Randall J Olson
( out of 53 reviews )

Randall J Olson, MD

Languages spoken: English, Swedish

Clinical Locations

John A. Moran Eye Center

Salt Lake City
801-581-2352

  • Randall J Olson, MD, is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Utah, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center.

    Specializing in external eye diseases and anterior segment disorders, Dr. Olson is a world-renowned expert in cataract surgery complications and intraocular lens (IOL) surgery. He is also the longest-serving chair of any academic ophthalmology department in the country. In 2024, The Ophthalmologist magazine named Dr. Olson on its annual Power List of the 100 most influential people in ophthalmology worldwide.

    Dr. Olson earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Utah (BA ’70, MD ’73) and completed his residency at the University of California Los Angeles Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1977. He went on to complete fellowships in cornea and external disease at the University of Florida in Gainesville and at the Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans, where he joined the faculty in 1977 as Director of Corneal Services.

    Dr. Olson joined the University of Utah faculty in 1979 as an Associate Professor and Division Chief when ophthalmology was a one-person operation and part of the Department of Surgery. In 1982, the division gained departmental status, and Dr. Olson took the helm as its chair.

    In 1986, Dr. Olson proposed the construction of an eye center at the University. Through generous philanthropy, most notably from John A. Moran, the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences moved into the first John A. Moran Eye Center in 1993—an 82,000-square-foot facility dedicated to research, teaching, community outreach, and cutting-edge ophthalmic care. When the center outgrew the space, Dr. Olson led a drive to build a new eye center. Groundbreaking for the new John A. Moran Eye Center took place in 2004, and the new facility held its grand opening in August 2006.

    Today, the 210,000-square-foot Moran Eye Center is the largest eye care and vision research center in the Mountain West. Moran houses 20 research labs and centers, and with 11 satellite clinics, hosts about 175,000 patient visits and over 8,600 surgeries annually. U.S. News & World Report ranked the Moran Eye Center as the No. 10 eye center nationwide on its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology report. Moran is known in particular for its retinal physiology research, basic genetics research, complications of cataract surgery research, and global ophthalmology program. Dr. Olson leads more than 700 employees working to achieve Moran’s vision that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment.

    Unwavering in his optimism for the future, Dr. Olson has constantly worked to re-invent ophthalmology through technology, research, and personalized medicine. He has taken on—and solved—some of the field’s biggest challenges.

    Dr. Olson established the Center for Intraocular Research to fund studies on IOL design, materials, and complications in 1982, a time when outcomes using the new devices were unacceptably poor, and both academic and the National Institutes of Health had declined to fund IOL research. The author of more than 300 publications and a worldwide lecturer, Dr. Olson has conducted landmark research that has improved the design of IOLs and related surgical techniques. The center continues to vet IOL design and materials for companies worldwide and analyzes IOL-related complications to improve care.

    Dr. Olson established the Center for Translational Medicine (CTM) in 2009 to reduce costs while speeding up drug development. As a synergistic model of partnerships between university departments, international academic collaborators, and private industry, the CTM allows multiple phases of the drug discovery process to run simultaneously, moving discoveries more quickly and efficiently into clinical trials. With the creation of the CTM, now known as the Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine, the University recognized the Vision Research Institute at the University of Utah as one of only three Health Sciences Institutes.

    Under Dr. Olson’s leadership, the Moran Eye Center has also become the premier institute for ophthalmology outreach in the United States. Training ophthalmologists in the developing world to create sustainable eye care systems, the Moran Eye Center has worked in more than 20 countries and is a North American academic partner of Aravind Eye Care System.

    Dr. Olson has served as President of the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology and earned many of his field’s highest honors. These include the 2012 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Binkhorst Medal, the 2014 University of Utah Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence, the 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Kelman Award, the 2015 AAO Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2016 International Intra-Ocular Implant Club Jan Worst Medal. In 2019 Dr. Olson received the Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. In 2021 the University of Utah awarded him the rank of Distinguished Professor.

    Dr. Olson is most proud of his incredible wife, Ruth, their five amazing children, and grandchildren. In his spare time, he loves the outdoors, including hiking, backpacking, and fly fishing—especially with his grandkids.

    Dr. Olson’s practice is limited to consultations and his long-term patients at this time.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Ophthalmology

    Patient Rating

    5.0 /5
    ( out of 53 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    March 30, 2025
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Very very happy with my care!

    March 01, 2025
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    He is the most amazing doctor I've ever been to! His knowledge, patience, care, and friendliness make him a very social doctor! I've been going to him for 24 years and there's no other doctor like him!

    February 09, 2025
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Yes. HeÕs great.

    September 22, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    He was very detailed in the exam and explained his observations in clear terms.

    September 21, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    DR OLSON IS THE BEST OF THE BEST

    June 23, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Dr. Olson is simply the best doctor and best person.

    June 22, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    I feel grateful that I am able to see Dr. Olson. He is wonderful.

    June 08, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    He is a brilliant doctor and ditecto

    June 02, 2024
    MORAN EYE CENTER

    Doctor Olson has more experience

    See More Patient Comments

  • Randall J Olson, MD, is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Utah, Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, and CEO of the John A. Moran Eye Center.

    Specializing in external eye diseases and anterior segment disorders, Dr. Olson is a world-renowned expert in cataract surgery complications and intraocular lens (IOL) surgery. He is also the longest-serving chair of any academic ophthalmology department in the country. In 2024, The Ophthalmologist magazine named Dr. Olson on its annual Power List of the 100 most influential people in ophthalmology worldwide.

    Dr. Olson earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Utah (BA ’70, MD ’73) and completed his residency at the University of California Los Angeles Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1977. He went on to complete fellowships in cornea and external disease at the University of Florida in Gainesville and at the Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans, where he joined the faculty in 1977 as Director of Corneal Services.

    Dr. Olson joined the University of Utah faculty in 1979 as an Associate Professor and Division Chief when ophthalmology was a one-person operation and part of the Department of Surgery. In 1982, the division gained departmental status, and Dr. Olson took the helm as its chair.

    In 1986, Dr. Olson proposed the construction of an eye center at the University. Through generous philanthropy, most notably from John A. Moran, the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences moved into the first John A. Moran Eye Center in 1993—an 82,000-square-foot facility dedicated to research, teaching, community outreach, and cutting-edge ophthalmic care. When the center outgrew the space, Dr. Olson led a drive to build a new eye center. Groundbreaking for the new John A. Moran Eye Center took place in 2004, and the new facility held its grand opening in August 2006.

    Today, the 210,000-square-foot Moran Eye Center is the largest eye care and vision research center in the Mountain West. Moran houses 20 research labs and centers, and with 11 satellite clinics, hosts about 175,000 patient visits and over 8,600 surgeries annually. U.S. News & World Report ranked the Moran Eye Center as the No. 10 eye center nationwide on its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals for Ophthalmology report. Moran is known in particular for its retinal physiology research, basic genetics research, complications of cataract surgery research, and global ophthalmology program. Dr. Olson leads more than 700 employees working to achieve Moran’s vision that no person with a blinding condition, eye disease, or visual impairment should be without hope, understanding, and treatment.

    Unwavering in his optimism for the future, Dr. Olson has constantly worked to re-invent ophthalmology through technology, research, and personalized medicine. He has taken on—and solved—some of the field’s biggest challenges.

    Dr. Olson established the Center for Intraocular Research to fund studies on IOL design, materials, and complications in 1982, a time when outcomes using the new devices were unacceptably poor, and both academic and the National Institutes of Health had declined to fund IOL research. The author of more than 300 publications and a worldwide lecturer, Dr. Olson has conducted landmark research that has improved the design of IOLs and related surgical techniques. The center continues to vet IOL design and materials for companies worldwide and analyzes IOL-related complications to improve care.

    Dr. Olson established the Center for Translational Medicine (CTM) in 2009 to reduce costs while speeding up drug development. As a synergistic model of partnerships between university departments, international academic collaborators, and private industry, the CTM allows multiple phases of the drug discovery process to run simultaneously, moving discoveries more quickly and efficiently into clinical trials. With the creation of the CTM, now known as the Sharon Eccles Steele Center for Translational Medicine, the University recognized the Vision Research Institute at the University of Utah as one of only three Health Sciences Institutes.

    Under Dr. Olson’s leadership, the Moran Eye Center has also become the premier institute for ophthalmology outreach in the United States. Training ophthalmologists in the developing world to create sustainable eye care systems, the Moran Eye Center has worked in more than 20 countries and is a North American academic partner of Aravind Eye Care System.

    Dr. Olson has served as President of the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology and earned many of his field’s highest honors. These include the 2012 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Binkhorst Medal, the 2014 University of Utah Rosenblatt Prize for Excellence, the 2014 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Kelman Award, the 2015 AAO Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2016 International Intra-Ocular Implant Club Jan Worst Medal. In 2019 Dr. Olson received the Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. In 2021 the University of Utah awarded him the rank of Distinguished Professor.

    Dr. Olson is most proud of his incredible wife, Ruth, their five amazing children, and grandchildren. In his spare time, he loves the outdoors, including hiking, backpacking, and fly fishing—especially with his grandkids.

    Dr. Olson’s practice is limited to consultations and his long-term patients at this time.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences -Professor
    Board Certification
    American Board of Ophthalmology

    Education history

    Fellowship Corneal Fellow - Louisiana State University Fellow
    Fellowship International Eye Foundation Fellow
    Fellowship Corneal Fellow - University of Florida Fellow
    Residency Ophthalmology - University of California - Los Angeles Resident
    Internship Ophthalmology - Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital Intern
    Professional Medical Medicine - University of Utah Hospital School of Medicine M.D.
    Undergraduate Medical Biology - University of Utah B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Scott RA, Holtmeyer CJ, Parker TM, Willis JK, Scott WJ, Olson RJ (2025). The efficiency of venturi versus peristaltic based phacoemulsification in femtosecond laser cataract surgery: Venturi vs peristaltic based phacoemulsification for cataract. J Cataract Refract Surg. (Read full article)
    2. Scott RA, Holtmeyer CJ, Parker TM, Scott WJ, Olson RJ (2024). A comparison of venturi and peristaltic based phacoemulsification efficiency in routine femtosecond laser cataract surgery. Can J Ophthalmol. (Read full article)
    3. Kuboi T, Chuck RS, Pineda R 2nd, Bhushan R, Goswamy A, Olson RJ (2024). Subgroup Analysis from a Phase 1/2 Randomized Clinical Trial of 2.6% EDTA Ophthalmic Solution in Patients with Age-Related Cataract. Am J Ophthalmol, 268, 155-164. (Read full article)
    4. Sella R, Reitblat O, Durnford KM, Pettey JH, Olson RJ, Hahn TE, Bernhisel AA, Afshari NA (2023). The effect of patient age on some new and older IOL power calculation formulas. Acta Ophthalmol, 102(5), e696-e704. (Read full article)
    5. Meyer JJ, Meeks H, Li K, Guinto E, Olson RJ (2024). Mortality and Causes of Death Among Individuals With Keratoconus. Cornea. (Read full article)
    6. Ungricht EL, Harris JT, Jensen NR, Barlow WR, Murri MS, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2022). Effect of low and passive flow on OVD thermal properties during phacoemulsification. Can J Ophthalmol, 58(6), 507-512. (Read full article)
    7. Cardenas IA, Ungricht EL, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2022). Efficiency of a polymer-coated phacoemulsification tip in cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg, 49(10), 1056-1060. (Read full article)
    8. Ricks RG, Cardenas IA, Ungricht EL, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2023). Effect of Modified Peristaltic Phacoemulsification Device on Efficiency and Post-Occlusion Pressure Surge. Clin Ophthalmol, 17, 2341-2347. (Read full article)
    9. Jensen NR, Ungricht EL, Harris JT, Zaugg B, Barlow WR, Murri MS, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2023). Temperature Change of Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices in a Bi-Chamber Set-Up at a Flow of 0 and 20mL/min. Clin Ophthalmol, 17, 555-560. (Read full article)
    10. Wilkinson SW, Ungricht EL, West WB, Harris JT, Zaugg B, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2023). Comparison of Phacoemulsification Grooving Efficiency in Longitudinal vs Transversal Handpieces. Clin Ophthalmol, 17, 191-195. (Read full article)
    11. Park SSE, Wilkinson SW, Ungricht EL, Trapnell M, Nydegger J, Brintz BJ, Mamalis N, Olson RJ, Werner L (2022). Corneal endothelium protection provided by ophthalmic viscosurgical devices during phacoemulsification: experimental study in rabbit eyes. J Cataract Refract Surg, 48(12), 1440-1445. (Read full article)
    12. Wilkinson SW, Park SSE, Ungricht EL, Trapnell M, Nydegger J, Cardenas IA, Brintz BJ, Mamalis N, Olson RJ, Werner L (2022). Effect of simulated lenticular debris on corneal endothelial cells: experimental study in rabbit eyes. J Cataract Refract Surg, 48(11), 1325-1330. (Read full article)
    13. Peterson JS, Cooper C, Ungricht EL, Mamalis C, Barlow W, Zaugg B, Bernhisel AA, Olson RJ, Pettey JH (2022). Measurement of Phacoemulsification Vacuum Pressure in the Oertli CataRhex3. Clin Ophthalmol, 16, 1731-1737. (Read full article)
    14. 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. (Read full article)
    15. 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. (Read full article)
    16. 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. (Read full article)
    17. 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. (Read full article)
    18. 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. (Read full article)
    19. 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. (Read full article)
    20. 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. (Read full article)
    21. 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. (Read full article)
    22. 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. (Read full article)
    23. 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. (Read full article)
    24. 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. (Read full article)
    25. 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. (Read full article)
    26. 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. (Read full article)
    27. 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. (Read full article)
    28. Stringham J, Pettey J, Olson RJ (2011). Evaluation of variables affecting intraoperative aberrometry. J Cataract Refract Surg, 38(3), 470-4. (Read full article)
    29. 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. (Read full article)
    30. 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. (Read full article)
    31. Waite A, Faulkner N, Olson RJ (2006). Glistenings in the single-piece, hydrophobic, acrylic intraocular lenses. Am J Ophthalmol, 144(1), 143-4. (Read full article)
    32. Werner L, Olson RJ, Mamalis N (2006). New technology IOL optics. Ophthalmol Clin North Am, 19(4), 469-83. (Read full article)
    33. Adams W, Brinton J, Floyd M, Olson RJ (2005). Phacodynamics: an aspiration flow vs vacuum comparison. Am J Ophthalmol, 142(2), 320-2. (Read full article)
    34. 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. (Read full article)
    35. 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. (Read full article)
    36. Bradley MJ, Coombs J, Olson RJ (2006). Analysis of an approach to astigmatism correction during cataract surgery. Ophthalmologica, 220(5), 311-6. (Read full article)
    37. 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. (Read full article)
    38. Olson RJ (2004). Reducing the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. Surv Ophthalmol, 49 Suppl 2, S55-61. (Read full article)
    39. Olson RJ, Kumar R (2003). White Star technology. Curr Opin Ophthalmol, 14(1), 20-3. (Read full article)

    Letter

    1. Kuboi T, Chuck RS, Pineda R 2nd, Bhushan R, Goswamy A, Olson RJ (2024). Reply to Comment on Subgroup Analysis From a Phase 1/2 Randomized Clinical Trial of 2.6% EDTA Ophthalmic Solution in Patients With Age-Related Cataract. [Letter to the editor]. Am J Ophthalmol, 269, 498. (Read full article)
    2. Olson RJ, Mamalis N, Werner L (2022). Reply : Effect of longitudinal and torsional ultrasound on corneal endothelial cells: experimental study in rabbit eyes. [Letter to the editor]. J Cataract Refract Surg, 48(7), 871. (Read full article)

    Patent

    1. 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.
    2. Olson RJ (2011). Vision Correction System. U.S. Patent No. 61/394,327. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
    3. Olson RJ (2011). Multi-functional second instrument for cataract removal. U.S. Patent No. 7883521. Washington, D.C.:U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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