Dr. Richard E. Castillo, OD, DO, FASOS
Dr. Richard Castillo, OD, DO, an ophthalmologist and optometric physician, has made significant contributions to the field of optometry. Presently, he serves as the founding Dean of the University of North Carolina College of Optometric Medicine (2024). Dr. Castillo has held various esteemed positions, including Senior Director (Part III/PEPS®) for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, Chair of the NBEO Laser & Surgical Procedures (LSPE®) certification examination, Chair, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Northeastern Health System, OK, Director, OSU Health Clinic/Ophthalmology Service, and consulting ophthalmologist to the Cherokee Nation Health System of Oklahoma. Dr. Castillo has also served as a professor, consulting ophthalmologist, and assistant dean at the NSU-Oklahoma College of Optometry, where he established and led the nation’s first optometric surgical teaching service within a school of optometry (1998). Dr. Castillo’s expertise extended to partnering with optometric colleagues and developing the nation’s first advanced procedures program in optometric lasers and office-based surgery (1999), which to date has trained thousands of optometric physicians across North America in optometric surgical procedures.
Throughout his career, Dr. Castillo has received numerous accolades for his contributions to optometry. He was honored with the Heart of America Eyecare Congress’s Vision Service Award (2025), the Arkansas Optometric Association’s “Special Service Award” (2021), and the title of “Distinguished Friend” from the Illinois College of Optometry (2019). Additionally, he received the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physician’s Distinguished Service Award (2017), was recognized by the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners in Optometry for outstanding contributions to the advancement of optometric care (2014), and was awarded a Special Citation from the Oklahoma House of Representatives for his contributions to the advancement of surgical eyecare in the state of Oklahoma (2015). Currently, Rich serves as the co-chair of the Contemporary Practice Task Force for the American Optometric Association (AOA). He frequently lectures and is internationally recognized as a strong advocate for the modernization of optometric practice statutes. Rich is particularly sought after as a speaker and educator across North America, covering topics and conducting workshops related to optometric medicine, diagnostic and therapeutic ophthalmic lasers, and office-based surgery and anesthesia.