With anticipation mounting for the 2024 Twin Cities Ocular Surface Disease (OSD) Symposium — an event where innovation converges with expertise in the field of eye health — it’s crucial to highlight the esteemed individuals who will be spearheading discussions, imparting insights, and molding the future of ocular surface disease management.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply curious about eye care, come along as we delve into the backgrounds, expertise, and contributions of these distinguished individuals.
Let’s dive in and become acquainted with the faces behind the symposium!
DR. AHMAD FAHMY
PROGRAM CHAIR
Ahmad Fahmy, OD, is the Founder of The Twin Cities OSD Symposium and Co-Founder of Eyes On Dry Eye. He received his professional training and the Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and completed residency training in peri-operative care of glaucoma, anterior segment pathology, and refractive surgery with Minnesota Eye Consultants, P.A.
He earned Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry and joined Minnesota Eye Consultants, P.A. as a staff Dr. of Optometry. Dr. Fahmy is an Adjunct Faculty Assistant Professor of the Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Fahmy is devoted to executing innovative Ocular Surface Disease educational programs. He served a one-year term with the Board of the Minnesota Optometric Association.
He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and member of the American Optometric Association. Dr. Fahmy remains committed to teaching and mentoring students and colleagues. He is actively involved in numerous clinical research trials and has a special interest in anterior segment disease, glaucoma and ocular surface disease.
→ See Dr. Fahmy’s Full Schedule and Purchase Tickets Here
DR. JACOB LANG
EVENT SPEAKER
Dr. Jacob Lang joined Associated Eye Care (AEC) in 2006 where he specializes in cornea and ocular surface diseases as well as therapeutic contact lenses and surgical co-management. Dr. Lang lectures regularly and has published many articles on these topics. He is also actively involved in the ongoing clinical research at AEC.
Dr. Lang is the medical director of dry eye services, lead optometrist and director of Associated Eye Care’s ocular disease residency program. He is also adjunct clinical faculty at the Illinois College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, and at Salus University.
Dr. Lang is a Diplomat of the American Board of Optometry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry where he currently acts as Chair of the Anterior Segment Section. He is also vice-president of the Intrepid Eye Society, a member of the American Optometric Association, and the Minnesota Optometric Association.
Dr. Lang received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA where he was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society and received several awards for excellence in patient care and contact lens expertise. Dr. Lang then completed a cornea and specialty contact lens residency in Boston, MA.
Dr. Lang enjoys golf, skiing, and spending time outdoors. He also enjoys fly-fishing and fly-tying.
→ See Dr. Lang’s Full Schedule and Purchase Tickets Here
DR. LAURA PERIMAN
INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Periman is a Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellowship trained physician and surgeon with roots as a molecular biologist. She finds immense joy in combining her scientific interests, clinical interests and creativity into start up collaborative projects, advanced medical education projects, clinical research as well as innovative, state of the art clinical care. Her communication style is warm, friendly and full of common sense analogies she learned as the granddaughter of hard-working Montana cattle ranchers.
Her passion for understanding the immune pathophysiology and treatment of diseases has its roots in her experiences as a Molecular Biology Research and Development Associate at Immunex Corporation (now Amgen) prior to medical school. She has a talent for applying basic science to clinical medicine, and teaching to a wide variety of audiences with a sense of discovery, with forward thinking and a healthy dose of fun.
→ See Dr. Periman’s Full Schedule and Purchase Tickets Here
DR. DAVID HARDTEN
EVENT SPEAKER
Dr. David Hardten, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founding partner of Minnesota Eye Consultants, is one of the nation’s most prominent leaders in the treatment of the cornea, external disease, anterior segment, cataract, refractive and laser surgery – as well as in research and education.
As director for Minnesota Eye Consultants’ Clinical Research Department, Dr. Hardten leads research projects surrounding LASIK Eye Surgery, refractive surgery, complex case management, cataract surgery, natural lens replacement surgery, glaucoma management, corneal transplantation, iris reconstruction, surgical instrumentation and drug therapies.
Dr. Hardten has received numerous awards for his dedication to the eye care industry including the 2011 Casebeer Award for outstanding contribution to the research and development of refractive surgery from the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the 2011 Allina HOPE (Hospital Outstanding Patient Experience) Award, and the 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology Lifelong Education for the Ophthalmologist Continuing Education Recognition Award.
A native of Overland Park, KS, Dr. Hardten graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School. He attended the University of Kansas undergraduate and medical schools, and was then accepted in the University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology residency program. While completing residency training, Dr. Hardten received numerous honors and awards for outstanding achievement. He completed his fellowship training in cornea and external disease at the University of Minnesota and Phillips Eye Institute and received the ARVO/National Eye Institute Fellow Award.
Dr. Hardten entered private practice in 1993 with Drs. Richard L. Lindstrom and Thomas W. Samuelson, also founding partners of Minnesota Eye Consultants. He is an attending ophthalmologist at Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well.
In addition to his active practice in medical and surgical diseases of the cornea and refractive and IOL surgery, Dr. Hardten lectures throughout the world on refractive surgery and research. He has published hundreds of textbook chapters, articles and abstracts on cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr. Hardten resides in Excelsior, MN, with his wife, Christine, and their two daughters. In his free time, he enjoys golf, tennis, and travel.
→ See Dr. Hardten’s Full Schedule and Purchase Tickets Here
DR. HARDEEP KATARIA
EVENT SPEAKER
Dr. Hardeep Kataria is a graduate of the New England College of Optometry. After completing her residency at the Baltimore VAMC in Primary Care and Ocular Disease, she joined the Retina Institute of California, managing posterior segment disease and working closely with retina and glaucoma surgical specialties. She also served as Adjunct Faculty Assistant Professor at the Western University College of Optometry where she developed a community health center vision program and mentored Doctor of Optometry candidates.
She then joined a private practice retina ophthalmology clinic where she founded the Advanced Dry Eye Center, focusing on medical glaucoma, ocular surface disease and neurotrophic keratitis management. Dr. Kataria is passionate about learning from and educating others about ocular surface disease and has lectured on various topics at Optometry’s Meeting, MOD Live, Eyes on EyeCare and Academy of Ophthalmic Education. She is a member of the Editorial Board for many publications including Modern Optometry and has contributed to various publications including the Review of Optometry. She is also a founding member of Young OD Connect, mostly involved in the mentorship of young optometrists.
Dr. Kataria is now the CEO and founder of her practice, Avant Eyes Optometry & Advanced Dry Eye Center in Porter Ranch, CA. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of VOSH.
→ See Dr. Kataria’s Full Schedule and Purchase Tickets Here
DR. DAMON DIERKER
EVENT SPEAKER
Dr. Dierker is the Director of Optometric Services at Eye Surgeons of Indiana. He is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Optometry and has completed fellowship training in consultative optometry. He specializes in the diagnosis and management of eye diseases.
In 2007, Dr. Dierker was awarded Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry. This prestigious honor is given to only a small number of optometrists throughout the country. As an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University School of Optometry, he directs the clinical externship program at Eye Surgeons of Indiana.
Recently, he has served his profession as President of the Indiana Optometric Association. Additionally, he frequently presents continuing education lectures to other doctors throughout the country and works closely with leaders in industry on various endeavors that are focused on improving patient care. He is the founder of Dry Eye Boot Camp and co-founder of Eyes On Dry Eye, both of which are educational programs for eye care professionals.
→ See Dr. Dierker’s Full Schedule and Purchase Tickets Here
Ready to be part of this transformative experience? Secure your spot at the 2024 Twin Cities Ocular Surface Disease Symposium on September 7th and 8th, 2024 now!
Don’t miss the chance to connect with these influential experts and contribute to the future of eye health. Visit the Twin Cities website to register and purchase your tickets today.
