Dr. Karl Olsen MD

Practice: Retina Vitreous Consultants

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Website: https://retinapittsburgh.com/

Phone: 412-683-5300

Email: contact@curecoats.org

Dr. Olsen attended Stanford University where he was awarded Phi Beta Kappa and his B.S. degree with Honors and with Distinction. He received his MD from Northwestern University and then did a residency in ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (BPEI). Following a vitreoretinal fellowship at Duke University, Dr. Olsen returned to BPEI as chief resident and then assistant professor of ophthalmology. He is now a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Olsen is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is past president of the Pittsburgh Ophthalmological Society and is treasurer of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology. He is currently a councilor for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Olsen has published over 100 papers on retinal disease. He has received the outstanding Clinical Instructor Award at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School, and has been chosen for ?Best Doctors? on a regular basis. Recently he received the Humanitarian Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

FAQ

At the Jack McGovern Coats’ Disease Foundation, we are often contacted by anxious parents or patients who are seeking information after receiving a diagnosis of Coats’ Disease. The questions below are provided as a resource to assist you as you and your doctor decide the best approach for treatment. These questions do not constitute any form of medical advice or diagnosis. Each patient is unique. An experienced retinal specialist who has examined the patient is the best source of information for diagnosis and treatment. We always recommend getting a second opinion.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor (Download PDF)

  • Ahead of any treatments or procedures, it is important to ask yourself and the doctor the following questions:

    • How do you know that this is Coats’ Disease?

    • Has your doctor treated other patients with Coats’ Disease?

    • Have you sought a second opinion? If not, please consult our Doctor Directory for knowledgeable doctors in your area.

    • What Stage of Coats’ Disease is he/she in?

    • Will his/her vision get worse over time?

    • Will the eye have pain?

    • Will his/her eye start to turn out? Is muscle corrective surgery an option?

    • Are cataracts likely?

    • How likely is glaucoma? (due to retinal detachment)

    • Is there calcification?

    • What is the anticipated disease progression?

    • Is there a thorough vision exam available?

    • Where is the vision affected? (central/peripheral/distance)

    • Does he/she have depth perception? (3D visibility)

    • What about the non-Coats’ eye?

    • To what extent is his/her vision affected?

    • Will we be able to use this as a baseline to measure progress/decline?

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