The Illinois College of Optometry Student Blog

Toto, we are not at the IEI anymore. Fourth year may have started only 5(?!) weeks ago, but it seems like forever since I’ve been at school. Here are just a few things that are different from working at The Illinois Eye Institute compared to at a private practice externship site. 1. Time. At the IEI, third years are expected to get to dilation by 45 minutes by fourth quarter (spring). At my first externship at Pinecone Vision Center (Sartell, MN and owned by two ICO alums: Dr

I’m from Massachusetts (go Pats!). Being from Mass., I often get the question, “Why ICO? There are other schools closer to where you’re from, why didn’t you go there?” My answer is simple, really. Sure, I looked at many other schools closer to home, but it was ICO that really blew me away. What set ICO apart? Here is a list of the top 5 reasons the Illinois College of Optometry was right for me. Alumni ICO is the oldest standing optometry school in the United States. It is sa

It has been a little over four months since I started working in the clinic on my own. My understanding of vision and eye disease has deepened dramatically. I’ve been learning about treating disease and vision abnormalities, rather than just learning about them. My Attendings have challenged me to use that knowledge to manage the ocular health and vision of patients. I’m finding that I enjoy the process more and more every day. It’s still difficult at times, and definitely ti

When I first chose Illinois College of optometry I pictured my future with my nose in the books and an extreme amount of debt. Studying to be the best student I could be, I had a one-track mind and saw no deviation from my plan. I focused on becoming the only type of optometrist I knew of: a primary care optometrist. What I did not know then, were the many opportunities I would be given to expand my interests and involvement to move beyond just a student. Since completion of

Sometimes, when I’m working with a patient, it suddenly occurs to me how natural it feels to perform my clinical skills. I don’t claim to be perfect at everything I do. I am far from the best, and watching my attendings demonstrate their mastery over slit lamp and BIO humbles me even on my good days. Although I have a long way to go, one thing is starting to become clear. Everything I’ve learned so far at ICO is coming together. All the time I spent studying in first year for