Meet our Licensed Optometrist Eye Doctors
Every VisionPoint location has an independent, licensed Optometrist.
What is the difference between an optometrist, ophthalmologist, and optician?
Optometrists are involved in all of the pre- and post-operative care of patients, collecting accurate data, educating the patient, and ensuring proper healing after procedures. An optometrist can treat most eye conditions, including the use of topical or oral medications if needed. This might include the treatment of glaucoma, eye infections, allergic eye conditions and others.
Ophthalmologists are medical related specialists able to perform surgery.
Opticians handle the optical, contact lens, and glasses side of things. Based on their vast knowledge of lenses, lens technology and frames, they manufacture eyeglasses, as well as assist in the selection of eyewear, based on the requirements of each individual patient.
Dr. Lourdes Lorino
ABOUT ME
Dr. Lorino attended St. Mary-of-the-Woods College where she majored in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She then went on to graduate from Illinois College of Optometry in 1996.
Chesterton
Dr. Lorino’s favorite part of working with patients is educating them about the importance of eye care. Outside of work, she enjoys cycling and watching her daughter swim. Dr. Lorino and her technician both speak fluent Spanish.
Dr. Darshana Patel
ABOUT ME
Dr. Patel has an undergraduate degree from Indiana University – Bloomington. She earned her doctorate degree from Illinois College of Optometry in 2010.
Crown Point
Dr. Patel is passionate about performing thorough, comprehensive eye exams. She tries to tailor each examination to the patient’s needs while making them feel at home. Outside of work she enjoys fitness, nutrition, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Paula Barrette
ABOUT ME
Dr. Barrette attended Valparaiso University as an undergraduate, and graduated from Illinois College of Optometry in 1991.
La Porte
“Patient education is my passion.” Dr. Barrette enjoys the variety of patients she sees each day at VisionPoint. Outside of work, she challenges herself with running and hiking. After years of living in many different places, she is happy to call Northwest Indiana home.
Dr. Rebecca Long
ABOUT ME
Dr. Long has an undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and a doctorate from Indiana University, earned in 1988.
Dr. Long’s favorite thing about practicing Optometry is helping patients see better. Outside of work, Dr. Long enjoys bicycling, camping, reading and volunteering.
Dr. Aida Zabaneh
ABOUT ME
Dr. Zabaneh received her doctorate degree from the Illinois College of Optometry, where she graduated in the top of her class. She is skilled in practicing full scope optometry for patients of all ages and has a wide variety of experience in ocular disease, pediatric optometry, and specialty contact lenses.
Portage
Dr. Zabaneh is passionate about providing excellent eye care service to all of her patients and helping them see their absolute best. In her free time, Dr. Zabaneh enjoys playing tennis, reading, and spending time with family.
Dr. Robert Andrew Riggle
ABOUT ME
Dr. Riggle has an undergraduate degree from Western Illinois University and graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry in 1989.
Valparaiso
Dr. Riggle enjoys helping his patients preserve and restore their vision. He likes being part of the Valparaiso and Northwest Indiana community.
Outside of work, he is a musician and enjoys playing in music theater pits as a keyboard player. Dr. Riggle is the proud father of four children and one very lucky granddaughter, Violet.
Dr. Veronica Ralick
ABOUT ME
Dr. Ralick earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University Bloomington in 2000. She graduated from Indiana University’s School of Optometry in 2004.
Schererville
Dr. Ralick enjoys helping patients achieve their best vision and eye health. Outside of work she likes running (training for a half marathon!), spending time with family and reading.
Dr. Ralick is residency trained in hospital based primary care optometry and enjoys treating all aspects of eye health, from red eyes to diabetic eye exams.
Dr. Balogh
ABOUT ME
Dr. Balogh earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign in 1983 and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1985. Dr. Balough graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1989.
Schererville
Dr. Balogh enjoys seeing a diverse group of patients and helping them find treatments for a variety of eye conditions.
Outside of work Dr. Balogh’s passions include running and playing the piano.