Dr. David R. Hardten, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founding partner of Minnesota Eye Consultants, is one of the nation's most prominent leaders in the treatment of the cornea, external disease, anterior segment, cataract, refractive and laser surgery as well as in research and education. As director for Minnesota Eye Consultants’ Clinical Research Department, Dr. Hardten leads research projects surrounding the latest refractive procedures for correction of myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. He also serves as director of Minnesota Eye Consultants’ fellowship and optometric residency program, both of which are prestigious, year-long fellowships that train physicians in the sub-specialties of cornea and external disease, glaucoma, cataract and refractive surgery.
A native of Overland Park, KS, Dr. Hardten graduated from Shawnee Mission South High School. He attended the University of Kansas undergraduate and medical schools, and was then accepted in the University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology residency program. While completing residency training, Dr. Hardten received numerous honors and awards for outstanding achievement. He completed his fellowship training in cornea and external disease at the University of Minnesota and Phillips Eye Institute and received the ARVO/National Eye Institute Fellow Award.
Dr. Hardten entered private practice in 1993 with Drs. Richard L. Lindstrom and Thomas W. Samuelson, also founding partners of Minnesota Eye Consultants. His practice extends beyond Minnesota Eye Consultants to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, providing medical and surgical services to patients in the Twin Cities and outside communities.
In addition to an active clinical and surgical practice, Dr. Hardten has focused on education throughout his career. As adjunct associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology, he is actively involved in teaching residents at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, as well as fellows at the Veterans Medical Center, Minneapolis. He also serves as an adjunct professor for the Illinois College of Optometry. Additionally, he is an instructor for VISX/AMO and TLCVision, where he teaches ophthalmologists from around the world to perform LASIK.
Dr. Hardten consults for many major ophthalmologic companies, holds three patents and serves on the editorial board for several ophthalmic journals. He is a regular contributor and reviewer for numerous ophthalmic papers and journals.
Dr. Hardten has held leadership positions in many professional organizations, including board director for the International Society of Refractive Surgery and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists; co-medical director for Laser Vision Centers, Inc.; clinical advisory board for TLCVision; board of directors and program director for the Refractive Surgery Interest Group of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. While serving for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, he received its distinguished achievement award in 1999 and the senior achievement award in 2006 for his countless efforts on behalf of the Academy.
In addition to his active practice in medical and surgical diseases of the cornea and refractive and IOL surgery, Dr. Hardten lectures throughout the world on refractive surgery and research. He has published over 70 textbook chapters and 100 articles on cornea, cataract and refractive surgery.
