Dean Evan Hart, O.D., M.A., M.S. (Candidate in Bioethics), B.S., A.A.S., F.A.A.O. (born November 4, 1957) is an American scientist, clinical optometrist, professor, and the founder of Woodbury Ophthalmic Group and Woodbury Optical Studio.[1] Dean ran for Nassau County Legislature in 2015.[2][3] He was a candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 15th Assembly District of the 2016 election.[4][5] Hart also ran for town office in 2017.[6]
Hart held a position in academia starting with Director of the Low Vision Clinic to teach Ophthalmology residents to treat and manage the visually impaired at Harlem Hospital Medical Center. He taught Refraction and Physical Optics within the Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, The Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute.[7]
Hart was an Associate Research Scientist at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Department of Ophthalmology, Harkness Eye Institute from 1989 to 1998. He was appointed assistant professor in ophthalmology at Columbia University directing contact lens and low vision clinics from 1998 to 2012.[7]
Hart concurrently founded Woodbury Ophthalmic Group and Woodbury Optical Studio in 1989 in Hicksville, NY and practices optometry there. He is licensed by the American Board of Opticianry. He has delivered lectures and presentations opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists.[8][9][10] Hart was also quoted in press about protecting people's eyes when viewing the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017.[11][12][13]
Hart had conducted laboratory and clinical research.[14][15][16] He has lectured and written about immunocytohistochemistry, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, electron microscopy, dietary and environments effects on tears, clinical epidemiology, microbiology, elemental analysis, physiological optics, bioethics, and contact lenses.[17][18]
In 2015, Hart ran for Nassau County Legislature on the Democratic line against an incumbent Republican in the 18th Legislative District and lost by one-percent.[19] Hart founded Long Island Citizens for Good Government (LICGG) and became its president.[20] As President of the group he called on Nassau County District Attorney to investigate Town of Oyster Bay contracts. He also supports oversight of Oyster Bay finances.[21] In spring of 2016, Hart launched his campaign for the New York State Assembly. Hart has been a candidate for town, county, and state offices, running on Democrat,[22] Working Family, Women's Equality, Independence, Green, and Reform party lines.[23][24] He has advocated for anti-corruption and government reform.[25][26]
Hart joined Moreano World Medical Mission on a trip to the Dominican Republic and provided tools to fit eyeglasses for children and seniors without cost to patients. The trip was praised by New York State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine.[27] Hart spoke at the United Nations about the disproportionate impact of inadequate healthcare for women and their eyes after his trip to the Dominican Republic.[28]
As President of Long Island Citizens for Good Government, Hard advocated for better inmate treatment and spending practices in prisons.[29][30]
Hart has volunteered with the visually impaired in Harlem, New York.[31][32] In 2016 he volunteered for ophthalmic care at the special Olympics in Brockport, NY.[33] Dr. Hart is currently the Ophthalmic Affairs Chairman of Friends for Good Health, a not-for-profit organization that works to provide healthcare for people in poverty.[34]
^Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, Annual Continuing Education Program San Francisco CA, October 1998 Dry eye diagnosis and management / The rejected prescription / Life cycle of a soft lens
^American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dallas Tx, October 2000 The rejected prescription
^Hart D, Plociniak M, Grimes G. Defining the physiologically normal coating and pathological deposit: an analysis of sulfur containing moieties and pellicle thickness on hydrogel contact lenses. Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists. April 1998, pages 85-101.
^Hart D, Simko M, Harris E. Moisture chamber eyeglasses for the dry eye patient. Journal of the American Optometric Association. July 1994, pages 517-522.
^Hart D. Surface interactions on hydrogel contact lenses: scanning electron microscopy. Journal of the American Optometric Association. December 1987, pages 962-974.
^Hart D. Lecture. Determination of Lens Type Using a Cationic Dye. Lecture presented at; Feb. 2002; The Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO), Los Angeles.
^The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Fort Lauderdale Florida, May 2002 Determination of lens type using a cationic dye
