Member Profile - Brent Johnson, OD

Where do you currently practice?
I am the owner of the Blue Earth Valley Eye Clinic, LTD and we have offices in Blue Earth and Winnebago.

Where are you from originally?
I was born in Rochester, MN and graduated high school from Freeborn MN. I spent part of my childhood in Cleveland OH, St. Louis, MO, and Assumption, IL.

What school did you graduate from (undergraduate and optometry)?
I graduated from Mankato State University with a double major in Chemistry and Biology. I received my Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Missouri, School of Optometry.

What are your hobbies?
I like to golf, fish, and travel.

Describe your local community involvement?
Over the years I have been a member of the local Lions Club, Rotary Club, United Way, serving on various church committees, supporting the local school districts with many sponsorships, and sponsoring and attending many community events.

Tell us about your family and pets?
Between my wife and I, we have three daughters and two sons along with five grandchildren.

Why do you choose to be a member of the Minnesota Optometric Association?
The MOA represents all of us! When we all work together, we get so much more accomplished than as individuals. I believe all Minnesota Optometrists should belong to the MOA.

What do you like best about the profession of optometry?
I'm a people person and really enjoy my patients. I practice in a rural area where there is not as much patient turn over, so I have patients I have seen for over 30 years and like getting to know them better.

Describe your favorite memory from your optometric career.
I have a patient I first met when she was five years old. She was adopted from overseas and had some nutritional issues which affected her left side. But her right eye was 9 diopters more myopic than her left eye. She was never scared to be at my office, but always very quiet, shy, and said very little. She would just read letters to me. After a few visits, she handed me a blue post it note where she had written her name. The look in her eyes told me how proud she was of her accomplishment, and I was touched she wanted to share this with me. She did not have to say a word. I thanked her for the piece of paper with her name on it and told her how proud I was that she was able to write her name. She has grown up to be a very active young lady, playing sports, doing very well in school, and is no longer shy. Ten years later she continues to come into the office, and I still have the post it note and think of how much progress she has made in her life.

What fun fact would you like to share about yourselves that your colleagues may not know about you?
I build a walk-in wine cellar in my basement and have over 700 bottles of wine. This is my happy place!

Please list any articles you have written or lectures you have provided to educate others on eye care.
While in Optometry School I was published three times for research I performed. For many years I was a guest lecturer at Mankato State University in the Athletic training program. I am a chapter author in a textbook on Athletic Training.