Sontkileo Brown, OD, knew from a young age that she wanted to be an optometrist. Now, as the owner of Brown Eye Care, an independent eye care practice next to a Walmart Vision Center in Hammond, Indiana, she’s bringing high-quality eye care to her community just south of Chicago.
Dr. Brown’s passion for eye care started when she got her first pair of eyeglasses at age 9. She remembers looking forward to experiencing (and questioning) the latest technology during her annual eye exams.
“I was an inquisitive child and would ask about the machines,” Dr. Brown says. “Robert Davis, OD, always entertained my questions.” Getting contact lenses at age 12 opened up a whole new world of curiosity for Dr. Brown. “Dr. Davis told me that he saw my passion and recommended I study eye care. From that moment, my focus was on my future career.”
NAVIGATING CHANGES
Less than a year after her 2007 graduation from Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), Dr. Brown, like many others, faced finding a full-time career during the 2008 financial crisis. She had been part of a private practice group at ICO, but with financial uncertainty, many cold-start opportunities faded. Instead, she found a solid position at Kline’s Eyecare, an independent practice next to a Walmart Vision Center in Indiana.
She spent nine years working as a sublease doctor and building strong relationships with patients and staff. “I stayed because it was a great experience. The manager is still a good friend,” she says.
She left to pursue medical optometry but quickly felt that the extremely short exam slots and heavy workload were hindering her chances to build relationships with patients. She opened Brown Eye Care in 2024.
MULTIPLE BENEFITS
“Agreeing to lease, and starting my own practice next to Walmart, felt like the right move. The overhead is much lower than it would be if I opened a practice cold. Plus, I set my own hours and professional fees.”
Another advantage is the store’s steady foot traffic. The Walmart Vision team supports her success, too. Store manager Markesha Williams checks in regularly, asking how she can help the business grow.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GROWTH
Dr. Brown also leverages technology to enhance patient care. She created her own website using Barti software, where patients can complete intake forms online. A QR code outside the office links directly to the form. She uploads educational videos to the site and plays them in her waiting room to inform patients about various eye conditions and procedures while they wait.
She’s built a loyal patient base since first leasing a space next to Walmart. To give back to the community, Dr. Brown looks for ways to educate residents about eye health and get them seen if needed. For medical referrals, she’s developed a relationship with nearby Williams Eye Institute.
VALUABLE FLEXIBILITY
“Working alongside Walmart has given me career stability,” Dr. Brown says. “You can be your own boss and practice how you want. No one tells you what to sell or how to run your practice. If you want 30 minutes for a patient exam slot, you can do that. It’s up to you.”
As she grows her practice, Dr. Brown remains focused on what matters most: building patient trust. “For the first time, I have the ability—and time—to ask every patient, ‘What other questions do you have? How can I address all your concerns?’ I never had time to do that before. Thanks to Walmart, now I do.”
