MEET OUR OPTOMETRISTS

Eye care professionals specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as diseases and conditions that affect your vision—many of which do not always have obvious symptoms. Eye doctors know how age and risk factors affect vision over time for young and old, and they understand the benefits and features of corrective lenses, both as eyeglass lenses and contact lenses.

Our optometrists take the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and listen to your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, we encourage you to ask questions and share your health information, which could be vital to monitoring, diagnosing, and treating potential vision problems.

GREG HICKS, O.D.

Dr. Gregory W. Hicks graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1984. He completed an additional clinical study in vision therapy and pediatric vision care at The State University of New York State College of Optometry.

Dr. Hicks serves as an Associate Clinical Professor at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and he has fourth-year optometry externs work alongside him daily. He has practiced full time at Family Eye Care Centers in Sandusky, Huron and Clyde, Ohio since 1990. Dr. Hicks has special interests in the care of infants and children as well as binocular vision and learning related visual problems, but he enjoys working with patients of all ages.

Dr. Hicks is very involved in the professional optometric community including the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA) and American Optometric Association (AOA). He served as president of the OOA in 2000 and was the OOA Optometrist of the Year in 2004. He also serves as the AOA appointed member on the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) which is the only accrediting body of the professional optometric degree (O.D.) programs, optometric residency programs, and optometric technician programs. In 2005 Dr. Hicks was awarded the first Dr. W. David Sullins Jr American Optometric Association InfantSee Award for his role in promoting infant eye care issues on a national and community basis.

Dr. Hicks plays an active role in numerous public service and community organizations such as the Sandusky Rotary Club, Erie County Chamber of Commerce, Erie County United Way, OSU Alumni Club of Erie County and the Boy Scouts of America. He currently resides in Sandusky, Ohio with his wife Vicky. They have three children: Jeremy, Cassie, and Jonathan. He enjoys golf, water sports, and the Ohio State Buckeyes!

Dr. Hicks is available to see patients in Sandusky and Huron.

HEATHER DEMOS, O.D.

Dr. Heather Demos completed her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University receiving her Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She then attended Illinois College of Optometry graduating with both her Doctor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science in Visual Science in 1999.

Dr. Demos joined Family Eye Care Centers as an associate doctor in 1999 and became a partner in the practice in 2002. Professionally she is a member of both the Ohio and American Optometric Associations. She is part of the Ohio State affiliated faculty as a clinical instructor and is a past president of the Ohio State Alumni Club. She is an industry consultant and enjoys both her clinical care and practice management roles in the practice.

She currently resides in Huron with her husband Scott, who is a teacher at Huron Schools. They have two wonderful sons, Stephen and Danny, two spoiled dogs, Sophie and Norm and a tortoise named Ned. The family enjoys golf, football, boating, music, outdoor activities and are avid Ohio State and Cleveland sports fans.

The family loves living in Huron and have been actively involved in many aspects of the community over their 20 years of residence. Currently Doctor Demos is a longtime board member and incoming President of the Huron Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Demos is available to see patients of all ages at both the Huron and Clyde locations.

JANEL STRAH, O.D.

Dr. Janel Strah completed her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University where she graduated with honors, earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Women’s Studies. Dr. Strah went on to graduate from The Ohio State University in June 2015 with her Doctorate of Optometry.

Dr. Strah joined Family Eye Care Centers in January of 2016. The former Dr. ElAmin married her husband Jon in October 2016 The Strahs enjoy taking their pug for walks and consider themselves foodies and movie buffs. They recently moved to Huron and are looking forward to becoming involved in the community.

Dr. Strah is a member of the Ohio Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, as well as The Ohio State Alumni Association.

Dr. Strah is available to see patients in Clyde and Sandusky.

Dr. Zysik, O.D.

Dr. Julie Zysik received her Doctor of Optometry magna cum laude from the New England College of Optometry in 1994 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Zysik successfully completed clinical rotations at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, the VA Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, and the Eye Foundation of Utah, an ocular disease referral center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dr. Zysik’s optometry career began in a group ophthalmology/optometry practice in Massena, New York, her husband Dr. Michael Zysik’s hometown. After purchasing a private practice, she relocated with her family to Perrysburg where she has been in practice since 1999. A member of the Ohio and American Optometric Associations, Dr. Zysik has a special focus in diagnosing and managing glaucoma and macular degeneration, dry eye disease and contact lens fitting.

Dr. Zysik’s strong interest in the sciences and healthcare, coupled with her passion for helping others, all played significant roles in her decision to become an Optometrist. Dr. Zysik says being an Optometrist provides her with many opportunities to build valuable patient relationships and allows her to play an integral role in improving her patients’ overall health and wellbeing.

Dr. Zysik and her husband, Dr. Michael Zysik who is also an Optometrist, have three children and reside in Perrysburg, Ohio.