The curious phrase “op op optometrist working” in your subject line may refer to the dual nature of her practice: (surgical co-management) and primary eye care . Dr. Layne is known for her hands-on approach, often performing minor in-office procedures like foreign body removal, punctal plug insertion, and specialty contact lens fittings for keratoconus.
Sophia’s journey to this sterile, quiet space hadn't been easy. Her father had come from Mexico with nothing but a talent for fixing watches, and her mother had worked double shifts at a textile mill in East L.A. They gave her the "eye for detail," but the path to medical school was paved with student loans and the weight of being the first. "Better one? Or better two?" she asked softly.
According to the American Optometric Association, less than 5% of practicing optometrists identify as Latina. Dr. Layne is working to change that. She founded Latinas Con Visión , a mentorship program that pairs aspiring Latina pre-optometry students with practicing doctors. The program has already helped 30 young women apply to OD schools.
When she isn’t helping patients see clearly, you’ll find her gardening or fishing with her husband, Robert.
Representation matters in medicine, and Sophia embodies the power of role models. As a successful Latina professional, she mentors students from similar backgrounds, offering guidance on academic pathways, scholarship applications, and work–life balance. Her visibility challenges stereotypes about who belongs in healthcare and inspires younger generations to pursue STEM careers. In mentoring, she emphasizes resilience and adaptability—skills she cultivated while balancing family expectations, cultural obligations, and the demands of medical training.
Outside of her medical work, she is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys gardening, birdwatching, and fishing. 2. The Personality: Sophia Layne Separately, Sophia Layne is a well-known figure from the Netflix reality series The Circle (Season 3). The "Catfish" Story:
As Sophia finished the chart, her own eyes felt heavy. The "work" was never just the science of the eye; it was the emotional labor of bridge-building. She was the translator between a complex medical system and a community that often felt invisible.
Dr. Layne is currently developing a —a van equipped with autorefractors, visual field analyzers, and a small video production studio for on-the-go AVI content creation. She plans to park it at schools, churches, and farmers’ markets across Southern California.
Sophia Layne (sometimes referred to as Sophia Layne-M) gained recognition as a contestant on Netflix's "The Circle" Season 3. She is an actress, co-founder of Mosaic Theatre Company, and a digital creator with a significant following on Instagram and TikTok .
