Dr. Benjamin Lickteig: Championing the Four Day Optometry Workweek and Myopia Management

In a recent episode of the Ryan Reflects podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Benjamin Lickteig, an optometrist, multi-location business owner, and a passionate advocate for the evolving role of eye care professionals.

Ben’s story is one of grit, growth, and a deep commitment to both his team and the profession. From humble roots in a small Iowa town to leading a thriving network of sublease practices in Massachusetts, his journey offers meaningful lessons for optometrists at any stage of their career.

From Small Town Iowa to Big City Opportunity

Ben grew up in a farming community in North Central Iowa. With limited exposure to healthcare outside of essential visits to the local optometrist, dentist, and pediatrician, he quickly gravitated toward a profession that allowed for both clinical care and community connection. Ultimately, he chose optometry for its patient-first focus and entrepreneurial potential, something that would shape the rest of his career.

After attending the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), Ben completed diverse rotations, including a pivotal one at the West Haven VA in Connecticut where he met his wife. This led him to settle in Massachusetts, a state with a historically limited optometric scope of practice at the time. But as he shared, “Sometimes you don’t realize how great an opportunity is until after the fact.”

Discovering the Sublease Model

When private practice seemed out of reach due to the economic climate and a lack of connections, Ben explored a LensCrafters sublease and never looked back. “You're running a private practice within their four walls,” he said. “It’s been great.”

While many optometry students hear about corporate and private practice paths, few truly understand the nuances of sublease models. Ben emphasized the need for optometry schools to better educate students about these career options, especially in states where corporate employment is restricted.

Scaling to Multiple Locations

After establishing a successful first location, Ben expanded into a second, and eventually grew to four. But the transition from one to two wasn’t easy.

“I thought I could run both like I ran the first,” Ben admitted. “But chaos at the second location taught me that you can’t do this alone. You need a great team.”

He learned to lean into mentorship, form connections with peers through ALLDocs and the LensCrafters Connect to Grow program, and eventually joined the Optometry Advisory Council (OAC), becoming a trusted voice for sublease ODs nationally.

Championing the Four-Day Workweek

One of the most powerful takeaways from our conversation was Ben’s adoption of the four-day workweek, a model born from necessity during the pandemic but embraced long-term by his doctors.

“You have to have other passions outside of clinic. Otherwise, you will burn out,” he said. By adjusting scheduling and spreading patient flow, Ben gave his doctors more freedom and flexibility, earning their loyalty and improving work-life balance across the board.

Growing a Myopia Management Program

Ben’s passion for myopia management was evident. Inspired by the launch of CooperVision’s MiSight lens in 2020, he simplified internal protocols and aligned his team around a shared commitment: treat myopia proactively, not reactively.

“Getting these lenses on kids' eyes made the difference,” he explained. “We saw the results firsthand. And now it’s the standard of care in our practice.”

Dr. Benjamin Lickteig's Key Advice for Optometrists

As we wrapped up, Ben shared a message that stuck with me and will resonate with many in the field:

“This is a great profession. Eye care is not going away. There are so many modes of practice. Focus on the opportunities and block out the noise.”

Final Thoughts

Dr. Ben Lickteig is a clear example of how flexibility, vision, and perseverance can lead to incredible professional fulfillment. Whether you’re an optometry student, new grad, or seasoned OD, his story is a reminder that there’s no single path to success, and that mentorship, curiosity, and adaptability go a long way.

Want to connect with Ben? You can find him on LinkedIn or email him directly at drlickteig@lickteigfamilyeyecare.com.

To hear the full episode and more inspiring stories, subscribe to Ryan Reflects on your favorite podcast platform.