I am a pediatric optometrist at Cincinnati Children’s, where I have worked in the Division of Ophthalmology since 2001. I specialize in caring for children with ocular inflammation related to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and pediatric low vision rehabilitation. I also serve as the senior optometrist for our division.
My love of working with and helping children began during a high school summer job teaching kids how to swim. A college summer internship showed me this field was a perfect match for me. I could help children and work in the medical field.
When I see patients, I make sure the first thing I do when I enter the room is to listen. I take the time to talk with each child, so they feel comfortable with the eye exam. I want to hear — in their own words — how they are doing and what is going on with their eyes and vision. My patients should look forward to coming back, and I hope they think of the eye exam as a "fun" doctor visit.
I gain great pride and satisfaction working on numerous quality improvement projects at Cincinnati Children’s. As part of the patient care algorithm, I help children diagnosed with lazy eye get the care they need. In my work with the pediatric low vision team, I ensure children receive low vision rehabilitation at school and at home. I enjoy our partnership with the Rheumatology Department. Together, we implemented eye screening guidelines for children diagnosed with JIA that improves their outcomes.
BS: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1996.
OD: The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Columbus, OH, 2000.
Residency: Ocular Disease, Cincinnati Eye Institute, Cincinnati, OH, 2000-2001.
Certification: National Board of Examiners in Optometry; Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), 2007.
Amblyopia; low vision; children with special needs; JIA/iritis
Ophthalmology
Alternative Biologic Therapy in Children Failing Conventional TNFα Inhibitors for Refractory, Noninfectious, Chronic Anterior Uveitis. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2022; 244:183-195.
Effectiveness of long-term infliximab use and impact of treatment adherence on disease control in refractory, non-infectious pediatric uveitis. Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal. 2019; 17:79.