Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dennis L. Lockhart, M.D.
in Bloomington and Peoria, Illinois
Email: lockhart@GaileyEyeClinic.com
In 1976, ophthalmologist Dr. Dennis Lockhart M.D. joined the Gailey Eye Clinic, and soon began performing vitrectomy surgery, a complex eye surgery which removes blood and fibrous membrane from the posterior segment of the eye. He was the first surgeon in downstate Illinois to perform a vitrectomy, and also one of the first surgeons in downstate Illinois to receive training in radial keratotomy, a procedure which corrects nearsightedness. Dr. Lockhart has been performing radial keratotomy since 1982.
As an aggressive ophthalmology practitioner interested in new ophthalmic techniques, Dr. Lockhart soon began performing astigmatic keratotomy, to correct astigmatism. He is also experienced in automated lamellar keratectomy (ALK), which can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness. In January 1996, Dr. Lockhart became one of the first eye surgeons in downstate Illinois to perform photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), which uses a laser beam rather than incisions to correct nearsightedness.
Dr.Dennis Lockhart M.D. attended the University of Akron, where he majored in chemistry and biology, and minored in speech. He went on for a master's degree in cellular physiology with an emphasis in biochemistry. During his master's training, he taught human physiology at the college level, and while still a graduate student, received a grant from the National Dental Association to explore the realm of oral adhesives. In conjunction with this research, Dr. Lockhart and Dr. Roger Keller were responsible for presenting multiple national and international papers on dental adhesives. The International Academy of Science invited him to New York to present his research findings to an international audience.
While pursuing his medical degree at Loma Linda University in southern California, Dr. Lockhart maintained his honor roll status and was invited to join the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society in his junior year. He then accepted a medical internship sponsored by Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. Public Health Service in Baltimore, Maryland. During the following year, Dr. Lockhart received extensive training in the various medical sub-specialties as well as emergency room care.
After his internship, he accepted a three year residency at the University of Minnesota, where he received special training in retinal and vitreous surgery. Dr. Lockhart holds the distinction of being the first resident in the university's history to implant an intraocular lens. In his senior year, he was honored to be offered the position of Chief of Staff of the ophthalmology department at the Veterans Hospital in Minnesota.
Although Dr. Lockhart has chosen to specialize in refractive surgery and eye cataract surgery he maintains a large general ophthalmology practice. Dr. Lockhart performs the most modern eye cataract surgery using phacoemulsification using a foldable implant, no shot, no stitch, closure and no patch. In fact, in 1989, he was the first ophthalmologist in Central Illinois to use a foldable silicone implant. He also frequently uses laser surgery to treat his diabetic and glaucoma patients.
Dr.Dennis Lockhart M.D. is a member of:
- American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- MAMA McLean Area Medical Association
- International Society of Refractive Surgeons (ISRS)
- McLean County Medical Society
- American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS)
- The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
- Illinois Society for Prevention of Blindness
- President of Bromenn Watson Gailey Eye Bank Foundation
Hospital Affiliations and Staff Membership
- Bromenn Medical Center
- OSF St. Joseph
- Bloomington Eye Institute
- Illinois Valley Community Hospital
- Proctor Community Hospital
- Decatur Memorial Hospital
- Danville Surgery Center
Dr. Lockhart enjoys spending time with his family and grandson. His hobbies include water-skiing, working out and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Contact us today by email or by phone at 309.829.5311.
