Meet Our Doctors

Meet Our Optometrists:

 Dr. Darren Thorsen,  Dr. Kyle Thompson, Dr. Laura Bowitz


  • Dr.
    Darren Thorsen
    Optometric Physician

    Dr. Thorsen is the founder and one of the Optometrists at Coastal Eye Care. He has strong ties to the area. He grew up in Warrenton, OR, and completed his undergraduate work at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. His Doctorate of Optometry was earned at the Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR.  He started practicing in Long Beach in 1993 and over the years expanded the practice to Seaside and Astoria.

    Dr. Thorsen has considerable experience in primary eye care, ocular disease management,  eye care for children & teens, and specialty contact lenses fitting. Dr. Thorsen has specific expertise and interest in diseases of the eye and conditions associated with aging, such as cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Dr. Thorsen is certified in surgical co-management and referral consultation of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and refractive surgery.

    Dr. Thorsen is an Associate Professor at Pacific University College of Optometry. He enjoys participating in the training of future optometrists. Coastal Eye Care hosts several interns a year during their final year of clinical training. Dr. Thorsen is an elected member of the Ocean Beach Hospital board of directors and serves as the board chairman.

    When not working Dr. Thorsen enjoys outdoor sports and traveling with his wife, two sons, and their two dogs. He enjoys working with his hands doing, woodworking projects, and mechanical restorations.

  • Dr.
    Kyle Thompson
    Optometric Physician

    Dr. Thompson joined Coastal Eye Care following his graduation from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, PA. He grew up in the small town of Estherville, Iowa before moving to the west coast to attend Oregon State University, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in BioHealth Science and Chemistry.  Kyle enjoys providing eye care services to patients of all ages and needs, with specialized training in both pediatric and military veteran populations. He also received training with a renowned LASIK and cataract surgeon and is very knowledgeable in co-managing common eye procedures. Other areas of specialty include contact lenses and treatment of eye conditions such as dry eye, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease.  Outside the office, Dr. Thompson enjoys local food and drink with his fiancée as well as disc golf, hiking, and watching sports – especially the Kansas City Chiefs and OSU Beavers.  Dr. Thompson provides care in the Astoria, Seaside, and Long Beach locations. 

  • Dr.
    Laura Bowitz
    Optometric Physician

    Dr. Bowitz joined Coastal Eye Care in June 2022 after graduating optometry school from Pacific University College of Optometry. She grew up in Osceola, a small town in Wisconsin.

    Dr. Bowitz began her education at University of Wisconsin and then moved to Oregon to earn her Doctorate of Optometry. Once in Oregon, she never looked back and made Tillamook her home.  She currently provides comprehensive vision care, pediatric vision care, contact lens services, surgery co-management, and ocular health checks in our Tillamook Clinic.

    Laura fell in love with our area and all that Tillamook has to offer.  Outside of the office Dr. Bowitz enjoys hiking, reading a good book and trying new recipes. She is excited to join our team of eye care professionals and is passionate about providing quality, state of the art eye care to patients throughout Tillamook County.

Buy One Pair of Glasses and receive 30% Off Your Second Pair!

Locations

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Long Beach

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Astoria

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Seaside

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-4:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed