BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Carl G. Hillier

Fellow College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Dr. Carl Hillier graduated from the University of California San Diego in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.  He received a Bachelor of Science degree at Pacific University in 1980 and then graduated as a Doctor of Optometry in 1982.

Dr. Hillier dedicated the summer of 1980 providing vision care to the rural population in Honduras.  He traveled to remote areas where he established vision clinics that helped hundreds of visually handicapped people.

Upon his graduation, he was honored with a Naval Scholarship and direct appointment as a lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps.  He was stationed at Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego.  He was in charge of the Vision Therapy Clinic helping active duty dependent families overcome visual problems that glasses and contact lenses alone could not solve.  In addition, Dr. Hillier was responsible for training ophthalmology residents in the fitting of contact lenses.  He is an adjunct clinical professor for students from the Southern California College of Optometry and Pacific University College of Optometry.

After completing his tour in the Navy in 1985, Dr. Hillier entered into private practice in Lemon Grove, California, with Dr. Robert B. Sanet.  Dr. Hillier practices the functional and developmental approach to treating vision problems and enhancing vision skills.

Dr. Hillier is actively involved in his profession.  His affiliations include the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, San Diego County Optometric Society, The Optometric Extension Program Foundation, The College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and the NeuroOptometric Rehabilitation Association.  Dr. Hillier also performs a Sports Vision Analysis for the San Diego Padre Baseball Team as well as provides vision training with key players on the Team.

Dr. Hillier is one of only 600 optometrists nationwide to be a certified Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.  He lectures nationally and internationally on topics relating to vision and learning, sports vision and visual treatment of those who have suffered a brain injury.  In addition to his lectures in Europe and throughout the United States, he is frequently invited to present lectures locally by the Departments of Education and Nursing and San Diego State University, California School of Professional Psychology, California Optometric Association, Southern California College of Optometry, Southern California Vision Forum, San Diego Rehabilitation Institute, National Academy of Sports Vision, National University, American Optometric Association, The College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and Parents Active for Vision Education (PAVE).

His guest lectures surrounding brain injury have been at TriCity Medical Center, Scripps Memorial Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Sharp Hospital, Grossmont Hospital, Continental Rehabilitation Hospital, San Carlos Hospital (Madrid, Spain), The NeuroOptometric Association International Meeting, The American Academy of Physician Medicine, Alvarado Hospital, and The San Diego Rehabilitation Institute.

In 1992 Dr. Hillier helped found the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic at the San Diego Rehabilitation Institute at Alvarado Hospital. Many of his innovative clinical techniques are being used today throughout the world.

Dr. Hillier lives with his wife, Dr. Melissa Hillier, also a Developmental Optometrist, and their three children, Brent, Drew and Lauren.

CURRICULUM VITAE

CARL G. HILLIER, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.

DEGREES

1977-BA Psychology, University of California, San Diego

1980-BS Visual Science, Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon

1980-Ensign Commissioned into USNR, direct appointment

1982-Doctor of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry

1982-Lieutenant, Medical Service Corps USNR

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Member:

San Diego County Optometric Society1982-Present

California Optometric Association1982-Present

American Optometric Association1982-Present

Armed Forces Optometric Society1982-1985

Learning Disabilities Association of California1991-Present

Head Injury Foundation, San Diego1991-Present

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association1992-Present

College of Optometrists - Vision Development1980-Present

Optometric Extension Program1980-Present

Parents Active For Vision Education   1988 -Present             

Clinical Associate:

Optometric Extension Program1982-Present

College of Optometrists in Vision Development1982-Present

San Diego County Optometric Society,

   Board of Directors, Secretary1985-1987

San Diego County Optometric Society,

   Board of Directors, Vice President1988-1989

Institute for the Development of Educational Abilities and Skills

   Through Vision, Past President1988-1989

Sports Vision Section Member of the American Optometric

   Association1990-Present

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association1992-Present

PROFESSIONAL DISTINCTIONS

Adjunct Professor, Pacific University College of Optometry

Adjunct Professor, Southern California College of Optometry - current

Adjunct Professor, University of St. Louis, Missouri School of Optometry

Adjunct Professor, Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Adjunct Professor, Illinois College of Optometry - current

Fellow, College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Optometrist for the Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams

(Olympic Teams - 1988 and 1992)

•American Optometric Association Sports Vision Optometrist of the Year, 2000

•G.N. Getman Award –  2009: National award of professional distinction for dedication to the development of vision in children

PRESENTATIONS

San Diego State University, Department of Nursing

San Diego State University, Department of Mathematics

San Diego State University, Department of Education

Continuing Education Series, San Diego City School of Nursing

California School of Professional Psychology

Ophthalmology Grand Rounds, Naval Hospital, San Diego

Southern California College of Optometry

Tri-Service Optometric Conference, Naval Hospital, San Diego

Professional Development Series, Poway Unified School District

Southern California Vision Forum

San Diego Birth Education Forum

National Academy of Sports Vision

National Center for Montessori Education

American Optometric Association Sports Vision Section

International Academy of Sports Vision

National School District, Parents as Teachers Program

National University, Department of Education

Scripps Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center

Sharp Cabrillo Memorial Hospital

San Diego Rehabilitation Institute

American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

University of Oklahoma, Department of Educational Psychology

The Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Early Childhood

San Diego Head Injury Foundation

The San Diego Association for the Education of Young Children

Centro Optometria Internacional, Madrid, Spain

Administration of Education, Madrid, Spain

Department of Neurology - San Carlos Hospital, Madrid, Spain

Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Escuela Universitoria de Optica

Metro State University, Denver, Colorado

Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association

Loma Linda Medical Center, Department of Physical Medicine

JFK Hospital, Grand Rounds, Indio, California

Alvarado Hospital, Grand Rounds, San Diego

San Diego Psychological Association

Children’s Hospital, San Diego

Continental Rehabilitation Hospital, San Diego

Kaiser Permanente

Academy of Natural Medicine

Eastern States Optometric Congress

California Optometric Association

Missoula Community Hospital, Montana

Parents Active for Vision Education (PAVE)

Eastern States Optometric Congress

California Optometric Association

Professional Development Program

College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Grand Rounds Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego

University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Sports Medicine Fellowship Program.

Association of Christian Schools International

Autism Society of America

British Association of Behavioral Optometrists (BABO)

Lester B. Pearson School Board – Quebec, Canada

XIII Congreso Academico de Optometria Funcional – Morelia, Mexico

San Diego County Regional Airport Authority

International Institute of Colorimetry: Royal Academy Of London

Naval Medical Center San Diego

JOURNALS PUBLISHED

American School Nurse Journal

The National Montessori Reporter

Journal of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Mejora De La Actuacion Deportiva.  Graceta Optica

Brain Injury professionals

CLINICAL POSITIONS

Primary Care in rural Honduras1980

Staff Optometrist, Naval Hospital, San Diego1982-1985

Director of Orthoptics/Vision Therapy Clinic, Naval Hospital, San Diego1982-1985

Co-Director, San Diego Center for Vision Care1985-Present

Optometrist of the Men’s and Women’s National Volleyball Teams

   (Olympic Teams - 1988 and 1992)1985-1996

Consultant, Continental Rehabilitation Hospital, San Diego1992-1996

Director, Vision Rehabilitation Clinic, San Diego Rehabilitation Institute1992-Present

Sports Vision Training, San Diego Padres Baseball Team1998-Present

Dr. Melissa C. Hillier

Fellow College of Optometrists in Vision Development

Dr. Melissa C. Hillier has been in private practice in the San Diego area since 1983.  She earned her Bachelor of Science in Visual Science and Doctor of Optometry from Pacific University where she graduated with honors.  Her doctoral thesis was “Testing Techniques to Evaluate Infant Vision.”  Dr. Hillier became an associate practitioner at the San Diego Center for Vision Care in 1988.  Currently, she shares ownership of the San Diego Center for Vision Care with her husband, Dr. Carl G. Hillier.  Dr. Hillier is involved in both general patient care and vision therapy evaluations.

Dr. Melissa Hillier has been active in the professional optometric community.  She is a member of the San Diego County Optometric Society, the California Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and the Optometric Extension Program Foundation.  Dr. Hillier is one of only 600 optometrists in the U.S.A. to have earned Fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.  She has held numerous board positions, including Director of Communications and Treasurer of the San Diego County Optometric Society, and Treasurer of Achievement through Vision.

In addition to private practice, Dr. Hillier is an adjunct clinical professor for the Southern California College of Optometry.