To Help Fill Eye-Care Shortages In Rural Montana, Optometrist Commutes By Plane

At least once a week, an eye doctor flies across northeast Montana. It’s an unusual mode of travel for an optometrist. But Jon Kolstad’s efforts reflect the lengths rural residents go through to provide or receive basic care as Montana’s population ages.

Victoria Traxler, Montana Public Radio

Dr. Jon Kolstad prepares for his weekly commute to Scobey, Montana. His ride is a two-seater bush plane with red-tipped wings.

The plane takes off toward a lilac sunrise. Kolstad drifts over waves of prairie. Below, low hills are speckled with grazing deer and cattle. A large green tractor stands out on the vast landscape. It’s the bird’s eye view of northeastern Montana.

It’s an unusual mode of travel for an optometrist. But in rural Montana, it works. Kolstad operates three offices in three different counties in this corner of the state.

“I’ve made the schedule work,” Kolstad said. “And, having access to a plane does shorten the state.”

Kolstad is one of few private eye doctors in the regio...