INSIGHT VISION GROUP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Cataract, and Refractive Surgeon
Dr. Crystal Kasper was born and raised in Indiana. After graduating with honors from Indiana University with a Bachelor degree in Biology, she obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2009.
After clinical training, Dr. Kasper gained experience in low vision rehabilitation, pediatrics, visual perceptional disorders, neuro rehabilitation, oculoplastics, laser vision correction, glaucoma, cornea and diseases of all ages. Since 2009, Dr. Kasper has practiced in multi-doctor facilities. She has experience in every aspect of eye care and with the latest technology available in the field.
When she is not practicing eye care, she loves the outdoors. You can typically find her skiing, biking, hiking, snowshoeing, golfing, listening to live music, watching sports games and trying new restaurants with her friends, husband Tony and their two children.
Education
OPTOMETRY SCHOOL
NOVA Southeastern University
Doctor of Optometry
BACHELORS DEGREE
Indiana University
Dr. Pethe completed his undergraduate training at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He completed his doctorate degree in Optometry from Pacific University in Oregon. Dr. Pethe currently serves as an adjunct clinical professor for Illinois College of Optometry and trains optometry externs.
Dr. Pethe brought his strong interest in new technological advancements to InSight Vision Group. He embraced the new Light Adjusting Lens, along with other technologies that are available for most cataract patients. He works closely with the surgical teams delivering cataract and LASIK education along with pre- and post- surgical care to patients. Dr. Pethe also works with referring optometrists on medical and diabetic eye exams.
Dr. Pethe spends most of his time away from the office with his family at their kids many sports and activities. As a Colorado native, he enjoys Colorado recreation such as skiing, golfing, and spending time with his wife and four children.
Education
MEDICAL SCHOOL
2005 Doctor of Optometry, Pacific University College of Optometry, Hillsboro, Oregon
BACHELORS DEGREE
2000 Bachelor of Biological Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado
Job Titles:
- Cataract, and Refractive Surgeon
Dr. Gregory Kouyoumdjian, or Dr. K for short, practices at the InSight Vision Group Littleton location. As a native of Ogdensburg, New York he received an undergraduate degree in Biology and French at The Johns Hopkins University. He graduated from New York University School of Medicine with Honors and interned at Stony Brook Medical Center. Dr. Kouyoumdjian completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the University of Colorado Medical Center and trained an additional year at CU Medical for a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Kouyoumdjian has undergone specialized fellowship training in all surgeries involving the anterior segment of the eye. He specializes in cataract surgery with implants eliminating the need for glasses, LASIK, and all other forms of refractive surgery, as well as cornea transplantation and surface reconstructive procedures. Additionally, Dr. K performs vitreolysis to treat floaters.
Several of Dr. K's articles have been published in prominent ophthalmic journals, and he has presented numerous papers at prominent national eye meetings. He is Board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. K is an avid mogul skier and enjoys cycling in his free time. He is married with two children and speaks French fluently.
Dr. Heather Gitchell is an experienced Doctor of Optometry at our Boulder and Longmont locations. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Keene State College in Keene, NH. She went on to complete a year-long research fellowship at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, MD at the National Institutes of Health. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree, with honors, from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2005. She returned to Colorado for a residency in ocular pathology and surgical co-management.
Dr. Gitchell has been part of studies published in both scientific and optometric journals and has been active in the Colorado Optometric Association, serving on the Board of Trustees for six years and as president in 2018. Dr, Gitchell was given the honor of Optometrist of the Year in 2021, awarded by the Colorado Optometric Association. She has provided eye care at the Denver Rescue Mission and has been appointed by two Governors to a Medicaid Advisory committee with the Department of Health Care Policy and Finance. She provided comprehensive vision and medical eye care at a private practice in Louisville, CO for thirteen years before joining InSight Vision Group.
Dr. Gitchell loves living in Boulder and taking advantage of all Colorado has to offer. She enjoys hiking, skiing, paddle boarding, rafting, traveling, and playing soccer.
Education
2001-2005 Doctor of Optometry, with distinction, Pacific University College of Optometry
1998-1999 pre-IRTA Fellowship, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health
1994-1998 Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, Keene State College, Keene, NH
Job Titles:
- Cataract, and Refractive Surgeon
Dr. Amiel is a cataract, cornea, and refractive surgeon based out of our Arvada location. Howard Amiel earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and a Master of Science from The Chicago Medical School, in North Chicago. He then completed a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. After an internship here in Denver, he completed a residency at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, eventually becoming a faculty member mentoring students and Ophthalmology residents in the emergency room, operating room, and clinics. Dr. Amiel then went on to complete two fellowships, one in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive surgery at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, and another fellowship in Refractive and Cataract surgery with Dr. Paul Koch of Warwick, Rhode Island.
Dr. Amiel specializes in cataract surgery, corneal transplants, LASIK, PRK and advanced dry eye. His interests include advanced IOL technology and laser assisted cataract surgery. He is well respected in the Denver Metro area having improved the vision of thousands. He has written numerous articles on corneal, cataract and refractive surgery in national ophthalmic publications. Dr. Amiel has refereed and reviewed peer submissions for ophthalmic publications and lectures locally, nationally, and internationally, and has volunteered in multiple international medical relief campaigns.
Dr. Amiel enjoys spending time with his family and outdoor opportunities like running the trails, snowboarding and mountain biking.
Job Titles:
- Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeon
Dr. Ketty Lee is an experienced Doctor of Optometry at our Boulder and Longmont locations. She will provide a thorough candidacy evaluation along with any necessary preoperative and postoperative care for Laser Vision Correction and Cataract Surgery at InSight LASIK and InSight Vision Group. She brings over 22 years of experience in Laser eye surgery, medical care, and other refractive surgery consultations.
Dr. Lee lectures locally on various topics related to Laser Vision Correction and New Technology Cataract Surgery. She has enjoyed being involved in FDA studies that contributed to the approval of various Laser Vision Correction treatments. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Colorado Optometric Association. She has served the role of an Adjunct Professor affiliated with the University of Houston College of Optometry and Pacific University College of Optometry. She is currently an Adjunct Professor of Northeastern State University Oklahoma's College of Optometry and Assistant Professor of Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is fluent in Portuguese and Mandarin and has working knowledge of Spanish.
Education
RESIDENCY AND FELLOWSHIP
1997 - 1998 Omni Eye Specialists and TLC Laser Eye Center - Denver, Colorado (Ocular Disease and Refractive Surgery)
TLC Rocky Mountain Laser Center
OPTOMETRY SCHOOL
1993 - 1997 Illinois College of Optometry - Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Nate Pecha started his full-time college education at 16 years old and earned an associate degree and then pursued his undergraduate degree in Biology from Illinois State University. He received his Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Pecha moved from Illinois to Colorado after completing an intensive internship program at InSight Vision Group.
Dr. Pecha eventually joined InSight Vision Group with his impeccable patient education abilities, providing pre- and post-surgical patients with calming care. Dr. Pecha provides cataract management, intraocular lens selection, refractive consultations, and dry eye treatments. He is constantly eager to learn new technologies emerging in the field. Dr. Pecha is an adjunct professor for doctorate students at Illinois College of Optometry.
When he is not practicing eye care, Dr. Pecha enjoys trying new restaurants, exploring outdoors, and live music. He loves to travel and has visited many countries around the globe.
Education
2013 Associate of Arts, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL
2015 Bachelor of Science, Illinois State University
OPTOMETRY SCHOOL
2021 Doctor of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
2020-2021 Externship, InSight Vision Group
Job Titles:
- Cataract, Glaucoma, and Refractive Surgeon
Job Titles:
- Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeon / Boulder & Longmont
Dr. Shipra Gupta is a board-certified Ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and glaucoma surgery, serving the InSight Vision Group Boulder and Longmont locations. She will incorporate premium surgical techniques and technology including wave-front aberrometry (ORA) and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
Dr. Gupta earned her undergraduate degree from Case Western University in Cleveland, OH. She then completed a Doctor of Medicine at Case Western University School of Medicine. She completed an ophthalmology residency at University Hospitals - Case Medical Center, eventually becoming the Surgical Chief Resident. Dr. Gupta went on to complete a fellowship in glaucoma at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Gupta has earned many scholarships, recognitions, and awards. She has enjoyed authoring and co-authoring numerous publications and book chapters. Dr. Gupta enjoys teaching and education, she has instructed medical students on acute angle closure glaucoma, eye anatomy, eye emergencies, and ophthalmoscopy techniques. She has a deep passion for volunteer work, having volunteered for organizations in the past such as L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Free Clinic of Cleveland, and MedWish International.
Dr. Gupta enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading, hiking, sports and fitness, and loves rooting for her hometown Pittsburgh sports teams.
Education
GLAUCOMA/ANTERIOR SEGMENT FELLOWSHIP
Job Titles:
- Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeon / Lone Tree & Denver
Dr. Muylaert graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She received her M.D. from the University of Texas at Houston and finished a surgical internship at Methodist Hospital in Dallas, TX. She completed residency training in ophthalmology at the State University of New York, Stony Brook followed by a glaucoma fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mt. Sinai in New York, NY.
Dr. Muylaert also completed the Clinical Quality Fellowship Program in New York, NY. This prestigious program sponsored by the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA) and United Hospital Fund (UHF) offers specialty training in quality and patient safety to clinicians in the New York City area. Dr. Muylaert was the first ophthalmologist accepted into the fellowship and subsequently became the Quality & Patient Safety Co-Chair of her department.
After her fellowship, Dr. Muylaert was an attending physician at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mt. Sinai. She provided direct oversight to residents in the glaucoma clinic and operating room. Her dedication to resident education continued when she joined the Weill Cornell Department of Ophthalmology as an Assistant Professor. She supervised both resident and fellow clinical, laser, and surgical skills and served as the Co-Director of the Glaucoma service.
Dr. Muylaert specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma, and was a professor of glaucoma at Cornell before coming to Colorado. She also specializes in advanced cataract surgery, including LenSx laser-assisted cataract surgery with ORA technology, and premium lenses including multifocal and astigmatic correcting lenses.
Dr. Muylaert and her husband, John, a radiologist at Denver Health are the parents of 3 young children.
Education
GLAUCOMA/ANTERIOR SEGMENT FELLOWSHIP
Job Titles:
- Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon / Boulder & Denver
Sumit A Sitole, M.D. is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has been published in numerous professional journals. Dr. Sitole earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan. He subsequently graduated from the Tufts University School of Medicine. After an internship at the University of Chicago, Dr. Sitole completed his residency at Loyola University Medical Center. Upon the conclusion of his training in ophthalmology, he completed a two-year fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Krieger Eye Institute, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, a fellowship approved by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He then chose to relocate to Colorado to practice medicine and enjoy everything the state has to offer.
Dr. Carlson is a native of Colorado, having been raised in Wyoming, who thoroughly enjoys the Rocky Mountains and embraces the environmental challenges for ocular comfort and vision. After completing her doctorate at the University of Houston College of Optometry, Dr. Carlson returned to Colorado in 2000.
She has served as Clinical Director for two refractive/medical practices, participated in numerous FDA Clinical Trials, developed numerous treatment protocols for optimizing surgical outcomes, treated eye disease on two hospital campuses, specialized in dry eye treatments, has worked with visual challenges specific to aviation and provided emergency eye care. She serves as an adjunct professor for doctorate students and continues to lecture locally and nationally. Her passion has taken her around the world for medical eye care by volunteering for medical teams in Madagascar, Cambodia, Ecuador, Honduras, South Africa, Mali, and Mexico.
Dr. Cruse received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. His Doctor of Optometry degree is from the Illinois College. Upon finishing his doctorate, he began a residency and working at a multi-specialty medical group in Colorado. Dr. Cruse is a Doctor of Optometry focusing on ocular disease and pathology consultations. He is the Resident Coordinator of the InSight Vision Group Ocular Disease Residency as Insight is an adjunct facility with the Illinois College of Optometry.
Dr. Cruse is very active with the Colorado Optometric Association (COA) and is the past President. He was awarded the 2022 COA Keypeople of the Year and the 2022 COA Presidents Award. He remains an advocate for Colorado Optometric Association Young Optometrists which he was a founding member. Dr. Cruse is also an American Optometric Association committee member for Industry Relations.
Dr. Cruse lectures to fellow optometrists on various topics, but mainly focuses on the diagnosis and management of glaucoma as well as cataract surgery and all that it has to offer.
He, his wife, and their young children live in Denver and enjoy family, friends, travel, and all things outdoor related.
Education
OPTOMETRY SCHOOL
2011 Illinois College of Optometry - Chicago, Illinois
Doctor of Optometry