More than 100 optometrists and ophthalmologists were added to the NKCF Honor Roll. Grateful patients identified three common themes: Clinical expertise, including the ability to provide a variety of treatment options in order to achieve the best vision possible. And an exhibited amount of kindness and empathy

Patients wrote that their favorite doctor was always willing to take extra time to reassure them, answer questions, and made them feel as if they were the only patient.

One ophthalmologist and one optometrist were selected as the Best of the Best.

Both doctors have similar backgrounds: despite busy private practices, they have earned leadership roles in their respective professions. Both continually contribute to teaching students and educating colleagues through their positions as faculty members and journal editors.

For more than 30 years Dr. Joseph Shovlin has been a part of Northeastern Eye Institute in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry where he is a member of the faculty and where he was selected as Alumnus of the Year in 2011. He has held senior editorial positions for several publications and is currently Clinical Editor for Review of Optometry and Review of Cornea and Contact Lenses. Dr. Shovlin is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, past chair of the Section on Cornea and Contact Lenses, and is currently serving as President of the AAO.

Dr. Shovlin’s patient. M.M. wrote that the team at Northeastern Eye Institute “treat you like family” and patient W.G. reported that “Dr. Shovlin is extraordinarily knowledgeable about KC and fitting scleral lenses. He is patient, thorough, and tirelessly works to achieve the best fit and acuity. . . I’ve been to many and he is by far the best.”

Dr. Shovlin was humbled to be named the NKCF Top OD of 2018. “To be honored by your peers is rewarding, but to be honored by one’s patients is extremely gratifying.” He praised his colleagues, saying, “there are so many worthy practitioners who go unrecognized” and he remarked about the special bond he develops with KC patients because they “appreciate immensely what is done for them.”

Dr. Eric Donnenfeld, MD graduated from Dartmouth Medical School, where he currently serves on the Board of Overseers, completed his ophthalmology residency at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital (NY) and his fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Donnenfield is the founder of Consultants of Long Island, NY and Ophthalmic Consultants of CT. He also serves on the editorial boards of nine professional journals, is the chief medical editor of EyeWorld Magazine and has written more than 500 scientific articles and 40 books and book chapters, chiefly about corneal disease and refractive surgery. He is a former president of ASCRS (American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery). As an innovator, Dr. Donnenfeld applies the experience gained from performing complex vision correction procedures to devise novel solutions for his KC patients.

He explained his philosophy, “In our practice, the patient always comes first.” He also noted that “caring for KC patients is a team effort” and said it was his office staff and other professionals in optometry and ophthalmology who help KC patients achieve vision success.

In his nomination, patient A.R. wrote, “Dr. Donnenfeld performed crosslinking on both of my eyes. He also performed topographic laser PRK . . He stopped the progression of my KC and greatly improved my symptoms. He is also a friendly and caring individual who explains everything and takes time to answer my questions.”

NKCF wishes to thank the families who took time to tell us why their eye doctor is special. We salute Dr. Shovlin, Dr. Donnenfeld and all the nominated doctors for their compassion and high quality care. They are truly the top docs of 2018.

You can see the Top Docs 2018 list here.