Arthur Epstein, OD, who died in September 2022, left an indelible mark on optometry, and the news of his unexpected passing left many in the profession mortified at his passing. Art was a stalwart figure in the field who challenged colleagues and institutions to aim higher and always adapt to changing circumstances. His following and relationships within the profession and in industry had led him to become a sought-after speaker and lecturer on many hot topics and emerging trends in eye care. He was 71.
A child of the Bronx and Long Island in New York, Art received his optometry degree from the SUNY State College of Optometry, where he also served as the college’s first resident in ocular disease. Jerome Sherman, OD, of SUNY recalls that Art was his first resident at the fledgling institution during its earliest years and was a commanding presence even then. “Art demonstrated perseverance very early on’’ says Jerome “During his residency, he somehow learned to perform procedures including BIO efficiently even with one arm in a cast because of an unfortunate injury!”
An expert in dry eye and ocular surface disease, Art participated in the seminal TFOS DEWS II report. After a move to Phoenix, AZ, he cofounded Phoenix Eye Care with his wife Shannon Steinhäuser, OD. There he was director of clinical research at the practice’s dry eye and ocular surface disease centre.
He was a past chair of the Contact Lens & Cornea Section of the American Optometric Association and a founder of the Optometric Dry Eye Society. As chair, Art addressed the United States Congress on the subject of contact lens safety. In 2021, he was was ranked #1 in Newsweek’s America’s Best Eye Doctors. He was commended for the quality and continuity of care he provided.
Art had been a long time contributor to Review of Optometry, a member of its Editorial Advisory Board as well as founder and chief medical editor of the weekly e-newsletter Optometric Physician.
“He was one of the first optometrists I met when I started on the editorial staff back in 2007,” notes Review Publisher Michael Hoster. “He always took the time to call me and thoroughly explain ocular anatomy and pathology in an effort to make me a better editor and medical writer.”
Many credit Art for his incisive commentary on the state of optometry. “Art never shied away from voicing his opinion about all matters of the optometric profession—no matter how potentially controversial,” Mr. Hoster says. “He always emphasized what he thought was best for eyecare providers, their practices and their patients—without any fear of repercussion.”
Mr. Hoster specified that that level of steadfast conviction, dedication and passion rarely is on display in public forums today and was a signature characteristic of Art’s personal and professional complexion.
“Art always pushed us to be better, at whatever we were doing, by questioning conventional wisdom and challenging the way things were,” says Marc Ferrara, CEO of Information Services at Jobson Medical Information, the publisher of Review of Optometry and other eyecare titles. “He led the profession forward through his determined example and strong point of view.”
Hearing Dr. Epstein’s take on the events of the day was a fixture of the weekly routine for thousands of ODs and others in the profession, says Joseph Shovlin, OD, of Scranton, PA. “Every weekend, I looked forward to reading his weekly missive in Optometric Physician. Even when I didn’t agree with what he had to say, I always knew his motives were in the best interest of our profession. In many respects, he was our conscience.”
As a long-time AZOA member, Art won the AZOA President’s award in 2011 and the AZOA Legislative Key Person award in 2016.