Paul Michael Bernier, O.D.

Dr. Paul Michael Bernier was born and raised in South St. Louis. He attended Vianney High School and then went on to study pre-med and earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from Indiana State University. He continued his next four and one half years of education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry, from which he graduated in 1987. Dr. Bernier practices full scope optometry, having the ability to use both diagnostic and therapeutic drugs and performing general health assessment including blood pressure and blood sugar screening. Dr. Bernier offers state-of-the-art contact lens fitting, including specialty fits such as gas permeable lenses, toric lenses that correct for astigmatism, and bifocal contact lenses. In addition to this, he can add professional insight into the new fields of sports vision and low vision. All of these talents will only serve to enhance your complete eye and health care needs.

Benjamin T. Secoy, O.D.

A native St. Louisan, Dr. Benjamin T. Secoy is a 1996 graduate of Truman State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.  He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry in 2000.  Dr. Secoy practices full scope optometry which includes fitting many different types of contact lenses as well as the treatment and management of ocular disease. He received training in the treatment and management of ocular disease from Washington University School of Medicine and the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  Dr. Secoy is a member of the American Optometric Association, Missouri Optometric Association, St. Louis Optometric Society, and Beta Sigma Kappa, an optometric honor society.  He and his wife Michelle have a daughter, Lauren.

What is a Doctor of Optometry?  

Doctors of Optometry are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. 

Optometrists examine the internal and external structure of the eyes to diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and retinal disorders; systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes; and vision conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.  Optometrists also do testing to determine the patient's ability to focus and coordinate the eyes, and to judge depth and see colors accurately.  They prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, low vision aids, vision therapy and medicines to treat eye diseases. 

As primary eye care providers, optometrists are an integral part of the health care team and an entry point into the health care system.  They are skilled in the co-management of care that affects the eye health and vision of their patients and an excellent source of referral to other health care professionals. 

The optometrist has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree.  Some optometrists complete a residency.