Dr. Hughes was awarded her B.A. cum laude from Dartmouth College, where she majored in German literature with a minor in biology. She earned her Doctor of Optometry at the State University of New York College of Optometry (SUNY) in 1999, where she was elected to the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society. She then completed a residency in Pediatric Optometry at SUNY and was awarded a Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry in 2000.

Prior to joining University Children’s Eye Center, Dr. Hughes was an Assistant Clinical Professor at SUNY College of Optometry for seven years. In addition to supervising optometric interns and residents, she treated patients at the New York University Student Health Center and at the University Optometric Center Pediatric Eye Clinic.

Dr. Hughes' extensive experience examining children includes patients with high refractive errors, strabmismus and ambolyopia. She also specializes in fitting a wide range of soft and hard contact lenses and performing orthoptic therapy.