• 20 years experience in multi-specialty private practice with emphasis on medical management of eye disease, injury and contact lenses
• Graduate of State University of New York College of Optometry
• Extended study of therapeutic diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular disease and injury, with special attention to Glaucoma
• Co-managed cataract surgery/ refractive surgery/ glaucoma and diabetic treatment with ophthalmologists and primary care physicians
• Member of the American Optometric Association, North Carolina State Optometric Society and Eastern District Optometric Society
• Licensed by State Boards of New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina
• Trained in treatment and management of dry eye
• Clinical examiner for North Carolina State Board of Optometry

As a native of Maine, he studied zoology at the University of Maine at Orono. It was there where he developed an interest in neurobiology and vision science. This led him to the New England College of Optometry in Boston, MA where he pursued a career in optometry. As a student, Dr. Carstens was a member of the International Honor Society, and as an intern, he received honors for his work at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. After receiving his doctorate in 2003, he went on to complete a residency in hospital based optometry/ocular disease at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. During residency Dr. Carstens gave numerous lectures to optometric interns and residents at the VA on topics such as glaucoma, ocular lymphoma and various retinal diseases.

We are excited about the newest member of the Chapel Hill Eyecare team, and we hope you will join us in welcoming him to the community.