Education for Better Vision

The BetterVision Foundation is a dynamic network of leaders, medical professionals, and dedicated volunteers committed to advancing medicine and enhancing patient care. Our mission is to provide cutting-edge medical education, ensuring that doctors remain at the forefront of emerging treatments, groundbreaking research, and evolving best practices in eye health. We believe in leading change—empowering expert medical leaders to drive innovation, elevate patient outcomes, and serve communities with excellence.

Our Vision & Core Values

At the heart of the BetterVision Foundation are two guiding principles:

A steadfast commitment to community well-being

Excellence in medical education that transforms patient care

Our Guiding Principles

Patient-centered ocular health and vision care are our top priorities.

Physicians share a responsibility to advance ocular health through continuous education and hands-on clinical training.

Education focused on clinical innovation, scientific research, and emerging technology is critical to improving vision care outcomes. We deliver education that makes a difference—education that drives better vision, better care, and better health for all.

Foundation Leadership

Leslie Kuhlman B.A.

Director of Development

Leslie.Kuhlman@BetterVisionFoundation.org

(949) 525-3767

Kelly Kuras B.A.

Marketing Director

Kelly.Kuras@BetterVisionFoundation.org

(847) 877-9555

Anand Mantravadi, MD, FACS

Dr. Anand Mantravadi, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellowship trained glaucoma specialist at Eye Doctors of Washington (EDOW). Prior to joining EDOW, Dr. Mantravadi was a member of the Glaucoma Service at Wills Eye Hospital, and served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Jefferson Medical College. He also served as the Glaucoma Fellowship Director at Wills Eye Hospital.

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Olga Shif, MD

Dr. Shif is a vitreo-retinal specialist at The National Retina Institute. Dr. Shif is passionate about vision retention and research. Dr. Shif spent a year at the prestigious, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami researching glaucoma and pattern ERG. Dr. Shif is Board Certified and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She has received many honors and awards, presented at numerous ophthalmology conferences, has published articles in peer reviewed journals and has contributed to several book chapters.

Vandi Wharton Rimer, OD

Vandi Rimer, O.D., graduated with honors from the University of Utah in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. In 2003, she graduated with honors from Pacific University College of Optometry. During her education, Dr. Rimer completed internships at the Eye Institute of Utah, Eyes of Arizona, Portland Clinic, and with Washington State School for the Blind. She completed her residency training at Omni Eye Specialists in ocular disease, refractive and ocular surgery. She is a board-certified optometrist through the American Board of Optometry September 2013. She has been an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor with Pacific University College of Optometry since 2007. In 2014 she became the Program Coordinator and supervisor of Omni Eye Specialists Residency in Ocular Disease, Refractive and Ocular Surgery. The program became accredited through the Accreditation Counsel on Optometric Education in 2015.

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Ahmed Abdelsalam, MD, FACS

Dr. Abdelsalam completed his Medical School in Alexandria University, Egypt where he graduated with high honors. He completed his Internal Medicine training at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey and his residency in Ophthalmology at the New Jersey Institute of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences under the direction of Dr. Marco Zarbin. He completed his Vitreoretinal Surgery training at the world reknown Kresge Eye Institute in Michigan under the direction of Drs. Gary Abrams and Dean Elliot. Dr. Abdelsalam is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (through 2021). He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), The American Academy of Ophthalmology (FAAO) and the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS). He is also a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the Chicago Ophthalmological Society (COS) and the Illinois Association of Ophthalmology (IAO). Dr. Abdelsalam is strongly committed to continuous medical education (CME). He is the founder of the well-attended and respected Chicagoland Midwest Retina Meeting (CMRU) and the Founder and Managing Director of the Chicagoland Eye and Retina Foundation (CERF). He is also a founder of the Arab African Society of Retina Specialists (AASRS), and an organizer of the International Cairo Retina Meeting (CRM). He is a frequent presenter in many Ophthalmology and Vitreoretinal Surgery meetings in the USA and abroad.

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Wendewessen Amde, MD

Dr. Amde is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, The New York State Ophthalmological Society, and the American Medical Association. He completed his undergraduate education at the UCLA School of Medicine where he graduated with distinction as AOA (Alpha Omega Alpha Honor) Society. He then continued to complete his residency at the prestigious New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and his fellowship at the world renowned Kresge Eye Institute. Dr. Amde is board certified by the American board of Ophthalmology (through 2021). He has been with the Chicagoland Retinal Consultants and the Hauser-Ross Eye Institute since 2012. Dr. Amde specializes in the management of medical and surgical diseases of the vitreous and retina. His expertise includes the treatment of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, simple and complex retinal detachment repair, surgical removal of epiretinal membranes, and the surgical management of complex trauma cases. Dr. Amde also takes special interest in the diagnosis and medical and surgical management of eye inflammations and uveitis. In 2020, Dr. Amde was selected as the Director and Chairman of CME & Faculty Relations. Dr. Amde works with doctors across the country with a variety of subspecialties to identify and provide relevant medical education topics provided through the foundation through virtual and live meetings.

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Robert Pearlman, MD

Dr. Pearlman specializes in medical and surgical diseases of the vitreous and retina. His expertise includes the treatment of both macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, simple and complex retinal detachment repair, macular hole repair, surgical removal of epiretinal membranes, and the surgical management of trauma. He is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Chicago Ophthalmological Society, the Illinois Association of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Pearlman is a graduate of the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He completed his internship at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia and did his Ophthalmology residency at Temple University. He completed his fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Northwestern University and Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Lee Jampol and has since been appointed to the staff as a clinical instructor and researcher. Dr. Pearlman is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

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Amy Zimmerman, MD

Amy Zimmerman, MD is a board-certified general ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon at Katzen Eye Group. She is a third-generation ophthalmologist with 30 years of experience and specializes in Dry Eye Syndrome, Advanced Cataract Surgery, Premium Lens and Clear Lens Exchange. Dr. Zimmerman earned her medical degree and completed her residency at the University of Maryland Medical System and Shock Trauma and served as chief resident. Dr. Zimmerman currently heads the ophthalmology rotation for the Franklin Square Family Medicine Residents and serves as ophthalmology consult to Medstar Franklin Square Hospital Center and the Ophthalmology Council for Medstar Health. Each year, Dr. Zimmerman trains medical students, PA students and PA’s from the hospital shadowing her in the office to learn physical exam skills. She also volunteers at the Food Bank of Anne Arundel County to connect patients with medical supplies and equipment.

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