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Dr. Joseph Sowka received his Bachelor of Sciences Degree with Distinction from Cornell University, and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University in Philadelphia, PA, where he also completed his residency. Dr. Sowka accepted a university appointment at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, where he served as full time academic faculty at the College of Optometry for 28 years and 2 days, achieving the rank of Full Professor. He served as Chief of The Advanced Care Service and Director of the Glaucoma Service at the College’s Eye Institute. He was the Program Coordinator and Supervisor for the Ocular Disease Residency. He also served as Chair for the Department of Optometric Clinical Sciences. He taught courses in Glaucoma and Vitreoretinal Disease for 26 years and in his academic career has trained over 2,500 optometrists and residents.

Dr. Sowka has authored 114 peer-review manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters as well as over 180 other publications including 19 editions of The Handbook of Ocular Disease Management. Dr. Sowka serves on the Editorial Review Board of numerous journals. Dr. Sowka is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and Diplomate in Glaucoma within the Academy. He has held numerous Chair positions within the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Sowka is a founding member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society and Optometric Retina Society and has served on the Executive Committees of both organizations. He is also the Founder and Former Chair of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders in Optometry Special Interest Group for the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Sowka lectures extensively nationally and internationally.

Dr. Sowka’s clinical patient care has extensively been in glaucoma diagnosis and management as well as care for patients with neuro-ophthalmic conditions. Dr. Sowka provides compassionate care to patients with glaucoma as well as those with neuro-ophthalmic issues such as double vision and sudden vision loss. He is also available for emergency conditions such as eye redness, pain, and other acute issues.

Dr. Sowka lives in Sarasota with his wife, Dr. Lori Vollmer, who is also a provider for Center for Sight at the Jacaranda location. Dr. Sowka provides continuing medical education to practicing doctors throughout the US and abroad. Dr. Sowka enjoys working out, reading, writing, and music (playing piano and singing) and is thrilled to be part of the mission of Center for Sight to provide compassionate care to every patient. In 2021 and 2022, he was ranked #4 optometrist in the US by Newsweek magazine “America’s Best Eye Doctors” list. In 2023, he was ranked #1 optometrist in the US Newsweek ratings. He is a partner and co-owner of Optometric Education Consultants, a company providing postgraduate clinical education.

Location served: Jacaranda

Awards & Honors

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Dr. Lori Vollmer earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in 1990. Following graduation, she worked as a certified ophthalmic technician until pursuing a career in optometry. She graduated with honors and distinction from Nova Southeastern University,College of Optometry in 2002. She completed a residency in Ocular Disease at the Aran Eye Associates in Miami, Florida in 2003. She completed a Master’s of Science in Nutrition with emphasis in Sports Nutrition in 2018 from the Nova Southeastern University, Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for the ocular disease residency program at Center for Sight. Dr. Vollmer has been named one of America’s Best Eye Doctors in Newsweek magazine in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Prior to joining Center for Sight, Dr. Vollmer worked in Academia at Nova Southeastern University, holding the rank of Professor, where she served as an Attending Physician in the Primary Care and Diabetes Clinics. She also served in college administration as the Director of Residency Programs for the College of Optometry, mentoring and training resident physicians. Her classroom teaching experience included ocular disease and nutrition in eye care.

Dr. Vollmer has published several articles in optometric journals, participated in optometric research and delivered numerous continuous education lectures both nationally and internationally on the topics of ocular disease, trauma, medical and surgical management and nutrition.

Dr. Vollmer is a Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, Fellow in the Optometric Retina Society, a member of the Optometric Wellness and Nutrition Society, a member of the American Optometric Association, and a member of the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND). She is the Past President of the Broward County Optometric Association. Dr. Vollmer also serves as a team chair and consultant for the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Dr. Vollmer is married to Dr. Joseph Sowka, who is also an Optometric Physician at Center for Sight at the Jacaranda location. Her hobbies include exercising and spending time with her animals.

Location served: Jacaranda

Awards & Honors

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