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About Frontier Eye Clinic

We are a locally focused optometry practice located inside Costco in Fairbanks, Alaska. We make it easier for families across Alaska’s interior to access reliable primary and medical eye care in a place they already visit. 

A woman sits in a chair while a doctor examines her eyes with a device.
Optometrist and patient reviewing eye test results on a computer screen

Caring for Alaska’s Interior, One Eye Exam at a Time

Life in Fairbanks and the surrounding communities comes with its own visual demands, extreme light changes, long drives, work in varied environments, and plenty of time outdoors.

We serve patients from Fairbanks, North Pole, Eielson Air Force Base, and communities across Alaska’s interior, all from our convenient location at 48 College Road, inside Costco, with free on-site parking.

Our Practice Philosophy

We believe our patients should be able to say, “That was a thorough eye exam, and it was also quick.” That balance guides how we schedule, structure each visit, and communicate results.

You can expect exams that run on time, with room for questions and clear explanations of your results and next steps.

We keep our language plain, our recommendations practical, and our focus on what matters most to you: seeing comfortably and protecting your vision over the long term.

A doctor examining a young girl's eyes in an examination room

Who We Serve

Frontier Eye Clinic cares for children as young as 4, as well as adults and seniors. Families often come to us for routine eye exams, updates to their glasses or contact lens prescriptions, and monitoring of long-term conditions like diabetes or glaucoma.

We understand that many patients travel from outside Fairbanks or fit appointments around work at the base, school, or family schedules. Our emphasis on running on time and providing clear expectations before the visit reflects that reality.

For Spanish-speaking patients, Dr. Vernon can provide vision care in Spanish, helping reduce barriers to understanding and participation in their eye health care.

Meet the Team at Frontier Eye Clinic

Terry Bell
Optometric Physician
Terry Bell, OD, attended Snake River High School in Blackfoot, Idaho. After graduating high school in 2003, Dr. Bell went to Brigham Young University - Idaho, in Rexburg, Idaho. After...
Michael J. Vernon
Optometric Physician
Michael J. Vernon, OD, FAAO, attended high school in Springfield, Virginia. Upon graduating high school in 1988, Dr. Vernon went to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Between matriculating and...
Katy Englebright
Optometric Assistant
Katy began her journey as an Air Force dependent, traveling across the country before eventually settling in Florida, where she raised her two sons. She brings 18 years of experience...
Michelle Bell
Optometric Assistant
Michelle grew up in British Columbia, Canada. Upon graduating high school, she started in working in an optometry office, finding our she loved eye care, and became a certified optometrist...
Rachel Mildebrandt
Accounting and Billing
Rachel was born overseas, owing to her Air Force father being stationed in Berlin, West Germany at the time. Her family did not return to live in the United States...
Renatha Vernon
Back Office Manager
Renatha was born and spent her youth in a coastal city in Brazil. As a young teenager, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she attended high school. After...