Dr. David R. Hardten, a board-certified ophthalmologist and founding partner of Minnesota Eye Consultants, is one of the nation’s most prominent leaders in the treatment of the cornea, external disease, anterior segment, cataract, refractive and laser surgery – as well as in research and education.

As director for Minnesota Eye Consultants’ Clinical Research Department, Dr. Hardten leads research projects surrounding LASIK Eye Surgery, refractive surgery, complex case management, cataract surgery, natural lens replacement surgery, glaucoma management, corneal transplantation, iris reconstruction, surgical instrumentation and drug therapies.

Dr. Hardten attended the University of Kansas undergraduate and medical schools, and was then accepted in the University of Minnesota Department of Ophthalmology residency program. While completing residency training, Dr. Hardten received numerous honors and awards for outstanding achievement. He completed his fellowship training in cornea and external disease at the University of Minnesota and Phillips Eye Institute and received the ARVO/National Eye Institute Fellow Award.

Dr. Hardten entered private practice in 1993 with Drs. Richard L. Lindstrom and Thomas W. Samuelson, also founding partners of Minnesota Eye Consultants. He is an attending ophthalmologist at Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well.