At King Family Eye Care, we understand that finding the right eye care provider is about more than just expertise. It’s about building trust, feeling comfortable, and knowing you’re in good hands. That’s why we’re proud to introduce you to our exceptional optometric team, a group of dedicated professionals who share a passion for outstanding vision care and personalized solutions for every member of your family.
As you explore their profiles, you’ll discover a diverse group of professionals with specializations ranging from advanced pediatric eye care to expert management of age-related vision changes.
Dr. Cropper is the lead doctor and partner at the Rocky Hill location, while Dr. Burns works there exclusively. Dr. King, the founder-owner, is primarily based in Old Saybrook, occasionally assisting in Rocky Hill. Dr. Lavoie is a part-time doctor in Old Saybrook, and Dr. Hagen is a full-time doctor, working four days a week in Old Saybrook and one day a week in Rocky Hill.
Dr. Matthew King earned his Doctorate in Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry and his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Gordon College. He completed clinical rotations at the West Los Angeles Veterans Hospital in Los Angeles, CA; the Ambulatory Clinic on the Naval Sub-base in New London, CT; the Las Vegas Low Vision Clinic in Las Vegas, NV; and the Southern California Eye Clinic in Fullerton, CA. He co-founded King Family Eye Care, LLC, which opened in Old Saybrook, CT, in 2004 and later expanded to Rocky Hill, CT, in 2006.
Dr. King is an active member of the Connecticut Optometric Association and has previously served on their Board of Directors. He is also a member of the ALLDocs Association, the doctor’s association affiliated with LensCrafters. Additionally, he volunteers with OneSight, a not-for-profit organization that provides no-cost eye exams, glasses, and permanent vision centers to individuals and places that most need eye care. With OneSight, he has spent several weeks aiding communities in Vietnam, Nicaragua, and Mexico.
Dr. King enjoys kayaking, downhill skiing, piloting small airplanes, and hiking with his family and dog in his free time.
Dr. Leora A. Berns received her Doctorate in Optometry from Indiana University and attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate. She relocated to Connecticut in 1986 and opened a private practice in Avon, CT. After selling her practice in 2015, Dr. Berns brought her years of experience and knowledge to the King Family Eye Care team.
In her leisure time, Dr. Berns enjoys gardening, knitting, walking, doing crosswords, and serving on the Board of the West Hartford Women’s Chorale.
Dr. William Lavoie earned his Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Lavoie specializes in contact lens fitting but is also passionate about the broader field of health sciences. He chose optometry primarily for the one-on-one patient experience and the work-life balance.
Outside the office, Dr. Lavoie can be found gardening, horseback riding, and carpentering.
Dr. Eric Cropper received his Doctorate in Optometry from the Arizona College of Optometry and two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Hartford: one in Health Studies and one in Business Administration. He completed clinical training rotations at the VA in Newington, CT; Horizon Laser Eye Center in AZ; IHS Chickasaw Nation Hospital in Ardmore, OK; and private practice in Phoenix, AZ. Before becoming an optometrist, Dr. Cropper was a tactical data network specialist in the United States Marine Corps.
Dr. Cropper enjoys traveling and spending time with his large extended family in his free time.
Dr. Kiera A. Hagan received her Doctorate in Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, where she served as president of the Pennsylvania Student Optometric Association, executive treasurer for the student council of Salus University, and a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. She completed her clinical rotations at Braverman Eye Center in Florida; Resler-Kerber Optometry, Inc. in Missouri; and the Jack C. Montgomery VA Hospital in Oklahoma. She is also residency trained in ocular disease from the Newington VA hospital in Connecticut.
Outside of the office, Dr. Hagan enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling to new and exciting places.
Beyond the Degrees: Building Relationships of Trust
What sets our team apart is their unwavering dedication to building lasting relationships with each patient. They take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions in plain language, and develop treatment plans tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle. You won’t find rushed appointments or impersonal care at King Family Eye Care; instead, you’ll find a supportive team genuinely invested in your eye health and well-being.
Is an Optometric Physician the Same as an Ophthalmologist?
While both optometrists and ophthalmologists play crucial roles in eye care, their training and expertise differ. Optometrists, like our skilled team at King Family Eye Care, are primary eye care providers who diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, perform comprehensive eye exams, and prescribe corrective lenses like glasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, are medical doctors who specialize in surgery and complex eye diseases.
