Ketchikan Eye Care Center (KECC) takes pride in its long history of consistent, quality eyecare provided to residents and visitors of Southern/Southeast Alaska by our former and current Optometrists.

ROOTS

The roots of KECC go back to one of the earliest eye care practices in Alaska. KECC, as it is currently known, came from a merger in 1997 of two established Ketchikan optometry practices into one. These two separate practices were Alpine Vision Center/Erik D. Christianson, O.D. and Ketchikan Vision Clinic/Rick D. Swearingen, O.D.

Prior to the merger in 1997, Erik D. Christianson, O.D. practiced at 348 Main Street and purchased this practice from the estate of the late Ed Craig, O.D. in 1990. Dr. Craig practiced optometry in Ketchikan since the mid 1950’s and had purchased the practice of Charles Martin Carlson, O.D. Dr. Carlson was one of the first optometry license holders in Alaska and practiced in Ketchikan in the 1930’s and 40’s.

After the purchase of the practice on Main Street from Dr. Craig in 1990, Dr. Christianson named it Alpine Vision Center. The office was in the Catholic Church complex across from the police department. The property that housed Alpine Vision Center was purchased from the city soon after Dr. Christianson’s departure in 1997 and is now a parking lot.

Rick D. Swearingen owned and practiced at the Ketchikan Vision Clinic at 410 Mission Street in the years before the merger. Dr. Swearingen purchased Ketchikan Vision Clinic from E.E. Smith. O.D. in 1985. Dr. Smith had practiced optometry in Ketchikan since the early 1950’s. Ketchikan Vision Clinic was physically located “across the street mom the movie theatre”. Since the merger, several businesses have occupied the former clinic site.

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS AND COMPETITION DRIVE THE CREATION OF KECC

During their many years in solo practice, doctors Ed Craig and E.E. Smith were competitors. At the same time, Ketchikan was in the heyday of the logging and fishing industries. These two strong, resource-based industries combined with a solid nucleus of government jobs providing a strong, stable economy in Ketchikan. Solo practice was the norm throughout the country in the eye care industry.

The late 80’s and the early 90’s was a period of rapid technological changes in the eye care field. Due to advances in micro-circuitry and computerization, specialized equipment was being developed to measure and monitor changes to eye health. Optometry doctors were expanding their treatment privileges from glasses to glasses and contact lenses, and finally to glasses, contact lenses, and treatment of eye diseases. This necessitated the need to use more monetary resources on the purchase of equipment. More space was necessary to use the equipment properly. At the same time, commercial eye care was becoming popular in the lower 48.

Downtown Ketchikan was also changing. Downtown was changing from a center for services to a center for tourists. Parking and traffic congestion were a real problem. The Ketchikan economy was also changing.

Due to outside pressures, the logging and fishing industries were becoming unstable.

THE NEED FOR CHANGE IS ADDRESSED

Dr. Christianson and Dr. Swearingen began meeting in early 1996 to craft a plan that would allow their practices to remain healthy and still provide commitment to technology and quality of service. As 1996 progressed, the plan to consolidate the practices into a partnership and construct a new office building on Carlanna Lake Road took shape. The doctors signed the paperwork for their building loan on the day it was announced that Ketchikan Pulp Company was shutting down after 35 years as an anchor for Ketchikan’s economy.

On April 1, 1997, the building was complete, and the doctors moved in. This was the first day of operation of Ketchikan Eye Care Center as we now know it. The initial years were difficult as two separate staff combined into one and were forced to deal with two different personalities. All it took was a little time and commitment to change. As the years have passed, KECC has developed its own reputation for quality and service. Our central location is ideal for locals and people traveling on the ferry.

The commitment to keeping up with technology is evident from the vast array of eye care and office equipment currently at KECC. We are proud of the eye care products we provide. KECC offers eye care products and services of unmatched quality at a fair price. KECC is well situated to meet the current and future eye care needs of Southern Southeast Alaska.

FURTHER CHANGE AS ORIGINAL DOCTORS APPROACH RETIREMENT

With Dr. Swearingen approaching retirement age there was a need to add another Optometrist. Dr. Joseph Johnson contacted Dr. Christianson and Dr. Swearingen in 2024 regarding the sale of their practice and the sale occurred on September 1, 2025. Dr. Johnson has focused the practice on integrating remote eye exams, initiating the KECC Membership Plan as an improved alternative to Vision Care Plans, and hopes to integrate ophthalmology in the future to reduce the travel burden of residents of Southern/Southeast Alaska.

We are proud of the history of the eye clinic and its commitment to serving the community over the course of many years. We look forward to serving the community for many years to come!