About Us
Our Beliefs and Practice
We Believe and practice that:
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
-Colossians 3:23
Heffington’s mission is to magnify God in our work. We work for Him and strive for excellence giving Him all the glory.
We provide same-day and emergency service while striving to exceed our patient’s expectations. We would be honored to serve you with outstanding quality and personalized patient care!
Heffington's
Optometrists
Dr. Mark Axford
Dr. Mark Axford graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry and enjoys practicing general optometry with specialties in contact lenses and medical procedures. He enjoys the outdoors with his son Willie and especially hiking and canoeing.
Dr. Aggie Bruemmer
Dr. Aggie Bruemmer graduated from the Kentucky College of Optometry in 2023. She graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology with Minors in Chemistry and Psychology. She is a huge fan of live music, traveling, and reading.
Dr. Valerie D’Souza
Dr. Valerie D’Souza graduated from the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry in 2025. She received her Bachelor of Science from Missouri State University with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She is involved in her church choir, enjoys spending time with family and friends, and attending concerts.
Dr. Bryce Heffington
Dr. Bryce Heffington graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry, along with a minor in Global Perspectives of the 21st Century from Drury University. Outside the office, Dr. Heffington enjoys spending time outdoors, creating educational content for his YouTube channel, and going on adventures with his wife, Allie, and their two children, Caleb and Audrey. Some of their favorite family destinations include Silver Dollar City and White Water.
Dr. Laura Kay
Dr. Laura Kay graduated from Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry in 2016 and has worked in both corporate and private settings. Before that, she studied Psychology with a minor in Cell/Molecular Biology at Missouri State University. Dr. Kay and her family, including her husband, David, and daughter Madison, are nature lovers who love activities like climbing and hiking. She’s also an avid runner, reader, and pianist. And when it comes to her faith, she’s a big believer in Jesus Christ and dedicates her life to serving God.
Dr. Scott Schneid
Dr. Scott Schneid graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1992. Scott and his wife, Debbie, enjoy playing music, movies, theater, and camping.
Dr. Dennis White
Dr. Dennis White graduated from the University of Missouri at St. Louis College of Optometry in 1989 and practices general optometry with specialties in cataracts and glaucoma. He enjoys traveling with his wife, Barbara, along with fishing.
Dog Greeters
Chino
As a rescue, Chino has lived more life than most dogs can count on their paws. He leads the greeting/hospitality team at Heffington’s House of Vision while training up his younger brother from another mother, Johnny Cash. Chino loves to play fetch, be loved on, and attend to patients bringing joy to their lives.
Johnny Cash
Son of Harlow and Willow from Top of The Hill Golden Retrievers in Nixa, Missouri. Born in 2021, Johnny has been a ball of life, joy, and energy. Patients love seeing him, especially when he plays tug-of-war with Chino. Johnny loves to chase Chino, be loved on, and make sure patients have the best experience possible.
How it all started
Heffington's Timeline
Three Generations. One Vision. Since 1975.
Our story began when Bob Heffington didn’t get the job. He applied to a help wanted ad from American Optical in Springfield, Missouri, for the delivery boy position. Several applied, and it came down to him and another guy, and they chose the other guy.
Six months later, with six inches of snow on the ground, the other guy didn’t show up for work, and O.D. Wilson, the manager of American Optical, called Bob to see if he still wanted the job.
This began Bob’s life in optical and continues into the third generation.
Bob moved up from laboratory production to become the American Optical manager.
American Optical and Bausch & Lomb were charged (and didn’t contest) with being a monopoly. Both companies consolidated and left Springfield, Missouri.
Bob started Heffington Optical with his wife Judy and two sons; Mark and Gary. Bob made the glasses and Judy did the accounting.
Mark and Gary began working summers and weekends to help the family business with eyeglass manufacturing.
The Heffington’s acquired The Spec Shop and started into optical retail.
The Spec Shop relocated to the Galleria where Mark and Heather Heffington worked together.
Heffington Optical opened a retail location across the parking lot from the lab where Gary and his wife Deborah work together.
The Spec Shop was relocated and renamed Heffington’s House of Vision.
Gary and Deborah’s twin boys, Thomas and Gregory, began working in the family business.
Mark and Heather’s son, Bryce, graduates from optometry school and begins practicing as a licensed optometrist.