Jeffrey Krall, OD, (l) and Steven J. Ferguson, OD.

  
NEWARK, N.J.—Jeffrey Krall, OD, creator of Neurolens, and Steven J. Ferguson, OD, the founder and director of Dunes Eye Consultants and Dunes LASIK Center, have been added to the lineup of speakers for the 2025 VM Leadership Summit in Orlando on February 19 to explore the topic of "Elevating Vision Care's Superpowers." Both Krall and Ferguson will be part of a panel discussion led by Paul M. Karpecki, OD, FAAO, director of Cornea and External Disease for the Kentucky Eye Institute in Lexington Ky., and chief medical editor of Jobson’s Review of Optometry. The panel will explore how collaboration between optical companies and the application of new technological advancements are revolutionizing the eyecare industry, empowering professionals to offer a broader scope of services.

As an innovator and practicing optometrist, Dr. Krall’s focus for the last three decades has been providing comprehensive clinical care to his patients. This passion, fueled by his experience as a fourth-generation OD, led to the creation and development of Neurolens and Neurolens Measuring Device diagnostics. Neurolens technology is designed to help mitigate the effects of headaches, dry eyes, neck tension and eye strain and is now widely accepted by eyecare professionals and practitioners, nationwide.

Dr. Krall earned his doctor of optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and has been a contributor in clinical research and development for Eye Brain Medical, Bausch and Lomb, Shamir, Signet Armorlite, Stereo Optical, Michigan Headache and Neurological Institute and Avera Health. In addition to doing peer review and a clinical study for his alma mater, Dr. Krall is a frequent lecturer, having given seminars and workshops on headache, fatigue and ocular disorders to both national and international audiences, written and contributed to numerous clinical publications and worked on-site with colleagues providing consultation and training.

 
 
He is also a pilot with commercial, instrument, multi-engine and rotorcraft ratings and is an active certified flight instructor and licensed A&P mechanic with FAA inspector authorization. He has built several airplanes and, in 2019, a helicopter, and won the Reserve Grand Champion Builder award at AirVenture Oshkosh, in 2019. Dr. Krall and his wife Cindy have given of their time in Haiti and continue to contribute to their mission of relief and rebuilding.

Dr. Ferguson is an accomplished optometric physician with over 30 years of experience specializing in the diagnosis, management and treatment of ocular diseases and visual system disorders. He is fellowship-trained in the clinical care of LASIK, refractive surgery and cataract-correcting technology. He is widely recognized as an industry leader in cutting-edge treatments for ocular surface disease, abnormal tear film and dry eye management.

As the founder and director of Dunes Eye Consultants and Dunes LASIK Center in Dakota Dunes, SD, Dr. Ferguson has established himself as a trusted innovator in patient-focused eyecare. His extensive expertise includes a wide range of sub-specialized services including, NewVu presbyopia treatment, development of the Vision after Cataracts Clinic, focused advanced diabetic eye clinic, headache management and neuro-vision therapy with TBI sub-focus, advanced ocular surface disease clinic, medical eye dermatology clinic, medical myopia management, chronic eye disease and high-risk clinical care and investigator-initiated clinical research.

Dr. Ferguson’s distinguished career includes founding one of the largest solo optometric practices in the United States and serves as lead optometrist as well as medical director of Dunes Lasik. A sought-after speaker and author, Dr. Ferguson has contributed extensively to vision medical journals and presented at premier vision medical conferences, including ASCRS. He was an alpha investigator for eyeBrain Medical and continues to serve as the top vertical advisor for Percept Corporation. He founded and is CEO of AVTRMed, Inc. where he directs integrating cutting-edge, AI-backed technologies into reducing the burden of administrative eyecare delivery.

The current lineup of presenters includes:

James Taylor, MBA, a leading expert in creativity, sustainability, innovation and artificial intelligence, who will be the keynote speaker at the Summit and provide informed insights about how collaboration and technology can be harnessed to tap into vision care's superpowers, and what that means to today’s eyecare leaders.

Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, and president of the New England College of Optometry (NECO), will lead a panel discussion that includes Purti Kandoni, the senior director of strategy and innovation at National Vision and Sonali Bloom, the CEO of 20/20 Onsite. Together, they will provide unique insights regarding how synergistic relationships between optical industry players and technological advancements are breaking down barriers and expanding access to eyecare.

Nick Jankel, thought leader and futurist, who will discuss how technology, collaboration and human-centric transformation can help teams successfully navigate an increasingly complex, disrupted and digital world.

Caroline Casey, president of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), will discuss the IAPB's collaboration with global partners and their use of technology to provide access to care in remote regions.

(Top row L to R) Sonali Bloom, Caroline Casey, Nick Jankel and Purti Kanodia. (Bottom row L to R) Paul M. Karpecki, OD, FAAO, Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, and James Taylor, MBA.

The dynamic 2025 VM Leadership Summit program will analyze what collaboration means to today’s eyecare leaders and will offer attendees the opportunity to learn which big ideas and trends are heading their way. Senior decision makers, company leaders and eyecare professionals attending the VM Summit will also have a front row seat to the optical industry's most unique networking experience. The program will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and will once again feature a coffee break and luncheon to allow for refreshments and networking. Registration includes the full program, coffee break and lunch. Details for registration are posted at www.visionmonday.com/summit.

At presstime, the Platinum Sponsors of the 2025 VM Leadership Summit are Advancing Eyecare and EssilorLuxottica. The Gold Sponsors are Alcon and Zeiss, and the Silver Sponsors are Ocuco and Hoya. For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact Vision Monday publisher James DeMatteis at jdematteis@jobson.com.