SOCIAL

  REFLECTIONS: THE HUMAN SIDE OF OPTOMETRY

COMPLEMENTARY DUET

HOW MY PASSIONS FOR OPTOMETRY AND MUSIC FIT TOGETHER

IN 2015, at Optometry’s Meeting, in Seattle, I sang the National Anthem for the opening ceremony. Though my optometry career had been distinctly separate from my work in music, in that moment, I was an optometrist and musician, working in both capacities at the same time.

PIANO CHORDS AND VOCAL CORDS

From the time my family brought an old piano out of storage, I was eager to play it, and my parents found me a piano teacher. However, the instrument was in very poor condition. My uncle taught me how to tune the piano, replace strings and make repairs to the action, a mechanism within it. The technical aspect of piano tuning and repair stimulated my scientific interests.

Dr. Reis, far right, with Drs. Kirk Thompson and Eric Van Orman and staff.

While busy restoring the piano, I became increasingly aware that my eyesight was failing. It deteriorated so much in high school that I couldn’t read the chalkboard, so I went to see an optometrist. As the doctor was refracting me, I couldn’t help but notice the parallel between his focusing me to 20/20 VA and my fine tuning a piano to A440 concert pitch. My interest in optometry was born during this time.

Dr. Reis directs the choir.

Dr. Reis in concert

I graduated from Seattle University a few years later, with bachelors’ degrees in humanities (emphasis in music) and science (emphasis in psychology). Musically, I was playing piano works by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Bach, Brahms, Chopin and Debussy. I also was singing tenor for several ensembles, including the Madrigal Quartet and the University Chorale. Scientifically, I was working in research laboratories to help with college expenses.

In 1987, I entered the School of Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley, and graduated in 1991. During the first three years, I lived at International House (I-House), a residence hall for 600 graduate students. I was one of two residents at I-House to be granted the privilege to practice on the concert grand piano in the auditorium. Within a few weeks, I was being asked to play for special events.

COMMON INTERESTS

My interest in music also brought my wife and me together. We met at I-House, where I saw a piano-shaped note pad on her door. I had to knock, and that was the beginning of a courtship, numerous musical collaborations, and, ultimately, our marriage in May 1990. My wife continues to play for our local concert band and symphony orchestra, and both our kids play musical instruments.

Dr. Reis at a gathering of the local optometric society.

STILL TIME TO PRACTICE

I have been working in optometry and music for 25 years now. I enjoy practicing the full scope of optometry, and in 2014, I became certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Optometry has been a great career choice for me because much of what we do is science based, and new methods and technology are continually being developed. Furthermore, optometry affords me the time to continue practicing and performing as a pianist, singer and choir director. I find great joy and satisfaction in being both an optometrist and a musician. OM

THOMAS REIS, O.D.
PORT ANGELES, WASH.