Meet The Team

Dr. Spencer Young

Despite the many career paths that we can pursue in life, Dr. Spencer Young has known he wanted to be an eye doc since he was in the fifth grade. His dream officially became a reality when he attended the Illinois College of Optometry and graduated in 1992 with his doctorate in optometry.

As an Optometric Physician, Dr. Young diagnoses and treats a variety of conditions that are related to the human eye and visual system. Along with conducting comprehensive eye exams and fitting glasses and contact lenses, Dr. Young and the Advanced Vision team manage diseases of the eye, such as diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. He also provides post-operative co-management care for cataract and laser eye surgery.

​​​​​​​In addition to practicing state-of-the-art medicine, Dr. Young strives to treat each patient as he would want to be treated – like family. It is important to him that each patient understands completely the status of their ocular health and is knowledgeable about all available options, whether surgical or optical. Dr. Young takes particular pride in being able to provide contact lens services to patients that other doctors have told could not be fit.

Dr. Buttar

Dr. Buttar was born in India and raised in Kent, Washington. She obtained her bachelor's degree in biology from Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. Graduating summa cum laude from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Dr. Buttar consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List throughout her four years in optometry school. Additionally, she is a distinguished member of the Beta Sigma Kappa and Tomb & Key honor societies.

Dr. Buttar initiated her optometric career at Bellingham Eye Physicians, where she developed expertise in diagnosing and managing a diverse array of ocular diseases, including advanced glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and optic disc drusen, as well as handling ocular emergencies.

After two years at the MD/OD practice, she relocated to the Seattle area to join a private practice. In addition to her work with ocular diseases, she has a particular enthusiasm for specialty contact lenses, finding great fulfillment in assisting patients with keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia to achieve clear and comfortable vision.

In her leisure time, Dr. Buttar enjoys spending quality moments with her husband and sons, cooking, watching films, and traveling.

Janet T. – Paraoptometric

Janet joined the Advanced Vision Team in early 2015. She does most of the administrative work for Advanced Vision and is also an Ophthalmic Technician. She’s been thoroughly cross-trained and has attended various eye care education and training courses.

Some of her day-to-day duties include running tests and taking measurements as requested by the physician when needed. Working at Advanced Vision has brought her career to a whole new level while still enabling her to engage in the customer service work that she enjoys.

Janet is originally from the beautiful island of the Philippines. She speaks and reads the native language “Tagalog” and “Bicol” as her dialect. Las Vegas was her first home when she came to the USA in 2001. Having worked in a fast, upscale hospitality/customer service industry in Las Vegas, Janet discovered how much she liked interacting with people, face to face. She relocated to Bellingham in 2010 when the love of her life, her son was born.

​​​​​​​In her free time, Janet loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. Most of all, she loves to eat real food!

Chrissy F. – Licensed Optician A.B.O.M.

Chrissy is the License Optician at Advanced Vision Family Eye Care. She’s been in the optical industry for over 18 years. Chrissy started as a lab technician, making eyewear in 2001. In 2003, she started her optical apprenticeship and received her state license in 2006.

Some of Chrissy’s industry credentials include an American Board of Opticianry Certification, a National Contacts Lens Examiners Certification, and an American Board of Opticianry Masters Certification. Her favorite part of working in the vision care industry is helping others. She has a special interest in frame styling and contact lens training and has extensive knowledge of eyeglass lens materials and designs.

Chrissy originally hails from Ocean Shores, WA, and currently resides in Sedro-Wooley. She loves being active and participating in sports, like skateboarding, paddle boarding, and surfing with her son.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In her free time, Chrissy loves doing charity work around optics and is deeply involved in many programs throughout the world to help low-income people receive the eye care they desperately need.

Shay N. - Patient Access Representative

Shay has been a valued member of the Advanced Vision team for over three years, bringing with her a wealth of experience from many years working in healthcare.

As our Patient Access Coordinator, she is often the first friendly face patients meet, and she takes pride in making every visit smooth and welcoming.

Shay’s dedication to patient care, combined with her positive energy and compassion, makes her an essential part of our team and a wonderful advocate for our patients.

Jessica S. - Optical Lead

As our dedicated Optical Lead, and have been with Advanced Vision since 2023. Jessica brings expertise, leadership, and compassion to every patient interaction.

Committed to continuous learning, she is undergoing rigorous training to ensure that our patients receive the highest level of eye care and support. With a strong background in optical service and a passion for helping others, Jessica plays a vital role in guiding our team and enhancing the patient experience. She is looking forward to helping you with all your eyewear needs.

​​​​​​​Jessica has lived in Whatcom County her entire life and enjoys making piñatas, cooking, gardening, and would love to see pictures of all your pets.

Toni R. - Paraoptometric

Toni grew up in Bellingham, WA, and has been a valued employee of the Advanced Vision team for over two years. As a paraoptometric, she performs screenings for all patients before they see the doctor. She especially enjoys working with advanced screening tools, including OCT, Optomap digital imaging, and virtual reality headsets used in vision testing. Outside the office, Toni enjoys sewing and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Trinity S. - Paraoptometric

They/them, Trinity grew up in Indiana for part of their life and moved to Washington when they were 12. Recently, Trinity graduated from Western Washington University and started working at Advanced Vision as they figure out what their dream job is. At Advanced Vision, Trinity is one of our paraoptometric. Trinity works at the front desk, optical, and with pre-testing patients. In their spare time, they like to spend time with their pets and partner.

Leilani P. - Paraoptometric

Leilani is a paraoptometric who recently joined the team. She is in the process of finishing school to become a licensed optician and preparing to take her ABO and NCLE exams from the National Board of Optometry. She has been a licensed teacher for 20-plus years and was ready to make a change and dive into a new career in a hobby she has always been interested in.

She grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Her interest and love of eye care began as a child when she successfully completed eye therapy for Amblyopia and correcting a lazy eye. Now after years of wearing glasses one of her favorite activities is her yearly appointment to go select new frames with her kids. Stylish frames and clear vision are a boost of confidence and a health necessity that everyone can appreciate.

​​​​​​​In her free time, Leilani loves to spend time with her family exploring new trails, road tripping across the country, gardening and cooking with her husband. She's an avid reader and loves to sing.