News from the AOA's Blog

AOA Trustee Steven Loomis, O.D., at his practice, Mountain Vista EyeCare and Dry Eye Center, in Littleton, Colo. Dr. Loomis serves as a liaison to the AOA Advocacy Group and the AOA-Political Action Committee.

A self-described political junkie, AOA Trustee Steven Loomis, O.D., lives each day fighting for both his patients and the profession he loves dearly. Armed with a staff of one, he started his practice, Mountain Vista EyeCare and Dry Eye Center, in Littleton, Colo., in 1981. Today, Mountain Vista has grown to three additional doctors and a staff of 15. An AOA member for more than 30 years, Dr. Loomis serves as a liaison to the AOA Advocacy Group and the AOA-Political Action Committee.

Q. What is it about the profession that makes you so passionate about it? In other words, what motivates you?
A: I had a professor in optometry school who was well-known by my colleagues. His name was Dr. Bill Ludlum. He frequently told us in his lectures that we were “on the side of the angels.” By that, he meant that although we, as a profession, sometimes run into obstacles in providing care, the care that we provide is important—even essential—to patients. I found his zeal contagious. I’ve always remembered that and I guess that made an impression on me. I continue to see the profession as one that is patient-centered. And it’s always worth fighting for and worth protecting. So I think that is what gets me out of bed every morning. 

Q. On the flip side, what is it about the profession that gives you cause for concern?
A: Well, I think that when we optometrists focus on patient care, we nearly always agree. When we focus on the future of patient care, and the future of the profession, we usually agree. When we focus on the past, that is, where we’ve come from and the battles that we’ve fought, we become galvanized. But when we are short-sighted and we just focus on ourselves and the present, we seem to find a lot to argue about. Debate and disagreement, I think, is healthy, but it’s always got to be contextualized within the framework of our past and our future so that we remain, ultimately, unified. So I think that we should be willing to fight anybody to advance and protect our future, but we shouldn’t have to fight each other. That’s what I’m always concerned about – when I see us fighting each other.

Q. Can you share more information about the specifics of your practice? Your Web site says that you provide eye exams and diagnostic procedures to treat eye disease, prescription eyewear, contact lenses and laser vision correction consultation. You also provide dry eye medical evaluations to prescribe and recommend treatments for different forms of dry eye. What is the difference between a “normal” examination and one for someone who has dry eye?
A: I think it’s just being aware of patient complaints. Rarely does a patient come in and say, “I have dry eyes.” Patients just tend to feel like that’s just how life is, that’s how they have been feeling all their life. So it requires really nothing more than being tuned in to the patient, asking the right questions, and being aware of the medications they are taking, some of the environmental issues to which they may be exposed, and that sort of thing. That examination is different for everybody, but it’s really about listening. I started this practice in 1981 with a pregnant wife, days from delivering our first child. I had one staff person, and we would see two to three patients a day, two-and-a-half days a week. We always booked those patients together so that the patients would see one another and think we were busier than we really were. Five years later, Dr. Mark Kruchen joined the practice part time. Then in 1995, Dr. Kent Yount came in and became my partner. In January, we are going to add Dr. Tara Peterson as a partner. We have a phenomenal staff that is so patient-oriented. We don’t have to worry about patients thinking that we are busy or not anymore! But you know, I think every day, you have to make sure that you keep “the main thing the main thing” and that is, it’s all about the patient. We certainly have to operate an efficient practice with good business practices, but it’s always about patient care.

Q. Dr. Joe Ellis has started to refer to health care reform as the “game changer.” Since you have been a member of the AOA, what has changed within the AOA organization and what has remained the same?
A: Without a doubt, health care reform has put the spotlight on Washington, D.C., regarding the future of our profession. And fortunately, leaders, even before I joined the board in 2007, had the vision to see this coming and they began focusing our efforts and our personnel in the Washington office. Today, with the quality of people that we have in the Washington office, specifically under the leadership of Jon Hymes, we have become more effective than I ever dreamed we would be in Washington. That, I think, is remarkable, that we absolutely are able to influence legislation in this country. That’s new in my career with the AOA. At the same time, I think that the staff in St. Louis has always been and remains very customer-focused. They are always focused on our members and their needs, whether someone needs a brochure or some business cards printed or malpractice insurance or information on state laws. The AOA does well and has always done well in watching out for our members.

Q. Could you share why it is important that younger ODs become members of the AOA and get involved?
A: This profession is more the profession of the young OD than it is mine. I have the majority of my career behind me. They have the majority of their career in front of them. And young optometrists have the opportunity to build on the accomplishments of my generation, just as my generation built upon the accomplishments of those who came before me. So the future is truly theirs to control. And involvement in their state associations, and also in the AOA, is really how that becomes accomplished. In fact, it’s the only way it becomes accomplished. There really is only one organization – it’s the affiliate, partnering with the AOA – that has the experience, the credibility and the access to really advocate for our profession.

Q. What do you hope for the future of optometry?
A: We have a demographic shift in the population that will require more and more services from optometry, and that’s good for the profession. It’s also good for the public because optometric care is so highly valued from a quality of life perspective. And so it’s my hope that we continue to provide that care as the independent profession we’ve carved out over a hundred years ago.

Q. Finally, if there is anything that you would like to add that was not asked here, please share your thoughts.
A: Just one, and that is – I’m not just an OD. I’m a husband of 32 years, a father of three and a father-in-law of three. I’m soon to be a grandfather of twin granddaughters. I like to ski. I’m an amateur theologian. I’m a political junkie, and I guess I’m convinced that there will be life after optometry.

Q:  So what does life after optometry look like?
A: Enjoying all those things that I just listed!