Speakers

Greg Caldwell, OD, FAAO

Greg Caldwell, OD, is a 1995 graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He completed a one-year residency in primary care and ocular disease at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry (ABO).

He currently works in Duncansville and Johnstown, Pennsylvania as an ocular disease consultant. Dr. Caldwell’s primary focus is the diagnosis and management of anterior and posterior segment ocular disease and he has been a participant in multiple FDA investigations. Dr. Caldwell has lectured extensively throughout the county and over twelve countries internationally. In 2010 he served as President of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association (POA) and served on the AOA Board of Trustees 2013-2016. He is President of the Blair/Clearfield Association for the Blind.

Joseph Sowka, OD, FAAO, Diplomate

Dr. Joseph Sowka is an attending optometric physician at Center for Sight in Sarasota and Venice, Florida, a large medical-surgical practice where he focuses on glaucoma and neuro- ophthalmic disease management. He is the residency education coordinator at Center for Sight. He is also Director of Optometric Business Development for US EYE. He was formerly Professor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry for 28 years where he served numerous academic and administrative roles. Dr. Sowka is a founding member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society and Optometric Retina Society. He is also the Founder and former Chair of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders in Optometry Special Interest Group for the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Sowka is a Glaucoma Diplomate of the American Academy of Optometry. In 2021 and 2022, he was ranked #4 optometrist in the US by Newsweek magazine “America’s Best Eye Doctors” list. He is a partner and co-owner of Optometric Education Consultants.

Cecelia Koetting, OD

Dr. Koetting practices in Denver, CO. Her primary focus is in anterior segment and ocular surface disease, neuro- optometry, and peri-operative care. She partakes in clinical research and has served Externship Director and adjunct faculty for several schools and colleges of optometry.

Dr. Koetting is fellow in the American Academy of Optometry, a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, active member of AOA and has served as both local and state officers within AOA. She was named young Optometrist of the year in 2019 by the state of Virginia. Dr. Koetting lectures locally, nationally and internationally at conferences, continually contributes articles to and serves on editorial board for multiple publications.

Leonard V. Messner OD, FAAO

Leonard V. Messner is the Vice President for Strategy & Institutional Advancement at the Illinois College of Optometry. He holds the rank of Professor of Optometry at ICO.

Dr. Messner is the immediate past Chair of the Neuro-ophthalmic Disorders Special Interest Group of the American Academy of Optometry and is currently a member of the steering committee of the Academy’s Fellows Doing Research SIG. His predominant area of clinical practice and scholarly activity is the evaluation and management of individuals with neuro-ophthalmic disorders.

In addition to other awards and honors, he is a 24-time recipient of the “Teacher of the Year” award at the Illinois College of Optometry.