Seeing the World - Illinois College of Optometry

“My military career has helped
me become more confident in
managing complex cases that I
previously would have referred
to an ophthalmologist”
In one instance, he was asked to evaluate and prescribe contact lenses for
In one instance, he was asked to evaluate and prescribe contact lenses for
an Israeli pilot who sustained a torn cornea when his canopy exploded
an Israeli pilot who sustained a torn cornea when his canopy exploded
during the Six Day War.
during the Six Day War.
“This lens permitted the pilot to continue to fly for the Israeli Air Force
“This lens permitted the pilot to continue to fly for the Israeli Air Force
and ultimately become a civilian pilot for El Al,” says Ms. Smith, who
and ultimately become a civilian pilot for El Al,” says Ms. Smith, who
noted that her father received a medal from the Israeli Air Force for that
noted that her father received a medal from the Israeli Air Force for that
accomplishment.
accomplishment.
That same spirit of innovation continues today. Lt. Chris DeAngelis, OD
That same spirit of innovation continues today. Lt. Chris DeAngelis, OD
’06, practices at the Naval Hospital in Lemoore, Calif., as an aerospace
’06, practices at the Naval Hospital in Lemoore, Calif., as an aerospace
optometrist, where he is responsible for aviators and support personnel
optometrist, where he is responsible for aviators and support personnel
of 18 active F/A-18 fighter squadrons, three training squadrons and five
of 18 active F/A-18 fighter squadrons, three training squadrons and five
carrier air wings stationed, as well as the members of NAS Fallon, Nev. He
carrier air wings stationed, as well as the members of NAS Fallon, Nev. He
points out that working on an aircraft carrier is a unique experience that
points out that working on an aircraft carrier is a unique experience that
demands a skilled provider, mainly because the office constantly moves
demands a skilled provider, mainly because the office constantly moves
during an eye exam.
during an eye exam.
“One of the most stressful clinical situations was removal of a corneal
“One of the most stressful clinical situations was removal of a corneal
foreign body with a slit lamp while the ship was pitching back and
foreign body with a slit lamp while the ship was pitching back and
forth,” Dr. DeAngelis recalls.
forth,” Dr. DeAngelis recalls.
Likewise, Dr. Abraham says that working within the military health-
Likewise, Dr. Abraham says that working within the military healthcare
systems leads to a certain resourcefulness. “I have fitted many kercare
systems leads to a certain resourcefulness. “I have fitted many kerataconus
lenses using one brand of diagnostic lens set because that is
ataconus lenses using one brand of diagnostic lens set because that is
the only company that has the military account in my area,” he says. “I
the only company that has the military account in my area,” he says. “I
have learned not to limit myself in what I can offer to patients because
have learned not to limit myself in what I can offer to patients because
it is not covered. The service forces you to be a better optometrist.”
it is not covered. The service forces you to be a better optometrist.”
THE THE ICO DIFFERENCE
Albert S. Licup, OD ’06, is now in private practice in Oak Park, Ill,
Albert S. Licup, OD ’06, is now in private practice in Oak Park, Ill,
but served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy for three years, where he
but served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy for three years, where he
screened recruits for vision as part of his work at the naval health
screened recruits for vision as part of his work at the naval health
clinic in North Chicago. He says his experience at ICO strengthened
clinic in North Chicago. He says his experience at ICO strengthened
his skills in both the military and private practice. “It was very solid
his skills in both the military and private practice. “It was very solid
clinical foundation, which helped ease transition into practice right
clinical foundation, which helped ease transition into practice right
away,” he says, adding that he was also grateful to take elective courses
away,” he says, adding that he was also grateful to take elective courses
in key business subjects like billing and coding.
in key business subjects like billing and coding.
Dr. DeAngelis agrees. “The in-depth didactic training and diverse clini-
Dr. DeAngelis agrees. “The in-depth didactic training and diverse clinical
experience at ICO gave me the skills and confidence to handle any
cal experience at ICO gave me the skills and confidence to handle any
clinical situation,” he says. “While attending flight school, the study
clinical situation,” he says. “While attending flight school, the study
habits that I adapted while at ICO allowed me to complete Aviation
habits that I adapted while at ICO allowed me to complete Aviation
Pre-flight Indoctrination as well as ground school with outstanding
Pre-flight Indoctrination as well as ground school with outstanding
marks.”
marks.”
Just as ICO prepared them for military service, these alumni say serv-
Just as ICO prepared them for military service, these alumni say serving
the country has made them better optometrists. “My military
ing the country has made them better optometrists. “My military
career has helped me become more confident in managing complex
career has helped me become more confident in managing complex
cases that I previously would have referred to an ophthalmologist,”
cases that I previously would have referred to an ophthalmologist,”
Dr. Beyersdorf says. “It has helped develop my leadership abilities to
Dr. Beyersdorf says. “It has helped develop my leadership abilities to
manage employees, and provided me insight on what is required to
manage employees, and provided me insight on what is required to
establish a successful business.”
establish a successful business.”
Being in the military is not without challenges, however. “Not only
Being in the military is not without challenges, however. “Not only
do I have to be an excellent clinician, but I am also expected to be a
do I have to be an excellent clinician, but I am also expected to be a
soldier,” Dr. Beyersdorf says. “Being a soldier comes with other various
soldier,” Dr. Beyersdorf says. “Being a soldier comes with other various
obstacles: physical training, being away from family, deployments,
obstacles: physical training, being away from family, deployments,
training exercises, weapons qualification and various other Army re-
training exercises, weapons qualification and various other Army requirements.
I have learned to adapt to change and focus on accomquirements.
I have learned to adapt to change and focus on accomplishing
the mission at hand.”
plishing the mission at hand.”
But even when it becomes difficult to balance optometry and military
But even when it becomes difficult to balance optometry and military
service, none of these alumni would have it any other way.
service, none of these alumni would have it any other way.
“I got to fly a small prop plane and I got to hover in a helicopter,”
“I got to fly a small prop plane and I got to hover in a helicopter,”
Dr. Rieman says. “Not many of my classmates can say that was part of
Dr. Rieman says. “Not many of my classmates can say that was part of
their job.”
their job.”
Lynn Petrak is a freelance writer based in the Chicago suburbs.
Lynn Petrak is a freelance writer based in the Chicago suburbs.
She may be reached at lynnpetrak@sbcglobal.net.
She may be reached at lynnpetrak@sbcglobal.net.
Summer 2011 / ICO MATTERS / 19
Summer 2011 / ICO MATTERS / 19