Carl T. Hartman, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Carl  Hartman, M.D., F.A.C.S. (known as “Dr. Carl”) 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, a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a clinical professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine. Dr. Carl’s extensive refractive and cataract surgery credentials include certification in LASIK, PRK, PRKa, PTK, RK, AK, clear corneal sutureless lensectomy, and corneal transplantation, as well as the latest accommodating, multifocal and toric intraocular lenses. He is also certified in the newest WaveFront and IntraLASIK laser vision correction procedures. Thousands of patients, including many fellow physicians, surgeons, community leaders, and family members (including his wife and brother) have chosen Dr. Carl to perform their surgery.

Outside the SoCal Eye practice, Dr. Carl Hartman currently serves as an expert in ophthalmology for the state of California. As a designated expert, his testimony and opinions are used to regulate ophthalmologists within the state, often with regards to refractive surgery. At the federal level, Dr. Carl has helped establish national benchmarks for ophthalmic standard of care as it pertains to the U.S. Medicare system. At the local level, his leadership responsibilities have included being chief of staff and chairman of the department of surgery at Lakewood Regional Medical Center, as well as a member of the medical executive committee at Los Alamitos Medical Center. Dr. Carl 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 patients. Other honors include being named a “Physician of Excellence” by the Orange County Medical Association, “Best Ophthalmologist” by the Long Beach Press-Telegram Reader’s Choice Survey, a “Top Physician” by U.S. News and World Report, and one of “Southern California’s Best Physicians” as chosen by his peers.

But, in Dr. Carl’s view, teaching others is the ultimate honor. He lectures and 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. Carl Hartman is winning the “Outstanding Teaching Professor of the Year” award four times at the University of California, Irvine. As both a clinical investigator and co-author, he also maintains an active role in research.

Dr. Carl grew up locally and is a graduate of Lakewood High School. He attended the University of Southern California, graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. In 1982, Dr. Carl Hartman moved to Chicago, where he received his Doctor of Medicine from Chicago Medical School. In 1987, he completed a full Internal Medicine internship at the University of California, Irvine. It was here that Dr. Carl also completed his residency in ophthalmology, and served as chief resident during his final year. He passed the boards in ophthalmology with honors immediately thereafter, and accepted a position on the university’s clinical staff.

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.

According to Dr. Carl, “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 who was happy with our care and service. Being able to serve my patients, while practicing alongside my father, is a blessing beyond description.”

Board Certification

EDUCATION

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

REFRACTIVE SURGERY CREDENTIALS

Actively performing refractive surgery since entering practice in 1990

Lecturer and Instructor for Multiple Refractive Surgery Seminars

Ophthalmology Residency with training in Corneal Transplantation, under Chairman Richard Keates, M.D.

Corneal Transplantation and Refractive Surgery Techniques, Max Fine, M.D.

Corneal and Refractive Surgery Course, Herbert Kaufman, M.D.

Radial and Astigmatic Keratotomy Certification, American Academy of Ophthalmology

Keratorefractive Surgery and Certification, Miles Friedlander, M.D.

Advanced Refractive Surgery and Astigmatism Update and Recertification in Modern Refractive Surgery Techniques, Lee Nordan, M.D.

VISX University Excimer Laser System Certification

VISX CustomVue Laser Correction Certification

Phacorefractive Surgery, The Barnet Dulaney Eye Foundation

Corneal Topography and Refractive Surgery Update, Beckman Laser Institute at Universityof California, Irvine

Advanced Corneal Topography, American Academy of Ophthalmology

Advanced Refractive Keratoplasty, American Academy of Ophthalmology

C-LASIK: Lamellar Refractive Surgery Certification, Stephen G. Slade, M.D.

LASIK and Hansatome Certification, Stephen G. Slade, M.D.

NIDEK Excimer Laser Certification

IntraLASIK Certification, Intralase Corporation

Wavefront CustomVue Certification, VISX Corporation

VISX Fourier Wavefront Certification, VISX Corporation

CustomVue Hyperopia and Hyperopic Astigmatism Certification, VISX Corporation

Certified Refractive Surgeon, Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance Certification (CRSQA)

Z-LASIK Femtosecond Certification, Zeimer Corporation

Ongoing continuing education courses, recertifications, academic meetings, and attendance

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Fellow of the American College of Surgeons

American Society of Corneal and Refractive Surgery

Refractive Surgery Interest Group – American Academy of Ophthalmology

International Society of Refractive Surgery

Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity – President, Beta Tau Chapter, 1984-1985

Los Angeles County Medical Association

Long Beach Medical Association

California Medical Association

American Medical Association

Orange County Society of Ophthalmology

Orange County Medical Association

RESEARCH

Principle Investigator — Visiogen Study SYNC-601-IOL: A prospective multi-center clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Synchrony dual optic intraocular lens in patients undergoing cataract extraction (Phase 1)

Principle Investigator — Visiogen Study SYNC-601-IOL: A prospective multi-center clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Synchrony dual optic intraocular lens in patients undergoing cataract extraction (Phase 2)

Subinvestigator — Study AZ04; Collaborative Neuroscience

Subinvestigator — Study DSP; Collaborative Neuroscience

Subinvestigator — Study Seroquel D1443-C0040; Collaborative Neuroscience

Subinvestigator — Lens Opacification Classification System III; Forest II study; CNS

Subinvestigator — Lens Opacification Classification System III; Forest 36 study; CNS

Clinical Investigator: Ophthalmologic effects of Interferon in treating Hepatitis C, 2003

Clinical Investigator: Allergan, Inc. – Efficacy of Bimatoprost (lumigan) in lowering intraocular pressure in chronic open angle glaucoma, 2002

Clinical Investigator: Pharmacia – 920 Silicone Foldable Intraocular Lens in Small Incision Cataract Surgery, 1998

In vitro study of “Incisional Refractive Surgery using Investigational Endothelial Microscopy Guided Diamond Knife,” 1996

Computerized Vector Analysis of Corneal Astigmatism Based on Surgical Technique, 1996

Clinical Investigator Chiron Ophthalmics Collagen Shields in Ophthalmic Surgery, 1992

Ophthalmologic Examiner grading Cataract Formation Secondary to usage of FDA investigational Cholesterol Lowering Medication, 1990

Clinical Investigator for trials of “Cytomegalovirus Retinopathy Suppression in AIDS Patients using Gancyclovir (DHPG)” University of California, Irvine, 1989

“Leukemic infiltration of the optic nerve head,” 1988

“Fluorophotometric comparison of tear flow and corneal permeability in keratoconjunctivitis sicca and normal subjects” Presented at ARVO, 1987

University of California Irvine “Quantitative conjunctival impression cytology in diseases of mucin deficiency” Presented at ARVO, 1985

University of Southern California Institute of Marine & Coastal Studies, Catalina, CA “Underwater studies using SCUBA of the subtidal flora & fauna interactions,” 1977-1978

STAFF SURGICAL PRIVILEGES

LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS

Multifocal and Accommodating Intraocular Lens Implantation with Cataract or Clear Lens Extraction
Orange County Society Of Ophthalmology

Refractive & Anterior Segment Surgery Course and Wet Lab, Principal Instructor
University of California, Irvine and Alcon Laboratories

Phacoemulsification and Modern Intraocular Lens Implantation, Principal Instructor
University of California, Irvine

Trilateral Retinoblastoma and Gene Mutations in Retinoblastoma
Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore

Quantitative Impression Cytology in Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
New York University

Epithelial Damage and Corneal Permeability Changes Measured by Flourphotometry
University of Chicago / Pritzker School of Medicine

Future Trends and Advanced Techniques in Refractive Surgery
Rio Hondo Optometric Society

Monocular and Binocular Diplopia,
University of Southern California Doheny Eye Hospital

Modern Advances in Excimer Laser Technology
Vail Multi-disciplinary Medical Conference

Advanced Techniques in Incisional and Laser Assisted Refractive Surgery
Annual Aspen Medical Conference

Corneal Transplantation, Advanced Techniques and Innovations, Key Note Speaker
Lions Club of Southern California

Ophthalmologic Emergencies and Ocular Trauma, Telluride Medical Meeting

Swelling of the Optic Nerve — Neuropathies, Neuritis, and Compression
Rio Hondo Optometric Society

Surgery of the Anterior Segment — History, Current Techniques, and Advances Management and Gold Team
Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California

Trends and Innovations in Refractive Surgery
Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California

Orbital Tumors and Proptosis — Diagnosis and Treatment
University of California, Irvine

Many ongoing lectures to fellow physicians, medical staffs, resident physicians, medical students, as well as philanthropies and community organizations.

PUBLICATIONS

Hartman C., Feinerman G. Artificial Intelligence Training in Myopic LASIK Surgery. Presented at the Sixth Annual Nidek International Excimer Laser Symposium, December 2000

Cataract Extraction: Techniques, Trends, and Advances, The Orbiter Optometric Journal

Cataract Extraction: Complications and Management, The Orbiter Optometric Journal

Corneal Topography and Analysis, The Orbiter Optometric Journal

IntraLASIK, “All Laser LASIK”, The Orbiter Optometric Journal

Parameters and Contraindications for Refractive Surgery, The Orbiter Optometric

Articles published in “The Palm Journal”
The Journal for the Southern California Palm Society:

INVENTIONS

Hartman Microsurgical Diamond Knife (patent pending)

HONORS AND AWARDS

Eagle Scout
National Award for Meritorious Action, Boy Scouts of America (awarded for the saving of a life)

Outstanding Senior Award
Department of Music
Lakewood Senior High School

Bank of America Regional Scholarship in Fine Arts

Kiwanis Scholarship for Academic Achievement

Spirit of Troy Award, awarded to the “Most Inspirational Senior”
University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band

Recognized for 20 years of volunteer service to the Veterans Administration (since 1990)
Volunteering to attend and perform surgery on the Veterans of The United States of America

First Degree Black Belt in the Korean martial art of Hapkido; June 2010

Physician of Excellence, Orange County Medical Association
Orange Coast Magazine

Outstanding Clinical Professor of the Year: Received 4 years
Department of Ophthalmology
University of California, Irvine

Volunteer of the Year 2006-2007
City of Huntington Beach, California
Distinguished Arts Award, Visual Arts — Awarded to Elise and Carl Hartman

One of a select few surgeons chosen by the California Optometric Laser Associates (COLA) to work with optometrists throughout Southern California to establish higher standards of care in the co-management of laser vision correction patients.

“Southern California’s Best Physicians”
As chosen by a poll of physicians

“LA’s Best Doctors”
Los Angeles Magazine

Voted Best Ophthalmologist
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Readers’ Choice survey

Named “Top Doctor”
U.S. News and World Report

AVOCATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Liga International “Flying Physicians of Mercy”

National Hapkido Center, 1st Degree Black Belt

John Russo’s Fabulous Big Band, Lead Trombone
Beach City Big Band, Lead Trombone

Hans Schmeltzer’s German – American Brass Band

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific – Pacific Circle

Executive Board – Boy Scouts of America

Eagle Scout Board of Review – Boy Scouts of America

Long Beach Police Officers Association

Long Beach Police Motor Patrol Association

Los Alamitos Police Officers Association

Live Auctioneer for Many Philanthropies

Palm Society of Southern California

International Palm Society

Kofu Kai Bonsai Society