Dr. Yang-Williams completed her Doctorate of Optometry degree with honors at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and her postdoctoral residency in cornea and contact lenses at the Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She served as a staff optometrist and clinical instructor at Omni Eye Specialists, a secondary and tertiary care center in Baltimore, Maryland before completing a 2-year glaucoma fellowship with Dr. Howard Barnebey at Specialty Eye Care Center in Seattle. Dr. Yang-Williams was a consulting optometrist at Northwest Eye Surgeons PC, a surgical co-management practice in Puget Sound, from 1999 to 2007. She joined Roosevelt Vision in 2007 when she and colleague, Dr. Laura Kompkoff sought a way to balance clinical practice and family life.

The diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, including new perimetric technology and optic nerve head imaging as well as disease management through the development of new medications and surgical techniques, is the focus of Dr. Yang-Williams’ research. She has published numerous articles and several book chapters on glaucoma and ocular disease management is a contributing editor for Review of Optometry, and a member of the Editorial Review Board for Optometry Times. Dr. Yang-Williams has lectured on minor surgical procedures and ocular disease topics to local, state, and national audiences. She is a member of the adjunct clinical faculty of Pacific University College of Optometry, Forest Grove, Oregon.

Dr. Yang-Williams is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association and Optometric Physicians of Washington. She was selected as the Young OD of the Year for Washington State in 2004. She represents the King County Society as a Board member for the Optometric Physicians of Washington. She is also a member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS).

Dr. Yang-Williams enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters sailing in the Puget Sound area as well as gardening and yoga when the opportunity arises!
 

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE AN OPTOMETRIST?

From a young age, I needed glasses myself. It was always amazing to me what a difference that having a clear vision made to the quality of my life and how I could engage in the world around me when I was able to see more clearly. Now, I have the privilege of being to help others to optimize their visual potential through glasses or contacts or by collaborating with other providers who have the same goal for our patients.
 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR OCCUPATION?

What I love most about my occupation is the opportunity to connect to my patients and learn about what makes them unique. Knowing more about who they are as individuals helps me to customize my recommendations in a way that is distinctive for the way that they live their lives: work, home life, family, sports, arts, or music, etc.
 

WHO INSPIRED YOU OR WHO DID YOU LOOK UP TO?

I was inspired by my parents to work hard and to continually be learning. The example they had set through their dedication to family and work ethic motivates me every day. I strive to help my patients obtain what they need visually to be successful in their lives and work to help them achieve their visual goals. I am committed to life-long learning and incorporating new technologies and treatments for a better quality of life.
 

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOST PATIENTS DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

My patients might not know that I am an avid gardener and love to spend time in the yard growing all sorts of plants. I grow six species of blueberries and raise mason bees to pollinate the plants in our garden and neighboring yards. I am a fan of edible landscaping and enjoy nurturing the vegetable garden.
 

WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION?

My favorite vacations have been our sailing trips with our family to the San Juan and Gulf Islands. We have had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, watching meteor showers and exploring quiet anchorages and natural phenomena like bioluminescence.