Diplomate Spotlight, Dr. Joseph Allen

Have you seen the YouTube channel, Dr. Eye Health? It was founded by ABO Diplomate, Joseph Allen, OD who wanted to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and everyday understanding.

While working in private practice, he noticed that many patients were searching online for answers to their vision concerns—but often ended up with misinformation or confusing explanations. Recognizing a need for clear, accurate, and engaging eye health content, he launched Doctor Eye Health in 2018. He states, “My goal was simple: to make trustworthy eye care information accessible to the public, empower people to better understand their vision, and encourage them to take proactive steps toward protecting their eye health. As the channel grew, so did the mission—to inspire curiosity, advocate for preventative care, and become a digital voice for the eye care profession.” Doctor Eye Health is so popular that he received YouTube’s Gold Play Button in 2024 after reaching over one million subscribers!

During his education at the Rosenberg School of Optometry, Dr. Allen completed externship rotations in a private practice focused on ocular disease and at the Austin VA Outpatient Clinic. After graduating magna cum laude in 2015 he completed a residency in Primary Care and Low Vision/TBI Rehabilitation at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he gained advanced experience managing complex cases and worked with patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries and severe vision loss.

Since completing his residency in 2016, he has primarily been working as an associate in private practice settings. Over the years, his clinical focus has centered on ocular disease management—particularly anterior segment conditions—surgical co-management, and specialty contact lens fittings.

In addition to clinical work, he actively volunteers within the profession. For the past three years, he has served on the American Optometric Association’s Strategic Communications Committee, helping to shape the messaging and outreach efforts that support and elevate the field of optometry. He is passionate about education and regularly lectures on a range of topics, including social media in healthcare, anterior segment disease, ocular nutrition, and contact lenses. He has also had the privilege of participating in eye care mission trips to Jamaica and Mexico.

As staunch proponent of board certification he says, “I chose to pursue board certification through the American Board of Optometry because several of my mentors held this credential, and I saw firsthand the impact it had on their clinical excellence and leadership in the profession. I wanted to challenge myself to reach that same standard and demonstrate—both to my colleagues and my patients—that I’m committed to delivering the highest level of care. To me, board certification reflects a dedication to lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and continuous improvement in eye and vision care. As someone who strives to be an ambassador for the profession on a global stage, I believe leading with board certification adds a layer of trust and credibility to the work I do.”

In addition to being a Diplomate since 2019, he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Optometric Association (AOA), the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society (OWNS), the Virginia Optometric Association, and the Richmond Optometric Society. He was honored to receive the AOA Social Media Advocacy Award in 2021.

Outside of optometry, he values staying active and enjoying life’s experiences. He loves to travel and stay fit through weightlifting, running, and rock climbing. He enjoys cooking and considers himself a bit of a foodie. In his downtime, he has a deep passion for video games, which helps him relax and reset mentally, often while playing online with friends. Most importantly, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, and fellow optometrist, Dr. Jaci Theis, and their two dogs, Tucker and Cody. Whether they’re out hiking, cooking a meal together, or just enjoying quiet evenings at home with the pups, that is the time he considers truly special.