Tribute

Dr. Mark I. Golden, December 27, 2022, for 67 wonderful years of Chicago IL. Beloved wife of Laura Moehlman and loving father of Harrison Golden. Cherished sister and brother-in-law Carrie and Leonard Brenner. Dr. Golden received his BA from the University of Chicago in 1977 and subsequently received the first-ever pre-doctoral Master's Degree in Ophthalmology awarded by that institution. His doctorate degree was awarded at Saint Louis University in 1984, where he stayed on and continued with his internship and residency training. In 1988 he joined private practice with his father and sister, which grew to seven offices in Chicago and Southern Wisconsin. He specialized in cataract surgery and the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. In 1991 he became interested in refractive surgery. He took the first course on the then-new ALK machine (a technique that was the precursor of LASIK), followed by a fellowship in Houston. Dr. Golden taught ophthalmologists the techniques of LASIK and PRK, nationally and internationally. He was a frequent lecturer at Ophthalmology and Optometry meetings such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, International Society of Refractive Surgery, American Academy of Optometry, and the American Optometric Association. In 2000 he restricted his practice to refractive surgery. He became an instructor for the Visx laser, participated in opening thirteen LASIK centers, and trained hundreds of doctors in LASIK and PRK. In addition to the Visx laser, he has been certified to use the Bausch and Lomb, Nidek, and Alcon excimer lasers to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Furthermore, he has extensive experience with various microkeratomes and flap-making lasers, including the Intralase and the Ziemer lasers. He trained in the use of Intacs (Intracorneal ring) for the correction of low amounts of nearsightedness and keratoconus. He was one of the most experienced surgeons in Chicago to perform Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) for the temporary treatment of presbyopia. Dr. Golden has performed more than twenty-four thousand vision correction procedures, including his wife, more than twenty-one years ago. When he gave up refractive surgery, he voluntarily retook the board exam, passing even though grandfathered in and did not need to do so. He did this to keep up with the latest in Ophthalmology. He spent the last eight years practicing non-surgical ophthalmology with an emphasis on severe dry eyes. He just announced the closing of his practice in the middle of December. He looked forward to the rest of his life as one of constant learning, traveling, and giving back.

Friends & Family

Laura Moehlman - wife, Harrison Golden - son, Carrie Brenner - sister, Leonard Brenner - brother-in-law