Rick E. Peterson

Dr. Rick Peterson was born in Park Ridge, Illinois and he grew up in Arlington Heights. He decided to become an Optometrist while participating in mission work in the Dominican Republic with Dr. Oswald. Dr. Peterson reveals, "This experience taught me how important vision is, and the fulfillment I could achieve in helping others."

Dr. Peterson attended the University of Iowa, and continued his education at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he received his BS in Visual Science and Doctor of Optometry degree. He also received awards for his work in pediatric/binocular vision and advanced ophthalmic care.

Dr. Peterson is currently the president of both The Laser Network and the United Eye Care Providers as well as a former clinical instructor for the Illinois College of Optometry. He is a graduate of the Disney Institute/Essilor MBA program. He is actively testing new ophthalmic designs for glasses and contact lenses. He frequently lectures on binocular vision to teachers, parents, and students. Dr. Peterson also presents seminars on the benefits and newest technology of LASIK refractive surgery. He is TPA certified and is a specialist in binocular vision and focusing disorders along with advanced diagnostic techniques of ocular, orbital, and neurological disorders.

Dr. Peterson lives in Lemont with his wife Julie, and their 3 children. They are active in St. Alphonsus parish and support local organizations for children with special needs.

Rick Peterson

Taryn Doherty

Dr. Taryn Doherty is originally from the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, but now calls the city of Chicago home. She graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science. She then received her doctorate at Illinois College of Optometry, where she earned honors for her clinical skills and became involved in advocating for optometry at the national level in Washington D.C.

Dr. Taryn completed her training at the Rhode Island Veterans Hospital, Hiatt Eye Center in Phoenix Arizona, the Illinois Eye Institute in Chicago, and Hellerstein and Brenner Vision Center in Denver Colorado specializing in Pediatrics and Vision Therapy. She enjoys all modes of practice, but takes a special interest in pediatrics and myopia control. In addition to primary care, Dr. Taryn is certified to manage and treat diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Currently, she is a member of the Illinois Optometric Association and American Optometric Association.

When Dr. Taryn is out of the office she enjoys exploring Chicago with her husband Danny, trying out at new restaurants and running on the riverfront. She is an avid coffee lover and splurges on anything Barbeque!

Alex Lopez

Dr. Alex Lopez was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He completed his undergraduate studies at Roosevelt University in Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree. He went on to attend Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Optometry and graduated in their inaugural class. He enjoyed volunteering at vision and medical screenings with the Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps in Nashville, Tennessee and “Native Eyes” free clinic in Rosebud, South Dakota.

Dr. Lopez completed training at Midwestern University Eye Institute in Downers Grove, Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Michigan, Chicago Cornea Consultants, Dynamic Center for Vision Therapy, and here at Absolute Vision. While Dr. Lopez enjoys all scopes of practice, he is particularly interested in Dry Eye Management, Contact Lenses, and Vision Therapy.

During his free time, Dr. Lopez enjoys being with his friends and family, fishing, gaming, searching for new places to explore, and discovering new foods to eat.

Daniel R. Peterson

Dr. Dan Peterson entered the world in Park Ridge, Illinois and has lived in Lemont since 2001. Growing up, he always aspired to join the AVC team and ,over the years, has assisted in nearly every position around the office. And now, that even includes seeing patients with the title of doctor.

Dan completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he received his Bachelor's in Biology and obtained minors in Psychology, Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Management. Following graduation, he continued his education at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, where he received his OD. While at ICO, he obtained Honors designations in each of his fourth-year externship rotations and was recognized with awards from the Floyd and Shirley Mizener Program for clinical excellence and with the Good-Lite Award for his work in pediatrics.

During his fourth year and after concluding his time as a student, Dr. Dan was hard at work on our new Palos location. He made it his mission to plan, design, and craft a custom space that represents the start of our next chapter; a better experience for both the patients and the AVC family. The office stands as a testament to our goals of providing excellent care to excellent people in an excellent space.

Dr. Dan proudly serves patients of all ages from under 1 to over 100, focusing on pediatrics, aging vision, retinal disease, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, neuro-optometry, and optic nerve disorders including glaucoma. He has taken a keen interest in nutrition and is a strong advocate that our bodies are a vast network of distinct, but interconnected systems that all work together. And that taking care of ourselves offers the best chances of taking care of our eyes now and into the future.

In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, working on computers, playing video games, watching movies and tv, and listening to music, particularly Coldplay. He also had a forced stint with birding in undergrad, but don’t ask him about that, lol.

Samra Hashmi

Dr. Samra Hashmi specializes in intraocular lens implant surgery, corneal transplant surgery and refractive or laser vision corrective surgery for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Board certified ophthalmologist and member of the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Hashmi earned her medical degree at the premier medical institute in Pakistan, The Aga Khan University, in 1994.

Her Postgraduate training included a research fellowship in the Hypertension section, Department of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York and a Research fellowship in Cornea and External Diseases at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City.

Dr. Hashmi completed her residency in Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia and a Fellowship in Refractive Surgery at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Hashmi performs cataract surgery with multi-focal implants using the current no-stich, no-patch technique.

Samra Hashmi, MD is affiliated with the following professional organizations:

• American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
• American Society for Hypertension

In her free time Dr. Hashmi enjoys spending time with her husband Nashib, a nephrologist and their three children. She is active in the community and her hobbies include traveling and reading books.

Majid Rassouli

Dr. Majid Rassouli attended Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine from 1994 -1998. He received his Bachelor of Science (microbiology) in 1991, from the University of Washington. His postgraduate training included an internship at Henry Ford Hospital/Bi-County Hospital in Michigan. Dr. Rassouli completed his residency at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine/Midwestern University from 1999-2002. He completed his Cornea and Refractive Surgery Fellowship in 2003 at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Dr. Rassouli is Board certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also affiliated with the following professional organizations: American Academy of Ophalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Osteopathic Association, American Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgeons.

Eli Lelis

Dr. Eli Lelis has been in practice for over 12 years and is well recognized in the southwest suburbs and Joliet. He is board certified and has performed thousands of surgeries, and lectured on numerous surgical methods. He went to school at Wayne State University and attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. His residency was performed at Loyola University and he is a member of the American Academy of Opthalmology.

Joseph M. Civantos

Joseph M. Civantos, MD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases of the retina and vitreous, including macular degeneration, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, trauma to the eye, and retinopathy of prematurity. He has been associated with Illinois Retina Associates since 1994, and is also an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center, in Chicago.

A native of Miami, Dr. Civantos inherited his passion for the practice of medicine from his father, who is also a physician. He received his undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard College, in Cambridge, MA, and his medical training at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL, followed by a retina-vitreous fellowship at Rush University Medical Center.

Dr. Civantos has participated in several groundbreaking clinical studies aimed at identifying the most effective treatments for conditions, such as macular degeneration, retinal detachment, and diabetic retinopathy; and has published studies in academic specialty journals, and presented his research at ophthalmology meetings throughout the US.

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Sohail J. Hasan

Sohail J. Hasan, MD, PhD, FACS, FRCSC, is a renowned vitreoretinal specialist who has received recognition for his clinical and surgical skills and innovative clinical research in the US and Canada. He holds certifications from the American Board of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Dr. Hasan has published numerous articles and abstracts in leading academic journals and written chapters for prestigious ophthalmology textbooks. He holds several leadership positions within national and international ophthalmology associations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology [AAO]. He has received multiple awards and honors for his contributions to the field, including an achievement award, lifelong education award, and physician recognition award from the AAO and American Medical Association.

Dr. Hasan is a strong and effective political advocate for his patients and profession. He is on staff at several Chicago-area hospitals and sees patients at Illinois Retina’s Orland Park and Flossmoor locations. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his wife and daughter. His linguistic proficiency is noteworthy as he is fluent in several languages. Additionally, he is a semi-professional photographer. He and his daughter are also keen practitioners and instructors of Shotokan karate. He holds a black belt in the discipline and regularly judges at tournaments.

Vivek Chaturvedi

Vivek Chaturvedi, M.D. is a native of Fargo, North Dakota. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned summa cum laude honors. He earned his medical degree with distinction from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the prestigious Tufts-New England Eye Center in Boston, and a fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Chaturvedi has published scientific papers in leading academic journals and holds membership in the American Society of Retinal Specialists, and has earned numerous awards throughout his medical training. Dr. Chaturvedi joined Illinois Retina Associates and the AVC team, where he diagnoses and treats disorders of the macula and retina. When he is not with patients, he enjoys cooking and writing poetry and prose.