disease at the Cincinnati VA, primary care at Metzger Eye Care, and various specialties of expanded therapeutic procedures, contact lenses, pediatrics, and low vision rehabilitation at the Dr. Jerald F. Combs Eye Clinic in Pikeville, KY. She is a northern KY native from Butler, KY.
During her academic career, she served as Membership Chairperson for the The Lions Club and participated in volunteer opportunities as well as fundraising events to fund a mobile eye care unit. She is also a member of the Kentucky Optometric Association. Having provided eye care to the underserved populations of Eastern KY is what inspires her to give utmost, quality care to all patients of all ages.
In her free time, Dr. Hogarth enjoys playing tennis, reading suspense novels, and spending time with her family.
A 1983 Cum Laude graduate of The Ohio State University College of Optometry,
Dr. Sellers holds a Doctor of Optometry and Master of Science degree. He joined
Opticare in 1984 and specializes in ocular disease management and complete
family eye care.
Dr. Sellers and his wife Beverly have lived in Fort Thomas since 1994 were they
have raised their 2 children Noah and Betsy. Betsy started Optometry school in
2023 at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and will follow in her
father’s footsteps after graduation in 2027.
In his spare time Dr. Sellers enjoys golf, Ohio State sports (especially football), FC Cincinnati soccer and spending time learning about financial planning for retirement.
Area of Specialization: Contact lens fitting and ocular disease evaluation and
management.
A word from Dr. Sellers: I am proud to have been a part of Opticare for 40 years
providing complete family eye care to Northern Kentucky and the Cincinnati area.
The roots of Newport Opticare date back to the mid 1920’s when Herman Itkoff,
the owner of Monmouth Jewelers at the time, became an optometrist.
He provided eye exams and eyeglasses until the 1940’s. In the mid 1940’s Dr.
Stratiger continued the optometry practice in Newport until the original founders
of Opticare, Dr. Ronald Cooke and Dr. George Landon, took over the practice in
1970.
All together our independent, family-owned optometry practice has served
Northern Kentucky for nearly 100 years. We treat your whole family like we
would want our own mother or grandmother treated.
Dr. Young received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. While at Ohio State, he also earned a Master of Science degree in Vision Science, focusing on the visual ability of athletes. His research on tracking a baseball during the pitch has led to ongoing eye movement studies on baseball players at Ohio State, conducted by Dr. Nicklaus Fogt and Dr. Aaron Zimmerman.
Originally from Portsmouth in Southern Ohio, Dr. Young played varsity baseball for four years at Earlham College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology.
Dr. Young specializes in pediatric eye exams and contact lens fitting, focusing on meeting athletes' visual needs. He also works closely with children to treat binocular vision disorders, such as convergence insufficiency and amblyopia (lazy eye). Since joining the team in 2009, Dr. Young has established a vision therapy clinic at the Newport office, providing comprehensive care and treatment for these conditions.
Publicity and Recognition:
- Appointed InfantSEE Advocate from Kentucky by the American Optometric Association (AOA) in September 2019
- Voted "Young Optometrist of the Year" by the Kentucky Optometric Association in April 2016
- Vision Monday Optometric Business Innovators in 2014
- Featured in 20/20 Magazine – Eyeing Online
- Featured in Review of Optometric Business – Aug 20-27, 2014
Memberships and Affiliations:
- American Optometric Association
- AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section
- AOA Sports Vision Section
- Kentucky Optometric Association
- Northern Kentucky Optometric Society
- ABO Certified Education Speaker (American Board of Opticianry)
- Member of the Fort Thomas Lions Club
- Earlham College Alumnus
- Earlham Baseball Alumni Club
- The Ohio State University Alumni Association
- The Ohio State University College of Optometry Alumni and Friends Society
A Word from Dr. Young: "I see patients of all ages, but I truly enjoy working with children and those with special needs. Seeing the kids in our Vision Therapy Program progress at each visit is very rewarding."
You can follow Dr. Young on Twitter (@youngeyedoc).
Dr. Kristin Gunn joined the Opticare team in 2017. She is a local from Milford, Ohio, and earned her Bachelors in Biological Sciences from The Ohio State University. After completing her studies, she went on to earn her Doctorate of Optometry from Indiana University.
During her academic tenure, Dr. Gunn founded the Indiana University Sports Vision Club and had the privilege of working with student athletes. Dr. Gunn has also worked with patients who have survived motor vehicle accidents and mild traumatic brain injuries, igniting her passion for vision rehabilitation. Dr. Gunn is an active member of The American Optometric Association, The Kentucky Optometric Association, and The AOA Sports & Performance Vision Advocacy Network.
Dr. Gunn specializes in treating post-concussion vision problems and fitting specialty contact lenses for corneal diseases and complex cases. Dr. Gunn is fully certified to fit MiSight® contact lenses by Coopervision for treating nearsighted children. When Dr. Gunn is not at the office, she loves hanging out with her dog and family, and she's always up for a game of sand volleyball.
Dr. Leah Akin completed her Doctor of Optometry degree at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN. Originally from Northern KY, she graduated cum laude from Thomas More College and currently resides in Erlanger with her dog, Pepper.
During her externships at SCO, Dr. Akin traveled to Alaska and Vermont for clinical training. She served as Vice President of Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH), traveling to Belize, Nicaragua, and Ecuador to provide eye care to underprivileged areas. Dr. Akin was also a student Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
She is a current member of the Kentucky Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association and serves on the Boone County Local Board of Health. Dr. Akin enjoys primary care optometry, specializing in pediatric exams and ocular disease management.
She loves to travel, work out at OrangeTheory Fitness, knit, and bake in her free time. Learn more about Dr. Akin in this blog post.