Visionworks – Doctors of Optometry celebrates its grand opening this week in the Sunrise Village Shopping Center at 7845 Madison Avenue in Citrus Heights. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Participating members in the Rancho-Cordova-based Vision Service Plan (VSP) will soon have a new preferred in-network location for eye care in Citrus Heights.

Visionworks – Doctors of Optometry celebrates its grand opening Friday, October 6th at 9 am in the Sunrise Village Shopping Center, said Marcus Acosta, its new general manager who provided a pre-opening tour of the new retail location.

Nearly 90 percent of in-network VSP members currently reside in the greater Citrus Heights area, Acosta explained.

VSP purchased Visionworks of America in 2019, Acosta said. The Citrus Heights Visionworks location serves individual VSP members who are enrolled through either an employer plan or an individual VSP vision coverage plan, he said.

“Current VSP customers can now go onto the VSP website, at locations.visionworks.com, enter their local ZIP code and schedule an available appointment after October 6th. In most cases, same day, evening & Saturday appointments are available,” Acosta said.

Sales associates were seen attending to finishing touches and stocking a variety of eyeglass frames for in-store display. Individual patient examination areas were being fitted out and lab equipment was being installed.

Acosta described a contact lens education space where VSP patients will be able to learn how to care for and then install their lenses with proper helpful care.

According to VSP, under its Visionworks brand it “sits at the intersection of healthcare and retail, providing a national network of optometrists, clinical specialists, retail experts, and high-quality eyewear products and services to its customers.”

“Our goal is to help our VSP customers to receive their maximum amount of vision benefits, and also answer any questions they may have,” Acosta said.

Visionworks of America, Inc. based in San Antonio, Texas, was founded by a group of optometrists in 1955. Today it operates or manages 711 optical retail stores in 40 U.S. states and in Washington, D.C. Other Visionworks locations are open in Roseville, Folsom and Sacramento.

Arthur Park, O.D. is its full-time senior lead optician, with two part-time sales associates to help VSP customers. Another part-time optician will join the practice soon, Acosta said.

Park received his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the University of California, Irvine. He then attended The New England College of Optometry where he received his doctorate.

“We’re excited to be opening in Citrus Heights,” Acosta said. Visionworks is situated in a corner location of Sunrise Village which was once occupied by Silver Dragon, a popular local Chinese restaurant which has since relocated to Fair Oaks.

Visionworks – Doctors of Optometry is open at 7845 Madison Avenue in Citrus Heights. Call (916) 230-7000 for more information. Daily hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6pm. Closed on Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome and most insurance plans are accepted. Current VSP customers can now go onto the VSP website, at locations.visionworks.com, enter their local ZIP code and schedule an available appointment.

 Visionworks’ General Manager Marcus Acosta says walk-ins are welcome and most insurance plans are accepted at the new eye care center. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan