Introduction:
Carl Trevor Hartman, M.D., F.A.C.S. joined his father Dr. Ronald Hartman and Dr. Larry Pasquali in practice in 1990. He is Board Certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S), a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine. His many refractive and cataract surgery credentials include certifications in LASIK, PRK, PRKa, PTK, RK, AK, clear corneal sutureless lensectomy, and corneal transplantation, as well as the latest accommodating, multifocal, toric, extended depth of focus and light adjustable intraocular lenses. He is proud to be a volunteer attending physician who has taught surgery at UC Irvine to our new and upcoming ophthalmologists for over 30 years. Dr. Hartman is proud to share his skills by performing free surgery on the veterans of our nation, something he’s done for more than three decades. “It’s a tiny, but real way to show my appreciation for them writing the United States a blank check, up to and including their lives.”
Dr. Hartman is certified in the newest WaveFront and Femtosecond laser vision correction procedures. Thousands of patients, including many fellow physicians, eye doctors, surgeons, community leaders, and family members (including his own wife, brother, and mother) have chosen Dr. Hartman to perform their eye surgeries.
Better known as “Dr. Carl,” has served as an Expert in Ophthalmology for the State of California. At the federal level, Dr. Hartman has aided in establishing national benchmarks for ophthalmic standard of care for the United States Medicare system. Dr. Hartman actively serves as an expert in ophthalmology, both plaintiff and defense, representing clients nationwide. At the local level, his leadership responsibilities have included serving as Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Lakewood Regional Medical Center, as well as currently serving as Chair of Bylaws and a member of the Medical Executive Committee at both UCI Health, Los Alamitos and UCI Health, Lakewood. Dr. Hartman is one of only three surgeons selected by the California Optometric Laser Associates to work with optometrists throughout Southern California to establish higher standards of care in the co-management of laser vision correction. Dr. Hartman has been named a “Physician of Excellence” by the Orange County Medical Association for many consecutive years, “Best Ophthalmologist” by the Long Beach Press Telegram Reader’s Choice Survey, Teacher of the Year at UC Irvine, a “Top Physician” by US News and World Report, and one of “Southern California’s Best Physicians” by peers.
Dr. Hartman considers teaching the ultimate honor. He teaches ophthalmologic surgery and neuro-ophthalmology to other physicians and actively proctors newly trained surgeons at a number of institutions. A particular source of pride for Dr. Hartman is the recognition received from the University of California, Irvine, having been granted the “Outstanding Teaching Professor of the Year” award four times. As both a clinical investigator and co-author, Dr. Hartman continues to maintain an active role in research.
Dr. Hartman grew up locally and graduated from Lakewood High School. He then attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. In 1982, Dr. Hartman moved to Chicago, where he received his Doctor of Medicine from Chicago Medical School. He completed a full Internal Medicine internship at UC Irvine in 1987. Dr. Hartman then completed his residency in Ophthalmology at UC Irvine and served as Chief Resident during his final year. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, passing the Boards in Ophthalmology with honors. Upon completion of his residency, Dr. Hartman was both surprised and honored to be offered a position on the clinical staff at UC Irvine.
Married since 1987 to Elise, Dr. Hartman enjoys family, friends, music, athletics, and tropical gardening. Aside from his gardens, where he propagates and grows over 200 species of palms and cycads, which have been featured in Sunset Magazine, Dr. Hartman has a wide in diverse beyond description. Dr. Hartman is a Black Belt in the Korean martial art of Hapkido, triathlete (run, bike, swim), scuba diver (PADI-certified Rescue Diver), and “extreme downhill and helicopter skier”, loves to surf, plays trombone in a swing band, a German-American brass band, and several other ensembles. Playing trombone with the USC marching band allowed him the opportunity to play and record with Fleetwood Mac on their album “TUSK”.
Meet Dr. Carl – In his own words:
Why did you become an ophthalmologist?
I was in awe of my father, founder of our practice, coming home every day thrilled with saving and restoring the sight of his many patients. He never stopped expressing how lucky he was to have found a profession that had such a positive effect on so many. Clearly, joining him in practice has been one of the most wonderful blessings in my life.
What do you enjoy most about being an ophthalmologist?
Helping my patients achieve their visual goals in a caring, friendly environment is my primary concern. It gives me great joy when I hear that a patient found my practice through a friend or family member that was happy with our care and service. Being able to serve my patients, while having practiced alongside my father, is a blessing beyond description
If there was one thing you want your patients to know about you, what would it be?
Despite the fact that I’ve been in practice for 30 years, and performed tens of thousands of surgeries, each and every patient is and will always be more important to me than words can describe. I am incredibly honored to have them place the preservation and restoration of their sight in the hands of our group.
Why should a patient go to SoCal Eye?
Caring for our community since 1964, our Board Certified Ophthalmologists have carried our reputation on the fact that we treat everyone as if they are family. University level state of the art technology, as well as a conservative and caring philosophy are just some of the reasons that SoCal Eye has been, and will continue to be, amongst the finest practices in the world.
Outside the SoCal Eye practice, Dr. Carl Hartman holds leadership positions at Lakewood Regional Medical and Los Alamitos Medical Center, he serves as an expert in ophthalmology for the state of California and helped establish national benchmarks for ophthalmic standard of care for the U.S. Medicare system.
Married to wife Elise since 1987, Dr. Carl enjoys family, friends, music, sports, and tropical gardening (he propagates and grows over 200 species of palms and cycads). Aside from his gardens, which have been featured in Sunset Magazine, his number one pride and joy is daughter Shelby. Dr. Carl holds a black belt in Hapkido and is a tri-athlete who also plays tennis, scuba dives, and does extreme downhill skiing. As a musician, he plays trombone in several local ensembles.
Ocular Conditions and Procedures:
- LASIK and PRK surgery
- Cataract Surgery
- Pterygium excision
- Iris repair
- Intraocular lens exchange and sutured lenses
- Glaucoma
- Dry eye
- Blepharitis
Education & Training:
| 1991 | Board Certification | American Board of Ophthalmology |
| 1991 | FACS | Fellow of the American College of Surgeons |
| 1987-1990 | Ophthalmology Residency | University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA |
| 1986-1987 | Internship – Internal Medicine | University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA |
| 1982-1986 | Medical School – MD | Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL |
| 1978-1982 | Undergraduate Degree | University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA |
Appointments.
- Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine
- Expert Reviewer, State of California, California Medical Board
- Certified Excimer Laser Instructor, Nidek International
- Clinical and Surgical Teaching Staff, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center
- Clinical and Surgical Teaching Staff, Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center
- One of America’s Top Ophthalmologists, Consumer’s Research Council of America
- Refractive Surgeon, California Optometric Laser Associates
- Legal Expert; Plaintiff and Defense
