Optometric Scholar of the Month - Lauren Butler, OD

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Please provide a brief summary of your background

I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with my parents, older brother, and younger sister. As a family, we enjoyed exploring the national parks of the United States. Growing up, I participated in cheerleading and took piano lessons for 13 years. I attended The Ohio State University for undergraduate school, studying biology and health sciences, so I am an avid Buckeye fan!

In 2018, I moved to Boston to attend the New England College of Optometry (NECO). NECO was my top choice based on its strong clinical network and specialty concentration programs. I was accepted into the pediatric concentration program, where I gained early exposure to pediatric specialty clinics and participated in journal clubs with other students in the program, as well as pediatric faculty members.

Describe your current situation.

I recently completed a residency program in pediatrics and binocular vision at NECO. Throughout my residency year, I provided patient care in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, local community health centers, NECO’s vision therapy clinic, and a low-vision clinic located at Perkins School for the Blind. I also worked with the students of NECO, facilitating journal discussions and precepting vision screenings at local schools in Boston.

Next month, I start as a pediatric optometrist at Boston Children’s Hospital. I am eager to work with the wonderful clinicians in their ophthalmology department!

What sparked your interest in optometry?

My interest in optometry was sparked at a young age when I received my first pair of glasses at 5 years old, secondary to high hyperopia and bilateral amblyopia. I looked forward to visiting my optometrist and selecting a new pair of glasses each year.

During my time at The Ohio State, I worked as a student optician at a private practice in Columbus, Ohio. I also worked as a technician at Cleveland Clinic’s Cole Eye Institute prior to starting optometry school. All of these experiences supported my love for optometry!

What causes or specialties are you passionate about?

I am passionate about public health and its implications in the world of eye care. A comprehensive eye exam can serve as early detection for many treatable systemic and ocular conditions. I enjoy comanaging complex cases with other specialties including ophthalmology, neurology, and rheumatology.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your training so far?

Working with pediatric patients. I see firsthand the positive effect that healthy vision development has on a child’s academic, personal, and social experiences. Some of my favorite experiences include seeing a patient’s increased love for reading after receiving their first pair of glasses or fitting a young gymnast in her first pair of contact lenses. The increasing research and technology available today provide a whole new dimension for treating ocular conditions in young children, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

What have you found most challenging in your optometric journey?

Both optometry school and residency programs present challenges at times. One challenge in particular was during my fourth year of optometry school, when I was on externship rotations, studying for boards, and applying for residency programs—not to mention planning my wedding—all at the same time. Looking back, I’m astounded at how much I grew as a clinician during that time. I am fortunate to have spectacular mentors within the pediatric faculty at NECO to support me through these challenges!

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? Fifteen years from now?

As I finish my formal training, I am looking forward to starting my career and strengthening my clinical skills over the next several years. In addition to my clinical role, I hope to be contributing to Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group research studies and working with students and residents both clinically and didactically.