Leo P. Semes, OD, is Professor of Optometry and the Director of Continuing Education at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He earned his doctor of optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) in Philadelphia and completed his residency at The Eye Institute of PCO.

Dr Semes has authored or coauthored numerous articles and abstracts in major optometry publications including Optometry: Journal of the American Optometry Association and Optometry and Vision Science and is the author of several book chapters. Dr. Semes has authored over 125 scientific articles and posters. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, as well as an active member of the American Optometric Association and the Southern Council of Optometrists. He has contributed as principal author and panel member for the AOA’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for Ocular Surface Disease and Peripheral Retinal Disorders and Retinal Detachment. Dr. Semes is a founding member of the Optometric Glaucoma Society and a founding fellow of the Optometric Retina Society.

An accomplished educator, Dr Semes has received numerous teaching awards, including the UAB President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition, he has been listed in 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century and in Who’s Who in the 21st Century.

Disclosure: I serve on the advisory boards of Alcon, Allergen and Pfizer. I am a speakers’ bureau member for Alcon, Allergan, Pfizer, Carl Zeiss Meditec and Heidelberg Engineering. 08/15/07

Dr. Murray Fingeret, a graduate of the New England College of Optometry, completed a residency at the Joseph C. Wilson Health Center in Rochester, New York. Dr. Fingeret is Chief of the Optometry Section, Brooklyn/St. Albans Campus, Department of Veterans Administration New York Harbor Health Care System. Dr. Fingeret is a Clinical Professor at the State University of New York, College of Optometry, a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the Adult Vision Advisory Committee of Prevent Blindness America, the National Academies of Practice, American Glaucoma Society and sits on the Board of Directors of the Glaucoma Foundation. Dr. Fingeret is president of the Optometric Glaucoma Society as well as chair of the Glaucoma Diplomate committee of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Fingeret, the recipient of the 2005 Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal from the American Academy of Optometry, 1996 Otsuka Glaucoma Educators Award from the American Academy of Optometry and 1999 AMSUS Federal Service Optometrist of the Year award. Dr. Fingeret has authored numerous articles and co-authored the texts "Atlas of Primary Eyecare Procedures" and "Primary Care of the Glaucomas". Dr. Fingeret sits on the advisory boards for Carl Zeiss Meditec, Heidelberg Engineering, Pfizer, Alcon, Welch Allyn and Allergan. Dr. Fingeret receives research support from Carl Zeiss Meditec, Alcon, and Welch Allyn.