Dr. Charles (Chuck) Aldridge, Jr. graduated from Appalachian State University in 1976. He then attended Southern College of Optometry in Memphis where in 1980 he obtained his Doctorate of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Later, in 1993, he received a Master of Business Administration from Western Carolina University.
Dr. Aldridge founded and still practices at Aldridge Eye Institute in Burnsville, NC in 1980. He also created The Dry Eye Center of the Carolinas within this practice in 2007. One of Dr. Aldridge's beliefs is sharing what you've learned. This had led him to write numerous articles that have been published in optometric trade journals.
He has earned numerous academic awards and achievements during his educational tenure. Since entering practice he has earned the distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, Fellow of American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine titles and served as clinical investigator for several ophthalmic corporations. Dr. Aldridge is on consulting staff of Spruce Pine Community Hospital and a member of the American Optometric Association, North Carolina Optometric Association and Mountain District Optometric Association.
Dr. Anshel is a 1975 graduate from the Illinois College of Optometry. He has written numerous articles and books regarding nutritional influences on vision and computer vision concerns. The second edition of his book, Smart Medicine for Your Eyes is scheduled for publication in 2010. Dr. Anshel is the principal of Corporate Vision Consulting, where he addresses the issues surrounding visual demands while working with computers. He also offers on-site consultations and seminars to corporations related to visual stress and productivity in the workplace. He lectures nationally to eye care providers on nutrition and nutritional genomics topics. Dr. Anshel is the President of the Ocular Nutrition Society and maintains a private practice in Carlsbad, CA.
Dr. Marc R. Bloomenstein is a 1990 graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in Biology. He received his optometric degree from the New England College of Optometry in 1994. After graduation, Dr. Bloomenstein finished a residency in secondary ophthalmic care at the Barnet Dulaney Eye Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He received his fellowship from the American Academy of Optometry in December 1998 and is a founding member of the Optometric Council on Refractive Technology. Moreover, Dr. Bloomenstein is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry and Arizona College of Optometry.
Currently Dr. Bloomenstein is the Director of Optometric Services at the Schwartz Laser Eye Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Aside from lecturing and publishing on numerous anterior segment and refractive topics, Dr. Bloomenstein is on the editorial board of Primary Care of Optometry News, Review of Optometry, Optometry Times and a frequent contributor to various optometric journals. Dr. Bloomenstein also has weekly blog on the Review of Optometry website. Dr. Bloomenstein served as the President of the Arizona Optometric Association, as well as, an Optometric Advisor to STAAR Surgical, Bausch & Lomb, Allergan, Odyssey, Inspire, TearLab, and Alcon. Dr. Bloomenstein is the President of the Board of the Arizona Optometric Charitable Foundation. Dr. Bloomenstein is the current President of the Optometric Council on Refractive Technology and a member of the ASCRS Integrated Eye Care Delivery Task Force.
Dr. Ben Gaddie received his undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky. He earned his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Optometry. Dr. Gaddie then completed a Residency in Ocular Disease through Northeastern State University College of Optometry at the Triad Eye Medical Clinic and Cataract Institute in Tulsa, OK. Dr. Gaddie completed both his Residency and also a Fellowship in Glaucoma and Laser Therapy at NSU College of Optometry. Currently he is an owner and director of the Gaddie Eye Centers, a multi-location full service practice in Louisville that was started by his father over 40 years ago.
Dr. Ben Gaddie is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optometry at Northeastern State University College of Optometry. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and Vice President of the Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS). Dr. Gaddie is currently the President-elect for the Kentucky Optometric Association. He is also the Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee for the American Optometric Association (AOA). Having published extensively both with industry and in the refereed ophthalmic literature, Dr. Gaddie serves on the editorial review boards of Review of Optometry, Primary Care Optometry News, Optometric Management and Optometry Times. Dr. Gaddie has delivered over 350 invited lectures worldwide and serves as a consultant to numerous industry-leading pharmaceutical, biomedical and information technology companies.
Milton M. Hom OD, FAAO, practices in Azusa, California. He is a Diplomat in Cornea and Contact Lenses and has written over 150 publications. He serves on several editorial boards including Review of Optometry, Optometric Management, Primary Care Optometry News, Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses and Optometry Times. He has over 25 published abstracts and peer-reviewed papers.
Dr. Hom's latest books are Mosby's Ocular Drug Consult and Manual of Contact Lens Prescribing and Fitting Third Edition (Elsevier).
Dr. Hom is the AOA CLCS 2010 Luminary Award recipient.
Dr. Paul Karpecki is currently the Director of Ocular Disease Research and also works in Corneal Services at Koffler Vision Group in Lexington KY since March of 2009. In 2007 he accepted a position with the Cincinnati Eye Institute in Corneal Services after five years as Director of Research for the Moyes Eye Clinic in Kansas City. Dr. Karpecki serves on or chairs numerous optometric association committees including Chair of the Refractive Surgery Advisory Committee to the AOA and on the AOA Meetings Executive Committee. He has lectured in more than 300 symposia covering four continents and was the first Optometrist to be invited to both the Delphi International Society at Wilmer-John's Hopkins, which includes the top 25 dry eye experts in the world, and the National Eye Institute's Dry Eye Committee. This was a task force established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to better understand and treat dry eye disease in women. A noted educator and author, Dr. Karpecki lectures on new technology, surgical advancements and therapeutics with an emphasis on cornea and external disease. He presently serves on eight professional journal Editorial Boards. Dr. Karpecki received his Doctorate of Optometry from Indiana University and completed a Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Hunkeler Eye Centers in affiliation with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1994.
Dr. Morris received his doctorate of optometry at Indiana University School of Optometry in 1996. He completed a residency in ocular disease at Triad Eye Medical Clinic in association with NSU School of Optometry in Tulsa, OK.
He serves as the medical director of Eye Consultants of Colorado. He is the operating partner of Morris Education & Consulting Associates, a full-service practice management and clinical education consulting firm. He is also the founder and senior technology consultant for Ocular Technology Solutions, Inc., the industry leader in technology consulting services.
He is a member of the AOA, Colorado Optometric Association, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He serves on the AOA Education Committee. He serves on the editorial board for Optometric Management and Optometry Times and is a consultant for the US Department of Education-Council on Optometric Education and Residency Affairs. He lectures extensively throughout the U.S. on various ocular conditions, technology, and practice management for multiple pharmaceutical, ophthalmic equipment, and electronic health record companies. He has published extensively in multiple Ophthalmology and Optometry journals, newsletters and book chapters.
Dr. David W. Nelson graduated from the Indiana University School of Optometry in 1985 and practices in Madison, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Business with a diversified Masters in Business Administration in 1991. Dr. Nelson served in 2001-02 as President of the American Optometric Association, a 33,000 member organization of optometrists, following his eight years of service on the Board of Trustees. He currently provides consulting and educational lectures across the United States for optometric colleagues in newly advancing areas of retinal imaging for Optovue and Optos, PLC. He is also on Signet Armorlite's Education Board, manufacturer of Kodak Brand Spectacle and Progressive Lenses.
Dr Owen is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry and has a Masters in Business Administration from San Diego State University. He currently has a private practice in Encinitas California and is the Optometric Director for Coronado Eye Associates.
He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association and the San Diego Optometric Society. As a member of the American Optometric Association, Dr. Owen serves on its Refractive Surgery Committee.
Additional professional services include being the Immediate Past President of the Optometric Council for Refractive Therapy and on the Clinical Director Advisory Committee for TLC Laser Eye Centers. Also, he is on the editorial board for Optometry Times. He is experienced in developing and maintaining a network of referring doctors as well as pre and post-operative care of ophthalmic surgery patients.
Dr. Owen is uniquely trained in refractive surgery and eye disease. He participates in clinical research for refractive surgery, dry eye and keratoconus. He is known for providing outstanding personalized care for his patients. Frequently, he lectures at local and national optometric meetings on refractive surgery, dry eye and anterior segment disease.
Prior to his private practice Dr. Owen spent 10 years as a Clinical Director for TLC Laser Eye Centers. Dr. Owen's outside interests include golf and endurance sports. He has competed in three Ironman triathlons and 15 marathons. He is married with three children, Davis, Rylee and Noah.
Dr. Schaeffer is the President and CEO of Schaeffer Eye Center, an optometric practice with 15 locations in Central Alabama. Dr. Schaeffer has contributed to the progress of the Optometry industry nationwide. He is currently president of the Optometric Dry Eye Society, and authored a miniseries on the history of contact lenses and the Contact Lens Specialty Practice. In 2007, he was the Chair of the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Optometric Association, and was the national spokesperson during several contact lens solution recalls that year. He was an Executive Associate Editor of the International Contact Lens Leadership Summit organized by Eye and Contact Lens Journal. He is also President and Founder of the Alabama Eye Network, Co-President of Vision Partners-Contact Lens and Founder of Research Eye Care Management Group. He cofounded the Contact Lens and Anterior Segment Society, comprised of the top 40 Eye Care Leaders throughout the United States. Dr. Schaeffer lectures internationally on anterior segment eye disease and ocular surface diseases, and serves on multiple industry advisory boards.
Dr. Smick is the Chief of Optometry Services at the CLAYTON EYE CENTER in Morrow, Georgia. He is an owner of the facility which employs 107 individuals, and has 7 Optometrists and 4 Ophthalmologists. Dr Smick began the Clayton Eye Center in May of 1974.
Dr. Smick has served in many official capacities during his career, both community and professional. He has held every elected position in the Georgia Optometric Association, including President in 1981. He has also been named the Optometrist of the Year by this organization. Dr. Smick was selected as a Fellow, American Academy of Optometry in 1970. He has also served in the American Optometric Association leadership, including Chairman of the Nominating and Resolution Committees. He also served as a member of the Annual Congress Committee, including Chairman in 1986 and 1987. Dr. Smick served as a member of the Georgia State Board of Optometry for 10 years, including 3 as its President. Dr. Smick currently serves as Chairman of the Education Committee for the American Optometric Association and the International Vision Expo programs.
William Townsend, O.D. trained at the University of Houston College of Optometry. In addition to practicing in a multi-location setting with Dr. Janet Townsend and Dr. Kevin Appel, he was a consultant at the VA Medical Center in Amarillo, Texas for eleven years.
Dr. Townsend has authored several textbook chapters and since 1993 has been a contributing editor to Contact Lens Spectrum as well as a frequent contributor to other optometric journals. Dr. Townsend conducts research developing new contact lens materials, contact lens solutions, medications, and dry eye therapies.
He is the Distinguished Visiting Clinician in Residence at the University of Houston College of Optometry and as an adjunct professor at that institution; Dr. Townsend teaches externs who rotate through his private practice.
Dr. Mike Wallace is a 1986 graduate of the College of Optometry at Ferris State University in Michigan. He has the distinction of having been on staff at the prestigious Henry Ford Hospital Systems in Detroit, Michigan for eight years. After researching the latest technology in refractive surgery he was recruited by TLC Vision to establish three of the first refractive surgery centers in Michigan in the late 90's. He has lectured extensively in this arena internationally, especially concentrating on complications of Lasik surgery, including Dry Eye. He left TLC, after several years with his departing responsibilities including serving in a national capacity for training doctors in refractive surgery patient care and center management, to return to private practice in mid-Michigan. After serving in many capacities in the Michigan Optometric Association, including President of the organization, he continues to concentrate on primary care and disease management, including emphasizing Dry Eye care.
