Leonard V. Messner

Leonard V. Messner serves as Professor of Optometry and Vice President for Strategy & Institutional Advancement at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), where he has held faculty and leadership positions since 1985. He also coordinates the Ocular Disease/Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders Residency program and maintains active clinical research affiliations with the American Academy of Optometry and North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.

His educational background includes:

• BS from University of Pittsburgh (1979)
• OD from Pennsylvania College of Optometry (1984)
• Primary Eye Care Residency at Eye Institute of Pennsylvania College of Optometry (1985)
• Certificate in Financial Analysis for Nonfinancial Managers, University of Chicago (1998)
• Certificate in Advanced Leadership Strategies, Harvard School of Public Health (1999)

Dr. Messner's research explores neuro-ophthalmic disorders and retinal pathologies with emphasis on concussion-related visual abnormalities, reading eye movements, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, optic neuritis mechanisms, and advanced imaging for diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. His work bridges clinical practice with diagnostic innovation, particularly in neuro-visual assessment and retinal vascular disease.

His 13 publications (2003-2013) reveal consistent focus on neuro-ophthalmic diagnostics (46% of works) and retinal imaging (54%), featuring collaborations with multidisciplinary teams. Key trends include development of concussion screening tools like the King-Devick Test and application of ultra-widefield angiography for diabetic macular edema.

Major recognitions include:

• Salus University Presidential Medal of Honor (2019)
• Newsweek America's Best Eye Doctors (2021)
• 24 Teacher of the Year awards at ICO
• American Academy of Optometry Service Appreciation award (twice)
• Illinois Optometrist of the Year (2013)

Dr. Messner serves on the Concussion Research Committee of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and advisory board of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, directing research initiatives in sports-related vision disorders. While no dedicated laboratory is specified, his publications indicate active collaboration with retinal specialists and neurologists across multiple institutions.