Optometry Residency Class of 2023: Dr. Andrew Kageyama

Growing up surrounded by the optometric profession, Andrew Kageyama OD, ‘23Resident, is following in his parents’ footsteps.  

Although Dr. Kageyama was practically born into the profession, it wasn’t until the start of his undergraduate career that he genuinely figured out what career path he wanted to pursue. “After my first year of undergrad, my dad had me work in his office as a tech helping with patients. It was weird because a lot of his patients would ask my dad if I was his son because they remembered when I was young running around the office when I would get my own eye exam,” said Dr. Kageyama. “It was really cool to see the relationships he has developed with his patients over the years, which is something that really drew me to optometry.” 

Dr. Kageyama studied biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and then moved across the country to attend the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry. “During optometry school, I went to the American Academy of Optometry conference in Boston and ran into Wayne Tan, OD ‘21 Resident ‘22 and Anthony Boyd, OD, Resident ‘22, two of last year's residents,” said Dr. Kageyama. “I was able to ask them a lot of questions about the program which helped when making my decision.”

Through those connections, Dr. Kageyama decided to apply. Now as a Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University on-campus resident at The Eye Institute, he is excited about his residency, specializing in primary care/ocular disease, and for the new experiences the upcoming year will present. “I am looking forward to getting close with my residency class and the faculty at PCO/Salus, to challenge myself and to get the opportunity to ‘pick the brains’ of the faculty,” he said. “Especially coming from a different school, being able to get a different opinion or perspective on how the doctors here practice and their mindset is really cool.” 

After completing his residency, Dr. Kageyama plans to take this knowledge and experience to his family's practice back in California. “I chose PCO/Salus for the well-rounded residency program. Since I plan to work at my family's practice next year, I want to be prepared for any type of patient that could walk through the door and end up in my chair,” said Dr. Kageyama. “The practice they have set up is very primary care and family oriented, with very young to much older patients. I want to be prepared for whatever could come my way in the future.”