Advisory Board

	Robert Abel, MD Dr. Abel earned his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in 1969, completed his ophthalmology residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and was a Cornea Fellow at the University of Florida. He is a former Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Thomas Jefferson University and is on the staff of the Christiana Care Health System. He founded several eye banks and hold patents on artificial corneas. Dr. Abel received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award, where he instructed cornea microsurgery workshops and was on the Committee on International Ophthalmology. He has done active research on corneal transplants, corneal pathology, contact lenses and drugs as they relate to the eye. He has formulated several vitamins and consults for numerous nutrition companies. Dr. Abel has written extensively in scientific and lay journals and authored five books including The Eye Care Revolution. He has lectured and taught locally and internationally. In his spare time, he practices Tai-Chi, studies alternative medical systems and enjoys his multicultural family.

	Larry J Alexander, OD, FAAO Dr. Alexander is a 1971 graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry. He served in the US Navy then served as a Professor at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry. Larry has contributed to a number of chapters in textbooks and has published three editions of Primary Care of the Posterior Segment, as well as contributing to the professional literature. He has also lectured extensively in the area of ocular and systemic disease. He has had a lifelong interest in lifestyle modification to minimize morbidity and mortality. His areas of special interest include dysfunctional tear syndrome, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Dr. Alexander is currently a consultant for Optovue, Inc.

	JEFFRY D. GERSON, O.D., F.A.A.O. Dr. Jeffry Gerson graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry in 1997. He then went on to complete a residency at the VA medical center in Kansas City concentrating on ocular disease and low vision. Dr. Gerson has authored several articles and lectures frequently on the topics of retinal disease and systemic disease both here in the US and abroad. He is a member of the American Optometric Association as well as the Kansas Optometric Association which named him their 2008 young OD of the year. He is a Fellow of both the Academy of Optometry and Optometric Retina Society. His current practice, WestGlen Eyecare provides full scope care and he continues to provide retinal consultations for colleagues and be involved in clinical research.

	Ann M. Hoscheit, O.D., F.A.A.O., F.A.A.R.M. Dr. Hoscheit received her B.A. in Biology and Religion from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry. She completed her residency in ocular disease/hospital-based optometry at the Albuquerque VA Medical Center. Her professional experience also includes serving as assistant clinical professor and clinic director at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. Dr. Hoscheit was the first optometrist to enroll in the American Academy of Anti-Aging Fellowship program which upon completion, the practice added it’s Wellness Center. The center includes diagnostic testing, nutritional and lifestyle counseling and patient educational programs for patients interested in optimal wellness and the prevention and management of ocular disease. Dr. Hoscheit is the founder of Summit Eye Associates in Gastonia, North Carolina.

	Ben Lane, OD, MPH, FAAO Dr. Lane is the nutritional optometrist-scientist who first reported the significance of chromium and folate deficiency as factors for myopiagenesis, IOP regulation, accommodation; the roles of fish-methylmercury in cataractogenesis; zinc, copper, B6 in AMD; and excessive Vitamin C in fibrillar vitreous floater promotion. Dr. Lane has six degrees including: three from Princeton and Columbia, Human Nutrition and majors in Eye-disease Epidemiology and Nutritional Ophthalmology, and the first graduate degree in Vision Science from SUNY. He is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and is President of the Nutritional Optometry Institute. Dr. Lane has lectured to 2 World Congresses of Ophthalmologists (Amsterdam and Sydney), the European Congress of Ophthalmology (Istanbul), 5 research conferences in Moscow and Chennai, India, and chaired the Symposium on Metabolic Ophthalmology at the Afro-Asian Congress of Ophthalmology (Guangzhou). Dr. Lane’s most recent research has identified the problem of excessive denatured protein and vitamin B6 and folic-acid deficiencies as preventing normal remodeling of specific eye tissues affecting the tear film, the pigmentary glaucomas, and exudative macular degeneration.

	Steven Newman, OD, CNS Dr. Steven Newman graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in 1996 following an externship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL. After completing a residency in Ocular Disease at Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute, Dr. Newman began practicing Nutritional Optometry in Broward and Miami Dade counties. Becoming certified as a Nutrition Specialist and as a member of the American College of Nutrition, Dr. Newman has enabled himself to help his patients lead a healthier lifestyle. His latest book, Feel More Alive Now is currently available nationwide. As a national speaker, he educates doctors on the importance of lifestyle choices for themselves and their patients. Dr. Newman lives in South Florida with his wife and two children.

	Diana L. Shechtman OD FAAO Dr. Diana Shechtman is an associate professor of optometry at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, where she serves as an attending optometric physician at the eye institute and diabetic/macula clinic. Dr. Shechtman is a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA) and she is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), as well as the Optometric Retinal Society (ORS). Her area of interest has centered on retinal disease and other ocular pathologies. Dr. Shechtman has participated in various research projects, authored numerous posters and publications. She is a member of the editorial board for the Optometry journal, Optometry times, and Review of Optometry, where she co-author the monthly “Research Review” column. She also is also a member of the macular degeneration association advisory board. Dr. Shechtman also lectures on a local national & international level on areas in retinal disease.