Our Team

Our team of eye doctors and opticians bring a wealth of experience in evaluating the vision needs and eye health of kids, adults and seniors. They share a caring attention to detail and desire for you to have the best vision and health that you can. Learn more about the optometric doctors in our Playa Del Rey office.

Anna M. Pennino, O.D.

Anna Pennino, O.D. received her baccalaureate degree from California State University at Fullerton. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from New England College of Optometry Boston, Massachusetts in 1991. Post-doctorate, Dr. Pennino participated in clinical research, evaluating the ocular side-effects of cholesterol-lowering medication. She is a native Californian practicing in her two locations; Del Rey Optometry, Playa Del Rey (2002) and South Gate Optometry, South Gate (2007).

“I am committed to delivering personalized patient care. I do my best to connect with each patient to solve their visual needs while educating and giving everyone a reason to smile.”

Her professional interests are primary care optometry and specialty contact lenses including multifocal and myopia control. She has been a sponsoring doctor for Unite For Sight, a non-profit organization that empowers communities worldwide to improve eye health and eliminate preventable blindness. She has participated in contact lens solution studies and contact lens consulting.

In addition to optometry and designing eyewear, Dr. Pennino is an enthusiastic skier, scuba diver, and adventurous traveler. She is an active volunteer at the Orange County Food Bank and Kinetic Academy Charter School, founded by her husband. She can’t resist an ice-cold diet coke, believes the best medicine is a good laugh, is married to an ambitious banker and most impressive is a mom to two sets of twin boys! In her spare time, when she is not chauffeuring her boys to their various activities she looks forward to relaxing with her husband and a glass of red wine.

Ivy W. Lin, O.D.

Ivy Lin, O.D. holds a Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA, and received her Doctorate of Optometry degree from Pacific University in 2003. Since then, she has published an article on the Acuvue Bifocal contact lens, and is a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society, the California Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Association. Dr. Lin is currently a board member of the Orange County Optometric Society, and is the editor of their newsletter.

Emilie Endow, O.D.

Emilie Endow, O.D. earned her bachelors of science degree in biological sciences at UC Irvine. During those formative years, her opportunities to go on a church mission trip to Kakuyuni, Kenya and volunteer at another medical mission to Tegucigalpa, Honduras helped shape her passion for optometry. She went on to receive her Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern California College of Optometry graduating magna cum laude.

After starting her career practicing in New York City, she was thrilled to move back to warm, sunny California and her family. She is happy to provide exceptional eye care right here in Playa Del Rey. Dr. Endow is skilled in managing ocular diseases such as dry eye and macular degeneration and is certified to evaluate and treat glaucoma. She provides adult and pediatric comprehensive eye examinations and can fit many different types of contact lenses including Ortho-Keratology to treat and slow myopia (near-sighted) progression.

In her free time, you’ll find her hiking, scuba diving, raising her puppy Luna, or traveling with her husband Darin, who is also an optometrist.

Juliana Nghiem, O.D.

Juliana Nghiem, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston in 2023. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California Los Angeles, where she earned a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychobiology.

Dr. Nghiem has diverse experience in multiple modes of practice such as community, military, and OD/MD. She helped data collect for several clinical investigations relating to cataract and corneal surgeries. Dr. Nghiem is happy to provide great primary and medical eye care to patients of all ages.

In her free time, Dr. Nghiem enjoys reading, playing pickleball, and trying out new board games. 

Alejandro Gallo

Office Manager/Optician

Alejandro “Alex” Gallo graduated from St. John Bosco in 2007 and continued his education at Rio Hondo Community College. He then transferred and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biological science at Cal State Los Angeles. After graduation he started his career as an optical consultant. He has worked in our South Gate Optometry location since 2017 as lead optician.

In his free time, he keeps busy with fitness training and playing basketball. He enjoys going to the movies or staying home and watching a good film. As a big Lakers fan, he also has fun going to watch live games.