Lauren Schwalb, O.D.

Dr. Schwalb grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri where her interest in Optometry began at a young age after being a frequent visitor to the Children’s Hospital Eye Center as a patient. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry at Missouri State University. Following her undergraduate schooling, Dr. Schwalb completed her Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Missouri- St. Louis. Her training included a variety of settings including the Indian Health Services hospital where she saw and managed patients with ocular disease as well as routine eye exams. Next, she completed a rotation at the Draisin Vision Group in Charleston, South Carolina which is a private practice where her passion for vision therapy blossomed and her contact lens knowledge grew. In addition, she trained at the Kansas City Children’s hospital where her focus was on pediatric primary care and disease. After graduation, she completed a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision.

Philanthropic work is extremely important to Dr. Schwalb. During optometry school, she went on a mission trip to Haiti, and in 2016, she went to Zambia. In both cases, she was able to work alongside an amazing team who saw thousands of patients and provided appropriate care to those in serious need. She was beyond humbled by these opportunities and cannot wait for her next trip!

Dr. Schwalb is delighted to join Clarion Optometry Group and looks forward to caring for the visual needs of her patients in Yucca Valley. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and being a mommy to her newborn son. She also enjoys traveling, reading, yoga, hockey, and trying local restaurants.

Dr. Huang

Dr. Xu Shao Huang has been serving the eye-care needs of Coachella Valley residents since 2008. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, School of Optometry. Dr. Huang performed his optometry residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in association with Nova Southeastern University, where he was selected Resident of the Year. His other accomplishments include:

  • Attending Optometrist at Miami Veterans Hospital
  • Adjunct Clinical Faculty at Nova Southeastern University
  • Adjunct Clinical Faculty at University of California at Berkeley
  • Associate Optometrist at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Retinal Service
  • Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry, Active Member
    • An esteemed group of Optometrists recognized for their academic achievements.
  • Published author for Optometry and Vision Science
  • Lecturer at the American Academy of Optometry

Dr. Audrey Chen

Dr. Audrey Chen grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area. She graduated with Honors from the University of California, Berkeley earning a Bachelor of Arts in Molecular Cell Biology. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Optometry from UC Berkeley School of Optometry. Dr. Chen furthered her education by completing a residency in Primary Care at The Eye Institute of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry.

Dr. Chen is a former faculty member of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Southern California College of Optometry. She was awarded Staff Doctor of the Year from the class of 2016 at the Southern California College of Optometry. In addition, Dr. Chen is also a former adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Optometry of the New England College of Optometry and Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry.

Dr. Chen is passionate about providing quality patient care and firmly believes all patients should be treated as family. Her special interests include ocular disease and glaucoma care, and specialty custom contact lenses.

Dr. Chen is also a member of Doctors of the Americas, a non-profit organization that provides volunteer medical and vision services to indigent populations. She looks forward to her annual mission trips to El Salvador with this team of health care professionals. Each year, they deliver free eyeglasses and hundreds of medical and eye exams to the underprivileged in a free clinic setting.

In her off time, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, playing tennis and golf, and spending time with her husband and their two black Labrador Retrievers.