Henry David Thoreau once said that the eye is the jewel of the body. Dr. Joseph Castellano’s passion is to make sure it stays that way. Joseph, who was born and raised in St. Louis, has committed his life to eye health after earning his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Optometry.
“The small class sizes and individual attention we got from each instructor made for a great experience,” Joseph said. "The professors in the UMSL optometry program provided me with the skills and confidence I needed to be successful in my career.”
Since 2011, Joseph has provided eyecare to thousands of people across the St. Louis metropolitan area as an optometrist at Koetting Eye Center, which is owned by his father, Dr. Carmen Castellano. Joseph’s brother Nick is also an optometrist at the family practice.
"My parents were good about encouraging us to create our own paths." Joseph said. "However, because we were so familiar with the field, optometry was a natural choice. When we were young, occasionally we would go to the office to help with odds and ends. Once we were in college, we would work over the summers as technicians."
Besides his practice work, Joseph has served clinical externships in primary care optometry, low vision, vision therapy, geriatric care, ocular pathology and contact lens care. He has treated patients at the Kansas City VA Medical Center in addition to Pepose Vision Institute in St Louis.
Joseph continues his connection with UMSL, serving as an adjunct assistant professor in the College of Optometry. He has served as president of the St. Louis Optometric Society and is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association and Missouri Optometric Association.
