Kara Hartl, MD, FACS

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Dr. Kara Hartl is a board certified Ophthalmologist and the Founder and CEO of Mountain View Eye Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. Dr. Hartl is a blue light expert and specializes in studying the effects of natural and artificial light on people’s eyes and bodies. She received a BA in Biology from Harvard University and earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from The University of California-San Diego Medical School. Dr. Hartl also trained at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. She is passionate about incorporating technology into the future of eye care and has started a public education initiative to inform everyday LED screen users about the effects and the easy ways to protect themselves while continuing to use their devices. Dr. Hartl also founded the international non-profit, Gift of Sight, which is dedicated to curing blindness across the globe.

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Co-authored Articles (7)

How to

Tell if Glasses Block Blue Light

There’s a lot of hype around blue light blocking glasses and a million brands to choose from, but how can you tell if your glasses are actually blocking blue light? Thankfully, you don’t have to be an optometrist to ...

4 of the Best DIY Glasses Cleaners for Uncoated & Coated Lenses

Remove dust and smudges from your eyeglasses easilyMaking your own glasses cleaner is a cheap, easy way to make sure your lenses are smudge-free. Using ingredients you have on hand, from dish soap or witch hazel to vineg...

How to

Read an Eyeglass Prescription

Learn to decode the values on your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription If you wear glasses, it’s useful to be able to read your prescription – especially if you want to order new specs from an online retailer. Wh...

How to

Test Blue Light Glasses

Blue light glasses can be a great way to protect your eyes and get good rest at night, but not all pairs are equally effective. If you want to test the effectiveness of your blue light glasses or are curious about learni...

How to

Clean Eyeglasses

Glasses can be expensive sometimes, so it's important to keep them in good shape. Fortunately, cleaning your glasses is quick and easy. The best way to clean eyewear is with warm water and dish soap, so head to the sink ...

How to

Do DIY Anti Fog Glasses

If you wear glasses, you know how obnoxious it is to have your glasses constantly fogging up while you’re wearing a mask. Luckily, this TikTok hack will keep your spectacles clean and clear. With a little bit of soap, ...

How to

Reduce iPhone Eye Strain

This wikiHow teaches you how to change your display settings and develop healthier habits to prevent eye strain from your iPhone's digital screen.