MEET OUR EYE DOCTORS
All of the doctors at King Family Eye Care have extensive training and a medical orientation. They also bring with them years of experience in specialty contact lens fits. We guarantee you will be happy with you eye exam! In fact, our patients often tell us it's the best eye exam they've ever had.
Dr. Matthew King is a graduate of Southern California College of Optometry, and attended Gordon College for his undergraduate education in Biology. His training includes providing eye care services at the West Los Angeles Veteran's Hospital, Los Angeles Ambulatory Clinic, New London Naval Sub-base, Las Vegas Low Vision Clinic and Southern California Eye Clinic.
He is the founder of King Family Eye Care, LLC located in Old Saybrook and Rocky Hill, CT. Dr. King has been an active member of the Connecticut Optometric Association, serving on the Board of Directors. Active member of AllDocs. He is a OneSight volunteer and has given his time for mission work in Vietnam, Nicaragua and Campeche, Mexico.
In his free time, Dr. King loves the outdoors that includes flying, skiing, kayaking and hiking with his dog and family.
Dr. William Lavoie earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Connecticut in 1975, and his Doctorate of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1979.
Dr. Lavoie enjoys practicing in both Connecticut and Florida, where he holds licenses and has a specialization in contact lens fitting. He is passionate about the health sciences, but chose Optometry primarily for the one-on-one patient experience and the work-life balance.
Outside the office, Dr. Lavoie can be found gardening, horse-back riding and doing carpentry.
Dr. Leora A. Berns attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate and Indiana University for her Doctorate in Optometry. She has lived in Connecticut since 1986.
After selling her private practice, Avon Eye Care, in 2015, she began working part-time with Dr. King and the staff at King Family Eye Care.
She spends her leisure time in gardening, knitting, walking, doing crosswords and serving on the Board of the West Hartford Women's Chorale.
Dr. Maria Paradis earned her Doctorate of Optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2018, where she graduated with High Honors. Prior to that, she received the Presidential Scholarship and attended the University of Connecticut where she studied Animal Science and Pathobiology.
Dr. Paradis enjoys caring for patients of all ages, and is especially passionate about disease management. She completed an ocular disease residency at WJB Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center in South Carolina post-graduation. Outside of work, Dr. Paradis spends her free time hiking, weight-lifting and cooking with her fiancé.
Dr. Eric Cropper is a graduate of The Arizona College of Optometry and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The University of Hartford.
He completed clinical trading rotations at the VA In Newington CT, Horizon laser eye center AZ, IHS Chickasaw nation hospital Ardmore OK, and private practice in Phoenix AZ. Prior to becoming an optometrist Dr Cropper served in the United States Marine Corps as a tactical data network specialist.
In his free time, Dr. Cropper, enjoys traveling, and spending time with family.