Family Eyecare From The Eyecare Family
About Fergus Falls Optometric Center Ltd
70+ Years of Combined Experience
Qualified Staff
Motivating Factor
Learn More About the Doctors
Dr. Mark D. Olmsted
Dr. Mark D. Olmsted was born and raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, where at the age of 14 he decided to become an optometrist during a career fair at school. After graduating from Bismarck State College, he attended both the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. Dr. Mark received his doctor of optometry degree (OD) in 1986 from the Illinois College of Optometry.
His training included an externship at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine's Eyecare Department working closely with staff ophthalmologists. In 1986 Dr. Mark was involved in the eyecare portion of a volunteer medical mission to the impoverished people of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Upon graduating, Dr. Mark worked in the Wisconsin communities of Manitowoc, Appleton and Racine until his soon-to-be wife, Dr. Chris Olmsted completed her training in 1989. At that point the newlyweds purchased the long-standing Fergus Falls Optometric Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and have run the practice together ever since.
Dr. Mark is certified by the Minnesota Board of Optometry to use and prescribe both topical and oral medication in the treatment of eye disease. While he enjoys working with all age groups, he has a soft spot for the elderly and a special interest in the treatment of age-related eye conditions. Routine eye exams for glasses and contact lenses are also a daily part of his duties. Pre-op and post-op services are provided for cataract surgery and LASIK as well.
During his free time, Dr. Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys. He especially likes watching his sons in their numerous theatrical and musical activities. While relaxing he occasionally has a guitar in his hands.
Dr. Christine A. Olmsted
Dr. Christine Olmsted is originally from Reedsburg, Wisconsin. She decided in first grade to become an optometrist. Dr. Chris attended Madison Area Technical College, receiving a degree as an optometric assistant. This enabled her to work in the optical field as she continued her studies toward her goal of becoming an optometrist. Dr. Chris also attended branches of the University of Wisconsin at Madison and Baraboo. She received her doctor of optometry degree (OD) in 1989 from the Illinois College of Optometry. Her training includes an externship at Great Lakes Naval Base, north of Chicago, where she examined naval recruits. She also provided eyecare to the needy on a volunteer mission to Juarez, Mexico in 1989.
Shortly after graduation, Dr. Chris and Dr. Mark purchased Fergus Fall Optometric Center and have run the private practice together for over 30 years.
Dr. Chris is certified by the Minnesota Board of Optometry to use and prescribe both topical and oral medication in the treatment of eye disease. She enjoys working with all age groups, but has a particular connection with children. A major part of her day entails routine eye exams for glasses and contact lenses. Dr. Chris also provides pre-op and post-op services for cataract surgery and LASIK.
Dr. Chris is very family oriented and much of her volunteer work began as a result of her boys' activities. As they were growing up she had been a Cub Scout den leader and a Sunday School teacher. Call Fergus Falls Optometric Center Ltd for more information.
History of the Practice
*July 1st, 1999 marked the 10th anniversary of optometric service in Fergus
Falls from my wife, Dr. Christine Olmsted, and myself. In honor of the
milestone, I decided to research the history of our eyecare practice and
the history of different types of businesses that have been at our current
address, 117 E. Lincoln Ave.*
*The roots of our practice were traced back to 1902. Theodore N. Kittleson,
M.D. was an eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) specialist whose practice was
in the Iverson Lee Building at 101 1/2 W. Lincoln Ave., upstairs from the
current Cranberry Depot. Some people may remember coming across EENTs in
their lifetime, but somewhere in the last 30 years or so the "eye"
specialty broke away to be become ophthalmology, leaving ear, nose and
throat (ENT) to itself. Dr. Kittleson worked until the late 1920's.*
*Leon C. Combacker, M.D., also an EENT, joined Dr. Kittleson in 1927 and
served Fergus Falls until 1956. In the later years of his practice he
stopped doing surgery and the eye portion of his practice consisted of
routine eye exams and office visits for out-patient eyecare, similar to the
current means of optometric practice. He was joined in 1949 by James J.
Buckley, O.D., an optometrist, who assumed the clinic in 1956 at it's
original location. The eyecare business has been run by optometrists ever
since.*
*In 1961 Dr. Buckley moved the practice to 115 E. Lincoln, where Lasting
Impressions hair stylists currently reside. In 1975 Dr. Buckley joined
forces with Tom Smith, O.D. and formed Fergus Falls Optometric Center,
which is still the office's name. They moved next door to 117 E. Lincoln,
our current address.*
*Dr. Smith went solo again in 1981. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Buckley sold
the practice to Midwest Vision Centers, staying on as their optometrist. By
the mid-80s he bought back the practice. In the summer of 1989 Mark D.
Olmsted, O.D. and Christine A. Olmsted, O.D purchased the practice from Dr.
Buckley, who stayed on with us until Jan. 1991.*
Dr. Mark D. Olmsted
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