Diplomate Spotlight – John Gialousakis, OD

As a student, during his fourth-year rotation at SUNY’s specialty contact lens clinic, Dr. John Gialousakis had the opportunity to work with patients daily over a three-month period. Initially, as a student, contact lenses were not of primary interest to him; however, this rotation sparked his passion for specialty contact lenses. He found great fulfillment in managing complex cases that are often referred out of primary eye care settings, and it was incredibly rewarding to be the provider delivering life-changing care to these patients.

After graduating from SUNY College of Optometry in 2014, Dr. Gialousakis went on to complete a Cornea and Contact Lens residency through SUNY in 2015. He became an ABO Diplomate in 2015 and in 2024 was one of the first ABO Diplomates to earn his Cornea and Contact Lens CAQ.

Dr. Gialousakis decided to pursue Board Certification to demonstrate his commitment to the highest standard of patient care and professional development. He feels the certification process ensures that he is up to date on the latest advancements in optometry and reinforces his dedication to lifelong learning. The certification helps him stand out as a professional, demonstrating his dedication to excellence and providing additional trust and assurance to his patients.

According to Dr. Gialousakis, “Earning the Contact Lens CAQ was important to me because it reflects my dedication to providing specialized, high-quality care for patients who require advanced contact lens solutions. While I am firmly grounded in primary eye care, the CAQ allows me to further hone my skills and knowledge in this focused area, particularly for patients with more complex visual needs, such as those with keratoconus. This credential can also give my patients confidence that they are receiving care from someone with advanced expertise in contact lenses, while reinforcing my commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth within the field.”

Regarding the future of contact lenses, he says there is “continued advancement in customized scleral lenses, which allow for even better fitting options for patients with irregular corneas or other complex visual needs. These lenses continue to improve in terms of comfort and optical quality. Another area to watch is the development of smart contact lenses, which could monitor intraocular pressure for glaucoma patients, track biomarkers for systemic diseases, or even provide augmented reality capabilities. Additionally, there are ongoing innovations in contact lenses for myopia management, which is especially important given the rising prevalence of myopia globally.”

As an Associate Professor at Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry (CCO), as well as the Director of Student Achievement, his position involves developing and implementing strategies to support students’ academic growth, ensuring they meet educational and clinical competency goals, while also having a positive educational experience from enrollment to graduation. He also precepts third- and fourth-year students in a contact lens clinic that sees irregular corneas, myopia management, and ocular prosthetics.

Dr. Gialousakis is quite accomplished in the field of optometry. In addition to being ABO Board Certified, he is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) as well as a Diplomate in the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses, and Refractive Technologies (CCLRT). He is the President-Elect for the Illinois state chapter of the AAO, serves as a board member of the Illinois Optometric Licensing and Disciplinary Board and has served as a committee/council member for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) since 2019. Dr. Gialousakis has published journal articles and delivered poster presentations and continuing education lectures around the country.

He is married to pediatric optometrist, Dr. Jenelle Mallios. Having met as faculty members at SUNY, they married and moved to Illinois in 2018, and both work at MWU CCO. They share a 1.5-year-old son and a mini goldendoodle. As a family they love spending time together, especially when it comes to traveling, exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. Outside of travel, they enjoy spending quality time outdoors and making the most of their time with their son as he grows up and discovers the world around him.