Dr. Derek Cunningham, OD, FAAO

 
 

Dr. Cunningham is an expert in various aspects of eye care and neuroscience, including dry eye treatments, glaucoma medications and surgeries, retinal diseases, cataract surgery, LASIK surgery, cosmetic treatments, and sports vision. His research has been presented at prestigious national meetings and has been featured in numerous medical journals and publications such as Sports Illustrated and Forbes Magazine.

In addition to serving as an associate professor at Texas Tech School of Medicine, Dr. Cunningham has held adjunct professor positions at various universities. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, founding Chair of the Integrated Ophthalmic Task Force for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and an internationally recognized educator who has given continuing education lectures to eye doctors worldwide.

At the Dell Eye Institute for Dry Eye Research at Dell Laser Consultants in Austin, Texas, Dr. Cunningham is well-published in the field of advanced dry eye treatments and his protocols are widely used by academic institutions across the United States.

Milestones

  • Lead author for the only peer-reviewed published optometric dry eye guidelines in North America

  • Co-host and Chair of The Dry Eye Summit, a meeting of top 50 dry eye optometry experts in North America

  • Chairman Emeritus of the American Optometric Association's Sports Vision Section, consulting and providing vision training services to professional and NCAA sports teams

  • Presents findings at national meetings, such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers Association

  • Creator of popular ophthalmic instruments

  • On the editorial board of various medical and optometry publications, writing a monthly surgical education column and video series for Review of Optometry

  • Director of Optometry and Research at Dell Laser Consultants specialized in evaluation and management of vision correction surgery patients and coordinated clinical research studies

  • Director of Dell Eye Institute for Dry Eye Research, offering advanced dry eye treatments