Staff

MEET OUR TEAM OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS


P. Douglas Becherer, O.D., F.A.A.O.

Dr. Becherer  — Dr. Doug Becherer in Belleville, IL
Dr. Becherer joined his father in practice after completing his training. He and his wife Carla have 2 adult children.  

Dr. Becherer received his B.A. from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and his doctorate from Southern College of Optometry. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Optometry. He has chaired many committees for both the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry. He is a fellow in the prestigious National Academy of Practice, which limits membership to 150 specialists from each of the ten health care fields.
 
Dr. Becherer has published (click to read titles of publications) and lectured extensively on contact lens care and has completed over 60 research clinical investigations of new products leading to FDA approval. Because of his expertise on contact lens care, he has been interviewed 50 times on T.V., radio and in newspapers. Dr. Becherer holds a patent for a special contact lens and has designed several specialty lenses for two contact lens companies. He has developed specialized prescribing techniques used daily by doctors. He developed a computerized contact lens designing methodology for challenging cases. He then developed a custom soft bifocal contact lens. This is the first totally custom bifocal that can be designed specifically for the patients needs to within micron accuracy. These lenses have helped people with large and unique prescriptions.
Dr. Becherer is on the Board of Directors for UMB Bank, and on the board of Special Eyes Contact Lens Company. He has been on the advisory board of directors for Wesley-Jessen Contact Lens Co.; for Ciba Contact Lens Co.; for Paragon Contact Lens Co.; for Konan Medical Equipment Co.; and for Tomey Medical Equipment Co.

Dr. Doug Becherer is on the Illinois State Board of Optometry which monitors the licensed optometrists in the state and protects the citizens of Illinois. He is Past-chairman of the American Optometric Association Contact Lens and Cornea Section. He is also Past President and Optometrist of the Year of the Heart of America Contact Lens and Cornea Society. Dr. Becherer is Past President of the Southwestern Illinois Optometric Society. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Optometry; Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, TN and Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL.

He is an Adjunct Clinical Instructor at Washington University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology. He has personally trained over 70 externs in his practice.

Dr. Becherer has been the Educational Chairman of Contact Lens Educational Symposium, the American Optometric Association Contact Lens & Cornea Section and also the Heart of America Contact Lens Society. He has given over 130 lectures at every major optometric meeting and lectured to thousands of doctors and optometry students.
Dr. Becherer’s office was one of 10 sites selected to participate in the 48 month SMART STUDY. The study confirmed the safety and effectiveness of eliminating and controlling myopia in young patients using a special vision restoring contact lens during sleep and comparing them to the same age group wearing top quality soft contact lenses. Presently, Dr. Becherer is developing a unique soft contact lens to control myopia.

Nicholas Holtzman, O.D.

Becherer and Associates — Adam Becherer in Belleville, IL
Dr. Nicholas Holtzman joined our practice in 2016 as an optometric technician following a passion leading to a career change. He went on to attended University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry to pursue his optometric degree. He flourished academically becoming a leader and was nominated, Trustee of the American Optometric Student Association, elected assistant class representative and selected to be a Teaching Assistant for Anatomy, Physiology and Disease.

He was awarded the Dr. Frank. D. Fontana scholarship for emphasizing excellence in clinical care and achievements in the field of optometry during his third year. After his fourth year, he was awarded Excellency in Advocacy of Optometry from the University of Missouri- St. Louis.
He is particularly interested in ocular surface disease, binocular vision problems and advanced contact lens treatment. Dr. Holtzman is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Illinois Optometric Association and the Southwestern Illinois Optometric Society.  
Prior to attending optometry college, Dr. Holtzman worked as an exercise specialist in cardiac rehabilitation and as a Clinical Allergy Specialist.

Dr. Holtzman obtained his Doctorate in Optometry from University of Missouri- St. Louis, his Masters of Science in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale and his Bachelors from Southern Illinois University. 

When Dr. Holtzman isn’t practicing optometry, he spends time with his wife, Courtney, and two children, August and Heidi.

Dr. Holtzman represents the 4th generation of family eye care by the Becherer’s as his wife, Courtney, is Dr. Becherer’s daughter. Dr. Holtzman intends to continue the tradition of excellent eye care by a privately owned practice by continuing to put the patient first and not a corporate mandate. 

Becherer and Associates — Adam Becherer in Belleville, IL
Dr. Jonathan Kingsley is our most recent addition to the practice, joining in May of 2023. Dr. Kingsley was born and raised in Kearney, NE and is naturally a die-hard Nebraska Cornhuskers fan. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, receiving his B.S. in Psychology. He later went on to attend the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry to obtain his doctorate in optometry, bringing him to the St. Louis area.

Dr. Kingsley received extensive training through several clinical externships, including multiple private practices in the St. Louis area, UMSL’s University Eye Center, Saint Louis University’s Department of Ophthalmology, and Carondelet Family Health Center. Through these externships, Dr. Kingsley gained valuable experience in primary eye care, ocular disease, contact lenses, binocular vision, and pediatrics.

Dr. Kingsley is a boards-certified optometrist qualified to treat and manage various conditions of the eye including glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, as well as many other ocular disorders. He has an affinity for primary eye care but is especially passionate about ocular disease. Dr. Kingsley says the best part of his job is getting to connect with patients and build relationships with them.

Dr. Kingsley married the love of his life, Lindsay, in 2017 after meeting at a church camp in Jacksonville, FL. They currently have one daughter named Aspen and a dog named Louie.
Becherer and Associates — Adam Becherer in Belleville, IL
Meet Adam Becherer our ABO certified optician. He received his B.S. from SIUE in 2009 and has worked in the optical field for more than 8 years receiving his ABO certification in 2014.

I work in conjunction with our very knowledgeable frame stylist to provide you with the most comprehensive support available. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have about the most advanced lenses including progressive, high index, high definition, and also lenses for the specific needs such as lenses designed for computer use or sporting activities. With so many choices, it is my pleasure to help you select the best lenses to meet your visual needs. When it is time for your glasses to be dispensed, I will make sure they are adjusted for the optimal fit and comfort.
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