Ophthalmology

Dr. Alex Cohen is a partner at Eye Physicians and Surgeons (EPS). He joined the practice in 2015, moving back to Iowa from Oklahoma City where he held an endowed professorship at the prestigious Dean A. McGee Eye Institute. In addition to his practice at EPS, Dr. Cohen is a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Iowa where he instructs residents and fellows in LASIK and PRK laser vision correction surgery.

Dr. Cohen completed his medical education at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, NY. He was part of the Medical Scientist Training Program, a federally funded combined MD and Ph.D. dual degree program. While there, Dr. Cohen received his Ph.D. in Molecular Pharmacology, studying the role of specific protein signaling in various disease states. After completing both degrees in seven years, Dr. Cohen spent his one-year internship in New York and then moved to Iowa where he completed his residency in Ophthalmology and then a fellowship in Cornea and External Diseases, LASIK, and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Cohen is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, a lifetime member of the Heed Society, and a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgeons. He has published numerous articles in the field and recently served as an author and section editor of the Basic Techniques of Ophthalmic Surgery textbook. He is also active with the American Board of Ophthalmology, serving on the Exam Development Committee.

Growing up in Arizona, Dr. Cohen enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, sailing, canoeing, and taking landscape photos. He also enjoys volunteer work and since 2015 has worked closely with The Luke Commission, traveling to the African nation of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) to perform cataract and eye surgery. Both of his older children have accompanied him on these trips and have enjoyed the opportunity to serve this community.

Dr. Cohen is affiliated with Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology, Henry County Health Center, Keokuk Area Hospital, and Washington County Hospital. His special interests include advanced cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery and LASIK, corneal transplantation, collagen cross-linking, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and pterygium surgery. He is also active in clinical research and is currently a principal investigator for the Gemini minimally invasive glaucoma surgery clinical trial.

Areas of Interest:
Advanced Cataract Surgery, Refractive Surgery and LASIK, Dry eye, Pterygium Removal, Full Thickness and Partial Thickness Cornea Transplants

Medical School:
M.D., Ph.D. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, 2006

Residency:
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Department of Ophthalmology, 2007-2010

Fellowship:
Cornea, External Eye Disease, Lasik and Refractive Survery, University of Iowa, 2011

Board Certification:
American Board of Ophthalmology

Joined Iowa City ASC Medical Staff:
2015

Website:
Eye Physicians & Surgeons, LLP