Cameron Schroeder compares his time at the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry to a growth spurt. On his first day, he didn’t even know what an astigmatism was. Raised in Burlington, Iowa, Schroeder had planned to become a physical therapist. But after receiving LASIK eye surgery at age 21, he developed a new interest in optometry.
Even though he had never worked in an optometry clinic before starting school, Schroeder pushed through the steep learning curve. During his first year, he struggled with the medical terms and concepts. But things began to change in his second year. When he went home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, he was surprised to find that he could clearly explain his family’s eye conditions and surgeries. That’s when he realized how far he had come.
“It’s like going through a growth spurt without noticing,” he said. “You look back at old photos and think, ‘Wow, I used to be 5 feet tall, and now I’m 6 feet tall.’ That’s how I feel when I look at my progress.”
Schroeder was drawn to UMSL’s small class sizes and close-knit community, where students and faculty are often on a first-name basis. He found mentors in Dr. Erin Brooks and Dr. Tareq Nabhan. As a visual learner, Schroeder appreciated the hands-on clinical experience that helped him connect textbook knowledge to real patients. He also developed a deeper compassion for those he treated.
He has always wanted to work in healthcare and is fascinated by how much the eyes can reveal about overall health.
“What I love about optometry is that I get to play detective,” he said. “Vision problems can come from so many places—from the front of the eye all the way to the brain. It’s fun and meaningful to figure out what’s going on.”
Through the Optometry Scholars Program, Schroeder explored his interest in research. He worked closely with Dr. Nabhan and presented findings at national conferences. His research focused on the relationship between refractive errors and pinhole acuity—an eye test that uses a small hole to focus light directly onto the retina. He presented at the Heart of America Eye Care Congress in Kansas City in February 2024 and the Academy of Optometry in Indianapolis in November 2024.
This research helped shape his passion for global eye care. Schroeder learned that 94% of vision loss worldwide could be corrected with something as simple as a pair of glasses.
“In many countries, people can’t afford glasses,” he explained. “If a father can’t see because he needs a strong prescription, he can’t work. Then his family has to take care of him. That creates a cycle that affects generations. A simple pair of glasses could change everything.”
Schroeder graduated earlier this month and plans to join a private practice in Tennessee, North Carolina, or South Carolina after recovering from knee surgery this summer. He believes UMSL has prepared him well for the next step. After four years of hard work, he is confident and proud of the doctor he has become.
He also hopes to continue his research in the future.
“This kind of research can impact families for generations,” he said. “I want to look back on my life and know I made a positive difference in the world.”
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