Dr. Andersen grew up in Iowa and did her undergraduate work at the University of Iowa and the University of California at Santa Barbara. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Andersen spent the first six years of her career working for the Riverside Medical Clinic and two private practice optometrists before opening her own practice in 1991.
Dr. Andersen has participated in numerous contact lens and solution studies. Her research in optometry school was related to determining the amount of protein in the tear film layer during times of stress. She particularly enjoys helping patients with dry eyes achieve some degree of success in wearing contact lenses. Her office offers several new technologies for treating dry eye including IPL, Lipiflow and Nulids.
Dr. Andersen takes pride in offering the latest technology in disease detection. She purchased a scanning laser in 2007, which was instrumental in detecting several macular holes and numerous cases of glaucoma. Dr. Andersen was the first Optometrist in the nation to offer CIMT, Carotid Artery Intima Thickness ultrasound in detecting cardiovascular disease in her patients. Not only can she and her associates look to see damage to blood vessels in the retina, now they can look for atherosclerosis and placques, potentially damaging the heart. These changes are reversible and Dr. Andersen is able to give her patients a report card with nutritional information designed to educate and create positive change for a healthier lifestyle.
During her spare time Dr. Andersen enjoys playing tennis and traveling.