Dr. Derek S. Long was born in Hutchinson, Kansas. He completed his undergraduate studies at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas with a B.S. in Biology. While there, Dr. Long played football for four years as a defensive end earning all-conference honors and winning two conference championships.

Dr. Long graduated from Northeastern State University, College of Optometry in Tahlequah, OK.  During his time at NSUCO, he received the Clinical Excellence Award in the area of Contact Lenses.  He practices full scope optometry which includes the fitting of contact lenses and spectacles of the lightest, thinnest and most cosmetic materials available.  He comanages with ocular surgeons to provide comprehensive eye and vision care working with cataract, retinal, refractive, and oculoplastic specialists.  Dr Long is an active member in the American Optometric Association and the Arkansas Optometric Association.   Dr. Long also owns North Little Rock Eye Care and Eye Exams, Inc. in Hot Springs, AR.

Dr. Long lives in Maumelle with his wife Natalie, who is a stay at home mom, and their baby girl Cayman Elizabeth born 11/1/2008.  He is a member of the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Maumelle and the Maumelle Lions Club where he does vision screenings in area schools as part of the program sponsored by Lions Clubs International.

Dr. Long enjoys golf, hunting, trout fishing, hiking, and traveling.