PCON remembers Larry Alexander

The American Academy of Optometry reported the April 16 passing of academy fellow and Primary Care Optometry News contributor Larry J. Alexander, OD, FAAO, who was 68 years old.

Alexander became a fellow in 1975 and served as clinical editor for Optometry and Vision Science for 5 years; he also frequently contributed to the journal, according to the academy.

Alexander, an Indiana native, graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry and served as an optometrist in the U.S. Navy. He practiced in North Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana, taught at the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry and most recently consulted for Optovue, the academy said.

Larry J. Alexander

“For the last year or so, Larry and I have discussed difficult cases several times a month, generally via email,” PCON Editorial Board Member Jerome Sherman, OD, FAAO, told PCON. “Although he announced his retirement, he still was energized by solving unusual case presentations and by advances in technology.

“I spent time with Larry at the airport following the last academy meeting,” Sherman continued. “He confided he was tired of airplane travel and airports and that this academy meeting that just ended would certainly be his last. I found the comment odd, but did not respond. He talked about living by the beach with his wife and really slowing down. Too bad he did not live long enough to enjoy his well-earned retirement. Larry will certainly be missed by many – he touched many lives and was directly responsible for elevating the care rendered to many tens of thousands of patients through his masterful teachings.”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those touched by Alexander’s life to participate in random acts of kindness. In addition, several scholarship funds in his name have been established for education, the academy reported.