New optometrist joins eye care clinic

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Kelly Crenna grew up in Garrison, a small town near Mille Lacs Lake. But for the last four years she’s been working on a doctorate of optometry at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She graduated in May and was ready to come home, she said recently.

“I like the seasons,” Crenna said. “It gets boring to have 90-degree weather in January.”

Crenna joined Dr. Trent Cole in mid July at the Cottage Grove Eyecare Clinic, at 7430 80th St., in Cottage Grove. She will see patients for general eye exams but also plans to aid Cole in extending the clinic’s pediatric vision therapy program.

The pediatric program is designed to help students who may be having trouble reading or processing written and auditory material, she said. “These could be students who are behind in reading, have a problem with letter reversal or hand-eye coordination,” Crenna said. “They are students who are bright, may even have 20/20 vision, but are not working up to their potential.”

Crenna, who has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, always wanted to be a medical professional, she said. “Working with children is especially rewarding when we begin to see progress.”

Crenna is available for appointments from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For details, call the clinic at (651) 459-9000.

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