fbpx
630-690-7115

R. TRACY WILLIAMS

R. TRACY WILLIAMS O.D., F.A.A.O.

Spectrios Institute for Low Vision – Executive Director
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Loyola University
Adjunct Professor, Illinois College of Optometry

Clinic Locations:
Spectrios Institute for Low Vision at Deicke House, Wheaton, IL
Appointments: 1-630-690-7115

Dr. Tracy Williams is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry, (ICO). He served an internship at the Chicago Lighthouse training under Dr. Alfred A. Rosenbloom, then President of ICO. He completed a Low Vision Residency at the New York Association for the Blind under the mentorship of Eleanor Faye, MD.

Dr. Williams served four years as an ICO Faculty Member and was twice selected as Faculty of the Year. He also served as Clinical Director of the Low Vision Service at the Chicago Lighthouse for over a decade and received the CLB Outstanding Service Award.

Dr. Williams established the Spectrios Institute for Low Vision Rehabilitation, an accredited multidisciplinary nonprofit agency in 1986. This year celebrates the Institute’s 37th Anniversary serving thousands of children and adults with vision loss. A statewide children’s program called “Seeing is Believing” celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year which received the Hog Ogden Metal Award from the CDC. The Institute also has provided Residency training in Low Vision for 28 Doctors who serve nationwide.

Dr. Williams is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at Loyola University and has served as the Director of Low Vision Rehabilitation for nearly three decades. Dr. Williams has served as Co-Chair of the Low Vision Committee at the NEI/NEHEP, Chair of the National Accreditation Council, Chair of the AOA Low Vision Section, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, served as the SightFirst Technical Advisor for Lions Club International, is a former Board Member for Prevent Blindness, served as a Paralympic Medical Examiner, and is a Team Doctor for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Fire.

Dr. Williams was selected and worked with the World Health Organization to establish Standards for Vision Rehabilitation worldwide. Dr. Williams has served on many Mission trips including to Guatemala,
Haiti, India, Bosnia, and Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Williams feels blessed and grateful to be active in practice today and reminds us that Low Vision Rehabilitation is an important Treatment Modality that offers great Hope supported by Science and Compassion for people with vision loss.

Education/Training:
Undergraduate School:
Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL 1971-1973
Associated Colleges of the Midwest, Costa Rica Semester 1973
Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL 1973-1974
University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, Bachelor of Science, Biology 1975

Graduate School:
Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL
Bachelor of Science, Visual Science 1977
Doctor of Optometry 1979

Externship:
Externship in Low Vision, 1978-1979 (Eleanor Faye, M.D.)
New York Lighthouse for the Blind, New York, NY

Professional Organizations:
American Academy of Ophthalmology/Low Vision Section (AAO)
American Academy of Optometry (AAO)
American Optometric Association (AOA), Chair Low Vision Rehabilitation Section (2005-2007)
Association of Educators and Researchers (AER)
National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired (NAC), Board Member & Chair
Illinois Optometric Association (IOA)
AMD Alliance International, Board Member
Prevent Blindness, Board Member
Melvin Jones Fellow, Lions International
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International

Awards/Distinctions:

1983 & 1984 – Outstanding Faculty Award, Illinois College of Optometry
1986 – Present, Team Optometrist, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls
2001 – Humanitarian Award, Illinois College of Optometry
2002 – “Hod Ogden” Award, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
2002-2008 – National Eye Institute / NEHEP Co-Chair Low Vision Committee
2003-2004 – Honorary Rotarian, Rotary Club of Wheaton A.M.
2003 – Elected Optometrist of the Year by the Illinois Optometric Association
2003 – Excellence in Rehabilitation Award, Illinois Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
2006 – Distinguished Alumni Award, Illinois College of Optometry
2006 – “Mary McCann Award”, Illinois Council of the Blind
2007 – Optometrist of the Year, American Optometric Association, Sports Vision Section
2012 – Distinguished Alumni Award, Willowbrook High School
2012 – Present Technical Advisor, Lions International
2016 – AOA Vision Care Award Recipient for contributions in the field of vision rehabilitation

Research Interests:
Low Vision
Visual Rehabilitation
Assistive / Adaptive Technology
Sports Vision

Mission Work:
Coban and Chichicastenango,Guatemala (5 visits)
Cap Haitien, Haiti
Tusla, Bosnia
Vellore, India
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Williams