For Dr. Michael Haug of Vision Source Optometry, eye care is a family affair. While many medical practices have shifted toward high-volume models, Dr. Haug has spent over 25 years cultivating a patient-first environment in both Encinitas and Escondido, proving that a personal touch is still the best medicine.
Rooted in Tradition and Connection
Dr. Haug’s path to optometry was paved with a mix of technical curiosity and a natural affinity for people. He comes from a long line of engineers, and initially considered following in the footsteps of his family, but happened upon optometry while being fitted for contact lenses in high school.
“I liked the whole procedure and how it worked. I basically decided that I wanted to be part of it then,” Dr. Haug recalls. “And so I got a job with my optometrist there and he taught me how to edge lenses when I was in high school.”
This career path eventually led him to the UC Berkeley School of Optometry, where he met his wife. After they graduated, they decided to make the move to San Diego to be closer to her family.
That’s when things started to take off.
Opening an Office ‘Cold’
In 1995, Dr. Haug and his wife were given the opportunity to start an optometry practice while he was working for other local eye doctors.
“[My wife’s] dad was a dentist, and had an office building that became available,” Dr. Haug said. “They said, ‘Hey, it’s only been two years since you’ve been out of school. We thought you might want to hang a shingle out there.’ So we opened an office cold.”
Just a few years later, Dr. Haug officially took the reins of another practice in Escondido from his boss, who had established the office in 1982. The transition was a testament to the community-centric nature of the business. The prior owner, Dave Hubbard, supported the young doctor so he could get started, and the two remain friends to this day.
“It’s the kind of profession that’s fulfilling because you have a chance to make people’s lives better every day,” says Dr. Haug. “What’s good for the patient is good for the practice.”
Beyond the Prescription: Comprehensive Eye Health
As a primary care practitioner of the eye, Dr. Haug manages a broad spectrum of medical needs that go far beyond standard vision tests. The Escondido office is equipped to handle everything from minor surgical procedures, like removing corneal foreign bodies, to managing chronic conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
By utilizing advanced technology like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and retinal health exams, the practice can help improve a patient’s eye health over time. But Dr. Haug notes that there have been other times when these treatments actually flagged more critical health issues early.
"There’ve been times too where we’ve done visual field tests and we’ve picked up brain tumors and stuff," Haug notes. "Picking it up early because we did the screening test. You can make a difference.”
A Trusted Choice for Families
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Escondido practice is the "continuity of care" that comes from seeing the same patients for decades. This is especially important for pediatric care, where Dr. Haug monitors how a child’s vision develops and how their eyes work together as a team.
The practice is designed to be a welcoming space for kids, turning a routine exam into an exciting milestone.
“To watch their face light up when they put on a new pair of glasses is really kind of cool," Haug says. "They're looking outside and they're seeing leaves and trees and stuff that they didn't think they could see.”
Visit Vision Source Escondido
Vision Source Escondido has been a neighborhood fixture since 1982, offering the expertise of a medical specialist with the heart of a local business owner.
Visit Vision Source Encinitas
If you’re closer to the coast, Vision Source Encinitas provides the same high standard of personalized care that Dr. Haug has championed for 30 years.
