One to Watch: Andrew J. Mackner, OD

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PLEASE SHARE WITH US YOUR BACKGROUND.

I grew up in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, in the heart of Minnesota lakes country. As a kid, I loved spending time on the lake and being on the water.

I have two younger brothers, one of whom is an optometrist. My father is also an optometrist, and he is the person who motivated me to pursue optometry as a career. I attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where I received my Bachelor of Arts degree, and then attended the Pacific University College of Optometry. After graduation, I completed a residency in ocular disease and surgical comanagement at Omni Eye Services in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area.

I am married to the most incredible woman and fellow optometrist, Meredith Stallone, OD, MS, FAAO. She is my motivation and pushes me every day to be the best version of myself.

DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT POSITION.

I practice at Edina Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Minnesota, providing comprehensive eye care services with a focus on glaucoma and surgical comanagement. I assist our surgeons with preoperative cataract evaluations and help patients choose their lens implants.

WHO ARE YOUR MENTORS?

I have been fortunate to have multiple incredible mentors who have helped shape my career path. George Veliky, OD, was my residency director, and the guidance and knowledge he provided has been pivotal to my career. I also had the privilege to work with Douglas Grayson, MD, in my residency. I learned so much from the two of them and would not be where I am today without their mentorship.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE OF YOUR CAREER THUS FAR?

My involvement in the Minnesota Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. It has been a joy to volunteer and give back to the profession. Through these organizations, I have met some of my best friends and built relationships that will last a lifetime.

WHAT ARE SOME NEW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES THAT YOU FIND PARTICULARLY EXCITING? WHICH ADVANCES IN THE PIPELINE ARE YOU MOST ENTHUSIASTIC OR CURIOUS ABOUT?

I love working with our cataract surgery patients. The advances in multifocal IOLs have allowed us to give patients an incredible level of spectacle independence. Light adjustable lenses have also been a real game-changer in our clinic, especially for post–refractive surgery patients. I am excited to see where the future takes us.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

My clinic day starts at 7:30 am, so depending on which office I am commuting to, I am typically up between 5:45 AM and 6:15 AM. My schedule varies depending on the location, but on an average day, I will see anywhere from 26 and 40 patients. After clinic, I try to make it to the gym, if my wife and I don’t have other plans. I enjoy cooking, too, so after the gym you can catch me in the kitchen or by the grill. My favorite “typical” days, though, are Sundays during football season. If the Vikings are playing, I will be watching the game. Skol!

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU OFFER TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE JUST NOW CHOOSING THEIR CAREER PATHS AFTER FINISHING OPTOMETRY SCHOOL OR A RESIDENCY?

The trajectory is not going to be a straight line. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Say “yes” to opportunities that interest and motivate you. Try to learn a little something from every experience, even if it doesn’t feel ideal in the moment.