We’re excited to welcome Dr. Jillian Litchfield to Iowa Eye Center! Dr. Litchfield brings a strong foundation in patient care, a passion for helping people improve their vision, and an eagerness to build lasting relationships with her patients.
In this Q&A, she shares more about her background, her approach to care, and a few fun facts about life outside of work.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background?
I was born and raised in Fresno, California, where I grew up with three younger siblings. I went to Fresno State for college and majored in mathematics. I always knew I wanted to go to medical school, but I decided to study something different first.
After college, I moved to Joplin, Missouri, to attend medical school at Kansas City University. I completed my first two years in Joplin, then did my clinical rotations in Wichita, Kansas. From there, I was fortunate to stay in the Midwest and complete my ophthalmology residency at St. Louis University.
Q: What inspired you to make the Midwest your professional home?
I really fell in love with the Midwest during medical school. I love having four seasons, the people are incredibly friendly, and I still get excited when it snows! I feel at home here and have even tried to convince my family to make the move, too. Joining Iowa Eye Center felt like a perfect fit for me, both personally and professionally.
Q: How would you describe your philosophy of patient care?
One of my mentors impressed on me the importance of making sure patients fully understand what’s happening with their eyes. When patients know what’s going on, they’re more engaged in their care, and research has even shown they have better outcomes.
That’s why I take time to explain eye anatomy and where a condition fits in. I want every patient to feel like we’re a team, working together to find the best solution.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Vision can completely change someone’s quality of life. I’ve seen cataract surgery help people regain independence, reconnect with their community, and even return to work. To be trusted with that part of someone’s life is a huge privilege.
Q: What inspired you to specialize in ophthalmology?
During college, I worked as a scribe in the emergency department. One of the doctors let me look at an eye under the microscope, and I was blown away by the level of detail I could see. That experience piqued my interest.
In medical school, I realized I loved using my hands, even during routine exams. But it was cataract surgery that really cemented my decision. The precision and intricacy of such a quick surgery and then seeing patients’ joy the very next day when their vision improved was incredibly rewarding.
Q: Outside of medicine, what are some of your interests?
I grew up in a family with lots of pets, so when I went to medical school, I adopted a labradoodle puppy named Jenny. She’s eight years old now, and I just love having her around. My husband jokes that my phone is just a montage of all aspects of her life.
My husband is the “hobby king” and has pulled me into some of his interests; we recently completed a triathlon together in Madison, Wisconsin. He also finished his second full Ironman, though I only joined him for half of that. I also enjoy playing piano, and I sang in choirs growing up.
And a fun fact: I love sports movies—Remember the Titans, Miracle, Moneyball, The Rookie—even though I really don’t follow organized sports. I’ve become a bit more engaged thanks to my husband, so I’m learning a lot, but I really just love movies.
Q: What is one thing you hope patients take away from their experience with you?
I want patients to know that I care about them as individuals. I’m committed to giving them the highest standard of care possible, and challenging cases don’t leave my mind. I’ll keep working with them until we find a solution.
Q: Is there anything new in the field of ophthalmology—particularly coming in as a new doctor—that you look forward to? Are there new treatments you’re excited to bring to patients?
One of the great things about ophthalmology is that we have a variety of tools in our arsenal to treat different eye problems—lasers, injections, surgery, and even just glasses. One thing that I’ve especially enjoyed is that cataract surgery now is often combined with minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries for select glaucoma patients. I’ve really enjoyed learning those new techniques, and I’m excited to offer those to my glaucoma patients who would benefit from those additional surgeries at the time of cataract surgery.
Q: Is there something about eye health you find patients are often surprised to learn?
Patients are often surprised by how a seemingly straightforward eye exam can provide clues about their overall health. I have seen diabetes, strokes, autoimmune diseases, and more diagnosed by eye and vision-related symptoms alone.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being part of a team practice like Iowa Eye Center?
The opportunity to work closely with seasoned ophthalmologists who place high value on partnering together to bring patients the best care is something I am thrilled to find here at Iowa Eye.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you wish everyone knew about protecting their vision?
As I just reminded my brother over the phone today, don’t sleep in your contacts! It seems simple, but I have unfortunately seen many people lose vision, and in extreme cases, their eye from poor contact lens hygiene. I encourage patients not to compromise on an easily preventable form of vision loss by taking contacts out before bed, cleaning them regularly, and never wearing them beyond their expiration.
Welcome to the Team
We’re thrilled to have Dr. Jillian Litchfield on the Iowa Eye Center team. Her expertise, compassion, and dedication to patient education make her an excellent addition to our practice.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Litchfield today and experience her patient-centered approach to eye care. Call 319-362-3937 or use our online contact form.
