Meet your local eye health experts
At Clarus, our mission is to ensure you feel confident and cared for every step of the way—especially when advanced surgical treatment is needed to protect or enhance your vision. Our doctors focus on fostering meaningful connections through compassionate, patient-centered care, which has always been at the heart of who we are and what sets Clarus apart.
Our doctors have trained at some of the most respected eye institutes in the country. Their dedication to ongoing education and the integration of advanced technologies ensures that our patients continue to benefit from the very best that modern eye care has to offer.
We are proud to combine world-class excellence with the personal, neighborly care our community can trust. Read on to learn more about our ophthalmologists and optometrists!
Cataract & Anterior Segment Surgeons
The anterior segment refers to the front-most region of the eye and includes the cornea, iris, and lens. Typically, the phrase “anterior segment surgery” refers to surgery performed on the iris and lens (including cataract surgery). Meet our anterior segment surgeons!
Dr. Stephen Reck spent his childhood as a Michigander before moving to the East Coast. He attended the College of the Holy Cross and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in physics. Following college, he served as a commissioned naval officer aboard a nuclear-powered attack submarine. Acknowledging him with accolades for his military service, the Navy awarded him three Navy Achievement Medals and two Meritorious Unit Commendations. Following his time in the military, Dr. Reck began his pursuit of a career in medicine. He received his medical degree from the distinguished University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and continued to complete an internship in internal medicine. Dr. Reck underwent his residency in ophthalmology at the esteemed University of Michigan’s W.K. Kellogg Eye Center, where he also completed a fellowship in glaucoma and anterior segment surgery. After fellowship, Dr. Reck moved to Chicago, Illinois and delivered care as an assistant professor in ophthalmology at the Loyola University Medical Center. Loyola’s Department of Ophthalmology bestowed upon him the residency’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2008.
Dr. Reck specializes in cataract and glaucoma surgery, employing state-of-the-art technologies, such as laser-assisted cataract surgery, microincision, no-stitch cataract surgery, intraoperative wavefront aberrometry, astigmatism-correcting (toric) lens implants, and multifocal lens implants. He also specializes in glaucoma surgery, such as glaucoma laser treatments, and glaucoma bypass procedures including trabeculectomy, tube implants, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, such as the iStent implant. Dr. Reck has published several scholarly papers in medical journals and participated in several FDA clinical trials studying new advancements in cataract and glaucoma surgery, along with intraocular lens technology.
Dr. Reck and his wife, Dr. Penny Reck, and their children live in Olympia, where they enjoy music, cooking, and water sports such as kayaking, canoeing, and sailing.
Dr. Anthony Grillo’s interest in medicine stemmed from an interest in infectious diseases while living in rural Thailand after high school. Seeing diseases like polio, tuberculosis, and a lack of access to even common antibiotics and vaccinations motivated him to further study how education and poverty influence healthcare access.
He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a minor in Japanese from California State University Fresno. As a medical student at the University of California Los Angeles, Dr. Grillo became fascinated with microsurgery and the amazing results that eye surgery could provide. During his ophthalmology residency at the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, he developed a passion for the intricacies of surgery in the anterior segment of the eye. There, he also earned the Casey Eye Institute Medical Teaching Award in 2014. Following residency, he moved to the Midwest for his Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery fellowship at the Mason Eye Institute at the University of Missouri, where he honed his skills in cataract surgery, corneal transplants, and ocular reconstruction. He stayed on as an Assistant Professor and trained residents and fellows, while also becoming the Assistant Residency Director. In 2018, Mason Eye Institute bestowed upon him the Faculty Teaching Award. Dr. Grillo returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2019 and joined a private practice in Eugene, Oregon before moving to the Olympia/Lacey area in the summer of 2022.
Pursuant to his drive to deliver care in areas of prevalent need, Dr. Anthony Grillo is joining the Clarus Eye Centre team in July 2022 to fill the ever-growing need for cornea subspecialty care in the South Puget Sound region. Dr. Grillo specializes in cataract, refractive surgery, and cornea, utilizing trailblazing technology such as laser-assisted cataract surgery, microincision, no-stitch cataract surgery, intraoperative wavefront aberrometry, astigmatism-correcting (toric) lens implants, multifocal lens implants, intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, and the Light Adjustable Lens. He also uses state-of-the-art technology for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser corneal scar removal, implantation of iris prostheses, iris reconstruction, comprehensive keratoconus management including corneal cross-linking, Fuchs’ dystrophy management, external ocular tumor evaluation and treatment, limbal stem cell transplants and a variety of corneal transplant techniques including Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).
A former Division I collegiate swimmer, Dr. Grillo’s favorite pastimes include aquatic activities such as scuba diving and deep-sea fishing. In his free time, he also enjoys spending quality time with his family, traveling, hunting, and cooking.
The Retina Service
The Retina Service at Clarus offers premier care for diseases of the retina, macula, and vitreous using a range of advanced medical and surgical treatments.
Our team of retina specialists includes Dr. Jane Myung and Dr. Penny Reck, both of whom are board-certified ophthalmologists and highly trained retina subspecialists.
Dr. Penny Reck attended The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan via the school’s prestigious integrated premedical-medical program known as the Inteflex Program. While at The University of Michigan, she obtained both her bachelor’s degree in linguistics and her medical degree and was recognized for academic excellence, commitment to leadership, and community service through various accolades, which include: the William J. Branstom Prize, Class Honors, the Inteflex Program Director’s Award, and the Asian-Pacific-American Outstanding Student Leader Award. Following graduation from medical school, Dr. Reck interned at St. Joseph Mercy – Ann Arbor Hospital and began her residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Michigan’s renowned W.K. Kellogg Eye Center. In 2006, she was honored with the Walter R. Parker Resident Teaching Award for excellence in training medical students. Research interests included work that investigated animal models of retinal regeneration, treatments for exudative age-related macular degeneration, central retinal vein occlusions, and eye trauma. Dr. Reck completed a two-year surgical retina fellowship at The University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary in Chicago, Illinois in 2008. Dr. Reck is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Reck specializes in treating patients with retinal disorders such as ocular complications of diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disorders, eye trauma, and repair of retinal tears. She believes in educating her patients while delivering individualized and compassionate care. Dr. Reck has been a consultant for vitreoretinal diseases and a retina surgeon in the South Puget Sound area since joining Clarus Eye Centre in 2008. After seven years of being the sole local operating retina surgeon in Thurston County, prior to the growth of The Retina Service with the addition of Dr. Jane Myung in 2015, Dr. Penny Reck began transforming her practice to focus on clinic-based care combined with in-office minimally invasive surgical procedures, as of 2020.
Outside of the workplace, Dr. Reck plays an active role as a supporter of public education and children’s music education. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and three kids. She and her family have made Olympia, Washington their home. Personal interests include cooking and the performing arts.
Oculoplastic Services
Oculoplastics, or oculoplastic surgery, includes a wide variety of surgical procedures that deal with the orbit (eye socket), eyelids, tear ducts, and the face. It also deals with the reconstruction of the eye and associated structures.
BIO COMING!
Dr. Blake Perry grew up in San Diego, California before moving cross country to the East Coast to become an Ivy Leaguer. He attended Princeton University, where he also played football and accumulated several awards, including The Harland “Pink” Baker Award in 2000 for the freshman defensive player of the year; The Dr. Harry Roemer McPhee Trophy, the school’s outstanding player award, in 2003; and the prestigious All-Ivy Football Selection in both 2002 and 2003. Dr. Perry also demonstrated academic excellence during his time at Princeton, graduating with honors with a bachelor’s in political science. After earning his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine, he completed his ophthalmology residency at one of the nation’s top programs, the University of Iowa. Following residency, he received the elite opportunity to pursue training in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery via a two-year fellowship sponsored by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. After fellowship, Dr. Perry returned to Southern California to practice ophthalmology and oculoplastic surgery before relocating to the beautiful Pacific Northwest. He joined the Clarus Eye Centre team in 2018.
Dr. Perry specializes in aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face, eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal system. His training makes him an expert at performing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, as well as addressing issues (like tearing management) that require an in-depth understanding of how to care for the delicate tissues and structures that surround the eye, such as the tear ducts and orbit. Dr. Blake Perry is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a fellow of ASOPRS. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He has also served as a leader of the medical community on the Board of Trustees for Pierce County Medical Society since 2019.
For leisure, Dr. Perry enjoys spending time with his wife, Shawmonee, and their four kids, which includes coaching his children’s athletic teams, anything related to the outdoors, and sports, such as tennis, basketball, golf, and hiking.
Optometry Services
Offering routine and primary eye care, as well as glasses and contact lens services
Originally an Illinoisan, Dr. Kristen Clark attended Illinois College, earning her bachelor’s degree in biology. She moved to Chicago and graduated in 2011 from the Illinois College of Optometry, where she received accolades including the Dean’s list and membership to Golden Key International Honour Society and Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. Dr. Clark’s professional pursuits focus on delivering eye care within a fast-paced environment working alongside ophthalmologists to deliver quality care to both surgical and non-surgical patients. From Champaign, Illinois to Las Vegas, Nevada, she managed pre- and post-cataract surgery and laser vision correction patients, as well as provided primary care to patients of all ages, including routine eye care such as prescribing glasses and contact lenses.
Dr. Clark moved to the Olympia/Lacey, Washington area in 2019 to join the Clarus team. Her practice encompasses primary eye care, routine eye exams, treatment and management of ocular diseases such as dry eye, and co-management of post-surgical patients. Due to her experience and expertise, she also specializes in contact lenses, including specialty contact lenses.
When not in the office, Dr. Clark loves spending time with her two kids and husband, exploring, trying new restaurants, and staying fit and healthy.
Dr. Koziczkowski grew up in Southcentral Alaska before relocating to Oregon to pursue her undergraduate studies at the University of Portland. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology, and a minor in Neuroscience. She went on to receive her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Ohio State University College of Optometry, also graduating magna cum laude. While at Ohio State, she earned a Master of Science in Vision Science for her research on a novel pathway of stimulation of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Throughout her time in Ohio, Dr. Koziczkowski was deeply committed to community service through her involvement in NOSA and SVOSH, two student organizations dedicated to providing eye care to underserved communities. Through these organizations, she participated in numerous vision screenings and eye clinics. She also attended domestic and international service trips.
Dr. Michelle Lee grew up in Federal Way before moving cross country to the East Coast to attend the prestigious Johns Hopkins University. During her time in Baltimore, Maryland, she was active in neuroscience research, including an internship at the National Institute of Health through its Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, investigating drug addiction at the neuronal level. Dr. Lee graduated from Johns Hopkins University, earning her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. She received her Doctor of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before relocating to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Lee’s passion is in comprehensive eye care, where she has the opportunity to care for general ocular diseases. She also has an interest in managing ocular surface disease and specialty contact lenses.
Her hobbies include playing tennis and the guitar. In her spare time, Dr. Lee also likes to visit hiking trails with her two dogs, Twix and Mel.
Dr. Janat Mathew grew up in sunny South Florida and attended Nova Southeastern University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After completing her undergraduate education, she continued her studies at the Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, earning a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science and her Doctor of Optometry. During her time in optometry school, Dr. Mathew enjoyed performing school vision screenings and volunteering with Special Olympics. She even completed an internship at the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation in Bethel, Alaska where she got the opportunity to travel throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and provide optometric care to remote villages.
Dr. Mathew is passionate about providing patients with personalized, quality care and compassion. Her main areas of clinical interest include comprehensive eye care, dry eye, contact lens fittings, and co-managing surgical patients.
She moved to the PNW for a short period after completing optometry school, and, after moving back to Florida to be closer to family, she ultimately decided to move back to Washington with her husband. In her free time, Dr. Mathew enjoys hiking, camping, and trying new recipes.
Dr. Karen Watson was born and raised in Southern California, but with family roots in Federal Way, she spent many school breaks in Washington and ultimately chose to make the Puget Sound area her home to be closer to loved ones.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign before completing her Doctor of Optometry degree at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. During her training, Dr. Watson broadened her experience through externships across the country—including Wyoming, Alaska, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota—fostering her love of travel and diverse patient care.
Following graduation, she returned to Pennsylvania to complete a residency in Ocular Disease and Low Vision Rehabilitation at the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Dr. Watson is deeply committed to lifelong learning and advancing her field.
Passionate about outreach, she has participated in service trips to Guatemala and Ecuador, where she helped provide free eye care to underserved communities. In her free time, Dr. Watson enjoys hiking, working on jigsaw puzzles, exploring new foods, and spending quality time with her family.