Our Doctors
The doctors at Auburn Eye Care Associates Optometry are committed to providing the best care for your vision and eye health. Beyond their extensive training and education, our doctors continue to advance their knowledge and skills to keep up with the newest developments and advancements in eye health and vision care. They participate in progressive continuing education forums and network and collaborate with other leading eye health professionals worldwide. Their ability to share this information with their patients sets them apart from other professionals.
Robert D. Belajic, OD
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Dr. Robert Belajic graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a degree in Biological Sciences. He earned Doctor of Optometry from Southern California College of Optometry where he was awarded the prestigious Albert Sheard Award for Clinical Excellence. He completed extensive post-graduate training thru University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry for certifications in therapeutic pharmaceutical agents and glaucoma treatment. Additional training in laser vision correction management was accomplished through Pacific University College of Optometry in Oregon.
Dr. Belajic began providing services to the Auburn community in 1976. By 1978, he founded Auburn Eye Care Associates Optometry. His enthusiasm to alleviate the burden of glasses for others with laser vision correction led to becoming a principle founder of the Pacific Laser Eye Center. |
Dr. Belajic has shared his experiences through lectures in optometric management and laser vision patient care.
David R. Norcott, OD
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Dr. David Norcott is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara and University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry. While at Berkeley, he was lauded for outstanding clinical skills with the Robert Greenwood Memorial Award.
Dr. Norcott began serving the Auburn area in 1991. By 1994, he was recognized statewide by optometric peers for being the Young Optometrist of the Year. He has served as an expert examiner for the California State Board of Optometry as well as president of the Sacramento Valley Optometric Society. He was also a principle founder of the Pacific Laser Eye Center. |
H. Douglas Cooper, MD
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A native of Idaho, Dr. Douglas Cooper graduated cum laude in 1981 from Brigham Young University in Utah. He graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1985. Dr. Cooper trained as an Ophthalmology Resident at Tulane University, where he received the prestigious "James Allen Excellence in Ophthalmology Award." He has also written and published numerous articles in professional publications such as "The American Journal of Ophthalmology" and "Archives of Ophthalmology." In 1989,
Dr. Cooper settled in the Sacramento area and started a general ophthalmology practice specializing in refractive and cataract surgery. In 1996, Dr. Cooper affiliated with Dr. Belajic and Dr. Norcott. He also served as a medical director for the Pacific Laser Eye Center. |
Daniel A. Belajic, OD, FAAO
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Dr. Dan Belajic is a Placer High School and University of San Diego graduate. He spent 6 years as a cancer research & design scientist for Dow Chemical and Johnson & Johnson. He decided to return to school with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. During his training, he was selected into an international optometric honor society, assisted the Institutional Review Board overseeing all National Institute of Health research proposals, and served as Student Clinical Coordinator. He also contributed to international relief efforts in Guatemala by providing eye and vision care. Dr. Dan completed all clinical rotations with honors, crossing regions of the country learning from internationally recognized instructors in topics of eye disease, emergent ocular management, diabetes, glaucoma, contact lens, and low vision. In 2014, he earned peer recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.
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Carlo G. Castro, O.D.
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Dr. Carlo Castro, OD is a Northern California native who was raised in Vacaville, CA near Davis. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California in Berkeley, and his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) at Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, CA. He received scholarships in practice management and for his involvement with the Private Practice Club at SCCO.
Dr. Castro completed his clinical training in the Veterans Hospitals in Tucson, AZ and in West Los Angeles, CA. He has also trained at the military hospital, the David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA. He has worked in ophthalmology and optometry practices in the Solano and Sacramento counties. During his time at UC Berkeley, Dr. Castro was a member of the University of California Marching Band (Cal band), playing the tenor drums and the trombone. He was also a member of the Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in Sacramento. In his free time, Dr. Castro enjoys playing tennis, cycling, hiking, and snowboarding. |
Philip M. Smith, MD
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Dr. Philip Smith attended Texas Tech University where he received his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1995 then Doctor of Medicine in 2000. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency in 2003 at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, TX. As an intern, he was awarded the outstanding first year resident in internal medicine. During his senior year of residency, he was selected as the chief resident for the Department of Internal Medicine. Dr. Smith then completed his ophthalmology residency in 2006 at Friedenwald Eye Institute and then served as Chief Resident of Ophthalmology from 2005-2006. He specializes in comprehensive medical & surgical eye care with emphasis on cataract and laser corneal refractive surgery. He is also certified in microsurgical glaucoma treatment using the iStent trabecular micro-bypass stent and Trabectome techniques. He has extensive experience with implanting monofocal, toric, and presbyopic correcting intraocular lenses during cataract removal. In his free time, Dr. Smith enjoys hockey, skiing, and plays several instruments including the bagpipes!
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Eye Care Professionals
- Doctors of Optometry (O.D.) are independent primary health care professionals for the eye.
- Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures including systemic conditions affecting the eye.
- Ophthalmologists are physicians (M.D. or D.O.) that have specialized in eye care; particularly with surgical intervention.
- Our unique integration of both specialties maximizes the care our patients receive.
- Our multi-disciplinary professionals perform at the peak of their specialized training due to the support from a well-trained and organized staff.
- Staff development is important to our patient care so we encourage nationally recognized paraoptometric certification (CPO/CPOA/CPOT/CPOC).