Our Doctors - Eye Clinic North

Matthew Sipola, OD, FAAO

Dr. Matthew Sipola joined his father, Dr. Don Sipola in 2014 and is the third generation Sipola and fourth generation Optometrist to work in the practice. Dr. Matt was born and raised in Virginia, MN. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He achieved his Doctor of Optometry degree at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he was awarded the clinical excellence award for outstanding clinical performance. His clinical rotations included Mid Florida Eye Clinic in The Villages, FL, Battle Creek VA in MI, John D. Dingell VA in Detroit, MI, and the pediatrics and contact lens clinic at the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, IL. Dr. Matt then completed a residency in Ocular Disease at a Veterans Medical Center in Michigan. Dr. Matt is board certified in Medical Optometry, one of only a handful in Minnesota. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association. Matt is a current commercial pilot and ex-flight instructor and enjoys the outdoors, jeeping and fishing.

Hannah Sipola, OD, FAAO

Dr. Hannah Sipola was raised in North Carolina and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Hannah completed clinical rotations at Davis Eye Associates in Winston-Salem, NC, University of Kentucky Department of Ophthalmology in Lexington, KY, and the Hickory VA Outpatient Clinic in Hickory, NC. She completed her residency in Ocular Disease at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Michigan. Dr. Hannah is board certified in Medical Optometry, one of only a handful in Minnesota. Dr. Hannah is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association. Hannah plays her flute in the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra and enjoys ballroom dancing and playing tennis. She always catches more fish than her husband.

Kayla Bechthold, OD

Dr. Bechthold is originally from Dalton, MN and graduated with honors from Pacific University College of Optometry in 1998. She practiced in the Duluth area for over 17 years. In 2019, she bought Bechthold-Jensen Eye Care and practiced in Chisholm and Cook and also saw patients at the Bonner Eye Clinic in Hibbing. In 2024, she joined her practice with Eye Clinic North in Hibbing and Virginia. She has extensive experience treating eye disease and eye emergencies. She enjoys seeing patients for complete eye exams, contact lens fittings, dry eye management, and solving many complex eye problems. She fits scleral and specialty contact lenses and enjoys solving difficult eyeglass issues. She received the “Top Doc” award from the Duluth Superior Magazine in 2014. Dr. Bechthold does educational presentations for various groups and enjoys teaching others about eyes. She is a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association, American Optometric Association, and the Minnesota Contact Lens Society. Dr. Bechthold enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children, especially at the lake!

Meet the Doctors

Matthew Sipola, OD, FAAO

Hannah Sipola, OD, FAAO

Kayla Bechthold, OD