Eye care professionals specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as diseases and conditions that affect your vision - many of which do not have obvious symptoms. Eye doctors know how age and risk factors affect vision over time for young and old, and they understand the benefits and features of corrective lenses including eyeglasses and contacts.
Our optometrists take the time to explain the results of your eye exam, describe your options and listen to your eye care needs. Because maintaining good eye health is an ongoing partnership, we encourage you to ask questions and share your health information, which could be vital to monitoring, diagnosing and treating potential vision problems.
Meet our doctors:
Dr. Wendy Barhite Muller
Dr. Muller attended Iowa State University and received her doctor of optometry degree in 1993 from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. She joined Vision Park in April 1994 and specializes in low vision, glaucoma and ocular disease. Dr. Muller has published articles on low vision aids and age-related macular degeneration. Her greatest joy in practice is helping patients of all ages achieve sharper, clearer vision.
Dr. Muller served as President of the Iowa Optometric Association from 2005-2006, and was named Young Optometrist of the Year in 1997. She served as Director of Accreditation for the Heart of America Eye Care Congress from 2009-2015. Dr. Muller also received the Governor’s Volunteer Award for outstanding service to the State of Iowa.
Dr. Muller resides in Urbandale. She and her family attend Lutheran Church of Hope. Dr. Muller enjoys watching ISU athletics, spending time with friends and family, and staying physically active.
Dr. Melissa Billings
Dr. Billings joined Vision Park Family Eye Care in July, 2001. A native of Urbandale, Dr. Billings received her BA in Biology from the University of Northern Iowa in 1996, and her Doctorate degree from the Ohio State University College of Optometry in June 2001.
Dr. Billings was named Iowa’s Young Optometrist of the Year in 2004. She serves on the Executive Board of the Iowa Optometric Association. She is also a member of the American Optometric Association and the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. She was second runner-up for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year in 2006. She also serves as Past-President of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce, Summit Group, and the Des Moines Junior Women’s Club. Dr. Billings completed her Fellowship in the College of Vision Development in 2018, and currently serves at the Coordinator for Iowa. In addition to primary care, contact lenses, ocular disease and vision therapy, Dr. Billings specializes in sports vision training. She trained under Dr. Don Teig who provides sports training for the New York Mets, New York Rangers and Team USA Volleyball. She is an active member of the International Sports Vision Association.
Dr. Billings is active in the Ankeny Free Church serving as a former AWANA T&T Director. Dr. Billings spends her free time with her husband and family, kickboxing, watching her daughter play college volleyball and watching Ohio State Buckeye football.
Dr. Bryan Larson
Dr. Larson was born and raised in Ames, Iowa where he went on to obtain his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Health at Iowa State University. He received his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Missouri - St. Louis College of Optometry in 2015. Dr. Larson joined Vision Park Family Eye Care in 2018 and practices full scope optometry with an emphasis in pediatrics, vision rehabilitation, and contact lenses. He is a member of the Iowa Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association.
Dr. Larson's special interests include neuro-optometry where he passionately assists in the vision rehabilitation of patients suffering from concussion, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. He is also well trained to implement specialized programs for vision therapy and sports vision training. Dr. Larson also has strong expertise in fitting scleral contact lenses for keratoconus and orthokeratology contact lenses for children requiring myopia management.
Dr. Larson, his wife Lindsay, and four kids reside in Ankeny. He and his family are actively involved at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing golf and basketball, and attending as many Iowa State Athletic events as his children will allow.
Dr. Ashlyn Ward
Dr. Ashlyn Ward was born and raised in Clive and attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology (Pre-Medicine). While at Taylor, she also played volleyball and was a four-year letter winner. She went on to receive her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN in 2018. After practicing in the Chicagoland area following graduation, Dr. Ward returned to Central Iowa to be closer to family and has been serving patients at Vision Park since July 2024. She practices full-scope optometry with a focus on family eye care, dry eye treatment, ocular disease, and contact lenses. What she enjoys most about optometry is the opportunity to care for patients and their families—not just improving vision, but caring for the whole person. Dr. Ward is a member of the Iowa Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association, and she is grateful to be part of the Vision Park team, providing comprehensive care in the community she grew up in.
Dr. Ward and her husband, Tom, live in Johnston with their three children. Tom serves as the Student Pastor at NorthPoint Church, where they are actively involved. In her free time, Dr. Ward enjoys spending time with her family, playing sand and indoor volleyball, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Bears.
Dr. McKenzie Friedman
Dr. McKenzie Friedman was raised in Polk City and went on to attend the University of Iowa and received her BS in Human Physiology in 2021. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN in 2025. Growing up in the field of Optometry, she is excited to be moving back to Central Iowa to provide comprehensive eyecare to the surrounding community. Dr. Friedman is a member of the Iowa Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. She is also a member of GenYP with the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, Dr. Friedman enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, pottery classes, and walking her dog, a corgi named Benji.
