Beyond 2020 Brings In Pediatric Optometry: Welcome, Dr. Iris Matsukado
Quick answer: Dr. Iris Matsukado (“Dr. Mats”) joined Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists in October 2026. She leads our pediatric eye care at our Odessa office, examining children from age 1, and offers sports vision and binocular vision care. Book online or call (813) 926-5993.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Iris Matsukado, O.D. to Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists. Dr. Matsukado, known to her patients as “Dr. Mats,” joined our team in October 2026 to lead our pediatric eye care at our Odessa office on State Road 54.
Dr. Mats has cared for children’s eyes for more than 30 years. With her, Beyond 2020 now brings families three areas of care under one roof in Odessa:
- Pediatric eye exams from age 1
- Sports vision for young and adult athletes
- Binocular vision care for eye-teaming and focusing problems
Pediatric eye exams from age 1
Your child doesn’t need to know their letters, or even talk, to have a thorough eye exam. Dr. Mats uses pictures, lights, toys and age-appropriate tests to see how a child’s eyes focus and work together. She checks for lazy eye (amblyopia), crossed or wandering eyes (strabismus), nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Many of these problems don’t show up in a school vision screening, and some are best treated while a child’s vision is still developing. Eye doctors recommend a first exam between 6 and 12 months, another between ages 3 and 5, one before first grade and then yearly exams through school. Read what to expect at your child’s first eye exam.
Sports vision
Athletes rely on more than 20/20. Tracking a fast ball, judging distance and reacting quickly all depend on how well the eyes work together. Dr. Mats completed a residency that included sports vision, provided vision therapy for the Toronto Blue Jays, later assisted with vision care for the Philadelphia Phillies, and served for 20 years as a team optometrist with the American Optometric Association’s Sports Vision team at the Junior Olympics.
A sports vision visit looks at the visual skills your sport depends on, such as clarity at a distance, depth perception, eye tracking and eye-hand coordination. Dr. Mats can also recommend the right sports eyewear, contact lenses or protective eyewear for your game.
Binocular vision
Binocular vision is how your two eyes team up to aim, focus and move together. When that teamwork is off, reading and screen time can bring headaches, eye strain, blurry or double vision, words that seem to move on the page, or losing your place while reading. These problems can affect both kids and adults, and a child can have one even with 20/20 eyesight.
Dr. Mats evaluates eye teaming, focusing and eye movements, explains what she finds and talks you through the treatment options that fit you or your child. If your child struggles with reading or homework, or complains of headaches after school, it’s worth having their eyes checked. See headaches and eye strain.
About Dr. Mats
Originally from Hawaii, Dr. Mats earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Creighton University and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1992. She then completed a residency in pediatrics, sports vision and vision therapy, and taught as an instructor of optometry. Outside the office she competes in AAU karate with her team, “Moms of Mayhem,” referees and has coached the Junior Olympic karate team. Her years of working with young athletes show in the exam room: she is patient, encouraging and good at helping kids feel at ease. Read her full bio.
Book with Dr. Mats in Odessa
Dr. Mats sees children and adults at our Odessa office, 16230 State Road 54, close to Trinity, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Keystone. Book online or call (813) 926-5993. We see parents and kids back to back in the same visit, we’re open Saturdays, and most single-vision kids’ glasses are made the same day in our Odessa lab. She also sees patients at our Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton offices inside Visionworks.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mats to the Beyond 2020 family!
Common questions
How young can my child see Dr. Mats?
Dr. Mats examines children as young as 1 year old. Your child doesn’t need to read letters to have a complete eye exam.
Where does Dr. Matsukado see patients?
Dr. Mats sees patients at our Odessa office, 16230 State Road 54, Odessa, FL. She also sees patients at our Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton offices inside Visionworks.
What is sports vision?
Sports vision care looks at the visual skills athletes rely on, like depth perception, eye tracking and eye-hand coordination, and recommends the right sports eyewear, contacts or protective eyewear.
What are signs of a binocular vision problem?
Headaches or eye strain with reading, blurry or double vision, words that seem to move, losing your place on the page, or avoiding reading and homework. Kids and adults can both have these problems.
Can my child pass a school screening and still need an eye exam?
Yes. School screenings mostly check distance vision. They can miss focusing, eye-teaming and other problems that a comprehensive eye exam finds.