Meet our Team
Dr. Matthew Ward
Hello there! My name is Dr. Matthew Ward. Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I have been practicing full-scope optometry in Des Moines since 2012, and was privileged to join Valley Eye Clinic in the Fall of 2017.
I truly love the work that I do, and am extremely passionate about providing the highest quality of care in the industry. I love meeting new people and hearing about their families, careers and hobbies. I’ve been blessed to have patients return year after year, each time getting to know them a little better and providing them with exceptional vision solutions.
I have made it my personal and professional mission to provide the most comprehensive up-to-date dry eye evaluation and management protocol for each and every patient. Having personally suffered from Ocular Surface Disease for over ten years, I know the frustrations and irritations that accompany chronic dry eye. My symptoms have ranged from eye grittiness and redness to fluctuating vision. I hope you will allow me to help you find a solution to your dry eye symptoms, thereby improving your quality of vision and life!
Our understanding of dry eye is ever-changing (read my blog for frequent updates). We utilize the newest technology, proven and backed by clinical research. You deserve to find relief from your worst dry eye symptoms!
Originally from Ankeny, Iowa, Dr. Ward attended Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines and Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his doctorate degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry.
Away from the office, Dr. Ward enjoys spending time with his wife and seven children, playing ultimate frisbee, weight lifting, and outdoor adventure sport.
Dr. Erik Kyler
Hi, my name is Dr. Kyler. Originally from Indiana, I have been practicing full-scope
optometry in central Iowa since moving to Des Moines in 2009. After completing
optometry school at Indiana University, I went on to complete a hospital-based
residency program with an emphasis on the treatment and management of ocular
disease at the VA Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia.
I am thankful to work in a profession that I love. My training and background have inspired me to devote my career to the detection
and management of eye disease, as well as guiding my patients through that process. I appreciate having the unique opportunity in a medical profession to really get to know my patients and spend time answering their questions.
I have always enjoyed the variety that primary care optometry provides and seeing
patients of all ages and backgrounds. I run the Myopia Management and Specialty
Contact Lens clinics at Valley Eye Clinic. Dealing extensively with scleral contact
lenses, orthokeratology and RGP contact lenses.
Outside of clinic hours I enjoy spending time with my family and helping to coach my children in sports. Additionally, I am actively involved with the West Des Moines
Kiwanis Club and the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce.
Rachael
Rachael is our office manager extraordinaire. Her experience in the optometric world started in 2020. Ever since she has strived to educate herself with all the nuances of the optometric world. Nothing could be more fulfilling to her than to be able to make a difference in the health of her community. In her spare time, she likes to read, cook, garden, cross-stitch and spin wool and try to survive the chaos of her two teenagers.
Stephanie
Stephanie is an optician at Valley Eye Clinic. She has over 40 years of experience in the optical industry. She loves helping people feel good and look great in their eyewear. She specializes in Dry Eye Therapy and Myopia Management. She lives in Indianola with her husband and 4 dogs.
Molly S.
Molly is our marketing communication director and pretester. She has been here for two and a half years and loves learning more about the optical world. Molly graduated from Grand View University in 2020. After work you can catch her hanging out with her son, probably coloring, playing soccer, browsing Target’s aisles, and reading!
Dave
Dave is our consulting optician with over 50 years of experience. He is a US Army trained optician, nationally certified and state licensed. He’s married and has two sons and two grandsons. He’s a recently retired professional skydiver, Jumpmaster, and freefall photographer.
Jeff
Jeff is a pretester/front desk worker. He is new to the optical world, but interested to learn more about the industry. He enjoys fitness, reading and spending time with his wife and two dogs.
Michelle
Michelle is our Patient Care Coordinator and the most recent addition to Valley Eye Clinic. She enjoys spending time with her hubby of 27 years and their 2 kitties, visiting family and friends in Minnesota, church activities, making jewelry, sewing and reviving vintage/antique sewing machines. When the weather warms up you may spot her at local motorcycle events, riding her motorcycle around central Iowa or across the country.
