Dr. Michael Berenhaus received his Doctorate of Optometry from The Pennsylvania College of Optometry where he also received Honors for a Multidisciplinary and a Contact Lens Externship. While he was going to optometry school during the day, Dr. Berenhaus went to night school and received his Masters in Health Care Services and Administration at LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA. Before that he received his B.S. in Zoology/Biology at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Berenhaus belongs to the Maryland Optometric Association where he previously served as president.
Dr. Berenhaus has a fabulous list of specialties:
He performed research for the FDA for the approval of new types of contact lenses. From this research, multi-media coverage ensued: He’s been on the front page of The Washington Business Journal, received coverage in all local newspapers, as well as by the Health Reporter on Channel 9.
Recently, Dr. Berenhaus was invited to China to examine children to help determine ways to slow the progression of their myopia. He lectured to doctors and hospital administrators and even appeared in a Chinese newspaper. Also recently, Dr. Berenhaus was invited to Germany by Zeiss to test new spectacle lenses designed to improve night vision.
In his earlier years of practice, Dr. Berenhaus co-founded the first laser vision correction company in Maryland. In addition, his practice became a test site for a new design in corneal topography developed by Euclid Systems. In 2006, his practice became a test site for new astigmatic one-day disposable contact lens and for new contact lens for those just starting to need bifocal correction.
Dr. Berenhaus has also been involved in several other studies. He participated in a comparative contact lens study of major brands of astigmatic soft contact lenses for a large pharmaceutical as well as a contact lens study for new bifocal astigmatic soft contact lens.
Dr. Berenhaus has lectured to professional audiences. He lectured to military optometrists and ophthalmologists on the benefits and use of silicone hydrogel lenses and also lectured to optometric colleagues on multifocal soft contact lenses.
Dr. Berenhaus is very active in the media. He launched a Public Service Announcement campaign for bifocal soft lenses on the number 1 radio station in Washington – WASH-FM.
He has also appeared on a Montgomery County television talk show discussing the latest innovations in laser vision correction, contact lenses, and eyeglass lenses.
In addition, he appeared several times on national television during a Consumer Reports TV segment regarding ultra-violet protection in sunglasses. On Channels 7 and 21, he discussed new techniques to combat computer eye strain, reviewed laser vision correction and bifocal contact lenses.
Dr. Berenhaus is also a political advocate and has testified before the state house of representatives to increase optometric scope of practice and on another occasion testified before the state senate for a consumer bill for contact lens user rights.