Patty Salazar

Patty was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in November 2018 -- while she was 35 weeks pregnant with her daughter! Despite the many adjustments to her new life with two young children and new diagnosis, she has made it a personal goal to not let diabetes dictate her life. Since 2016 she has worked as a Clinical Attending Optometrist at the Illinois College of Optometry where she performs diabetic eye exams on a daily basis. She is also a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy as a Reservist, and spent time on board the USNS COMFORT performing eye exams in nine different countries throughout Central and South America. She is excited for the opportunity to further educate the diabetes community on the importance of diabetic eye exams and overall eye health.