Our Mission

AnnMarie Hipsley DPT, PhD; Founder and CEO of Ace Vision Group (AVG), is a vision scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, author and speaker on Ocular Biomechanics and the Miomechanical rejuvenation of the Aging Eye. Dr. Hipsley is the inventor of the VisioLite® Opthalmic Laser system, the world’s first Er:Yag Microporation Therapeutics Device. Dr. Hipsley pioneered an innovative therapeutic solution for the aging eye known as Laser Scleral Microporation (LSM) which is a therapeutic, in-office solution that restores the eye’s natural Dynamic Range of Focus (DRoF) ability through scleral uncrosslinking. Over the past 25+ years, she has trained over 100 ophthalmic surgeons worldwide in the use of near-infrared lasers for biological tissue microporation.

Over thirty years of broad-based ophthalmic experience in both start-up and established companies. Diverse experience in areas ranging from managing FDA studies and CMS approvals, international clinical and regulatory approval processes, global marketing and sales, operational management, and business development.

Joseph Carroll was elected to the Ace Vision Group Board of Directors and Executive Advisory Council in January of 2007. Mr. Carroll has over 26 years of executive Management experience in various industries including hospitality, construction, project management, and corporate guidance. His experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and management has led him to several prestigious awards in multiple industries. Mr. Carroll also has background and experience in engineering and systems management. He holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Michigan. Mr. Carroll is Co-Owner & Managing Partner of “Five Guys” hamburger chain in Cincinnati, Oh.

Jay Joliat is currently the CEO of several Venture Capital and development companies. Joliat & Company, Inc. is involved in the placement of venture capital investments in various industries, but primarily oil & gas or medical devices/drugs. Mr. Joliat has, for more than the past nine years, been an independent investor and developer in commercial, industrial, and garden-style apartment real estate and development, residential home building, restaurant ownership, and management, as well as venture private equity in generic pharmaceuticals, medical devices, oil, and gas. He previously formed and managed his own investment management company early in his career and was formerly employed by E.F. Hutton and Dean Witter Reynolds. His most recent assignment to a public company Board was with GeoResources, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEOI) which was bought by Halcon Resources for $1.041 Billion on August 1, 2012). He served as the Chairman of the Audit Committee as well as a member of both the Compensation and Nominating Committees as well as a founding shareholder.

Robert Hadley was elected to the Ace Vision Group Board of Directors in January 2020. Rob is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Picerne Real Estate Group, a group of family-owned businesses that own, manage, develop, and construct residential apartments and single-family homes throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. He has been with the Picerne Real Estate Group for the past 15 years but has worked in the residential apartment industry for 20 years. He has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, double major in accounting and finance, from the University of Rhode Island, and a Masters degree in Taxation from Bryant University. He spent 10 years in public accounting, including 5 years at Ernst & Young. He is a CPA and focused on the tax and accounting needs of family-owned businesses.

Ace Vision Group, an innovative ophthalmic Medical Device company, announces Ken Araki as its new Board of Directors. Ken Araki brings tenured C-level suite management experience and strategic leadership expertise to support AVG's commercial planning phase. In Mr. Araki’s 12-year tenure at Takeda Pharmaceutical, he successfully executed over 30 transactions (e.g. transformational M&A, JV creation, pipeline finance, New Co’s spin-off, academic-private research consortium) resulting in over $30B. Since 2018, Mr. Araki has been in charge of managing Santen’s global business development activities, including M&A, product licensing, discovery research collaboration, local commercial-stage transaction, and corporate venture capital investment. Currently, Mr. Araki is also a Member of Corporate Management. Mr. Araki holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Kyushu University. He is married with two daughters and his favorite hobby is spending time with his family including two dogs.

Mitchell Jackson, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. He is the Founder and Medical Director of Jackson Eye and is also a clinical associate at the University of Chicago Hospitals. He has performed over 20,000 LASIK procedures since its FDA approval for use in 1995 and has been a LASIK patient himself. Dr. Jackson has been involved in a number of phases 2, 3, and 4 FDA clinical trials involving such technologies as the Presview® Scleral Spacing Segments for Presbyopia and the Tecnis® One-Piece Multifocal intraocular lens He serves as the Medical Monitor for various other ophthalmic studies including one investigating intracameral pharmaceuticals in cataract surgery. Dr. Jackson assisted in the design and was the first U.S. surgeon to use the Moria microkeratome for LASIK, subsequently training more than 700 surgeons in its use.

Dr. Robert Ang is Asian Eye Institute's senior refractive surgeon. He performs laser eye surgery for patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism who wish to decrease their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. He is the only doctor in the Philippines to have finished two subspecialty programs at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School (Glaucoma and Cornea and Refractive Surgery). He completed his medical degree through the highly selective seven-year INTARMED course at the University of the Philippines. He has authored several book chapters and international publications on refractive surgery and glaucoma. His special interest includes Zyoptix customized LASIK, LASEK, PRK, dry eye, corneal transplantations, cataracts, and complicated anterior segment surgeries. He is the Philippine representative to the Asian Refractive Committee - a prestigious group of laser eye surgeons representing each country in Asia whose objective is to advance the science of refractive surgery in the region.

As an accomplished and well-respected surgeon, researcher, and educator, Yeu has contributed greatly to the field of ophthalmology throughout her more than 20-year career. Yeu is an avid proponent of novel technologies and disruptive therapeutics that improve the current standard of care for patients. She is recognized and sought after as an industry leader in clinical care and new product development in the ophthalmic surgical and therapeutics spaces. In addition to her clinical practice at Virginia Eye Consultants, Yeu serves on the board of directors for STAAR Surgical, Avellino Lab USA, OSRX Pharmaceuticals, and the Virginia Eye Foundation. She also serves as Chief Medical Advisor for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals and executive board member of CVP Physicians, Mid-Atlantic.

Sheri Rowen, MD, FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in LASIK, new advances in refractive surgery, cataract surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. She is the Director of the Mercy Medical Center for Eye and Cosmetic Surgery and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a Clinical Instructor at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Rowen has served as an investigator for several FDA studies related to implantable contact lenses. She is the author of numerous papers related to intraocular lenses and cataract surgery and has provided lectures nationally and internationally on cataract surgery, intraocular lenses, and cosmetic eye surgery. Dr. Rowen is a board member of the International Society of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons.

Steven Silverstein, MD, FACS is a board-certified ophthalmologist with subspecialty training in corneal transplantation and external diseases. He received his ophthalmology training at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston and his subspecialty fellowship was completed at the Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, where he also served as a clinical professor. Dr. Silverstein is in private practice and is a clinical professor of Ophthalmology at the University Of Missouri Kansas City Medical School and a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He has been active in ophthalmic clinical research and has published in major medical journals. Dr. Silverstein lectures extensively around the world.

Karolinne Maia Rocha, MD, PhD is a sub-subspecialist in Cornea & Refractive Surgery and a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) International Council. She is active in clinical research having published over 80 scientific works including peer review publications, book chapters, and abstracts in society meetings. Dr. Rocha received the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award in 2012. Dr. Rocha received her medical degree from the University of Londrina in Paraná, Brazil in 2002. After obtaining her MD, she completed training in ophthalmology at the Federal University of São Paulo and was certified by the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology in 2005. As a second-year resident, she received the XXXIII Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology Surgical Skills Prize. She completed her PhD “Optical aberrations in pseudophakic and cataractous eyes”, also at the Federal University of Sao Paolo. Dr. Rocha was the first ophthalmologist to be awarded the highest honor by the Brazilian government (CAPES-CNPq) for her PhD thesis.

Dr. Wiley is the current Medical Director of the Cleveland Eye Clinic and Clear Choice LASIK Center. Dr. Wiley’s centers have been blessed with the opportunities to help pioneer, develop and innovate many of the new technologies at the forefront of ophthalmology. Notable meetings and organizations. Founding member of Vanguard Ophthalmology society, Current President of Society for Excellence in Eye Care, Early member of CEDARS/ASPENS, President-Elect of AECOS, Program Chair of Caribbean Eye Meeting and Millennial Eye Meeting, and first editor of Collaborative Eye publication.

Ehsan Sadri, M.D., FACS, FAAO is board-certified, fellowship-trained in treating LASIK, cataract and glaucoma surgeries. He is trained in the most progressive ocular surgical techniques including cataract surgery, phakic intraocular lenses, LASIK, PRK, refractive lensectomy, and AK. Dr. Ehsan Sadri has performed thousands of eye surgeries utilizing advanced techniques for treatment of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.Dr. Ehsan Sadri is well regarded as a thought leader and an active speaker at many Ophthalmology conferences where he teaches other eye surgeons the latest techniques for vision correction and preservation.

Dr. Katz is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology; the American Academy of Cataract and Refractive Surgery; the International Society of Refractive Surgery; the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons; the Illinois Association of Ophthalmology and the Chicago Ophthalmologic Society. Dr. Katz's medical expertise is well-known outside of the Chicago area. Throughout his medical career, he has been regularly published in national and international ophthalmologic journals and is invited to speak at medical conferences all over the United States and the world, including countries in Europe, Asia and South America. He helped build clinics and teach new procedures in Vietnam.

Cathleen McCabe, MD serves as Chief Medical Officer at Eye Health America™. She is one of the foremost eye surgeons today, specializing in complex and premium cataract and refractive surgery at The Eye Associates in Sarasota, Florida. She has a keen interest in advancing the field of ophthalmology and has participated in numerous clinical trials, including innovations in intraocular lenses, perioperative medications, medications and devices to treat glaucoma, dry eye treatments and presbyopia correction. Dr. McCabe continues to receive many prestigious and esteemed awards for her work in Ophthalmology, including being named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor – 2015 to 2022 for Ophthalmology. Castle Connolly also selected her for the first-ever Exceptional Women In Medicine Award for 2017 to 2022. In 2023, Newsweek included Dr. McCabe in the list of national top ophthalmologists

Dr. Dagny Zhu, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from UCLA with a full tuition Regent’s Scholarship and received her MD from Harvard Medical School. She then completed her residency at USC/Doheny Eye Institute and her fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at Bascom Palmer. She is currently Medical Director and Partner at NVISION Eye Centers in Rowland Heights, California and also serves as Clinical Preceptor in Ophthalmology for Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine and clinical faculty for the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Zhu serves as medical advisor to multiple ophthalmic companies, lectures to her peers nationally and worldwide, and leads cutting-edge clinical research studies in presbyopia-correcting technologies. She has been featured in over 300 presentations, publications, and press features including Forbes, The Today Show, and CNN.

Dr. Cristos Ifantides is a fellowship-trained, board-certified anterior segment surgeon who specializes in routine and complex surgeries of the front of the eye. He is a leader in the field and has pioneered new surgical techniques for complex anterior segment surgery that have been adopted across the world. Dr. Ifantides has received numerous awards, including “Top Doctors” for 2020 and 2022, “One to Watch”, “Rising Stars in Ophthalmology”, and “40 under 40”. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles and has given over 90 invited lectures at local, national, and international conferences

George Waring IV, MD is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, the Director of Refractive Surgery at MUSC Storm Eye Institute and serves as the Medical Director at Magill Vision Center. He has served a Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Emory University School of Medicine, and a Staff Ophthalmologist at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, GA. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is a founding member of the American College of Ophthalmic Surgeons and the prestigious Vanguard Ophthalmology Society. Dr. Waring is active in clinical research, with over 90 scientific publications, abstracts and presentations to his credit, including over a dozen peer reviewed manuscripts and over half a dozen book chapters on corneal, refractive and lens surgery.

Dr. I. Paul Singh, MD, is a glaucoma specialist. He completed his residency at Cook County Hospital – Division of Ophthalmology, completed his internship at Michael Reese Hospital – Department of Medicine, and completed his fellowship in Glaucoma at Duke University. Dr. Singh is actively involved in clinical research and has presented his research at national meetings and universities and published papers in many ophthalmology journals. Dr. Singh was the first ophthalmologist in Wisconsin to implant the iStent, a device designed to treat glaucoma. He also pioneered the use of in-office lasers to remove visually significant floaters. Recently, he was instrumental in bringing laser-assisted cataract surgery to the area. He enjoys giving lectures and teaching seminars around the globe to help other doctors adopt these and other newer technologies and techniques.

Dr. Leng is considered to be one of the top 150 worldwide leading innovators in the field of medical and surgical retina and serves the Department of Ophthalmology as both the Director of Clinical and Translational Research and the Director of Ophthalmic Diagnostics. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeon. Dr. Leng specifically focuses on surgery for macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and macular pucker, and performs several of these types of surgery on a weekly basis. Dr. Leng uses the latest techniques and small-incisional sutureless technology to minimize patient discomfort and maximize functional outcomes. Dr. Leng's medical retina specialties include the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusions. Dr. Leng is committed to bringing the highest level of patient-centered care for all types of retinal conditions.

Guillermo Ocampo, MD received his degree as a surgeon at the Faculty of Medicine, University La Salle in Mexico City. Dr. Guillermo Ocampo Rojo studied the specialty of Ophthalmology at the Hospital Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera, "Dr. Luis Sanchez Bulnes "in Mexico City. where he received the title in the Subspecialty in Anterior Segment Surgery (Cataract Surgery) Subsequently, he completed fellowships in Glaucoma and Cornea Subspecialty at Houston Eye Associates Clinic in Houston, Tx. Dr. Ocampo began his private practice in 1991 and became a staff physician at the American British Cowdray Medical Center, Medical Center ABC in 1997, where he is currently the Chairman of Ocular Diagnosis, SC ABC Eye Center. Dr. Ocampo has a private practice in the ABC Medical Center, Campus Santa Fe.

Professor Sunil Shah qualified from St. Georges Hospital Medical School and completed his post-graduate training in Torquay, Exeter, Manchester, and Nottingham. He has been a Consultant at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre since 2000 where he runs a complex cornea and cataract service, and his professorial chair is at Aston University. Professor Shah was a Section Editor for the British Journal of Ophthalmology and Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology and is a reviewer for Eye, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Journal of Refractive Surgery. He has over 150 publications in peer reviewed journals. Professor Shah also provides specialist advice to NICE and MHRA and is a representative for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists to the British Standards Institute.

Dr. Luca Gualdi, MD, is the actual Director of D.O.M.A. (Diagnostica Oftalmologica e Microchirurgia Ambulatoriale) Eye clinic in Rome (Italy) with specialization in Cornea, Cataract, Refractive Surgery, and Glaucoma. Dr. Gualdi has expertise in Femto-Lasik, Femto-Cataract, Keratoconus, Femto-Intrastromal Rings, Corneal Cross-linking / Iontophoresis, Phakic and Premium IOLs, Electrostimulation of the Ciliary Muscle, Dry-Eye, Intensed Pulsed Light (IRPL), Selective Laser Trabeculectomy (SLT). He has a Master’s in Cataract surgery from São Paulo University - USP (Brazil) and in Refractive surgery and Corneal Transplant – Rome La Cattolica/Gemelli University (Italy). Dr. Gualdi is a regular speaker and moderator at multiple worldwide Ophthalmological Conferences, a published author in many Ophthalmology articles and books, and a current reviewer of the Journal of Refractive Surgery and International Ophthalmology.

Dr. Magda Rau, MD, is an expert in superficial eximer laser treatment. Dr. Rau completed her studies in general medicine at the University of Olomouc. The specialist exam in ophthalmology was presented by Dr. Rau in Prague and later in Munich. She is internationally renowned in the field of cataracts, lens exchange with implantation of multifocal IOLs, and micro-invasive Glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Dr. Rau is the Owner and Chief Doctor of Augenklinik Cham, Germany. Dr. Rau is also a member of PREMIUM KLINIKEN & PRAXEN, The quality alliance of first-class medical specialists in Germany and Switzerland. She is also an Associate Editor of Ocular Surgery News Europe and a member of the editorial boards of CRSJ Europe and Ophthalmology Management USA.

Dr. Jaime Martiz is a dedicated Corneal Refractive Surgery specialist who has been in the field of Ophthalmology since 1995. Dr. Martiz is currently the President of International Refractive Consultants. Having trained at the University of Texas in Houston and completed a Corneal and Refractive Fellowship with Steven Slade, MD in Houston, Dr. Martiz is internationally well known for his work and he has trained over 1500 ophthalmologists worldwide. Jaime Martiz has consulted with/for many major corporations such as Advanced Medical Optics, Abbott, Biovision, Acufocus, Staar Surgical, Mediphacos, IntraLase Corporation, LenSx, Bausch & Lomb, Biovision, Visiometrics, Allergan, Cirle, and other ophthalmic companies. Dr. Martiz has invented various medical devices and surgical techniques which hold U.S. patents.

Dr. Ike Ahmed is a fellowship-trained glaucoma, cataract, and anterior segment surgeon with a practice focus on the surgical management of glaucoma, complex cataract, and intraocular lens complications. He is board certified in ophthalmology in Canada and the USA and is an active member of numerous national and international societies. Dr. Ahmed has become world-renowned for his skills and groundbreaking work in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of highly complex eye diseases including glaucoma and surgical complications. He is recognized as being one of the most experienced complex eye surgeons in the world and has trained numerous surgeons in innovative surgical techniques. Furthermore, he has been at the leading edge of novel treatments for glaucoma, cataract, and lens implant surgery.

Professor David Hui Kang Ma, MD, PhD is an ophthalmologist trained at the Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang-Gung University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California. He served as Director of the Limbal Stem Cell laboratory in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan, and is now Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology. His research interests include limbal stem cells, amniotic grafts, and ocular inflammatory responses. His research in these areas has been published widely in both national and international medical journals. He is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), the International Ocular Surface Society, and the Asia Cornea Society.

Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD was enrolled in the Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan as a resident in 1995 and completed a five-year training program including one year of fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery subspecialty. Thereafter, he was promoted to an attending physician of Ophthalmology at Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in 2000. In addition to daily clinical workload, Dr. Sun enjoyed teaching and oversaw the resident educational program in his Department. He planned the training course and involved in many training activities for residents and young physicians. As an assistant professor appointed to the school of medicine at Chang Gung University, Dr. Sun also taught medical students the essential examining skills in Ophthalmology.

Xing-Tao Zhou, MD, PhD. is a professor of ophthalmology, and director of refractive surgery center, department of ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. He is now the group leader of Optometry and Refractive Surgery in Shanghai Academy of Ophthalmology, the leader of Ophthalmology at Shanghai Academy of Laser Science, and the member of both the Optometry group and Cornea group of the Chinese Academy of Ophthalmology. He was the first author who suggested and promote the concept of “Painless” surface ablation. He took the lead in China to practice VisuMax femtosecond laser surgery and all-in-one femtosecond laser surgery (FLEx/SMILE). Dr. Zhou has published more than 80 academic articles as a major author.

Professor Li Ying MD, PhD is a Professor, Chief Physician, MD, Ophthalmology postdoctoral, and doctoral tutor. Chinese Medical Association Ophthalmology Branch, deputy director of corneal science, optometry, and ophthalmology group of Chinese Medical Association, member of the Chinese Medical Association of Laser Medicine study group members. Now the Director of Beijing Union Medical College Hospital cornea, eye bank, excimer laser eye surgery professional team. Well-known experts in corneal and refractive surgery. Engaged in corneal disease, corneal refractive surgery and related basic research, clinical work, and excimer laser surgery.

Professor Wang is chief physician, executive dean of the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, vice president of Optometry of Wenzhou Medical College, committee member of the Chinese Academy of Ophthalmology, adjunct professor, and doctoral adviser of New England College of Optometry. He was awarded National Academic Teaching Achievement of China, publishing over 100 papers. He edited the educational material, "Refractive Surgery" and others for the Ministry of Education in China. He has been the advisor of more than 50 PhD and master’s degree graduate students. He dedicated himself to refractive surgery, with a variety of refractive surgery for tens of thousands of cases.

Associate Professor Shihao Chen MD, MSc, OD is an associate professor and Vice director of the Refractive Surgery Center of Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College. He is the instructor of the Wenzhou School of Ophthalmology as well as the clinical instructor for the School of Optometry. Dr. Chen attended Medical School at Zhejiang University and received his master’s degree in Medicine. Dept. of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical College. Dr. Chen was the first surgeon to start Accelerated Crosslinking and transepithelial crosslinking in China. He has participated in many early clinical studies in innovation in ophthalmology.