(Bio, 2015)
Edward S. Bennett, O.D., M.S.Ed. received his Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from the Indiana University School of Optometry and his M.S.Ed. degree in Educational Psychology from the Indiana University School of Education. Dr. Bennett is currently Professor and Assistant Dean for Student Services and Alumni Relations at the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry. Dr. Bennett is currently Executive Director of the Gas Permeable (GP) Lens Institute, the educational division of the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association (CLMA) and is past Chair of the Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE). He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section Council of the American Optometric Association (AOA). He is also the past President of the MD-OD Contact Lens Foundation of St. Louis. He is a Diplomate and is a past Chair for the Cornea, Contact Lens and Refractive Technologies Section of the American Academy of Optometry and is also a Fellow in the Scleral Lens Education Society. He has authored over 200 publications including twelve texts and lectured at over 250 scientific and continuing education symposia. He is a recipient of the Dr. Josef Dallos Award (CLMA), the Achievement Award (AOA Contact Lens and Cornea Section), the Dr. Leonard Bronstein Memorial Award, the Annual Kevin Tuohy Memorial Award (CLSA), the University of Houston College of Optometry Award for Distinguished Research on the Cornea and Contact Lenses, the University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Michael G. Harris Award for Excellence in Optometric Education, and The Dr. R.A. Koetting Memorial Award from the St. Louis Optometric Society. He was named one of the 50 most influential optometrists in America by Optometric Management. He is on the Education Committee of the Global Specialty Lens Symposium. He is the Clinical Features Editor for Contact Lens Spectrum, an Editorial Review Board member for Review of Optometry, an Editorial Board member of Optometric Management, a Contributing Editor for Ophthalmic Drug Facts and Comparisons, and an Editorial Board Member for Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses. He is a past Consulting Editor for the Journal of the American Optometric Association and a past Editorial Board Member for International Contact Lens Clinic. His primary research interests are in the area of gas permeable contact lenses, specifically in the areas of initial comfort, multifocal designs, and orthokeratology (corneal reshaping).
