Dr. Michael DeStefano is the newest developmental optometrist at Visual Symptoms Treatment Center. Dr. DeStefano’s professional interests include helping struggling students achieve academic success, caring for patients with traumatic brain injuries/concussions and myopia control.
He received his Bachelor of Science in biology and his Bachelor of Arts in Italian at Loyola University Chicago, where he graduated with high honors. Dr. DeStefano received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Optometry, where he was valedictorian of the school’s inaugural class and a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.
He credits his extensive knowledge in vision therapy from working as the founder and former president of Midwestern University’s chapter of College in Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) as well as other neuro-optometrists while in school.
He currently resides with his wife, Lisa, in Schaumburg. Dr. DeStefano was born and raised in Palatine, just three miles from the office.
When Dr. DeStefano isn’t seeing patients, he typically spends time with his wife and Italian family, golfing, or working out. He considers himself a kid at heart, as he enjoys watching the Chicago Cubs and competing on video games.
Most importantly, he enjoys serving patients every day and looks forward to helping you or a loved one.
List of Accomplishments:
- Winner of VSP's Practice Excellence Scholarship for leadership and advancement of private practice optometry
- Two-time winner of Midwestern University's Optometry Quiz Bowl
- Essilor Optometry Student Bowl national competitor
- Two-time winner of Midwestern University's Spirit of Service Award, an award given to those who demonstrate a commitment to serving others
- Dean's list throughout every semester of college
Memberships
- Illinois Optometric Association
- American Optometric Association
- College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD)
- Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA)
- Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society
Other awards, honors, and involvement :
- Researched the link between traumatic brain injury and abnormal pupillary light responses (alpha omega pupil)
- Scored at the 99.8th percentile (top 0.2% among all US and Canada test-takers) overall on the Optometry Admissions Test
- Four-time Colombian Club of Chicago Scholarship winner
- Italian American Executives of Transportation Scholarship winner
- Four-time William J Cook Scholarship winner
- Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization Scholarship winner
- Cegliesi Italo-American Association (CI-AMA) Scholarship winner
- Le Italo-Americane di Oggi (LIADO) Scholarship winner
- UNICO Ralph Torraco Memorial Scholarship winner
- Two-time representative for OptoPrep national optometry board exam preparation program
- Recipient of Allergan’s JumpStart Award for young optometrists achieving practice excellence.Â