Dr. Elena Laskova Monks was born and raised in Chelyabinsk, Russia. She completed one year of studies at South Ural State University before moving to the US with her family in 1998. She received her bachelor's degree in Communications and Art History from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Her love for Optometry started while working for a small-town Optometrist during her summers in college. Watching that doctor treat generations of families and make a difference in his community inspired Dr. Monks to pursue this career.
Dr. Elena Laskova Monks was born and raised in Chelyabinsk, Russia. She completed one year of studies at South Ural State University before moving to the US with her family in 1998. She received her bachelor's degree in Communications and Art History from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Her love for Optometry started while working for a small-town Optometrist during her summers in college. Watching that doctor treat generations of families and make a difference in his community inspired Dr. Monks to pursue this career.
In order to deepen her understanding in the field, Dr. Monks worked as a clinical research analyst at SUNY College of Optometry in New York City. She co-authored publications and posters that were presented at ARVO (Association for Research in Vision Science) and other professional conferences. Her research focused on imaging technologies used to diagnose retinal and optic nerve pathologies.
Dr. Monks received her Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University and completed her training at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. After graduation, Dr. Monks went on to pursue residency training in ocular disease and primary care Optometry at the Veterans Affairs hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Monks worked as an associate at ophthalmology and optometry practices throughout northern New Jersey and south Florida before deciding to open Eyes on Southern to serve her local community. At her practice, Dr. Monks wants to make every patient feel welcomed, comfortable, and confident that she will find the best and most customized solution to their visual needs.
Besides fitting patients young and old with contact lenses and glasses, Dr. Monks enjoys practicing medical Optometry, such as treating emergency patients with foreign bodies, ocular infections, as well as diagnosing and managing a variety of ocular diseases, performing diabetic eye exams, and evaluating patients on high-risk medications such as Plaquenil.
Being nearsighted herself, Dr. Monks is most passionate about preventing myopia progression in children and educating parents on myopia control options available today.
Aside from Optometry, Dr. Monks' interests include nutrition, holistic and functional medicine, energy healing, and spirituality.
Dr. Monks is a proud resident of Wellington, where she and her husband are always busy with their children's various sports activities and travel.
