HURST EYE CARE CENTER (HEC)

 is a freestanding full-service practice of optometry founded in 1996 by Dr. Robert K. Hurst. HEC was established on the premise that complete eye care is more than just an eye exam and glasses as many often assume. To Dr. Hurst and HEC, complete eye care is about:

Providing comprehensive eye exams, using state-of-art technology to diagnosis, treat and prevent ocular disease and injury. Our purpose is to enhance, promote, and preserve optimal vision health and eyesight in the NWA community.

Assisting you with selection from an exclusive and distinct fashion conscious inventory of designer and non-designer frames and sunglasses that is beyond compare. Personalized training and fit into contact lenses from one of the largest in-stock contact lens inventories in the area. Most custom lenses are manufactured on site in our cutting edge full surface lab, allowing us to provide same day service for many prescriptions.

Eye care is not complete at HEC without considering you and all things that are you, your eyes, your health, your lifestyle, your budget, your schedule, your style, your experience. 

HURST EYE CARE CENTER

has become a premier eye care facility in Northwest Arkansas. We attribute much of our ongoing success to word-of-mouth referrals and our constant commitment to exceed expectations of excellence in customer service.

Robert K. Hurst O.D.

is founder and owner of HEC.  Dr. Hurst began his optical career at the age of 16.  What began as a part-time job in high school soon turned into a passion and lifelong endeavor.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology in 1992 from North Eastern State University in Tahlequah, OK.  Dr. Hurst went on to receive his Doctorate of Optometry from the nation’s premier college of optometry, Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.  

In his 11 plus years in private practice from the same location, Dr. Hurst has served as clinical examiner for the National Board of Optometry and continually educates himself on the local, state, and national level regarding new technology, techniques and products in order to provide his patients with the most up to date and state of the art eye care.  

Dr. Hurst has served as a mentor to several area high school and college students inspiring and encouraging them, not only in all aspects of eye care, but in leadership and business management skills.  In addition, he remains actively involved in the Noon Lion’s Club and has volunteered his time, services and products to various charitable organizations.

When he is not taking care of the eye care needs of NW Arkansas, Dr. Hurst enjoys spending time outdoors with his 3 sons whether it is 4 wheeling in the neighborhood, fishing at the North Pole, or pacifying his passion for classic cars in the garage. He also satisfies his love for the outdoors, while relieving his stress from the day, by landscaping, building his own koi pond and waterfall for a peaceful retreat, and tractor racing in the backyard.

D. Andrea Pearson-Hurst, RN, BSN

is co-owner, Director of Operations and eyewear consultant for HEC.  Andrea received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Washburn University in Topeka, KS in 1992.  She joined Hurst Eye Care in 2002 after 10 years as a high risk labor and delivery nurse and independent medical-legal consultant.  

Andrea is often asked, “Why did you leave nursing to do this?”  Her response is always very simple, “I didn’t leave nursing, I brought it with me.”  She treats every visitor and/or patient at HEC with the same level of compassion and quality of care as she did her patients in the hospital setting or legal arena.  Her passion is meeting patients need.  Her commitment to learning and educating others is what she believes to be the foundation of her success.

Her keen sense of style, combined with her nursing background, leadership skills and passion for helping others succeed, make her a rare but ideal expert for assisting you with your eye care and eyewear needs, wants and desires.

Craig Grady, OPTICIAN/LAB TECHNICIAN

: Craig, aka “SuperCraig” here at HEC, is a valued asset in many of the office operations. Craig, a 3rd generation optician, joined our eye care team in 2006 with a lifetime of optical experience gained from his grandparents and mother who introduced him to the industry as a child.

Craig takes great pride in his work. He is in charge of our cutting edge full surface lab where he fabricates your custom lenses with precision before mounting them into your frame selection. When picking out your lenses, Craig takes the time to educate you on your options and gets to know you and what your vision needs are in order to help you with selecting the best lens for you. He also assists in the frame selection process to ensure that your prescription is compatible with your frame choice in order to maximize your satisfaction.

Craig follows through when you pick up your new glasses by educating you again on the lenses and proper care. He instructs you to bring your repairs and adjustments to him rather than trying to do it yourself. If anyone is going to break your frame, let it be him. He can fix it.

Craig is also willing to talk football with anyone who will listen. He is very eager to make anyone a Kansas City Chiefs or Kansas State Wildcats fan. We haven’t told him “he’s not in Kansas anymore.”

Kelly Barnes, OFFICE MANAGER

: Kelly has been a part of the optical industry since 2001. She joined HEC in 2006 becoming office manager in mid 2007 as a result of her compassion and dedication to meeting your vision needs. Her optical background combined with being a licensed medical esthetician prepare her with unique and treasured customer service to customize your eye care worthy of a spa-like experience.

Kelly oversees your entire visit and experience at HEC. She will work with you, when you call, to schedule your appointment at a time that is convenient for you, make you feel comfortable & welcome when you arrive, ensure that the time you wait to see Dr. Hurst is kept to a minimum, assist you with frame selection as well as help you understand your vision benefits working with you to meet your needs within your budget.

After you leave, Kelly’s attention to detail and to your experience continues as she follows through to verify that your eyewear is ordered and completed in a timely manner as well as monitors the quality prior to notifying you that your glasses or contacts are available for pick-up.

Kelly works closely with all areas of HEC staff to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your visit to ensure you have a pleasant experience and that your eye care needs have in fact been met before, during, and after your appointment.

Ashley Taylor, OPTOMETRIC ASSISTANT/EYEWEAR CONSULTANT

: Ashley, Ashley, Ashley. All things are possible through Ashley. If you are just having a bad day that is not going your way, come see Ashley. Ashley’s attitude and approach to the world are always positive and upbeat. She doesn’t know the word “can’t” or understand negativity.

That was no different when she joined HEC in 2006, making her the perfect person to assist you throughout your entire eye care experience. From pre-testing, retinal imaging and visual field testing to teaching you to put contacts in for the first time or assist you with picking out the perfect frame, She coaches and supports you with patience in a manner that you are sure to succeed.

When it comes to eyewear, if we don’t have the frame or contacts that you like or the color you need, Ashley will research and find you what you want. She will educate you on the features of the frames along with the lens options and benefits. Ashley allows you to make your own educated buying decisions based on what is best for you and your budget. If she doesn’t know the answers to your questions, she will find the answer for you or collaborate with Dr. Hurst or other staff to ensure that your concerns are satisfied optimally.

Ashley holds a college degree in Mathematics and Statistics, however, her approach to assisting you in all areas of your eye care makes it all seem as easy as 1-2-3.

Devin Helsing, BENEFITS COORDINATOR/EYEWEAR CONSULTANT

: Devin joined our eye care team in 2007 as an administrative assistant. Her enthusiasm for helping to meet your vision needs and for eye care quickly became apparent. Her primary role at HEC soon took on a role of greater responsibility with coordinating and verifying insurance benefits. Devin has become an expert in vision insurance. She will assist you in determining with whom your insurance is through as well as help you with understanding those benefits.

Vision insurance can oftentimes be overwhelming and complex to understand. Devin is available to answer any questions or concerns before, during and after your visit in order to ease your mind and create a positive eye care experience for you.

Devin is also quite exceptional at assisting you in determining how to maximize your vision insurance with style. Her own keen sense of style allows her the ability to help you create a new look from our distinct frame selection and lens options while keeping in mind your vision needs, budget & insurance, as well as your unique lifestyle, wants and desires for eyewear. 

“I never realized how much fun eyewear could be until I started working at HEC. Helping patient’s find the perfect frame from our awesome selection is an exciting and rewarding challenge every time.” Devin

Insurance issues can sometimes take the fun out of everything, but Devin will minimize the issues and maximize the fun in your eye care.