OUR OFFICE
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