Vision Source Optometry: A Legacy of Personalized Eye Care in Encinitas and Escondido
For Dr. Michael Haug, a local optometrist and the owner of two long-standing North County practices, the road into the field of eye medicine didn’t begin in a medical lecture hall. Instead, it started in a fitting.
“I was basically in high school, and I was fitted with contact lenses,” Dr. Haug recalls. “I kind of liked the whole procedure and how that worked.”
That early curiosity sparked a 30-year career. In the three decades since, Vision Source has become a cornerstone of eye health with its two locations in Encinitas and Escondido.
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A Family Tradition of Precision
Though Dr. Haug comes from a “long line of engineers,” including his father and grandfather, his mother recognized a different calling in him early on.
“My mom’s like, ‘You’re too good with people. You can’t be an engineer,” he said with a laugh.
After deciding to pursue optometry at a relatively young age, he started combining his innate personable energy with his family’s tradition of technical precision. Eventually, he attended UC Davis for his undergraduate degree and then moved on to the UC Berkeley School of Optometry.
It was at Berkeley where the family aspect of the business truly began. Dr. Haug met his wife there while they were both students. After graduation, they moved to San Diego to be near her family—her father, a local dentist, even helped them find their first office space.
In November 1995, they “hung a shingle” and opened the Encinitas office “cold.” Just a few years later, in 1999, they expanded by purchasing the Escondido practice where Dr. Haug had already been working for five years.
“It’s the kind of profession that’s fulfilling because you have a chance to make people’s lives better every day,” Haug says. “What’s good for the patient is good for the practice.”
The Personalized Difference
In an era of big-box retail and virtual consultations, Vision Source Optometry prides itself on a personalized touch and continuity of care. Unlike chains that might feature virtual appointments with doctors in other states, Dr. Haug says he and his team provide hands-on, medical-grade optometry.
“You don’t see that in a lot of different places anymore,” Haug said. “The continuity of care is something you don’t get at the big box stores. I have patients that I’ve been seeing for the last 30 years.”
This personalized difference allows for a comprehensive level of care that takes into account a patient’s eye health over time.
“We have lots of history and records,” he explained. “‘Okay, there’s where your eyes were four years ago. Now it’s changing this way.’”
Vision Care for the Next Generation
A primary focus for both the Encinitas and Escondido practices is pediatric care. Dr. Haug notes that there’s “special concern” with children’s vision as their eyes develop, emphasizing the importance of binocular vision and how the eyes work together as a team.
The practices offer a warm, welcoming environment where kids can feel comfortable during their exams and excited about choosing their first pair of glasses. Because these are family-run businesses, they understand the importance of making the experience positive for the whole family.
“To watch their face light up when they put on a new pair of glasses is really kind of cool,” says Haug. “They’re looking outside, and they’re seeing leaves and trees and stuff that they didn’t think they could see. You know you’ve made a difference.”
Comprehensive Medical Services
As a primary care practitioner of the eye, Dr. Haug manages everything from standard prescriptions to complex medical issues like dry eye treatment, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
The practices utilize advanced technology to catch potential issues early, including:
- Retinal Health Exams: Comprehensive imaging to monitor the back of the eye.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A non-invasive medical imaging technique that provides detailed cross-sections of the retina.
- Visual Field Testing: Screening for blind spots that can indicate serious underlying conditions.
“There have been times, too, where we’ve done visual field tests, and we’ve picked up brain tumors and stuff,” Haug shared. “Picking it up early because we did the screening test… You can make a difference.”
Two Locations, One Family Standard
Ultimately, Dr. Haug says his practices focus on the patient, bringing a personal touch and high-quality, compassionate care to both Encinitas and Escondido.
For more information or to book a consultation at either location, visit the website links below.
Vision Source Encinitas
Located in the heart of the coastal community, Vision Source Encinitas has been a neighborhood fixture since 1995. It offers a full-service optical boutique and comprehensive medical eye exams in a relaxed, comfortable setting.
Dr. Haug Optometry Escondido
Vision Source Escondido carries a deep history, having been established in 1982. Dr. Haug took over the practice in 1999 from its original owner, Dave Hubbard, with whom he remains friends today.
The images in this article were provided courtesy of Dr. Michael Haug, Vision Source Eye Care in Encinitas and Escondido.