Dr. Samuelson, based at the Newport Coast office, is a Southern California native with a strong academic and athletic background. After graduating with a degree in human biology from Stanford University, she showcased her talent on the women's basketball team for four years, reaching two Final Fours. Her pursuit of excellence continued as she earned her Doctorate of Optometry with Summa Cum Laude honors from the Southern California College of Optometry in 2020.
Dr. Samuelson gained diverse clinical experience through externships at Orange County Retina and Coastal Vision, where she honed her skills in managing both posterior and anterior segment diseases and addressing dry eye. She co-managed patients undergoing LASIK/PRK, post-cataract surgery, and corneal cross-linking referrals. Further expanding her expertise, she completed a rotation at the University Eye Center at Ketchum Health Los Angeles, focusing on pediatric vision care and fitting specialty contact lenses for irregular corneas. An externship at the Long Beach VA allowed her to treat veterans, emphasizing the management of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Dr. Samuelson is also glaucoma certified, certified by the national board, and licensed to use diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents. Her commitment to community service is evident through mission trips to Mexico, where she provided comprehensive eye exams and glasses and volunteered at the Special Olympics for eye screening exams.
Dr. Samuelson's passion for her work lies in building connections with her patients and delivering optimal eye care. Outside the office, she continues engaging in her love for basketball, playing with her younger sisters, Karlie and Katie Lou. Her diverse interests include tennis, walking her two black labradors, enjoying the beach, and exploring new travel destinations.