
Languages Spoken: English, Swedish
Randall J Olson, MD, is a Distinguished Professor, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center. He specializes in research dealing with intraocular lens and cataract surgery. Dr. Olson is the author of more than 300 professional publications and has given many named lectures all over the country and worldwide.
He was selected to receive the 2016 Jan Worst Medal by the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club , the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the 2014 Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence by the University of Utah, the 2014 Kelman Award by AAO, the 2012 Binkhorst Medal by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the 2019 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology.
Dr. Olson’s practice is limited to consultations and his long-term patients at this time.
Clinical Locations
801-581-2352
Specialties
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Ophthalmology/Visual Sciences
-
Professor |
Board Certification | American Board of Ophthalmology |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
5.0/ 5

Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
5.0/ 5

Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
5.0/ 5

Wait time at clinic
4.9/ 5

Care provider's concern for questions & worries
5.0/ 5

Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
February 09, 2022
MORAN EYE CENTER
Everyone was wonderful, informative, assuring
UofU Patient
October 09, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Very pleased. All questions answered. PLEASED
UofU Patient
September 18, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Very pleased.
UofU Patient
August 24, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
I wish there were a choice of ten stars! Dr Randall Olsen, MD has been my doctor for ten years and is always caring, concerned with my questions and very easy to talk to!
UofU Patient
August 16, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Everything was great. Thank you
UofU Patient
July 04, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Very clear and understandable instructions
UofU Patient
June 21, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
I am privileged to have such an outstanding ophthalmologist as Dr. Randolph Olson as my primary physician in this field.
UofU Patient
February 22, 2021
MORAN EYE CENTER
Dr. Olson was fantastic
UofU Patient
September 02, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
There is no better care provider than Dr. Olson.
UofU Patient
August 23, 2020
MORAN EYE CENTER
outstanding
Randall J Olson, MD, is a Distinguished Professor, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center. He specializes in research dealing with intraocular lens and cataract surgery. Dr. Olson is the author of more than 300 professional publications and has given many named lectures all over the country and worldwide.
He was selected to receive the 2016 Jan Worst Medal by the International Intra-Ocular Implant Club , the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the 2014 Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence by the University of Utah, the 2014 Kelman Award by AAO, the 2012 Binkhorst Medal by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the 2019 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology.
Dr. Olson’s practice is limited to consultations and his long-term patients at this time.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
Academic Departments | Ophthalmology/Visual Sciences
-
Professor |
Board Certification | American Board of Ophthalmology |
Education History
Fellowship | Louisiana State University Corneal Fellow Fellow, 1978 |
Fellowship | International Eye Foundation Fellow, 1977 |
Fellowship | University of Florida Corneal Fellow Fellow, 1977 |
Residency | University of California - Los Angeles Ophthalmology Resident, 1977 |
Internship | Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Ophthalmology Intern, 1974 |
Professional Medical | University of Utah Hospital School of Medicine Medicine M.D., 1973 |
Undergraduate | University of Utah Medical Biology B.A., 1970 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Ungricht EL, Culp C, Qu P, Harris JT, Brintz BJ, Mamalis N, Olson RJ, Werner L (2021). Effect of phacoemulsification fluid flow on the corneal endothelium: experimental study in rabbit eyes. J Cataract Refract Surg, 48(4), 481-486.
- Bohner A, Peterson JS, Wright AJ, Mamalis C, Bernhisel A, Zaugg B, Barlow WR Jr, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2020). Effects on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter at variable longitudinal ultrasound settings when combined with constant torsional energy. J Cataract Refract Surg, 46(5), 774-777.
- Bernhisel AA, Cahoon JM, Sella R, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Stagg BC, Afshari NA, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). Optimum on-time and off-time combinations for micropulse phacoemulsification in venturi vacuum mode. J Cataract Refract Surg, 45(12), 1797-1800.
- Kabbara SW, Heczko J, Ta B, Bernhisel A, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey J (2019). Impact of torsional micropulse on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter. Can J Ophthalmol, 54(5), 560-564.
- Kabbara SW, Heczko J, Ta B, Bernhisel A, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey J (2018). Determining optimal ultrasound percent on time with long-pulse torsional phacoemulsification. Can J Ophthalmol, 54(3), 395-398.
- Stutz LA, Heczko JB, Bird BA, Thomson RS, Bernhisel AA, Barlow WR, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). Optimization of the Oertli CataRhex 3® phacoemulsification machine. Clin Ophthalmol, 13, 633-639.
- Thomson RS, Bird BA, Stutz LA, Heczko JB, Bernhisel AA, Barlow WR, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). The effect of increasing power when grooving using phacoemulsification. Clin Ophthalmol, 13, 611-615.
- Ha L, Wright A, Wright DD, Bernhisel A, Barlow WR, Pettey JH, Zaugg B, Olson RJ (2018). High vacuum and aspiration on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter for Centurion. Can J Ophthalmol, 54(1), 136-138.
- Boulter T, Bernhisel A, Mamalis C, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2019). Phacoemulsification in review: Optimization of cataract removal in an in vitro setting. Surv Ophthalmol, 64(6), 868-875.
- Kabbara S, Heczko JB, Bernhisel AA, Barlow WR, Zaugg B, Pettey JH, Olson RJ (2018). Effect of high vacuum and aspiration on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter using a transversal ultrasound machine. J Cataract Refract Surg, 44(11), 1378-1383.
- Bohner AD, Wright AJ, Ta BT, Bernhisel AA, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Pettey JH, Olson RJ (2018). Optimum on-time duty cycle for a transversal ultrasound machine. J Cataract Refract Surg, 44(9), 1140-1143.
- Shi DS, Jensen JD, Kramer GD, Zaugg B, Stagg BC, Pettey JH, Barlow WR Jr, Olson RJ (2016). Comparison of Vacuum and Aspiration on Phacoemulsification Efficiency and Chatter Using a Monitored Forced Infusion System. Am J Ophthalmol, 169, 162-167.
- Gardiner GL, Garff K, Gupta I, Kramer GD, Farukhi MA, Stagg BC, Zaugg B, Olson RJ (2015). Effect of pulsing ultrasound on phacoemulsification efficiency. J Cataract Refract Surg, 41(11), 2560-4.
- Robinson MS, Olson RJ (2015). Simple approach to prevent capsule tear-out during capsulorhexis creation in hypermature cataracts. J Cataract Refract Surg, 41(7), 1353-5.
- Stringham J, Pettey J, Olson RJ (2011). Evaluation of variables affecting intraoperative aberrometry. J Cataract Refract Surg, 38(3), 470-4.
- Ness PJ, Mamalis N, Werner L, Maddula S, Davis DK, Donnenfeld ED, Olson RJ (2010). An anterior chamber toxicity study evaluating Besivance, AzaSite, and Ciprofloxacin. Am J Ophthalmol, 150(4), 498-504.e1.
- Jin Y, Zabriskie N, Olson RJ (2008). Dysphotopsia outcomes analysis of two truncated acrylic 6.0-mm intraocular optic lenses. Ophthalmologica, 223(1), 47-51.
- Waite A, Faulkner N, Olson RJ (2006). Glistenings in the single-piece, hydrophobic, acrylic intraocular lenses. Am J Ophthalmol, 144(1), 143-4.
- Werner L, Olson RJ, Mamalis N (2006). New technology IOL optics. Ophthalmol Clin North Am, 19(4), 469-83.
- Adams W, Brinton J, Floyd M, Olson RJ (2005). Phacodynamics: an aspiration flow vs vacuum comparison. Am J Ophthalmol, 142(2), 320-2.
- Floyd M, Valentine J, Coombs J, Olson RJ (2005). Effect of incisional friction and ophthalmic viscosurgical devices on the heat generation of ultrasound during cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg, 32(7), 1222-6.
- Kleinmann G, Apple DJ, Chew J, Stevens S, Hunter B, Larson S, Mamalis N, Olson RJ (2005). Hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens as a drug-delivery system: Pilot study. J Cataract Refract Surg, 32(4), 652-4.
- Bradley MJ, Coombs J, Olson RJ (2006). Analysis of an approach to astigmatism correction during cataract surgery. Ophthalmologica, 220(5), 311-6.
- Jensen MK, Fiscella RG, Crandall AS, Moshirfar M, Mooney B, Wallin T, Olson RJ (2004). A retrospective study of endophtalmitis rates comparing quinolone antibiotics. Am J Ophthalmol, 139(1), 141-8.
- Olson RJ (2004). Reducing the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. Surv Ophthalmol, 49 Suppl 2, S55-61.
- Olson RJ, Kumar R (2003). White Star technology. Curr Opin Ophthalmol, 14(1), 20-3.
Patent
- Olson RJ (2011). Hypodermic Needle System and Method to Reduce Infection. U.S. Patent No. 61/418,337. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Olson RJ (2011). Vision Correction System. U.S. Patent No. 61/394,327. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Olson RJ (2011). Multi-functional second instrument for cataract removal. U.S. Patent No. 7883521. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Global Impact
Education History
Fellowship | International Eye Foundation Fellow |