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OUR OFFICE

Doctor Brian_Headshot.jpg

Brian Den Beste, OD, FAAO

 

Dr. Brian Den Beste opened the first Laser Vision Correction facility in Orlando in April of 1996! In fact, it was one of the very first LASIK centers in the entire country. His first company purchased Visx laser # 64 and a few years later purchased Alcon laser #1. Brian has assisted on over 40,000 LASIK procedures and has helped train over 30 surgeons to use three different excimer laser systems. He has helped several companies obtain FDA approval for both laser applications and keratome approval. 

Den Beste was raised in a small town in Iowa. He completed his undergraduate studies at Northwestern College and graduated with honors from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago in 1980. He then completed a one-year residency in ocular disease at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. 

After one year in private practice, Brian was recruited to Miami as a staff optometrist at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami department of Ophthalmology. Four and a half years later (1987) he and his family moved to Orlando and began a practice limited to consultation in ocular disease and laser vision correction.
 

Den Beste has provided optometric education, including externships and fellowships since 1983 in both Miami and Orlando.
 

His lecturing experience includes over 100 presentations in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Holland, Denmark and Australia. He was on the admittance committee for the American Academy of Optometry, 1989-1992. Appointed by the Governor in 1986, he chaired Florida’s 1st formulary committee. He is a consultant to the Florida state board of optometry and the Florida Department of Health since 1983. During his extended tenure he has completely changed both the format and content of the state board exam for optometric licensure. 

In 1988, he was voted Florida’s Optometrist of the Year and in 1999 he was nominated for Florida’s optometrist of the decade. Den Beste has authored numerous papers and has served on the review board of several journals. He continues to serve on the adjunct clinical faculty for several universities and colleges…including his favorite, Indiana University!

  

EDUCATION 

1982-1987 University of Miami. Bascom Palmer Eye Inst. Staff Optometrist  

1980-1981 University of Alabama at Birmingham, Residency in Family Practice Optometry.  

1976-1980 Illinois College of Optometry.  

1973-1976 Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa) Biology major.

  

  

  

AWARDS 

2000 Nominated: “Florida’s Optometrist of the Decade”  

1996 Prevent Blindness Visionary Award- 1 st award ever presented in Florida  

1988 Florida’s Optometrist of the Year 

          Outstanding CFOS Member  

1980 Graduate with honors, ICO  

1980 Outstanding Young Men in America  

1979 Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Fraternity

 

  

PUBLICATIONS  

2013 “Can You Nail the Diagnosis? “Review of Optometry. Oct issue     

2009 “Comanaging Refractive Surgery, “Optometric Management, Nov issue

1997 “Recurring Herpes Simplex Keratitis,” Review of Optometry  

1995 “Glaucoma Treatment,” Dec 1995 Optometry Today  

1987 “How to Manage Blepharitis,” Review of Optometry

1986 “AIDS, A Review and Guide for Infection Control,”

1979 “Choroidal Tear,” Optometric Monthly, December 1979

  

  

EXPERIENCE AND COMMITTEES   

1982-Present: Department of Professional Regulations/ Dept. of Health Consultant and Author of Florida State Board of Optometry Exam. Annual examiner and test author.

1999-Present: President of Lasik Pro. 

1996-2007: LaserVue: President and founder of 1 st laser refractive center in Orlando. 

1988-Present: Preceptor for Externship program with Indiana Univ. and Nova Southeastern

1999-2006: Preceptor for 1 yr. post grad fellowship in Ocular Disease and Refractive Surgery.

1997-1999: AAO Corporate Support Committee

Industry Relations Committee – American Academy of Optometry

Florida Department of Labor – Workers Compensation Committee

Florida Public Health Association – President Eye Care Section

Visx Speakers Bureau

1996: Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security 

Physician’s Advisory Council

1995-2003: Alcon pharmacological Advisory Board

1993: Disciplinary monitor, Dept. of Professional Regulations.

1993-2000: Medical Board Member- Coalition for the Homeless

1993: Appointment – Clinical Expert Review Panel: AOA Clinical Practice Guideline on Cataracts.

1991-present Consensus panel on diabetes, June 1991. Panel sanctioned by the American Optometric Association to create a complete synopsis on Management of the diabetic patient to be distributed to all AOA members.

1991-1992: Education Committee – Southern Council of Optometry

1993-1997: Established accredited Residency in Ocular Disease and laser vision correction with University of Alabama in Birmingham

1990-1991: President, Central Florida Optometric Society.

1990-present American Diabetes Association, member

1989-2007: President, The Eye Foundation, Orlando, Florida.

Practice limited to diagnosis and management of ocular disease.

1986-1988: Clinical Director – Eye Institute of Central Florida

1988-2000: American Journal of Optometry, Referee

1987-1992: American Academy of Optometry, Admittance Committee Education Chairman, Florida

1986-1991: 1st Formulary Committee Chairman, Florida legislative Appointment to determine diagnostic and therapeutic Pharmaceuticals for practicing optometrists.

1985-1987: Assistant Coordinator of Optometric Services, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (12 Staff O.D.’s)

1985-Present: Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry

1983-1993: Southern Journal of Optometry, Referee.

1982-1987: University of Miami School of Medicine, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Optometrist.

1981-1982: Optometric Associates of Warren County, P.C. Iowa, Private Practice

1980-1981: Residency in Family Practice, UAB. Services rendered at the School of Optometry, Family Practice Medical Center, V.A. Hospital – Birmingham, Diabetes Research Hospital, Partlow Mental Hospital – Tuscaloosa, School of Deaf – Telladega, Neo-Natal Clinic Birmingham.

1980 Hines V.A. Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Six week internship – Blind Rehabilitation Center.

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WORK HISTORY 

1981-1982Private Practice – Des Moines, IA 

1982-1987Staff O.D. @ University of Miami, Basom Palmer Eye Institute

1987-1989Staff O.D. @ Eye Institute of Central Florida

1989-1996President Eye Foundation, Orlando

1996-2007President LaserVue, Orlando

1999-presentPresident of Lasik Pro, P.A., Orlando 

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION LECTURE EXPERIENCE 

2013 OctJune “ 30 cheers for 30 Yrs. “ Dolphin Hotel . Indiana Eye Associates

2013 OctMedical Errors. NEFOS . Jacksonville. Oct.

2012SeptPre and Post Perils for Modern Cataract Surgery, Orlando

 OctClinical Grand Rounds Anterior Segment EyeMed Orlando
Clinical  Grand Rounds Posterior Segment EyeMed Orlando

2011JanMedical Errors, Uveitis Update. NE Conferences.

2010SeptEyeMed, Clinical Grand Rounds Neuro/Retina
Clinical Grand Rounds: Anterior Segment/Glaucoma

 OctJacksonville NEFOS. Your Best Case, Medical Errors

2009MarMedical Errors. Ritz Center for Sight, Sarasota, Fl
Systemic Meds for Ocular Disease, CFSOP

 SeptYour Best Case 2009. Medical Errors. EyeMed, Orlando

2008FebSECO International, Atlanta. Medical Errors

 MayGainesville North Central Fl. Optometric Soc. Medical Errors.

 AugSouth Seas Plantation, Sanibel Isle, Uveitis Update, Clinical Grand Rounds

 SeptMedical Errors. Retinal Sypmposium. Champions Gate, Orlando

 Uveitis Update, Central Fl. Optometric Assoc., Orlando

 OctYour Best Case, Medical Errors.  EyeMED, Orlando

 Your Best Case, Medical Errors, NEFOS, Jacksonville

2007MayMission Inn, Acad of Optometry. Medical Errors

 JuneOrlando…Indiana Consultative group. Medical Errors..            

 SeptMedical Errors. Eye Specialists Meeting Champions Gate, Orlando

 OctEast West OD Meeting. Refractive surgery Update. Medical Errors.

 OctMedical Errors, Orlando EyeMed

2006MarchCFOS, IOL update and grand rounds

 OctoberEyemed, Refractive surgery update

2005FebruarySECO Grand Assembly, Custom Laser Update

 MayFlorida Chapter of the American Academy, Aids What Every Eye Doc Should Know

 OctoberEyeMed, Orlando, FL, Refractive Surgery Update

 NovemberArmed Forces Optometric Meeting, Orlando, Chronic Conjunctivitis, Refractive Surgery Update

Lecture Archives:  

  

2004 October EyeMed, Orlando, Anterior Segment and Laser vision Update 

 

2003 October EyeMed, Orlando, Eye Technology Update 

August Sanibel, Florida, Anterior Segment Grand Rounds AIDS Update/ 

Optometrists 

March Orlando, Wavefront Update 

 

2002 October EyeMed, Orlando, Microbial Keratitis 

July Florida Optometric Association Annual Meeting

Lasik complications, New Eye Technology

  

May Southern College of Optometry, Lasik complications

How to be right on every red eye, Microbial Keratitis

  

April Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee, Microbial 

Keratitis, How to be right on every red eye, Lasik Complications

  

March Central Florida Optometric Society, Orlando, Florida. New Eye Technology

  

2001 November Central Florida Optometric Society, Orlando, Florida. Corneal Curveballs

  

2000 May Florida Academy of Optometry. Mission Inn. Lasik complications

  

September New Jersey Optometric State Convention, Your Best Case, Symposia of Ant. Segment Disease

  

1999 February Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta. Punctual Plug/Dry eye workshop

  

April Florida Academy of Optometry, Mission Inn, How to be right on every red eye

  

July Florida Optometric Assoc., Palm Beach, Florida, Interesting Cases/Anterior Segment

  

August SouthSeas Plantation, How to be right on every red eye,

Lasik complications update

  

1998 March International Academy/Sydney, Australia – How to be right on 

every red eye

See Island Ophthalmic meeting. St. Thomas Virgin Islands. Visx laser pre and post op care.

April Washington State Optometric Convention/Portland, Oregon – Steroids; Glaucoma; Telemedicine

Mountain West Optometric Convention/Las Vegas, Nevada – Lasik; Preop, postop and surgical complications, Telemedicine.

  

May Florida Optometric Conv. Jacksonville. Update on Refractive Surgery.

  

June Orlando, Punctual Plug Symposia.

American Optometric Annual meeting. Laser Workshop (PRK)

  

July Chiron Lasik course. Orlando. Live demonstration in conjunction with the ASCRS meeting.

Visx University. One-day symposia presented to surgeons and admin.

  

September Baypt. Ocular dis. Symposia in Panama City, Fl. Lasik update.

  

October NE Florida Optometric Society meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. How to be Right on Every Red Eye.

  

1997 January Texas State Optometric Association – How to treat every red eye

  

February Texas Optometric Association – Aids Update

  

March Florida Optometric Association – Glaucoma Grand Rounds

Topography, Telemedicine

  

April Iowa Optometric Association – Glaucoma Grand Rounds

  

May Arizona Optometric Association – PRK

  

June Indiana Optometric Association – Stump the stars, PRK

Ft. Myers Optometric Society – Telemedicine

Orlando – International Society of Refractive Surgeons. “Comanagement”

  

September Eyemed-Orlando. Laser Vision Correction update.

Baypt. Eye Meeting. Panama City. Laser Vision Update.

  

1996 February Southern School of Optometry/Laser Symposium

PRK /PTK pre & post op care

  

May Denmark International Academy of Optometry

How to be Right on Every Red Eye

  

May Dothan Alabama

Practice Management

  

June Amelia Island, Georgia Optometric Association

Aids Update

Treatable Retinal Disease/Workshop Optic Nerve evaluation

  

August Schering Eye Institute, Las Vegas, Stump the Stars

  

November Glendale Eye Association of California/Red Eye Update

Glaucoma Update/Ocala, Florida

  

December Stump the Stars/Peoria, Illinois

American Academy of Optometry

PRK Wet lab (in office)

Clinical Grand Rounds

Fluorescein Angiography demonstration

  

1995 Tennessee Optometric Association Memphis

Georgia Optometric Association Athens PRK Post op Care

Southern Education Conference Atlanta

Michigan Eye Symposium Detroit

Fort Wayne Laser Meeting PRK Post op Care

California Ocular Disease Monterny

  

1994 University California Berkeley, TPA

Southern Council Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia

Vision Expo CoManagement Seminar, New York, NY

Eye Symposium, Jacksonville, Florida

Indiana Optometric State Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana

International Academy of Optometry, Amsterdam, Holland

TPA Course, Berkeley, California

American Academy, San Diego, California

New England College of Optometry, Boston, Massachusetts

  

1993 Southern Council Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.

Southwest Council of Optometry, Dallas, Texas.

Connecticut Therapeutic Certification Course, Meridian, Conn.

Glaucoma Symposium, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Florida Optometric Association, Orlando, Florida

Georgia State Optometric Association, Amelia Island, Georgia

Tennessee Optometric Association, Memphis, Tennessee

South Carolina Therapeutic Course, Columbia, South Carolina

Wisconsin State Optometric Association, Madison, Wisconsin

  

1992 Oklahoma State Optometric Association, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Texas State Optometric Association, Dallas Texas

Vision Expo, New York

Sun coast Symposium, Brevard County, Florida

Glaucoma Symposium, Dothan, Alabama

American Academy of Optometry, Stratford-on-Avon, Great Britain

American Public Health Association Florida Chapter, Winter Haven

Bay Shore Optometric Seminar, Orlando, Florida

Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee

Southern Eye Institute, Vero Beach, Florida

American Academy of Optometry, Laser Workshop

Florida Optometric Convention, Fall Seminar, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

  

1991 Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta

Washington State Convention

Iowa State Convention

Kentucky State Convention

Didactic Grand Rounds (monthly Orlando)

Florida Eye Symposium

Vision Expo, Anaheim

  

1990 Eye Ski Seminar, Breckenridge

Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta

Oklahoma Optometric Association, Tulsa

Vision Expo, New York City

Oklahoma Optometric Academy, Oklahoma City

Vision Expo, Anaheim

Texas Association of Optometry, Dallas

Laser Symposium, Orlando

Didactic Grand Rounds, (monthly Orlando)

  

1989 Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta

Eye Ski Seminar, Breckenridge, Colorado

Vision Expo, Anaheim

ADA National Convention, New York

Florida State Review Course: Boca Raton, Tallahassee,

Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando

Southern College of Optometry Educational Retreat, Memphis

FDA State Meeting, Bal Harbour

  

1988 American Academy of Optometry, Columbus, Ohio

Florida Fall Education seminary, Hollywood, Florida

Pharmacology Update, Orlando

Georgia Therapeutic Certification Course, Atlanta

South Seas Plantation Retreat, Captiva, Florida

Mountain States Convention, Denver

Florida Optometric Association, Orlando, Florida

Heart of America, Kansas City.

Southern Council, Atlanta, Georgia

Suny Lecture, New York, New York

  

1987 American Optometric Association, Orlando, Florida, “Retinal Symposium”

  

American Academy of Optometry, Denver, Colorado, “Pre and Post op Care”

  

Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta, Georgia.

General Assembly lecture – “Pupils, External Motility” “Pre and Post Operative Care – IOL’s”

  

North Central Optometric Congress, Minneapolis, MN

“Viral Eye Disease”

“Chronic Conjunctivitis”

“Optic Nerve Disease”

Gold Coast Retreat, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

“Ocular Emergencies”

“Diagnosis and Management of Uveitis”

“Viral Eye Disease”

“Clinical Grand Rounds”

  

1986 American Academy of Optometry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, “Viral Eye Disease”

  

Tennessee Optometric Association, Memphis, Tennessee

“Viral Eye and Contact Lens Related Ocular Disease”

  

Southwest Florida Optometric Society, Fort Myers, Florida

“Viral Eye Disease”

“Pre and Post Operative Care – IOL’s”:

“Anterior and Posterior Uveitis”

Division of Blind Services Low Vision Provider Workshop

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida

“Ocular Disease in the Low Vision Patient”

Oklahoma Chapter – American Academy of Optometry

“Diagnosis and Management of Anterior Segment 

Disease” (12 hour seminar)

  

North Central Optometric Congress, Minneapolis, MN

“Viral Eye Disease and Aids”

“Chronic Conjunctivitis”

“AIDS, A Review and Guide for Infection Control”

 

1985 First Year Ophthalmology Residency Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

“Refraction”

  

Gold Coast Retreat, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

“The Blurred Disc”

“The Anomalous Disc”

  

Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta, Georgia

“Cataract Surgery, IOL’s and Post Operative Care”

  

1984 Gold Coast Retreat, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

  

“Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis”

“Pre and Post Operative Care of Patients with Cataracts”

  

Iowa Optometric Association – Ocular Disease Conference

“Viral Eye Disease”“Anterior and Posterior Uveitis”

  

Southern Council of Optometry, Atlanta, Georgia

“Anterior and Posterior Uveitis”

  

1983 Clinical Workshop. VA Hospital, Miami, Florida

  

1982 Second Annual Optometric Educational Seminar

Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida

“Anterior and Posterior Uveitis”

Optometric Conference, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

“Diagnosis and Management of Ocular Hypertension”

“An overview of External Ocular Disease”

  

1981-1982 Mid-Iowa Optometric Study Group

“External Ocular Disease

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