Overview

Kristen Thelen, OD, FAAO
Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology
Section of Optometry

Kristen Thelen, OD, FAAO, graduated from Southern College of Optometry (2013) in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed her residency training through the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Omni Eye Services of Atlanta in 2014. Her residency focused on ocular disease and surgical co-management. She also worked in a high-volume ophthalmology setting in Gainesville, Georgia, for about two years.

Dr. Thelen delivers routine and annual eye exams; eyeglasses and contact lenses prescription services; comprehensive, dilated eye exams with referrals to ophthalmologists for specialist care for eye diseases and disorders, and surgical co-management.

One of her proudest accomplishments is being board certified by the American Board of Optometry and holding a position on the ABO Board of Directors. She has been in this role since 2018 and she has held the title of ABO marketing director since 2019. Board certification enables her to provide the highest level of care possible.

Dr. Thelen is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the Georgia Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. She has a passion for volunteering and often travels in the US with Remote Area Medical (RAM) to provide free eye care to patients in rural and underserved areas.

In addition to volunteering, Dr. Thelen loves to teach and share her passion for optometry. She teaches third-year Emory medical students and undergraduate students. Her participation in the yearly Emory Health Professions HOP has inspired many students to complete observerships at Emory Eye Center.

Academic Appointment

• Assistant Professor, Department of Opthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta

Education