Dr. Katalina Yandell, OD, has earned a place in Vision Monday’s inaugural 40 Under 40.
The September 2026 issue features Dr. Yandell on page 49. She appears in the Entrepreneurial Innovators category.
Vision Monday created 40 Under 40 to recognize professionals who are helping shape the optical industry. The feature includes leaders across retail, technology, product design, education, and vision care.
In particular, the Entrepreneurial Innovators category recognizes professionals who create new ways of working. It also highlights those who lead company initiatives and drive business efficiencies.
From Optician to Optometrist
Dr. Yandell earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Western University of Health Sciences in 2018.
Before becoming an optometrist, she joined Optical Illusions/Lifetime Eyecare as an optician. At the same time, she completed the licensing process for her optometry career.
Today, Dr. Yandell serves as Chief Medical Optometrist and Chief Operations Officer.
In these roles, she oversees the clinical and operational direction of four practices. Three practices are in California, while one is in Juneau, Alaska.
At the same time, she continues to provide direct patient care three to four days each week.
Because Dr. Yandell works in both clinical care and operations, she sees how the two areas connect. As a result, she can bring both perspectives to the way her practices deliver care.
A Focus on Modern Eyecare
Vision Monday highlights Dr. Yandell’s focus on clinical care, patient engagement, and innovation.
According to her nominator, Dr. Yandell has contributed to practice growth while maintaining a strong focus on clinical excellence. In addition, the nomination highlights her commitment to expanding access to advanced eyecare.
She also embraces new technologies and specialty treatment options. Furthermore, she supports modern telehealth patient-care strategies.
For Dr. Yandell, optometry combines science and art.
The science helps protect ocular health. However, the art comes from understanding each individual patient.
For example, Dr. Yandell considers how each person uses their eyes. From there, she works to tailor care that helps patients function at their best.
Building Stronger Systems
Dr. Yandell’s work extends beyond individual patient visits.
Over the years, she has helped develop and standardize programs across multiple locations. These programs include clinical protocols, staff education, performance tracking, and patient communication systems.
As a result, these systems help create consistent processes across different practices. They also give staff tools to support patient care.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yandell has remained active in the optometry community.
She served on the Santa Clara County Optometric Society board from 2019 through 2025. Later, she served as president from 2022 through 2024.
During that time, the California Optometric Association recognized her as Young Optometrist of the Year.
Her Vision for Optometry
Dr. Yandell believes optometrists can develop both clinical and leadership skills.
In her Vision Monday profile, she explains:
“Optometrists do not have to choose between being strong clinicians and effective business leaders. Developing both skill sets allows us to create broader and more sustainable change.”
With that approach in mind, Dr. Yandell hopes to continue developing new models of care.
Her goal is to create care models that are clinically advanced and operationally sustainable. Just as importantly, she hopes these models can work across different communities.
A Milestone for Optical Illusions/Lifetime Eyecare
Dr. Yandell’s recognition in Vision Monday’s 40 Under 40 marks an important moment in her career.
Her journey began as an optician. From there, she became an optometrist and later took on clinical and operational leadership roles.
Today, she continues to combine patient care with leadership at Optical Illusions/Lifetime Eyecare.
Most importantly, her Vision Monday profile highlights her work in clinical care, practice development, and innovation in optometry.
Vision Monday featured Dr. Yandell in its September 2026 issue on page 49 under the Entrepreneurial Innovators category.
Read the Vision Monday 40 Under 40 article featuring Dr. Katalina Yandell.
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