Arthur B. Epstein, OD, FAAO, a recognized expert in dry eye and ocular surface disease, died Sept. 27 at age 71.

Among Dr. Epstein’s many accomplishments were the creation of The Dry Eye Center of Arizona, participating in the DEWS II report, founding the Optometric Dry Eye Society, and, most recently, providing Dry Eye Masterclass webinars.

Dr. Epstein was an accomplished lecturer and author who wrote hundreds of articles, scientific papers, and book chapters. He edited a number of publications, including Optometric Management, where he served as chief optometric editor from 1998 to 2001. Additionally, he was a Diplomate of the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American and Arizona Optometric Association, and past-Chair of the AOA Contact Lens & Cornea Section.

According to an article published by the AOA memorializing Dr. Epstein, he graduated in 1977 from the State University of New York College of Optometry where he was the college’s first ocular disease resident. After practicing on Long Island for decades, Dr. Epstein opened a practice in Phoenix, Ariz., with his wife and fellow optometrist Shannon Steinhäuser, OD. The AOA’s article on Dr. Epstein can be viewed at https://bit.ly/AOAEpstein .

Dr. Epstein was eulogized by colleagues across the optometric industry following his passing.

Leonard J. Press, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, of Press Consulting, says he got to know Dr. Epstein well after many years of the two of them working in medical education.

“I always admired his quick wit, and he neither minced words nor wasted them,” Dr. Press recalls. “He had the courage to stand up for his beliefs, and represented our profession admirably as a pioneering clinician, educator, and spokesperson. He was as intelligent and genuine an individual as there was in optometry, and is already dearly missed.”

Alan N. Glazier, OD, FAAO, CEO, and founder of Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care, in Rockville, Md., remembers Dr. Epstein as a “brilliant and passionate” friend and mentor.

Dr. Glazier says that Dr. Epstein may have been best known for sharing his unique and distinctive insights into the profession.

“I can’t remember one conversation that didn’t make me consider a different point of view, and that’s something I loved about Art,” says Dr. Glazier. OM