‘So Many Options’: How a Routine Eye Exam Helped Lilly Phan See Her Future

After starting in biotechnology research, optometry student now dedicates herself to helping patients see clearly.

If Lilly Phan ever had any doubts about becoming an optometrist, they were put to rest when she helped a patient with keratoconus, a misshapen cornea, regain his vision. The patient arrived at the Worcester Eye and Vision Center, terrified that he might lose his sight. “He was super nervous,” Phan said.

After fitting him with a diagnostic lens, his vision improved dramatically. "At his second appointment, we still had to make some adjustments, but when he walked through the door, he looked like a completely different person—well-combed and well-dressed,” said Phan, who is on track to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2025. “He could finally see what he looked like. And he said, 'I now see people waving at me, and I know who it is.'"

The experience cemented Phan’s decision to become an optometrist, a path that began, ironically enough, during an eye exam of her own. Originally from Vietnam, Phan had built a career as a biotechnology researcher after earning a degree in biochemistry from California State University. However, during a routine eye exam, she mentioned to her doctor that she was looking for more variety and flexibility in her daily work. The optometrist suggested a career shift to optometry.

"At first, I was like, no, coming here, learning English, and getting a steady job, let alone building a career, was hard enough," Phan said. "I would have to apply for student loans and all that. So, I said no at first, but then I just got interested."

Phan spent four months shadowing the optometrist, attending patient appointments, and working at the front desk. By the end of that period, she was hooked. She said she “fell in love” with the problem-solving aspect of optometry and the unique challenges each patient presented. This led her to enroll in the Doctor of Optometry program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) in 2021.

During the week, Phan works at both the Community Health Center and the Worcester Eye and Vision Center, where she conducts examinations and sees an array of patients, including those with low vision and other impairments. To further sharpen her diagnostic skills, particularly for patients with common retinal conditions like diabetic retinopathy, hypertension retinopathy, and lattice degeneration, Phan turned to virtual reality (VR) technology. The VR stations at MCPHS gave her the opportunity to practice various eye examinations in a controlled environment. "We don't need a real patient to sit there, we don't need to use any eye drops on anyone, and we can literally just come and practice anytime we want," Phan said.

The VR technology also allowed Phan and her peers to simulate a range of rare eye conditions, like optic disc melanocytoma and retinitis pigmentosa. This exposure to uncommon ocular pathologies helped prepare her for real-world scenarios, Phan said.

With the ability to practice until perfect, Phan said she gained confidence in her diagnostic skills, directly contributing to positive outcomes in clinics. The experience solidified her interest in specializing in ocular diseases, particularly for patients with corneal conditions that don't respond to traditional treatments. Looking ahead, Phan said she hopes to complete her residency in ocular diseases and work in a hospital setting. Eventually, she also dreams of running her own practice.

"There are so many ways you can work as an optometrist," Phan said. "You can work at a hospital, open your own practice, or do precepting in a teaching facility. You can even perform eye exams on patients on a mobile truck. There are so many options, not just one type of modality of practice. I really like that."