Meet The Optometrists

  • Dr.
    Jeffrey M. Pietrzyk

    Doctor Jeffrey M. Pietrzyk was born in Chicago and raised in the south suburbs. He attended Victor J. Andrew High School and Loyola University of Chicago. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry in 2001 and completed a post-graduate optometric residency program in ocular disease management at the prestigious Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.

    Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Jeff accepted a position with Bennett & Bloom Eye Centers in Louisville, KY. This experience prepared him to handle challenging and unusual ocular diseases, as well as surgical pre- and post-operative cases.

    Passionate about teaching, Dr. Jeff aided in the education of future and present optometrists while serving on the continuing education committee of the Kentucky Optometric Association. He has given several educational lectures to various groups including fellow doctors, optometry students, and nursing students. He continues to dedicate speaking time to students at local high schools who are interested in the profession of optometry. He is currently a member of the Illinois Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. 

    Illinois Eye Associates was founded in 2006 by Dr. Jeff and his wife, Dr. Christa Pietrzyk, also an Optometrist. They moved to Manhattan in December 2005 and remain active in the community they serve. Dr. Jeff was appointed to the board for the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce in 2006. He served as President during the 2008-2009 term. In 2007, Dr. Jeff was appointed to the School Board for Manhattan District 114. In 2009 he was re-elected to the board for a four year term.  He served as the School Board President the final two years of his term.  Dr. Jeff did not run for re-election following the 2012-2013 school year to focus on his patients and growing family. In May of 2014 he attained Diplomate status with the American Board of Optometry, signaling his commitment to continuing his professional development.

    EDUCATION
    Loyola University Chicago  (Chicago, IL) - Bachelor of Science (1996)

    Illinois College of Optometry  (Chicago, IL) - Bachelor of Science, Visual Science (1999)
    Doctor of Optometry (2001)

    Bascom Palmer Eye Institute  (Miami, FL) -  Optometric Residency in Ocular Disease    2002

    MEMBERSHIPS
    American Optometric Association
    Illinois Optometric Association
    American Board of Optometry (Board Certified/Diplomate)

  • Dr.
    Christa Pietrzyk

    Doctor Christa D. Pietrzyk was born and raised in small town Iowa, which is where her passion for Optometry began. She graduated first in her class at Oskaloosa
    Sr. High School and went on to study cell and molecular biology at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. She earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University in 2002 and then completed a post-graduate optometric residency program specific to the treatment and management of ocular disease at Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.

    Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Christa accepted a position with Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. It was at this time that she became an InfantSEE provider as well as an active member of the American Optometric Association and the Kentucky Optometric Association. Dr. Christa spent 10 years of her career as an employee of a large OD/MD practice, serving patients in the greater Chicagoland area. She is
    currently an active member of the Illinois Optometric Association.  In May of 2014, she attained Diplomate status with the American Board of Optometry,
    demonstrating her continued commitment to professional growth and development. 

    In the spring of 2016 Dr. Christa began working with her husband, Dr. Jeff Pietrzyk at Illinois Eye Associates in Manhattan, Illinois.  It was shortly after joining forces in Manhattan that the opportunity presented itself for Illinois Eye Associates to serve patients in Peotone, Illinois and she is thrilled to split time between the two locations. 

    Drs. Jeff and Christa have three young boys. They enjoy being involved in their children's academic as well as extracurricular activities, while balancing a commitment to their community.  They have been parishioners at St. Josephs Church in Manhattan since 2005. Dr. Christa served on the Lincoln Way Foundation Board from 2007-2012. Illinois Eye Associates is a member of the Manhattan and Peotone Chambers of
    Commerce.


  • Dr.
    Lindsey Rector

    The daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran, Doctor Lindsey Rector graduated high school in southern Indiana with academic honors. She then went on to continue her education at Indiana University in Bloomington where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish.  As an undergraduate student she actively volunteered for several organizations, including Benevolent Missions International where she worked alongside optometrists and ophthalmologists, providing free eye care to residents in Belize. It was during this trip she decided to pursue optometry.  After graduating, she stayed in Bloomington and obtained her Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana School of Optometry in 2022. She completed a post-graduate optometric residency program at the WJB Dorn VAMC in Columbia, South Carolina specializing in treatment and management of ocular disease, low vision rehabilitation, and specialty contact lenses. During her residency Dr. Lindsey also worked in a cooperate optometric setting and local private practice. She completed the residency in July 2023 and has happily accepted a full-time position at Illinois Eye Associates. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association and will be joining the Illinois Optometric Association. She is excited to work alongside Dr. Jeff and Dr. Christa at both locations. Dr. Lindsey is thrilled to be back in the Midwest and exploring the community.