Dr. Nathan Schramm, O.D., FSLS
Scleral Lenses, Specialty Contacts for Irregular Corneas, Myopia Management
Dr. Nathan Schramm’s passion is helping patients with severe corneal conditions (keratoconus/post LASIK ectasia) and preventing myopia (nearsightedness). He is one of 250 fellowship-trained ocular prosthetic (scleral) specialists and became the first of three Certified Nutrition Specialists with an Optometry degree, which he obtained from Nova Southeastern University in 2008.
Dr. Nate is an accomplished optometrist, teacher, writer, and key opinion leader. He organized the first congress dedicated solely to ocular prosthetics, the International Congress of Scleral Contacts, now a yearly event. He contributed to a 2019 Ophthalmology textbook’s chapter on scleral lenses and has written for Advanced Ocular Care, Collaborative Eye Journal, Contact Lens Spectrum, and Natural Awakenings.
At various optometry and ophthalmology conferences, Dr. Schramm has taught thousands of doctors about nutrition and scleral lenses in China, India, and the United States. Part of his medical training occurred in China, so he prefers to use a holistic approach to eye care.
What do you love about your job?
I genuinely love my job because it’s a perfect intersection of what the world needs, what I’m good at, and what gives me passion. The best part of my day is fitting a visually impaired patient with specialty lenses and witnessing their awe at how they can now truly see the world. In addition, I take great joy in treating poor vision in children to create a lifelong impact using advanced myopia control techniques.
How are you involved in the community and what do you hope to contribute to the future?
I donate blood several times yearly; I’m B Positive, like my personality. I became an eye doctor because my grandfather, who raised me like his son, developed an incurable eye disease. I want to continue to educate my eye doctor colleagues on how best to help their patients with irregular astigmatism and complicated corneal conditions.
What’s an interesting fact about you? What are you doing when you’re not checking eyes?
In my early 20s, I was a personal trainer, so this is one of the reasons why I discuss diet and exercise with my patients. Many people are unaware eye health can be impacted by these things. Another interesting fact is I saved a nun’s life and received a congressional commendation. When I’m not fixing eyes, I work out daily with either yoga or high-intensity interval training like CrossFit. Intermittent fasting and extended water-only fasts keep me mentally balanced and appreciative. I love spending time with my wife, Julie, and our Siberian Husky, Sasha.