The Klotz Student Health Center has teamed up with the one of nation’s top schools of optometry, UC Berkeley, to provide students optimum vision care at affordable prices.

The University of California, Berkeley/California State University Northridge Optometry Clinic was established as a result of an overwhelming demand for vision care through a survey that the health center distributes yearly. It was then that the health center decided to team up with UC Berkeley.

“UC Berkeley is the one of the top schools for optometry, and we offer them a training program where senior Berkeley optometry students can complete their final 10 week internship in our optometry center under the constant supervision of our faculty,” said Linda Reid Chassiakos, director of the student health center.

The optometry clinic consists of two examination rooms and includes a wall-to-wall collection of designer frames. There are currently two optometrists that are working within the optometry center, Sandra Lin, and Christine Chan. They will be joined by interns from UC Berkeley, which they will mentor and supervise. The optometry clinic is reviewed every year to ensure that only the highest quality of care is being offered to CSUN students.

The optometry clinic is not the only clinic and partnership that has resulted from student demand through survey. The health center has brought wellness, acupuncture, nutrition, massage and chiropractic services to CSUN students. A high demand for dental care partnered CSUN with UCLA to form the University of California, Los Angeles/California State University, Northridge Dental Clinic.

Many CSUN students are unaware of the optometry clinic and as a result they are missing out on a great opportunity to be treated by excellent physicians.

“If a student has an awareness of the health center and they do not have health insurance they will seek treatment. Those that do have insurance are less likely to seek out the center,” said Sharon L. Aronoff, health educator to the Klotz Student Health Center.

Aronoff encourages all students to come and take advantage of the competitive prices that the optometry clinic offers.

“If one does not have optometry insurance, it is a great deal. It doesn’t get any less expensive than this. We have a nice range of frames from Donna Karen to Calvin Klien,” Aronoff said.

The optometry clinic provides many services to students at low prices. Basic eye exams are only $40 and brief visits are $10. Other services include foreign body removal, treatment of red eye and contact lens fittings.

The hours of the operation for the optometry clinic vary and change frequently depending on student demand. The clinic recently added more hours to help fulfill the needs of students. Appointments are encouraged and can be made by calling (818) 677-3666. The Klotz Student Health Center can be found east of the Bookstore and south of the University Student Union.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer CSUN students the opportunity to work with the top optometry faculty,” Chassiakos said, “And at the same time get high quality eye care at the Klotz Health Center.”

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