Our Doctors

Dr. Larson was born in Willmar, MN and attended New London-Spicer High School. He completed his BS in biology at South Dakota State University in 2010. While in college, he spent two years on the speech and debate team. He was also heavily involved in tutoring for several subjects and various teaching roles for human anatomy and general microbiology. He then attended the Indiana University School of Optometry and graduated in 2014. After graduating in 2014, Dr. Larson completed a one-year post-graduate residency with the Indiana University School of Optometry in primary care and ocular disease.

After residency, Dr. Larson spent three years as a founding faculty member at the Chicago College of Optometry in Downers Grove, IL. He held teaching positions in the clinical sciences and ocular anatomy and spent one year as the admissions committee chair. Following this appointment, he spent two years in Colorado working in private practice and exploring the mountains before returning to Minnesota.

Education:
New London-Spicer High School, 2006
South Dakota State University, 2010
Indiana University, 2014
Residency-Indiana University School of Optometry, 2015

Training:
Dr. Larson completed clinical externships at the Indianapolis Eye Care Center, Tallahassee VA Outpatient Clinic, Gundersen Health System in Decorah, IA, and River Valley Eye Professionals in Northfield, MN He completed a post-graduate residency at the Indiana University School of Optometry in primary care and ocular disease with an emphasis on optometric education. He completed observational rotations in general and specialty ophthalmology and neurology and surgical observations for cataracts, corneal transplants, eyelid repair, Lasik, pediatric ophthalmology, and strabismus.

Professional Associations:
American Optometric Association, Minnesota Optometric Association, Beta
Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society, Pi Kappa Delta Honor Society

Areas of Practice:
Primary Eye Care
Contact Lenses
Dry Eye Management
Ocular Disease Management
Surgical Co-Management
Urgent and Emergent Eye Care

Personal interests:
Dr. Larson is a fitness enthusiast and an avid video gamer. He is a huge fan of Indiana and Minnesota basketball and can be found cheering and/or yelling during games in-season. His weekends will be spent either at the cabin or helping on the family farm.

Dr. Zach Dirks was born in Apply Valley MN and grew up in St. Peter MN. He attended St. Peter High School and the University of Minnesota where he received numerous academic accredations. Dr. Z. Dirks received his doctorate in Optometry in 2007 from the Southern California College of Optometry and was class valedictorian. His training focused heavily on family eye care and the treatment of ocular disease. Dr. Z. Dirks currently lives north of St. Peter with his wife and two children.

Education:
Dr. Zach Dirks attended St. Peter High School. He graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Biology in 2003. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton, CA, in 2007 as class valedictorian.

Training:
Dr. Zach Dirks completed clinical externships at the Indian Health Services in Lawton, OK, Ophthalmology Associates of Las Vegas, NV, Center for the Partially Sighted Pasadena, CA, VA Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV, the Fullerton CA Laser Vision Center (TLC), and the Southern California College of Optometry Vision Center in Fullerton, CA. These externships had an emphasis in ocular disease management specifically Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Eye Disease, Dry Eye and post operative care for Cataracts and Corneal Transplants.

Professional Associations:
He is a member of the American Optometric Society, Minnesota Optometric Society, and Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society.

Areas of Practice:
Routine Eye and Vision Care for the Entire Family
Dry Eye Management
Management of Chronic Eye Disease (Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Eye Care)
Acute Eye Care
Specialty Vision Care and Contact Fitting

Personal Interests:
Dr. Zach Dirks lives just north of St. Peter with his wife, Rachel, daughter Ella, and son Benjamin. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, gardening, enjoying the outdoors, wine making, and anything with his family.