Our Practice in Fayetteville

Dr. Megan Baureis is a graduate of the University of Arkansas here in Fayetteville, where she achieved a degree in kinesiology/exercise science. She went on to attend the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated valedictorian and magna cum laude.

Her eye care experience includes primary care, contact lenses, ocular disease, and post-operative care with a specialty in dry eye disease diagnostics and treatment. Dr. Baureis is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Arkansas Optometric Association, and the Arkansas Alumni Association. Dr. Baureis is proud to be a graduate of Leadership Fayetteville, hosted by the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, and the LEAD Program, hosted by the Arkansas Optometric Association.

She and her husband, Joe, have 2 children, Luke and Naomi. When not working at Uptown Eyes, she enjoys spending time with her family, boating on Beaver Lake, camping, traveling, and attending concerts and other local Fayetteville events.

Dr. Andersen, a native of Yukon, Oklahoma, earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Central Oklahoma. She then pursued her Optometric Doctorate at Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry (NSUOCO).

Following her doctorate, Dr. Andersen was accepted into the Primary Eye Care Residency program at the Fayetteville VAMC Eye Clinic, affiliated with NSUOCO. After completing her residency, she continued to serve veterans as a staff optometrist at the VA.

Her career took her to McDonald Eye Associates, where she spent five years as a refractive surgery optometrist. It was during this time that she met Dr. Megan Baureis, and together they founded Uptown Eyes in 2011.

Dr. Andersen is an active member of the American Optometric Association, Arkansas Optometric Association, and the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians.

Outside of Uptown Eyes, Dr. Andersen enjoys assisting with marketing for her husband’s business and cherishing time with her family. Her hobbies include backpacking, running, painting, photography, graphic design, and traveling.

Dana is an ABO certified optician that began her optical career in central Missouri in 2002, and is currently working to complete the optician apprenticeship program in Arkansas to become a fully licensed dispensing optician. She’s been part of the Uptown Eyes team since early 2018, when her family moved to Arkansas.

Dana has a passion for glasses and enjoys helping others feel great in their eyewear, too. If you get a chance, you should ask her how many pairs of glasses she has!

She and her husband, Doug, are nearly empty-nesters, but will still have a handful of furry family members at home to keep things interesting. They reside in nearby Prairie Grove and Dana spends lots of time hanging out with her family & friends, taking advantage of every opportunity she gets to travel, and getting creative in her she-shed.

Ezra began helping out at Uptown Eyes, behind-the-scenes, in October 2021. She has become a strong part of our team as an optometric assistant. Ezra has been trained in shipping/receiving, contact lens inventory & ordering, and many optical administrative tasks.

She’s a quick learner and continues to expand her role at Uptown Eyes. Her smile brightens the office and her laugh is infectious!

Ezra is currently attending the University of Arkansas and when she’s not studying for classes or working at Uptown Eyes, she enjoys reading, painting, and playing with her dog, Cash & her cat, Nala.

Elizabeth is one of our amazing Patient Care Coordinators and has been on staff with Uptown Eyes since 2023, after being a long-time patient. She is a Texan who found her way to Arkansas after living in Virginia, Italy, Florida and East Texas during her husband’s time in the Coast Guard.

Elizabeth is a fan of all “fun” glasses and loves to see peoples’ personalities shine through the glasses they choose.

During her free time Elizabeth can be found riding her bike with her husband, practicing yoga or embroidering many projects for her two grown daughters.

Madison was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas where she started her career in eye care in 2021. She quickly fell in love with the job and is looking to expand her knowledge and skills in Ophthalmology.

Maddie plans to become a Certified Paraoptometric Technician to further her career with Uptown Eyes. She loves engaging with our patients and offering a high level of personal care. Educating patients on contact lens wear is one of her favorite parts of the job.

When not at work, she is spending her time exploring the NWA area, looking for new hang out spots & coffee shops or with her parents & siblings. Maddie also shares her life with Smudge, her pot-bellied black cat of five years.

Grace was born in Minneapolis and was raised in the upper Midwest, with her family now residing in South Dakota. She, her husband Lance, and their dog Westley moved to NWA to get away from those harsh northern winters.

Grace joined the Uptown Eyes team in August 2024, but her Optometry journey started in 2019. She enjoys learning about the optometric field and the ever changing technologies that continue to improve patient care.

When she isn’t at work, you can catch her at the farmers market, kayaking on the lake, tending to her plants, hiking on a beautiful trail, or finding the best brewery.