Meet the Doctors

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Richard A. Erdey, M.D., a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, is a medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. He is a corneal and refractive specialist with areas of specialty training, experience, and research in both refractive surgery (including LASIK, PRK, ICL, RK, and AK), and anterior segment, corneal and lens surgery (including small incision rapid rehabilitation cataract surgery,intraocular lens implantation (IOL),corneal transplantation surgery (PK)and laser surgery). Dr. Erdey is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, International Society of Refractive Keratoplasty, American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

A New York City native, Dr Erdey completed his undergraduate degree at Hofstra University in Long Island before attending The Medical College of Virginia in Richmond for his M.D. degree. He returned to New York to complete an Internal Medicine internship followed by an Ophthalmology residency at North Shore-Cornell University Medical College where he was chief resident. Upon completion of his Ophthalmology residency in 1988, rather than practice general ophthalmology, he continued his studies at Ohio State University to become a refractive and cornea specialist. As a corneal fellow Dr. Erdey also participated in early excimer laser bench work and clinical research. This experience provided the foundation for Dr. Erdey to master techniques for refractive s urgery, corneal transplantation and “no stitch” cataract removal using approaches which permit rapid visual rehabilitation.

His commitment to ophthalmology research and teaching led him to co-direct the Cornea Research and Laser Laboratory at the University of Rochester-Strong Memorial Hospital in New York in 1989. Ophthalmologists, both nationally and internationally, seeking additional corneal expertise became corneal clinical and research Fellows under Dr. Erdey’s direction. That same year, he became an investigator for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trials of the VISX excimer laser system for PRK, which led to its subsequent approval for use in the United States.

Since reestablishing his practice in Columbus in 1992, Dr Erdey’s passion for advancing corrective vision surgery has led him to participate as an investigator for numerous clinical studies. These includeIntacs for Keratoconus, Iris Reconstructive lenses, CRS LASIKand the Implantable Contact Lens (ICL). Dr. Erdey’s patient was the first in Ohio to receive this implant in 1998. This event was featured on local and national television coverage in over 10 major US cities. Over the years he has accumulated extensive clinical experience with four different Excimer laser systems and performed several thousand refractive surgical procedures. He is recognized as a pioneer in corrective vision surgery through his development of new surgical techniques and instrument design.

Recently, more advanced tissue-sparing cornea transplantation techniques DALK, DSEK, DMEK have been introduced that have unique advantages over traditional full thickness cornea transplantation, PK, a procedure which has changed little over the last 100 years. Dr. Erdey has enthusiastically adapted these newer procedures and continues to refine them. Dr. Erdey offers these latest tissue sparing cornea transplant techniques, to suitable patients.

Dr. Erdey’s numerous research and clinical articles are published in multiple professional journals and textbooks.

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Gregory D. Searcy, M.D., a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease. His specific areas of specialty training, experience and research include LASIK, PRK, astigmatic keratotomy, small-incision no-stitch cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation, radiofrequency and laser cosmetic surgery (blepharoplasty and skin resurfacing), phototherepeutic keratectomy and laser treatment fordiabetes and glaucoma.

Prior to joining the practice in July 1999, Dr. Searcy was Chief Resident of the St. Francis Medical Center’s Department of Ophthalmology. He has completed several ophthalmic fellowships including the C-LASIK Fellowship Program and two advanced research fellowships in diabetic eye disease at the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. This work, along with continued clinical research, has been presented at national ophthalmic conferences and published in numerous professional journals.

Dr. Searcy is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, International Society of Refractive Surgery, Ohio Ophthalmological Society, Ohio State Medical Association, Columbus Medical Association, Columbus Eye Ear Nose and Throat Society, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Searcy remains actively committed to providing his patients with the best possible, state-of-the-art, innovative and clinically researched ophthalmic medical care, laser vision correction, and conventional, radiofrequency and laser surgery.

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Daryl D. Kaswinkel, M.D., a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, is a medical doctor specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of the eye. He is a fellowship trained specialist in Cornea and External Disease, Refractive Surgery and Uveitis. Dr. Kaswinkel’s extensive corneal experience includes challenging anterior segment reconstruction cases and corneal transplantation (PKP/PK) utilizing advanced techniques of targeted corneal tissue transplantation (DSEK and DALK).

He has been involved in the research, investigation, and development of almost every laser used in laser vision correction (LVC) (Custom LVC, LASIK, PRK,) including Excimer, Solid State, and Intralase lasers (all-laser LVC). For those patients who are not suitable LVC candidates he is experienced in the use of Implantable Contact Lens (ICL), a very powerful option to correct refractive disorders.

Dr. Kaswinkel performs small-incision, no-stitch, rapid rehabilitationcataract surgery using advanced intraocular lens designs.

He has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome, a very common and debilitating eye condition. In addition, he specializes in the medical and surgical management of Glaucoma, including advanced treatment options such as ExPress Shunts, Setons and Cannuloplasty.

Prior to pursing his medical career, Dr. Kaswinkel graduated college as a mechanical engineer. While working as a manufacturing engineer, he made contributions to the development of today’s advanced military aircraft. Because of his subsequent biomedical engineering exposure, he decided to pursue a career in medicine and to eventually specialize as an ophthalmologist. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society Cataract and Refractive Surgery and American Medical Association.

Dr. Kaswinkel relocated to Columbus in 2008 to join Drs Erdey and Searcy after practicing in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Chicago for approximately eleven years. He is honored and committed in providing Central Ohio with compassionate, state-of-the-art eye care.

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Samuel A. Gallo, MD is an Oculoplastic Surgeon and a board-certified ophthalmologist who has completed several years of additional, highly specialized training in oculoplastic surgery. Only 13 to 15 such highly skilled physicians are trained annually in the United States. Dr. Gallo understands the delicate anatomy and function of the eyelids and their surrounding structures. He specializes in eyelid surgery and cosmetic facial surgery. In addition, he specializes in surgery of the tear duct system, the orbit (bone cavity around the eye), as well as other structures around the eyes, the forehead and cheeks. Dr. Gallo has been specially trained to perform many different types of eyelid and facial surgery, ranging from surgical repair of eyelid abnormalities, treatment of eye socket injuries, restoration of the tear duct system, and management of thyroid related eye disease. In addition, he performs cosmetic facial surgery, including brow lifts, face lifts, upper and lower eyelid surgery, facial implants, Botox (for functional and cosmetic uses) facial filler for wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation.

A Cleveland, Ohio native, Dr. Gallo received his Bachelor of Pharmacy with High Distinction from Ohio Northern University before attending the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine, where he was inducted in the Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati before relocating to Los Angeles, CA for his Ophthalmology Residency at The Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA Medical Center. After a yearlong Fellowship in oplastics, Ocular Oncology, Orbital Diseases and Orbital Reconstruction at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, he spent an additional year of Fellowship in Oculoplastics, Orbital Diseases and Orbital Reconstruction, Aesthetic Laser Surgery and Facial Cosmetic Surgery at The Center for Eyelid and Aesthetic Surgery in Nashville, TN. Dr. Gallo is a Fellow of The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and has completed a fellowship approved by The American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Gallo practiced Oculoplastic and Facial Reconstructive Surgery in the Charlotte, NC area. He and his wife, Tammy, returned to Ohio to be closer to their families after their twins, Abrianna and Joseph, were born.

Dr. Gallo serves as a consultant to The Erdey Searcy Eye group for Oculoplastic and Cosmetic Facial Surgery.

Wilbur C. Blount, M.D. F.I.C.S. was an Ophthalmologist, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disease. His specific areas of specialty training, experience and research were medical and surgical diseases of the retina. In early 2004, after almost thirty years serving our community in private practice, The Erdey Searcy Eye Group was honored that Dr. Blount had chosen to merge his practice with ours. Thereafter, he actively participated as a clinical consultant until his passing on May 8, 2006.

On May 18, 2008, A medical clinic at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base was named in honor of Dr. Wilbur C. Blount.

Effective date: April 7, 2009  The 127th Ohio General Assembly dedicated Interstate 670 from its intersection with Fourth Street to its intersection with International Gateway at Port Columbus as the “Colonel Wilbur Blount, M.D. Memorial Highway”

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Patrick A. Janson, O.D., is Clinical Director of the Erdey Searcy Eye Group. He received his doctorate of optometry from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 1995, and joined our practice in 1996 after completing an 18-month residency under the direction of Richard A. Erdey, M.D.    During his residency, Dr. Janson gained valuable knowledge in the areas of cornea, ocular disease, and pre-postoperative management of refractive and cataract surgery. Dr. Janson directs The Ohio State University College of Optometry externship program which involves clinical training and mentoring of senior optometry students. Dr. Janson is also a trustee of the Central Ohio Optometric Association; keeping pace with the local, state and national issues that effect ophthalmic and optometric professionals and patients.

Kasey M. Huffman, O.D., staff optometrist, provides excellent, quality patient care. She also educates optometry students through our externship program with The Ohio State College of Optometry. After receiving her Doctorate of Optometry from the OSU College of Optometry in June 2000, Dr. Huffman completed a 12 month cornea / ocular disease management / pre and postoperative patient care residency under the direction of Richard A. Erdey, MD. She is a member of several optometric organizations, including the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association.

Douglas Bosner O.D., received his Bachelor of Science from Marquette University in 1998 and his Doctorate of Optometry from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2002. He completed a one year residency with The Erdey Searcy Eye Group, specializing in the therapeutic treatment of eye diseases. In addition to serving patients at the Erdey Searcy Eye Group, Dr. Bosner works at his own optometric practice, Northwest EyeCare Professionals, in Upper Arlington. He resides in Upper Arlington with his wife, Deborah, and their son, Quinlan.  Before settling there, Dr. Bosner was “born, raised and trained (BRAT)” in the army and spent much of his young life traveling the world which included a seven year stint in Germany.  In his spare time, Dr. Bosner prefers to volunteer at one of his favorite charities, The Ronald McDonald House.

Jonelle J. Knapp, O.D., received a B.S. in human nutrition in 2000 and her Doctor of Optometry degree in 2004 from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Dr. Knapp continued her optometric training as a resident at the Erdey Searcy Eye Group from 2004 to 2005. During her residency, she focused on post-operative cataract care, glaucoma management, and diseases of the cornea and anterior segment of the eye.

In addition to working as a staff optometrist for the Erdey Searcy Eye Group, she serves as the Optometry Clinic Chief in the Ohio Air National Guard at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base. Dr. Knapp is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association.

Phillip N. Arner O.D., M.S. received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Wittenberg University in 2002. He received a combined Doctor of Optometry degree and Masters degree in vision science from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2006. Dr. Arner’s master’s degree training focused on the evaluation of an instrument designed to measure the refractive error of infants. Dr. Arner continued his training by completing a residency at the Erdey Searcy Eye Group from 2006 to 2007 with special focus on post operative cataract and refractive care, diabetes and glaucoma management, corneal pathology, and anterior segment disease. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association.

Xuan Pham O.D., received her B.S. degree in Biology from Arizona State University in 2005. She then received a Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2010. In 2011, Dr.  Pham completed a one-year residency program at the Erdey Searcy Eye Group with a special focus on post-operative cataract and refractive care, anterior segment disease, diabetes, and glaucoma management. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association.