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 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 including eyeglasses and contacts.
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.
Meet our doctors:
Dr. Cates grew up in Eugene and graduated from Churchill High School in 1986. He later graduated cum laude from Washington State University with a degree in Biology. He earned his Doctor of Optometry from Pacific University College of Optometry, graduating with Honors in 1994.
Before joining Family Vision Center in 1997, Dr. Cates served three years as Chief of Optometric Services at Laughlin Air Force Base in South Texas. Dr. Cates is past president of the Lane Optometric Society and is a member of the American Optometric Society, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, and is a Lifetime member of the Eugene Active 20-30 Club.
Dr. Cates and his wife Paula have three daughters. He enjoys fly fishing, long distance trail running, traveling, and time spent with his family exploring the great outdoors.
Dr. Dunks was raised in Mt. Shasta, California. She attended Eastern Oregon University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Small Business Management. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove. She is currently active in the Lane Optometric Society, the Oregon Optometric Physicians Association and the Association of Seventh-day Adventist Optometrists. She and her husband Eric are active in their church. They enjoy drag racing, Oregon Duck Football, and time spent with their sons and their Old English Bulldog, Stella.
Dr. Lemas was born and raised in Oregon City. He attended Portland State University where he graduated, summa cum laude, with a BS in General Science and a minor in Psychology. He then attended Pacific University from which he earned a Doctorate of Optometry degree in 2017. Dr. Lemas than undertook an additional year of training doing a residency specializing in Low Vision and Ocular Disease at the VA hospital in White City, OR. Dr. Lemas is a member of the Lane Optometric Society, Oregon Optometric Physicians Association, Emerald Executives Association, and Eugene Chambers of Commerce Young Professionals. He enjoys biking, dragon boating, and enjoying the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Kaylee Garman to our practice! Dr. Garman is no stranger to our office, as she was our intern and optometric technician here at Family Vision Center.
Dr. Garman grew up in Cottage Grove, Oregon. As a child, she came to Family Vision Center for her own yearly eye exams. Her passion for eye care stemmed from her personal experiences with eyecare in our clinic. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Oregon, she went on to complete her Doctorate of Optometry at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. She is currently a member of the American Optometric Association.
Dr. Garman believes in providing comprehensive eye exams to patients of all ages and backgrounds. She has participated in numerous optometric and fundraising events that provide eye care to underserved populations. In her free time, she enjoys watching mystery tv shows, hiking, and playing board games with her loved ones.