Derek N. Cunningham, OD, FAAO.

Dr. Cunningham’s research covers a wide spectrum of eye care and neuroscience including; dry eye treatments, glaucoma medications and surgeries, retinal diseases, cataract surgery and LASIK surgery, cosmetic treatments and products, vision enhancement and sports vision. His innovative research has been presented at major national meetings including the American Retinal Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Optometry, and the American College of Sports Medicine. His research has been featured in many medical journals and showcased in publications such as Sports Illustrated and Forbes Magazine.

In addition to having been an associate professor at Texas Tech School of Medicine, Dr. Cunningham also held adjunct professor status at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, University of Waterloo, University of Houston, and University of Incarnate Word.

Dr. Cunningham is an internationally recognized educator, having provided continuing education lectures to eye doctors throughout the world. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. He is also the founding Chair of the Integrated Ophthalmic Task Force for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Cunningham is the director of the Dell Eye Institute for Dry Eye Research at Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, Texas and is well published in the areas of advanced dry eye treatments. Many of Dr. Cunningham’s dry eye protocols are used by academic institutions around the country.

Dry Eye Milestones

• Dr. Cunningham was one of the lead authors for the only peer reviewed published optometric dry eye guidelines in North America.
• Dr. Cunningham was a co-host and Chair of The Dry Eye Summit. A meeting of the top 50 leading dry eye optometry experts in North America.

Dr. Cunningham has a special interest in Sports Vision and Performance, and is the Chairman Emeritus of the American Optometric Association’s Sports Vision Section. He currently consults and provides vision training services to numerous professional and NCAA sports teams. Dr. Cunningham frequently presents his findings at national meetings such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers Association.

Dr. Cunningham is the creator of a popular line of ophthalmic instruments including:

• The Cunningham Ring Curette®
• The Cunningham Punctal Probe®
• The Cunningham Meibomian Gland Expresser®

Dr. Cunningham routinely publishes and is on the editorial board of numerous medical/optometry publications. He is also the author of a monthly surgical education column and video series in Optometry’s most read publication –Review of Optometry.

As Director of Optometry and Research at Dell Laser Consultants, Dr. Cunningham specializes in the evaluation and management of vision correction surgery patients and coordinates our clinical research studies. He also oversees the Dell Eye Institute for Dry Eye Research at Dell Laser Consultants, offering advanced dry eye treatments.