Member Profile – Tommy Elton, OD
Where are you from
Spicer, Minnesota
Where do you currently live?
Spicer, Minnesota
Where do you currently practice?
I’m the founder of Visionary Eye Care, operating 10 Target Optical locations with my business partners and associates. We also recently opened our first private practice in Excelsior, which has been an exciting milestone for our team.
What schools did you graduate from (undergrad and postgrad)?
Undergrad: Gustavus Adolphus College
Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry
Residency: Minnesota Eye Consultants
What do you like to do when you're not working?
I love being on the water at Green Lake in Spicer, where I’m currently remodeling a lake home! I also enjoy traveling, especially to visit my fiancé, Anarkos, who is Colombian and studying architecture & design in Madrid. We spend a lot of time exploring unique places, visiting his family in Colombia and continuing our surrogacy journey as we work toward him getting a visa so we can someday get married in the U.S.
What leads you to continue serving your community as an optometrist?
I love caring for my family, friends and the many patients who’ve become friends over the years. Whether it’s through advanced care or simply proving I can count to two, it's great knowing I’m improving someone’s life or vision every day, even if it's just a little bit.
If you weren't an optometrist, what would you be?
If I weren’t an optometrist, I’d be a teacher and a coach. I love kids–the funny things they say, the energy they bring–and I find a lot of joy in helping them grow in their passions, whether in music, sports or whatever lights them up.
What drives you to continue your membership with the Minnesota Optometric Association?
I’m committed to the Association because it takes all of us to make progress for a legislated profession like ours. My priorities have always been access to eye care and patient safety, and those values guide everything we do. As President, I’m proud of the scope expansion we've achieved as well as key relationships we’ve built with legislators. We need to continue educating them about eye care and how optometrists improve the lives of Minnesotans.
What cause means the most to you right now? Does not have to be optometry related, but can be.
A cause that matters to me is supporting the LGBTQ community here in Minnesota. As Chair of OutFront Minnesota–the state’s largest LGBTQ+ organization–I helped pass the ban on conversion therapy for minors and played a role in doubling the size and reach of the organization. That experience still motivates my involvement today.
What fun fact would you like to share about yourself?
I’ve participated in mission trips providing eye care in Peru, Tanzania, Rwanda, Honduras, China and Mexico. Those experiences have been eye opening–caring for many people who’ve never seen clearly and sometimes don’t even have a proper pair of shoes reminds me to keep perspective, appreciate my health and not take my own life circumstances for granted.
Please list any professional accolades you have been awarded.
President 2025-2026, Minnesota Optometric Association
Young Alumnus of the Year 2022, Illinois College of Optometry
Young Optometrist of the Year 2018, Minnesota Optometric Association
Founder, Visionary Eye Care
Board Chair, OutFront Minnesota
Student President, Illinois College of Optometry
