Our Faculty and Staff

Dr. Alaina Short received her Doctor of Optometry from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  During this time, she was inducted to the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society; she was also presented with the William Feinbloom Low Vision award and MCPHS Presidents’ Commitment to Diversity award.  Following graduation, she completed her residency at White River Junction VAMC where she became well versed in the management of glaucoma, retinal conditions, and functional visual impairment. 

Dr. Short comes to NOVA after having previously worked at Kentucky College of Optometry as an Assistant Professor of Optometry.  She taught in the clinical skills laboratory and lectured on topics related to ocular disease.  Her clinical time was primarily spent with fourth years in ocular disease and vision rehabilitation settings.  She also has experience working in corporate and private practice settings.

She is primarily interested in working with geriatric populations with the hope of further understanding how systemic and ocular disease not only impacts functional vision but also cognitive processes.  Her publications thus far have primarily been about retinal manifestations of systemic conditions.  Additionally, she has been an invited speaker at state professional meetings.  Dr. Short is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association.  She is also certified in the Specialty of Medical Optometry per ABCMO.