OPTOMETRIST IN PALM SPRINGS
Welcome to Desert Vision Optometry!
Your vision deserves expert attention, and Desert Vision Optometry delivers exactly that in Palm Springs’ premier eye care facility. Dr. George Saunders leads our practice with over three decades of optometric expertise, combining advanced diagnostic technology with personalized patient care that addresses your unique eye health needs.
We understand that quality eye care goes beyond routine visits—it’s about protecting your sight, enhancing your daily comfort, and ensuring you experience life with crystal-clear vision. Whether you’re dealing with blurry vision, need a comprehensive eye exam, or want access to our extensive collection of eyewear frames, our dedicated team provides thorough, compassionate care that neighboring communities have trusted for years.
Our Mission
Dr. George Saunders founded our practice on the principle that exceptional eye care requires both clinical expertise and genuine personal attention. Our mission focuses on safeguarding your eye health through comprehensive examinations, early detection of vision problems, and customized treatment plans that fit your lifestyle. We believe every patient deserves access to cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and proven treatment methods, which is why we continuously invest in the latest optometric technology and ongoing professional education.
Our attentive team works closely with you to understand your vision challenges, whether you’re experiencing digital eye strain from computer work or need specialized care for complex eye conditions. By combining Dr. Saunders’ extensive clinical experience with our welcoming environment, we create a practice where your eye health goals become our primary focus.
Why Choose Us
When you’re looking for exceptional eye care, you want a practice that combines expertise with genuine care for your vision and comfort. Here’s what makes Desert Vision Optometry the right choice for your eye health needs.
760-327-8528
Frame Selection
Selecting the right frames represents a significant investment in both your vision and professional appearance. Our frame selection service at Desert Vision Optometry addresses the challenge of finding eyewear that balances optical precision with personal style preferences. With more than 2000 frames available in our spacious facility, we provide the selection depth necessary to accommodate diverse facial structures, lifestyle requirements, and aesthetic preferences.
Our systematic approach begins with a comprehensive consultation to understand your daily visual demands and style objectives. We then conduct precise facial measurements to determine optimal frame proportions and positioning for your unique features. This methodical process ensures your eye care experience results in eyewear that delivers exceptional comfort, durability, and visual enhancement for years to come.
Eye Exams
Think of your eyes as sophisticated cameras that require regular maintenance to function properly throughout your lifetime. Unlike obvious injuries or ailments, most serious eye conditions develop gradually and painlessly, making annual eye exams essential for early detection. Glaucoma, for instance, can steal peripheral vision so slowly that patients often don’t realize they’re losing sight until significant damage has already occurred.
Advanced imaging technology now allows us to see inside your eyes with remarkable detail, much like a high-resolution scan of your internal eye structures. At Desert Vision Optometry, we measure everything from the thickness of your cornea to the health of blood vessels in your retina during each comprehensive examination. This sophisticated approach to eye care helps us spot potential problems years before they would become noticeable to you, giving us time to intervene when treatments are most successful.
LASIK Eye Co-Management
Imagine waking up and seeing the alarm clock clearly without reaching for glasses. LASIK eye co-management bridges the gap between your familiar neighborhood optometrist and specialized laser surgery centers. We handle the detailed pre-operative screening while partnering with experienced surgeons who perform the actual procedure.
Post-surgery monitoring becomes our primary responsibility once you return from the surgical center. Desert Vision Optometry tracks your healing progress through scheduled follow-up visits, adjusting medications if needed and watching for any complications. This collaborative eye care model ensures you receive both cutting-edge surgical technology and the personalized attention that comes from a long-term doctor-patient relationship.
On-Site Lab
Most optical shops send your prescription lenses to distant laboratories, creating delays and quality control challenges that can leave you waiting weeks for your eyewear. Our on-site lab eliminates this frustration by crafting your lenses directly within our facility using precision equipment and specialized techniques. Sergio, our master optician with over two decades of experience, personally oversees every lens from initial cutting through final quality inspection.
Same-day service becomes possible when your prescription falls within certain parameters, allowing you to walk out with completed eyewear in hours rather than days. The advanced technology housed at Desert Vision Optometry enables us to handle complex customizations like rimless drilling, specialized tinting, and premium coatings without external delays. This comprehensive approach to eye care means you receive faster service, superior quality control, and the convenience of working directly with the craftspeople who create your lenses.
Diabetic Retinopathy Screenings
Blood sugar acts like sandpaper on your blood vessels when diabetes isn’t well-controlled. Over months and years, this rough treatment causes the tiny vessels in your retina to develop weak spots, much like a garden hose that starts to leak after being left in the sun too long. What makes diabetic retinopathy particularly dangerous is its silent nature—you won’t feel pain or notice vision changes until significant damage has already occurred.
Our screening process works differently than a standard eye exam because we’re specifically hunting for microscopic changes that signal trouble ahead. We photograph the back of your eye using specialized cameras that reveal details invisible during a regular vision test, then compare these images over time to spot even subtle progressions. At Desert Vision Optometry, this systematic approach to eye care helps us catch problems during their earliest stages when treatments can still preserve your sight and prevent the more serious complications that diabetes can cause.
Digital Retina Imaging
The retina contains more information about your health than almost any other part of your body, yet it remains completely hidden from view during routine medical checkups. Digital retina imaging changes this by capturing high-definition photographs that reveal the intricate network of blood vessels, nerve fibers, and cellular structures at the back of your eye. These detailed images serve as a permanent record that doctors can reference for years, tracking subtle changes that might otherwise go undetected.
Beyond detecting eye diseases, this technology often reveals early signs of systemic conditions like hypertension, stroke risk, and neurological disorders before symptoms appear elsewhere in your body. Desert Vision Optometry uses state-of-the-art imaging equipment that produces crystal-clear pictures in seconds without dilating your pupils or causing discomfort. This advanced form of eye care transforms a routine visit into a comprehensive health screening that provides valuable insights about your overall well-being.
On-Site Lab
Many jobs completed within 24 hours!
At Desert Vision Optometry, our high-tech, state-of-the-art on-site lab ensures many jobs are completed within 24 hours, offering both speed and quality for your eyewear needs.
From custom tinting and ultraviolet coating to scratch-resistant treatments, our lab delivers tailored lens solutions with exceptional efficiency. We also specialize in advanced techniques like drilling and hand-mounting rimless eyewear, allowing us to provide stylish, durable frames that perfectly suit your vision.
With our in-office lab, you can trust us to deliver fast, cost-effective results without compromising on precision or quality.
Meet the Doctor
Dr. George Saunders
Dr. George Saunders combines rigorous scientific training with genuine care for his patients’ eye health and quality of life. After earning his biochemistry degree from UC Riverside, he completed his optometry doctorate at Southern California College of Optometry, where he developed his foundation in comprehensive eye care. His early career at Redlands Eye Medical Group provided intensive experience working directly with corneal and cataract surgeons, exposing him to complex cases that shaped his diagnostic skills and treatment approach.
For nearly three decades in private practice, Dr. Saunders has refined his expertise while staying current with advancing technologies and treatment methods. His commitment to continuous learning ensures you receive care based on the latest research and proven techniques, delivered with the personal attention that comes from years of understanding how vision problems affect daily life.
Dr. Marisol Hernandez
Dr. Hernandez is originally from Northern California, and has lived in Southern California since 2005. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from California State University Los Angeles and her Doctor of Optometry degree from Western University of Health Sciences. Her externship sites include: the Eye Care Institute WesternU Health Los Angeles, Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Tennessee, and private practices in California and Arizona.
Dr. Hernandez is passionate about providing the most optimal care to her patients, and she believes in the importance of comprehensive eye exams tailored to the patients’ needs and well-being.
Meet Our Team
This is Normal Eye Vision
Normal Eye Vision
Learn More
Glaucoma
Learn More
Cataracts
Learn More
Diabetic Retinopathy
Learn More
Refractive Error
Learn More
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Learn MorePatient Testimonials
FAQs
What conditions do you treat beyond routine eye exams?
We specialize in treating digital eye strain, dry eye therapy, and computer vision syndrome, which are increasingly common in today’s technology-focused world. Our comprehensive eye care also includes orthokeratology for vision correction and contact lens fittings for patients with various prescription needs. Dr. Saunders‘ extensive experience allows us to address complex eye health concerns and provide personalized treatment plans.
How quickly can I get new glasses or contact lenses?
Our on-site laboratory completes most eyewear orders within 24 hours, significantly faster than practices that send work to outside labs. This includes custom services like tinting, UV coating, scratch-resistant treatments, and specialized mounting for rimless frames. Contact lens orders typically arrive within a few business days, depending on your specific prescription requirements.
What makes your frame selection different from other practices?
We maintain over 2000 frames in our collection of eyewear frames, featuring both well-known brands and unique independent designers not commonly found elsewhere. Our knowledgeable staff provides personalized recommendations based on your facial features, lifestyle needs, and prescription requirements. This extensive selection combined with our attentive team ensures you find eyewear that truly fits your personal style and vision needs.
Do you see patients from outside Palm Springs?
Yes, we welcome patients from neighboring communities throughout the Coachella Valley who are seeking quality eye care. Many patients travel to our practice specifically for our extensive frame selection and Dr. Saunders‘ expertise in comprehensive eye exams. Our welcoming environment and personalized service make the trip worthwhile for families looking for consistent, reliable eye care.
What should I bring to my comprehensive eye exam?
Please bring your current glasses or contact lenses, a list of any medications you’re taking, and your insurance information if applicable. If you’re experiencing specific vision problems like blurry vision or eye strain, it’s helpful to note when these symptoms occur most frequently. Dr. Saunders will use this information along with advanced diagnostic equipment to assess your eye health and determine the best treatment approach.
Experience Better Vision Through Desert Vision Eye Care!
Stop squinting at your computer screen or struggling with outdated glasses that don’t serve your active lifestyle. Dr. George Saunders and the Desert Vision Optometry team understand how frustrating vision problems can be when they interfere with work, hobbies, and time with family.
Whether blurry vision is affecting your driving confidence or you’re ready to discover frames that actually reflect your personality from our incredible collection of eyewear frames, we’re here to solve your specific concerns. Call 760-327-8528 to book your personalized eye care consultation, and follow our Facebook page where we showcase new designer arrivals and share practical eye health advice you can use right away.
