Doctors & Staff
Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Heaston and Thompson Vision Clinic a proud provider of vision care products and services in Richland.
Our Doctors
Dale Heaston, OD, FCOVD – Optometric Physician (Retired)
Kind, thoughtful, and friendly, Dr. Dale Heaston’s professional integrity and excellent problem-solving skills inspire patient confidence. Patients admire his wealth of experience, superb clinical skills, and genuine patient care.
Dr. Dale is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the Optometric Physicians of Washington, and the Tri-Cities Optometric Society.
Appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2017, Dr. Dale serves as President of the Washington State Board of Optometry.
Through many years of dedication to his profession and community, Dr. Dale has been a recipient of many prestigious volunteer and Optometric Physician awards*. His most recent accomplishments include the Optometric Physicians of Washington 2012 Presidential Lifetime Achievement award, the 2014-2015 O.D. of the Year award, and the 2017 American Optometric Association’s Distinguished Service Award.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Dale enjoys family time, hiking, and playing golf and tennis. Dr. Dale and his wife, Suzanne, have two daughters, Liz and Karen, both of whom practice alongside him.
Professional Profile
Undergraduate Education
- 1972- Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon
Optometry School
- 1976- Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois
- 1976- Joined Heaston Vision Clinic
Board Certified in Vision Development and Vision Therapy
Awards and Achievements
- 1979-1980 Washington Optometric Association “Young Doctor of Optometry of the Year”
- 1992 Tri-City Junior Soccer Association “Volunteer of the Year”
- 1995 Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau “Tourism Individual of the Year”
- 1996 Tri-Cities Junior Soccer Association “Outstanding Service to Youth Soccer”
- 1997 W.S.Y.S.A. District 6 “Administrator of the Year”
- 2012 The Optometric Physicians of Washington “President’s Distinguished Service” Award
- 2014-2015 The Optometric Physicians of Washington “Doctor of Optometry of the Year” Award
- 2017 American Optometric Association “Distinguished Service” Award
Trent Thompson, O.D. – Optometric Physician
Kind, thoughtful, even mannered, Dr. Trent Thompson’s quiet helpfulness and unpretentious concern for others endears him to people. Patients and doctors admire his clinical experience, knowledge, and excellent communication skills.
Born in Glendive, Montana, Dr. Trent grew up on a wheat farm in Western North Dakota. In 1998, Dr. Trent graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Mary, where he received a degree in Biology and also received the BSK Silver Medal Award for his academic achievements. He was named Valedictorian of the 2002 Optometric class at Pacific University College of Optometry. That same year, Dr. Trent joined the Heaston Vision Clinic, which would later be re-named Heaston and Thompson Vision Clinic.
As well as providing primary comprehensive vision care, Dr. Trent’s professional interests include Ocular Surface Disease management, complex ocular disease management (i.e. Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, etc), and specialty contact lens fittings such as scleral contact lenses and Orthokeratology lenses.
Dr. Trent and his wife, Elizabeth, who also practices at the Heaston and Thompson Vision Clinic, have three children, Isabella, Benjamin, and Elias. Dr. Trent enjoys spending his time coaching both sons’ baseball and basketball teams, as well as hunting, fishing, and playing golf.
Professional Profile
Undergraduate Education
- 1998—University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota
Optometry School
- 2002—Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon
Joined Heaston Vision Clinic in 2002
Elizabeth Heaston Thompson, OD, FCOVD – Optometric Physician
Positive, outgoing, and energetic, Dr. Elizabeth Heaston Thompson’s enthusiastic clinical approach endear her to her patients. Dr. Liz’s caring demeanor, intrinsic love of children, and specialized training in diagnosing pediatric conditions combine to make her an excellent pediatric clinician. She is a Fellow in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, demonstrating her continued commitment to visual function deficiencies and their efficient treatments.
Dr. Liz is a member of the American Optometric Association, Optometric Physicians of Washington, and the Tri-Cities Optometric Society, where she is a past President.
Continuing her efforts in optometric community service, Dr. Liz donates her clinical skills to non-profit organizations and lectures on children’s vision development and visual function. She also enjoys ensuring children are ready to go to school through visual performance screening, as well as athlete’s sports vision performance including the organization of concussion protocol training in coordinated efforts with both Richland and Hanford High School.
Dr. Liz coaches youth soccer and enjoys watching her children grow. She and her husband, Dr. Trent, who also practices at the Heaston & Thompson Vision Clinic, have a daughter, Isabella, and two sons, Benjamin and Elias.
Professional Profile
Undergraduate Education
- 1999- Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Optometry School
- 2003- Pacific University College of Optometry
Fellowship, College of Optometrists in Vision Development
Board Certified in Vision Development and Vision Therapy
Joined Heaston & Thompson Vision Clinic in 2003
Karen Heaston, OD, FCOVD – Optometric Physician
Compassionate, energetic, and enthusiastic, Dr. Karen Heaston’s outgoing manner sets a positive tone with her patients. Her optimistic outlook and precise examination inspires patient confidence and makes her an excellent clinician.
Dr. Karen is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the Optometric Physicians of Washington, and the Tri-Cities Optometric Society. She is the recipient of the 2014-2015 Optometric Physicians of Washington’s Young O.D. of the Year award.
As well as providing primary comprehensive vision care, Dr. Karen’s professional interests include ocular surface disease management, with specific emphasis on how Accutane use changes the Meibomian Gland structure.
Outside of optometry, Dr. Karen enjoys learning about American Military history, as well as working with dogs that have suffered spinal cord injuries and the challenges of devising unique strategies for their care. She and husband, Jason, have a daughter, Hadley, and two dogs, Winston, a German Shorthair Pointer, and Drake, a black lab.
Professional Profile
Undergraduate Education
- 2002—Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Optometry School
- 2006—Pacific University College of Optometry
Board Certified in Vision Development and Vision Therapy
Joined Heaston & Thompson Vision Clinic in 2006
Daniel Plesha, O.D. – Optometric Physician
Soft-spoken, pleasant, and polite, Dr. Daniel Plesha’s calm demeanor puts people at ease. Goal-oriented and friendly, Dr. Plesha continues our tradition of having a caring attitude in providing a thorough eye health exam.
Dr. Plesha is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Optometric Physicians of Washington, and the current President of the Tri-Cities Optometric Society.
Dr. Plesha believes in the importance of routine eye care for underserved populations. While studying at the University of Alabama School of Optometry, he volunteered in providing comprehensive eye exams to individuals in at-risk neighborhoods in Birmingham. He continues this community service locally in offering eye care at the Union Gospel Mission.
Born and raised in Sunnyside, Washington, Dr. Plesha is an accomplished tennis player who played Division 1 tennis for the University of Idaho. With continued efforts, Dr. Plesha also volunteers with the Kamiakin High School tennis team. In addition to playing tennis, he enjoys spending time with his family, playing volleyball, and relishes in the sporting opportunities the Tri-Cities provides.
Professional Profile
Undergraduate Education
- 2010- Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
Optometry School
- 2014- University of Alabama School of Optometry, Birmingham, Alabama
Joined the Heaston & Thompson Vision Clinic in 2014
Our Sub-Specialty Providers
Dr. Talmage Broadbent MD
Northwest Eyelid and Orbital Specialists, PS & NEOS Surgery Center
Dr. Thomas Lenart MD
The Children and Family Eye Doctors, a division of Proliance Surgeons