Our Eye Doctors and our Eye Care team take even routine eye exams seriously. During a yearly or bi-yearly examination, our patients will receive a patient history review, a series of vision and eye tests, assessments of eye focusing and movement, and an eye health evaluation.
Our Eye Team is friendly and professional. Our commitment is to provide exceptional customer service to all of our Okeechobee patients. We take pride in our personalized care and strive to spend the necessary time with each patient to ensure a comfortable experience.
We are passionate about providing high-quality care to our family of patients. We focus on providing comprehensive eye exams, a large selection of fashionable eyewear, and the best possible vision care. Come in today to meet our Okeechobee Eye Team!
Dr. Charles W. Bartels
Board Certified Optometric Physician
Born, raised and married in Okeechobee, Florida
Specialties
Comprehensive Eye Exams, Glaucoma, Cataract evaluations, Dry Eye Syndrome
Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Exams, Glasses, and Contact Lenses examinations.
Honors and Awards
Marchon Eyewear Practice Management Award
Honors in Clinical Skills, By Nova Southeastern College of Optometry
Honors in Clinical Skills, By Visual Health and Surgical Center,
Management and Treatment of Pre and Post Operative Surgical Patients
Clinical Experience/ Externships
Primary Eye Care and Glaucoma, Nova Southeastern University
Clinical Experience/ Externships
Primary Eye Care and Glaucoma, Nova Southeastern University
Contact Lens Specialty, Nova Southeastern University
Pediatric and Visual Therapy, Nova Southeastern University
Low Vision Rehabilitation, Nova Southeastern University
Lasik Pre and Post-Operative Care, Visual Health and Surgical Center
Cataract Pre and Post Operative Care, Visual Health and Surgical Center \
Professional Associations and Organizations
Florida Optometric Association
American Optometric Association
Education
Board Certified Optometric
Physician, Granted by Florida Board of Optometry, 2003
Doctor of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry
Concentrations:
Primary Eye Care, detecting and treating diseases and symptoms of the eyes, surrounding tissue and visual pathway
B.S. in Visual Science from Nova Southeastern University.
Basic Medical Sciences and the Visual System.
B.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida
A.A. in Liberal Studies, Indian River Community College
High School Diploma, Okeechobee High School
Non-Medical Interests.
Dr. Bartels's non-medical interest include fishing, diving, traveling, and spending time with the person who's strength and guidance made all the above a possibility, his wife Rachel and his daughters Carley and Olivia.
Dr. Janna L. Parramore
Board Certified Optometric Physician
Dr. Janna L. Parramore is a fifth-generation resident of Okeechobee, who is a devoted wife, and mother to a beautiful little girl, Saylor and new baby Brooks. She and her husband, Kyle, have began fulfilling their goal of raising a family in the town they both dearly love.
Dr. Parramore loves to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling, especially to the Florida Keys each summer. Her favorite activities are boating, exercising, family/friend gatherings, and reading inspirational novels.
Dr. Parramore graduated as Salutatorian from Okeechobee High School in 2010. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 2013, where she was a member of the professional sorority, Sigma Alpha.
Her optometry studies were completed at Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa honor society.
She maintained honors in clinics skills throughout her time as a student physician at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. Her clinical experience includes ocular disease, contact lenses, low vision and pediatric examinations. She was awarded the VSP/AAOF Practice Excellence scholarship, Student Award for Excellence in Low Vision, Eschenbach for Excellence in Low Vision, and The Dr. Lester E. Janoff Scholar award.
Dr. Parramore is a dedicated, humble, and optimistic physician who strives to provide optimal eye care to her hometown community. She prides herself on creating strong interpersonal relationships with each patient, and hopes the bond created will grow for many years to come.
Lia - Board Certified Licensed Dispensing Optician
Lia is our General Manager and a Board-Certified, Licensed Dispensing Optician with a passion for exceptional eye care. She holds official licensure from the State of Florida and is nationally certified by both the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners.
Lia joined our practice in 2015, bringing more than 25 years of customer service experience to our team. Her extensive expertise ensures our patients receive the highest standard of care, accurate prescriptions, and seamless service. Outside of the office, Lia is an avid fan of competitive off-road ATV racing and loves spending quality time with her friends and family.
Lori - Front Desk Manager
Lori is our front desk office manager. She has been in the optical reception field since 2011. She is here to help with scheduling appointments and insurance questions or referrals. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her children and friends.
Christina - Optical Manager and Optician Apprentice
Christina is a valued member of our team since 2019, serving as our Optical Manager and Apprentice Optician. With more than 16 years of customer service experience, she is committed to providing personalized care and helping each patient select eyewear that complements their personal style, lifestyle, and vision needs.
In her free time, Christina enjoys spending time with her family, especially during 4-H season and at the baseball field. She also loves exploring the outdoors, being on the water, and making lasting memories with her two children, Rylee and Ryhett.
Laura S.
Laura is a versatile Ophthalmic Technician at Value Specs who provides compassionate patient care while creating a welcoming experience for every patient. As a bilingual team member, she enjoys assisting both in the clinic and at the front desk to help ensure each visit runs smoothly. Outside of work, Laura enjoys playing soccer, exploring new places, and having fun with friends.
Laura P.
Laura is a part of our optical staff and will always welcome you in with a positive attitude and a warm smile. She is bilingual, friendly, and cheerful. On her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, draw, dance, and go on walks. She loves to learn and improve her knowledge through experiences.
Lauryn
Meet Lauryn, one of our front desk receptionists. She comes with 12 years of customer service experience. She is friendly and dependable. Her bubbly personality is a great asset to our team. She is willing to answer any questions about insurance, make appointments, and provide outstanding service, ensuring every patient leaves with a positive experience. In her free time, she loves being with her hubby and kids, playing softball, doing something on the water, and riding around going muddin!
Andy
Andy is a part of our optical staff. She has been working in customer service since 2023 and truly enjoys helping and meeting new people. She's bilingual, and has a family business, which has taught her the importance of hard work and great customer service. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, shopping, and making new connections!
Rhiannon
Rhiannon is an Optometric Technician at Value Specs who works alongside the doctors to provide compassionate patient care and help patients achieve their best vision. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active in the gym and is currently pursuing her education with the goal of becoming an optometrist.
Mariposa
Mariposa is one of our Optometric Technicians who enjoys helping patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their eye care experience. Outside of work, she loves spending quality time with her friends and family, making lasting memories, and values the importance of connection both in and out of the workplace.
Susan "Suzy"
Suzy is one of our Lab Technicians. She is a long-time resident of Okeechobee, having moved here after Hurricane Andrew. She is an alumna of OHS and the University of Florida, achieving her Bachelor of Arts degree. Proud to be a wife (Married in 2019 in her parents' backyard) and mother of two sons, Robert and Jeffrey. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, enjoying a homecooked meal together. She is also an avid fiber artist: cross-stitch, latch-hook, knit and crochet, with a particular fondness for crochet, thanks to her mother.
Brittany
Brittany is part of our Optical Sales team and loves helping patients find the perfect eyewear while making their experience fun and comfortable. When she's not working, you can usually find her spending time with her family & enjoying the outdoors - whether it's in the woods or out on the water.
Dee Dee - Insurance Specialist
Dee Dee is our Insurance Billing Specialist. She has been with our practice since 2007 and brings 17 years of experience in the field of medical billing to our practice and will be happy to help you with any Insurance questions you may have.
Crystal - Insurance Specialist & Apprentice Optician
She joined our practice in 2017. With her experience in Optical, this makes her highly skilled in untangling the complexities of Insurance.
As one of our Insurance Billers, she manages the coordination of benefits between Insurance plans, ensuring your claims are processed accurately and efficiently. She is always happy to answer your billing questions and advocate on your behalf with insurance providers. She is also bilingual, which is a great asset to our practice.
In her spare time, she enjoys sightseeing and spending quality time with family and friends.
Our eye team is thoroughly trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of
the optical field, including selecting frames that best suit the patient's
face and style, recommending the appropriate lens and lens options,
repairing eye glasses and sunglasses, and fabricating spectacles in plastic,
metal, and rimless frames and all aspects of the fitting of
contact lenses using the latest in technology.